First impressions

just came back from madison square garden. the madonna "re-invention" concert was sold out so i didn't actually go in, but i did eat at a very fine japanese restaurant right outside. if they can cook up a dish like i had for just 5 dollars i might just never cook again... and all within 10 minutes of walk!

some observations so far:

1a) there are a LOT of gay people here.
and
1b) they all have HUGE muscles.
this is the first of many culture shocks resulting from being a long time among the somewhat modesly shaped japanese folk..

2) people here shout a lot. it's not that they're being rude, it's just that they don't seem to know how to speak quietly.. on top of that, they say whatever they like.. most of the time, when i listen to people talking i think they are rehearsing for a movie since most of what they say is actually quite interesting.. and they don't understand sarcasm (much like the Japanese..)
so i will need to shout a lot and not be sarcastic if i'm going to have any chance of fitting in here it seems...

3) garbage men play music loudly from their trucks..

4) people say "dollar" a lot..