Editing my first New York Times story and seeing “Jane Eyre” at the Metropolitan Opera

It was back to work this morning, but considering where I work, that wasn’t too much (or at all) of an issue. I was on the newsroom floor for the first time all day today, and I discovered that all the NYT desks have a standing set-up option (mine was set that way by default). You press a lever on the left side and the desk descends to seated level like one of those stair chairlifts for older adults. IT WAS SO COOL!

Another neat thing about the Times office is the square garden in the center of the building, which each floor looks out on through walled glass windows. It’s very peaceful to stare at when it’s pouring rain, as it was today (I can also look up at the glass ceiling above my desk and be mesmerized by the raindrops!).

OK, so on to the actual editing. I shadow-edited a few stories to start off, meaning I’d go through and edit and then check myself against the changes the actual editor made. Then I worked on an Instagram caption series before graduating to my first feature, a 1300-wordish story for the Wellness section. I’m so glad I have both magazine and newspaper backgrounds at this point in my career, as my current role is a mix of both the meticulous attention to detail magazine fact-checking requires and the news judgment, style acumen, and speed of a newspaper editor. I continue to find the reverse-reporting process of fact-checking fascinating.

Another fun surprise this afternoon: My flex editing team deskmate, Jason Bailey, is also an IUPUI graduate (he earned his MA in Sports Journalism in 2012). IUPUI power! On a side note, I told a few people here that those from out of state sometimes pronounce the acronym ooey-pooey, and the NYT-ers were confused. “How do you get that from IUPUI?” THANK YOU.

Today’s food adventure was a trip to The Halal Guys cart at Sixth Avenue and West 53rd Street. They’re a Middle Eastern and Mediterranean halal food cart that the New York Times once called “perhaps the city’s most famous open-air dining destination.” I got a combo gyro and chicken platter over the signature orange rice, which also came with fluffy, warm slices of pita. It was very tasty (and, for $7 – cash only – very cheap for NYC!).

One caveat: The Halal Guys are known for their red (hot) and white (mayo-like) sauce. I was disappointed by both. The red sauce is similar to Tabasco, except Tabasco is better. And Sriracha is superior to both. The white sauce, for all its fans, didn’t impress me, either. Mayo is better tasting. I just wanted more … flavor, I guess? Anyway, the platter is scrumptious on its own merit – no sauce required.

This evening was my big Metropolitan Opera House night I’d been looking forward to forever. I saw the American Ballet Theatre’s production of “Jane Eyre,” starring Misty Copeland as Jane. I bought a student ticket in the Family Circle (front of the upper balcony), and I really could’ve used some opera glasses, as I couldn’t make out faces. But, then again, the ticket was $12, so I’m hardly complaining.

Fortunately, the production was extraordinary even from a distance. I was totally engrossed in the scenes with Bertha in particular – the staging of the fire was a frenzied, dramatic dancefest, and the Bertha and Rochester dancers are also incredibly talented (and flexible, as is Misty). The character of Bertha was just made for ballet.

I often regret the rare occasions when I buy dirt-cheap balcony tickets because I really want to see a show, as I often come away feeling like I should pay to see it again because the view was so distant that I missed all the nuance, but this ballet was the exception. I loved every minute of it. Then again, I’ve read the book – one poor guy near me leaned over and told his wife “I have no idea what’s going on, so I’m just appreciating the dancing!” Admittedly, if you were unfamiliar with the plot of Jane Eyre, you’d be pretty confused.

Lesser-known fact: You can also stage door a ballet. Misty Copeland couldn't come out tonight, but did send a few autographed photos for the three people who found the parking garage stage door in the Met Opera House maze. :)

Tomorrow evening I’m planning to check out the Guggenheim Museum as part of the Museum Mile Festival, during which seven museums open their doors to the public for free. That is, unless I win a Broadway lottery – there are four or five super-difficult shows that I’d drop everything to go see because ticket prices are so exorbitant otherwise (think Hamilton, Cursed Child, Hadestown …).

Bonus content: The Brooklyn Bridge by lamplight this evening.