land of plenty

New York City is a city of excess.
New Yorkers have access to anything and everything imaginable, at any time. In the land of 24 hour gyms, laundromats, spas, shops, restaurants, bars, etc, nothing is off limits! Esp. when its only a short walk, cab ride, or subway stop away!
This begs the question though; how much is too much? I myself am a very indecisive individual. I like having choices but hate making them. Presented with such a plethora of options can be initially overwhelming. Case and point; its now 1PM and Ive decided to order lunch. Where I come from, when ordering food you have 2 options: local chinese take out or chain pizza outlet. Here, however, within a block radius your confronted with every nationality of food, all which promise to deliver within 15 minutes; Asian, Chinese, Japanese, Vietnamese, Thai, Moroccan, Spanish, Mexican, Greek, Italian, American, and the list goes on! Even the fast food chains deliver! Its definitely a convienence, being able to basically have whatever you want at your fingertips, one which I was not used to.
But of course it doesn't stop there. Alcohol, for example, is attainable in any form at any time as well. Even the liquor stores are opened until midnight! Restaurants serve alcohol before noon. A belini or bloody mary with breakfast is totaly acceptable, if not encouraged. Bars and clubs are open until 6AM. And of course there is always an after party, which we all know can stretch well in to the morning hours. With this type of availability, no wonder Americans are known for over indulgence. Can you really blame people like BS and LL for taking things too far, when its all served up on a silver platter? (Well, LL is a diff. story lol)
When you've grown up in an environment with limits, many limits, it can be difficult at first being thrust into a world with endless possibilities. When I first moved here I was shocked at how easy life was. If I wanted a drink in VA, I would have to beg some older teenager to buy me some beer, which I happen to despise in the first place. (my point being it was a 'big deal' bc of the limited accessability) Bars? HA forget about it! Unless I wanted TGIF or something! Here, however, I can safely say that I can walk into any bar and be served whatever my heart desires. Say I'm not in the mood to go out? Walk a block North to the liquor store and buy, again, whatever my heart desires. So easy! But in this aspect it looses some of its appeal.
Even if you find yourself unable to sleep and bored in the middle of the night, there are a million opportunities just waiting. Apple ipod store? 24/7 gym on 14th? Grocery shopping or laundry? I wont even get into the going out ...

Its easy to take for granite. To become a lifestyle. Its only when you step out of your shoes for a moment, does it seem so grand. I admit I (along with about 8 million others) am guilty of becoming accustomed to such a spoiled and overtly indulgent way of life. but is this good or bad?