Riddle me this: why is the upper east side fratastic douchebag central? A few hours ago there was insane cheering and chants of OH-AICH-EYE-OH on the corner outside my apartment. I had to do a little googling to determine that today is that day that some guys in the midwest with padded shoulders and helmets get together and do that yard-running, oblong-ball-throwing game thing.
Normally I have a lot of Ohio pride. But I think maybe that has more to do with rock 'n roll and the rubber industry than with sporting teams. Also, I attended the other university in Ohio that has the words "Ohio" and "University" in the name, so I feel somewhat left out by these festivities. And finally, I hate Columbus. I do not have any sort of camaraderie with Columbusians. Or Cincinnasties for that matter. Or Toledoites--God I totally forgot about Toledo.
When I first moved here I thought I had a mentally retarded shut-in living next door, but now I think it is really much worse than that. Tonight my neighbor was doing more than the usual grunting and gurgling and clapping. He and his friend went on the fire escape and started holla-ing about Ohio to people down below. For some reason I was really embarrassed to be associated with these people. To live in the same building, to have unique appreciation for aspects of the same state. I pounded on the window and told them to knock it off. I probably did not have enough clothes on, because the friend later came to my door and apologized. Since that exchange they have not toned it down too much though. I think for them it is really just an excuse to drink and be obnoxious and feel they have earned it.
I know it could be worse, I could be on the LES amongst swarms of B&T every Saturday night. It's not so much the noise that bothers me as it is the flagrant douchbaggery and keg party vibe surrounding this area sometimes. I left Ohio for New York to get away from all that. And somehow they figured out a way to follow me here? With striped shirts and perfectly curved caps in tow.