As a precocious New York child growing up, I would hurry to my window at exactly 11:59 PM to watch the Empire State building in all it’s grandeur shut down at midnight. I was mesmerized. The west side seemed to completely disappear as the lights went off (which is how I always like to think about the west side anyway—the empire state building and a vast quantity of fabric is the only thing the west side has going for it). I always imagined a man (of the Hunchback Notre Dame sort—donning a dark brown potato sack garb, deformities and all) living in the decrepit attic of the empire state building holding onto the handle of an over-sized Frankenstein-awakening knife switch while eagerly watching a life-sized electronic atomic clock turn 12:00 AM in bright red digital numbers. My vision of him hasn’t changed too much except an updated wardrobe from a recession sample sale around the corner—hemp Nike dunks, D & G linen pants and a shirt to match.
This year, Rhys and I drove around under the Brooklyn Bridge scouting the perfect, unobstructed view of the empire state building so that it could escort my 22nd birthday in by shutting down. And midnight came. And then midnight:01, midnight:06 and then it never shut off. Was the Empire State building honoring my birthday by staying on all night? It certainly does so for special occasions. Rhysy must have arranged it! That’s so sweet, but watching the empire state building remain on is not as exciting as all the bright lights suddenly extinguishing. Three days later, we waited for the lights to shut off for Rhys’ birthday! Oh no! Rhys didn’t surprise me! Because again, the lights did not go off at their scheduled pre-twilight hour. A couple of months later, I read that the lights stay on until 2 AM. So now, to encourage Rhys to love New York, I will post a video of the empire state building, in all its splendor, yell out visually “Good night New York! I love you too!” In not so many words.
