Matthias Maier | Stories | Week 37 2024 | Carefree beach day

Birthday week

Everything that makes summer in New York in one week. From surprising moments on the beach to productive days in the city. It’s my perfect birthday week!

This week started with my birthday. I learned that there are people in the US celebrating their birthday for a week! As a rather introverted person, being the center of attention for one day is almost too much for me. A few small gestures and heartfelt congratulations are enough for me. I was richly blessed with both this year and once again realized how wonderful it is to be able to count so many dear and diverse people among my friends. With fresh sunflowers on the table and a calm, crystal-clear ocean under a cloudless sky, my loved one by my side, I had the perfect day.

Matthias Maier | Stories | Week 37 2024 | Sunflowers in the morning sun
Matthias Maier | SpaceX Falcon 9

Birthday surprises just the way I like them

Spectacle in the sky

A special surprise awaited me the following early morning. I woke up because I had to go to the toilet. As I walked past the window, I saw this apparition in the still dark sky. It was like a huge comet passing by and covering the sky with a bright tail. By the time I had grabbed my iPhone to take a picture, the tail was dissipating and a fiery projectile continued on its path alone. I was totally moved by the sight and the fact that I woke up just as this spectacle was taking place. As it turned out later, it was the SpaceX Falcon 9 on its way to orbit. Last year here on the island, I happened to be able to watch the launch of the Antares rocket that flew to the ISS, something that in Europe we only know from the news.

Matthias Maier | Swamp tree
Matthias Maier | Dragonfly
Matthias Maier | Fall mood

Green City

Enjoying the pleasures of the island

After last week, which I spent with a cold, I was finally able to go jogging this week and couldn’t wait to run through the Sunken Forest and the dunes. I really love this piece of maritime nature and with the touch of fall already in the September air, everything seemed a little different than in previous years, when I was always here in July. Apart from jogging, the first half of the week was spent sunbathing, collecting shells and cooling off in the ocean.

Matthias Maier | Stories | Week 37 2024 | Water and light

Water and light

Back in town

Wednesday I went back to the city. I was in the mood for the energy there, the city life, my studio and my big screen, which is much easier to work on than a laptop. As we went to the beach as soon as we arrived in New York, I didn’t really get to enjoy the city. The great late summer weather lasted the whole week and I was able to enjoy more runs in Central Park and Riverside Park. I’m still reorganizing my portfolio on the website, which involves texting and takes a little more time than I thought. Good things take time.

Matthias Maier | West 107th street
Matthias Maier | NYC Flowers
Matthias Maier | Uptown Broadway

Uptown insights

Happy all around

All in all, it was a wonderful and varied week that included everything that life has to offer: Sea and beach, lush nature and lively city life, leisure and work and a bright blue sky above it all. The perfect kind of birthday week, just the way I like it.

Main Image A carefree moment at the beach