In September of 2001, just two weeks after the attacks on the World Trade Center, I moved to New York from San Diego. The city was big and intimidating and scary but I was exhilarated to be here and to find something new around every corner. I had very few friends but it didn’t matter. I went to dinner, I went to movies, I went out. By myself. I was just happy to be in the city. Then after a while that wore off. And I wanted friends. I wanted people to explore the city with and people to share experiences with.
In January of 2002 Jessica moved to New York from Boston. I saw her around the office but never really spoke to her except in passing. Around the end of March or early April of 2002 we found ourselves having drinks together after work at Cafe Noir along with another coworker. We had a conversation that went something like:
Jessica: “How do you meet new friends in New York?”
Me: “I don’t really. It’s hard.”
Jessica: “Me either. It’s really difficult.”
Me: “Hmm.”
Jessica: “Hmm”
Both: “Will you be my friend?”
Afterwards we exchanged phone numbers. The rest is history. For almost two years exactly Jess has been a true friend to me in New York and always there when I needed her. Our mutual friends call us The Odd Couple because we are so different in many ways but so alike in other ways. I will really miss Jessica when I move to Chicago. As a testament of the true friend that she is, she will be helping me move this weekend - helping me drive a UHaul there when I haven’t driven anything since 2001.. and helping me settle in to my new home.
The following is a series of self portraits that Jessica and I have taken of ourselves in New York over the past couple of years. I believe we started taking photos of ourselves because we would go out, just the two of us, and wouldnt want to ask a stranger to take a photo for us. As we’ve met more people and made many more friends we have always insisted on continuing to take these self portraits even when there are plenty of other people around to take the photo for us. We affectionately refer to this our self portraits as “The Pose”.
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
20 responses so far ↓
1 joel // Feb 24, 2004 at 11:13 pm
first of all - I got choked up reading this. then I saw the photo of you in the crash-test-dummy masks and I pretty much exploded in laughter.
good luck with the move, Rachelle :), and of course you too Jess. Be careful and drive safe!
2 tien // Feb 25, 2004 at 12:20 am
i wonder how many of those pictures in “the pose” were taken when drunk.
3 willo // Feb 25, 2004 at 2:41 am
that’s awesome. ya, it is hard finding close friends in the city - and keeping them! and then what happens? one of you moves!!
heres to you two keeping in close touch no matter the miles between you… and that you find a great new close friend in chicago!
4 mom // Feb 25, 2004 at 6:21 am
Shell, You know how to make a grown woman cry (and smile through tears too). Hey you two I know what it’s like coz I too have a “best friend” of about 2 years, remember Mary Jo?
And did you notice that on all 24 pics, Jessica is on the left! Rachelle is alwasy on the right. Great Pics, every one. I bet you are torn in 1000 directions Rachelle, with this move. Maybe Jess will take a transfer too !?!?!
Can’t wait to see you both this Sunday.
love, Mom (MaBowden to you Jess)
5 Aunt Susie // Feb 25, 2004 at 6:48 am
Best use of a camera I’ve ever seen. I can’t believe how emotional I got reading this.
6 Nan // Feb 25, 2004 at 8:55 am
Hey! You didn’t do an “ode” to me when you moved to San Diego!! HA HA
Great pics you guys. Can’t wait to see you on Sunday. Jess - maybe you’ll fall in love with Chicago and want to move as well.
7 jeannette // Feb 25, 2004 at 12:01 pm
sniff - you guys are making me teary. you are the cutest Odd Couple I know. I’m going to miss the R&J team!!
8 Jessica // Feb 25, 2004 at 12:46 pm
damn Rachelle… you did it.. you made me cry (again .. hee hee).
I am truly going to miss our “pose” and the escapades out in the city.
You know those type of friends that are always there and willing to do whatever you want to do. You wake up on a saturday morning and have someone to call and say hey let’s go do this and like that the day is full and spent with a great friend!
I truly don’t know what i am going to do .. guess have lots of trips to chicago
Thank you Rachelle for help make new york a home to me.
9 Jessica // Feb 25, 2004 at 12:53 pm
oh Tien.. answer is 18
10 Arthur // Feb 25, 2004 at 1:07 pm
OUTSTANDING - the Pose is outstanding.
Thanks to Rachelle and everyone or all the great blogs and info on NYC. I’m gonna miss Rachelle’s “blog-work” in NYC, but I guess I’ll learn more about Chicago.
Best to all.
Arthur
11 dad // Feb 25, 2004 at 4:13 pm
Great story and comments and photos. I know you You always have a place in your heart for New York City and your freinds.
But theres always “vacations”
I myself feel like I did not explore enough of New York City when we visted.
But theres Milwaukee and Chicago and New York City and San Deigo and other place were life will lead you.
Welcome back to the Midwest
Dad
12 Brian // Feb 25, 2004 at 7:50 pm
Hi Rachelle and Jess!
Nice post. Fabulous photo journal.
I look forward to learning all about Chicago in phase 3 of rachelleb.com
Cheers,
Brian
13 Dave // Feb 25, 2004 at 8:20 pm
Rachelle, awesome picumentary of the friendship between the two of you. I must say I’m gonna miss checking out your nyc experiences on yer blog, because many times the stuff you’ve written and taken beautiful pics of has re-opened my eyes to the many great things here that this ny’er had become numb to (so don’t ever put that camera down). I look forward to learning a lot about chicago through your eyes and ears. Remember, miles will be the only thing to seperate you from NYC. But chicago’s callin’, so go answer and reach everything and everyplace you set your sights on. Will miss you. Keep in touch, drive safe and be well, friend.
14 tien // Feb 26, 2004 at 12:59 am
jess, that’s 18/24…3/4! and your hair changes parts. crazy. left, right, middle.
15 Chris // Feb 26, 2004 at 1:15 am
Rachelle, you are the coolest person I have never met! : ) Good-luck w/ the move!
16 rachelle on a dell // Feb 26, 2004 at 3:32 am
I was about to say that I knew were weren’t drunk in the photo taken at the Revlon Run/Walk for Cancer but then I remembered that was the weekend that Andy was in town and that I had been out late the night before and that I only got a few hours of sleep before that 5k walk and that I very well may have been still a little drunk.
Thanks, everyone, for your kind words.. they mean a lot to me.
17 ChrisM // Feb 26, 2004 at 7:47 am
Rachelle so interesting your blogs and unique POV on life and NYC please once you are settled do the same in Chicago also I’m happy to take care of Jessica if she needs support in your absense.
18 Arthur // Feb 26, 2004 at 12:36 pm
Is this pose copywrited??
19 Jessica // Feb 26, 2004 at 2:06 pm
3/4 is a good percentage, isn’t it. And I guess I like to change things up a bit.. there are color changes too : )
20 WhatISee // Oct 10, 2004 at 12:05 am
Open House NY: Jefferson Library
Last year, we went to the first Open House NY thanks to Gothamist. This year, we kept our eye open for it and instead of wandering to our first spot at 3pm, we got out a lot earlier. I…
Leave a Comment