#31

Did you know that between 5:04pm and 5:23, there are 6 – count ‘em—6 E-trains running uptown through Times Square. And in between? One C-train. One. Which means that if I’m not standing on the platform or running down the stairs by 5:15, I’m not getting on a train until 5:29. In the mean time, I could take one of 3 A-trains uptown, but only if I decide to take the bus from 125 or 145 since I’m not going to THEN wait for a C-train to take me home. P.S. this is now the 7th E-train since 5:04pm. The 4th crowded A-train. I’ll wait, thanks. Here’s the thing, it comes down to waiting and writing or standing and holding on for dear life. C train at 5:29pm. Perfection. Ugh.

#30

I love music. Really, really a lot. Love music. But I’m finding mostly that the music I enjoy ends up being in another language. I find that songs in English….or perhaps it’s English rhythms….are far too..pop…y. I love Latin rhythms and Hawaiian ones. I love German and Hawaiian language. There’s something very calming in their tones. That calming effect may be what’s at the root of all this. I prefer music that settles me. Not quiets, but settles. German makes me think which is more than English can lay claim to.

#29

I swear, sometimes I think I’m the only person who knows anything about walking etiquette. I mean….really…it’s just like driving. Especially if, while walking, you’re carrying a very large object that takes up a whole shitload of room. Today, I’m walking down the stairs at 40th Street entrance to the Subway. As I reached the bottom of the steps, I was of course, readying to make a right around the corner. Now, just as when making a right turn while driving, I have the right of way IN MY LANE. Those coming FROM the right, making a left, should yield to their right hand side. Someone coming from that direction should not be turning left INTO my lane as I try to make a turn. Hello? Could we maybe get some…I don’t know…median or something. But there he was—this jackass carrying a huge box—making a left turn into my north bound lane. Actually it’s a west bound lane in this case but forget it. But anyway he makes this turn directly into me. Slams smack into me with his fucking box. Now, I’m the injured party here but I’m not about to get into a fight at the foot of a rush hour staircase since that would be a whole nother breach of walking etiquette. Instead I choose to quietly roll my eyes and keep on walking to the beat of “Fall into Place” by Apartment. Good song. I go around the guy. No apology for slamming into my stomach, no apology for being an idiot, no apology for carrying a huge fucking box around a corner like a moron. No excuse me’s. no. Instead he chooses to put off going on his merry way, stand at the foot of the steps, blocking the staircase, and SHOUTING at me as I walk off: “You stupid fucking cunt, why don’t you watch where you’re going, bitch!” Thanks, man. I’ll remember that when your insurance is paying my bills once you’ve totaled my car. Jerk. I just kept walking. Turned up my iPod. Moved on. Now, if we’d been somewhere else perhaps he could have shot me in the back or something. But no. And you know what? I’m glad for that. Seriously, though. Where has all the etiquette gone? All the courtesy? This is New York. We’re all professional walkers. Experts in our field. We know when to dodge, behave, sidestep, synchronize, etc. Why is there an increase in stopping at the bottom of stairs? Turning corners wrong? Take up whole fucking staircases. I would blame tourists, but I’m totally talking about the locals.