Angels and Roommates

The city i live in is know for it's art, it's culture, it's fashion.....and it's high cost of living. The HIGH cost of living. So how can i be here???? It's easy---i have angels.  I've always had angels and i
am sure if you were to examine your life, you too would have many.

Roommates are a necessity for many of us living in the city.  I've had my share and not just in this city.

Before i moved here and after my second divorce i decided to go back to school.  While in school i lived in many rooms in many houses. I also house set.  I stayed at a house while a friend and angel transformed the house into the first bed and breakfast Inn in Eugene, OR.

 Some of the living situations required roommates, and some of them were horrible.  One had a boyfriend who was a coke dealer and arranged for someone to come in while i was at school and steal thousand of dollars worth of jewelry that i had acquired during my marriages.  (Little did they know that because of that horrible experience i would create a line of jewelry made of glass and copper and brass instead of diamonds, emeralds, gold and platinum.)

One of my roommates and one of my angels was the one who suggested i take a metalsmithing class.  "Oh! Dan's class is an easy A. You need some hours so give it a go and besides you'll have some new jewelry". said Dominique.

A. D. Original was created out of that experience and at the age of 44 i discovered i was an artist.  Who'da thunk it.  Not me.  I found out i was, and am, an artist. I loved working with metal.  I combined some glass, at first in the form of marbles, with the metals-- copper and brass, and put them together in various forms.  A new life opened up for me.  Thanks Dominique.

My friend  and angel Denise had moved to NYC as had my daughter.  Denise and her husband had a two bedroom apartment. The invitation was extended for me to stay if i decided i wanted to try the NYC market.

Another friend and angel arranged an art sale in Medford, invited me to participate with him and lo and behold i earned enough money for a plane ticket to the city of my dreams.  I said goodbye to my mother, with whom i had been living, my friends and family, and i was off.

I had a place to live. There were, however some glitches in the arrangement.  My friends welcomed me with opened arms, however the fellow tenants didn't. Being the third adult living in the apartment was in violation of some sort of  lease agreement and  i had to leave after a couple months.  In the meantime I found a little boutique on Madison Ave that agreed to carry some of my line on consignment.  Oh Boy i was on my way--but i need new living arrangements.

My only option at the time was to move into the apartment in Hell's Kitchen with my daughter, son-in-law and grandson.  I loved the area but living in a tiny space with three other people was a hardship for all of us and most of all for my daughter and her family.

The next and most precious of my angels came to my rescue. Bobby, whom i affectionately call Booby, invited me to come be his roommate on the first floor of the same apartment building as i was now living.  Booby is my son-in-laws brother.  Oh--Lucky me!!!

My gentle angel, in the form of Booby, transformed my next 21 years in Manhattan.  His tiny apartment had a neat little loft at one end that was built by Booby to house his frequent visiting guests. There was a ladder to climb and enough room for a single mattress. One couldn't stand up but who cares--i had a place to live---with an actor, who had a gazillion friends, and extensive knowledge of New York city living.  I'd hit the motherload.

B. painted the space a perfect orange with white trim, built some shelving for my jewelry supplies, found some carpet and i  began my life as a jewelry designer in Manhattan. I could sit all day, listen to my tv or radio and make orders that were sent to me from my friend and rep in Oregon.  I still needed a part time job so my daughter suggested i try "Nicolina's" who might not only hire me to work but might take on my jewelry line as well.  More angels.

I was hired and so A.D. original and myself  began a great 6 year run at Nicolina's, a fabulous little boutique in the theater district. Sales were moderate but good and my line soon became the property of quite a few celebrities of the theater.

The beautiful little unique boutique closed with the sudden death of the owner.  It was a sad day, not only for the employees, but for the whole community in general.  Nicole was the only one who could make Nicolina's work and sadly she was no longer with us.

Booby came home one night and said "Ann, ya know, there is a thrift shop opening up across the street and they're looking for someone to take over and set up and run the place.  Go check it out.  I think it's something you could do."  Ya right Booby.  I don't like thrift shops and i've never done anything like that.  "You have lot's of retail experience so, just for fun, go over and check it out"
My dear angel must have told me several times over the period of several days of the opportunity across the street so just to get him off my back i went.

I was hired.  The work was extensive and hard but i loved it.  I loved the people, the experience of doing the design myself. The gig lasted 8 years and was fulfilling but physically taxing.  My jewelry design work had slowed down along with my enthusiasm for pumping out the same designs over and over and over again.

Shortly after i moved in with my angel, he suggested i sign up for an apartment in Manhattan Plaza.  I would be on a waiting list but it was a choice opportunity for anyone in the theater or living in the neighborhood as it was a government subsidised housing unit created specifically for the performing arts. %20 however, had to be rented to neighborhood, elderly, or handicapped.  I would be considered neighborhood.

I balked again as i was only planning on being here for, three months, six months, one year, five years and on and on. Booby said "Ooh! just do it you never know". So i did.  Time and life passed.   8 years i was on the list and renewing every year. Finally i was in, my apartment was ready.

After 30 years of no home of my own, i not only have my own place but i have a place fit for a queen--or at least an upwardly mobile serf!! At a price i can afford. My nest is on the 19th floor. My view is spectacular, my building well maintained and clean, my neighborhood exciting and busy and the transportation, for me, is right outside my door. There is a whole exciting world out there for me.  I'm a little slower and and a little less mobile but i am in love with my life and all the wonderful people in it.

My  years here have certainly been full of ups and downs.  My angels have been many, my devils-few.  Life is good.