I'm late. Yesterday was the first time since the New Year began that I was significantly late to work, and also the first time I missed a regularly scheduled workout. As I rush to the train I wonder if, after only five and a half weeks, I am already slipping back to my old habits. In my defense, it's been as stressful a week as any, not to mention that I am feeling sleep deprived, a bit dehydrated, and my right contact lens is itchy.
On the way to the station I call Aliza and wake her up, as she had asked me to, and wish her a happy birthday. When I turn onto Overlook, I see Ruchama J. brushing the roof of her car, which has been snowed in and plow trapped. A short woman whom I don't recognize is shoveling the snow around Ruchama's car. Finding the question on my face, Ruchama shouts "this is a very nice woman" and shrugs.
On the platform, Adam F. whizzes right by me. A few seconds later, I hear a pitched "hi Ely" and look up to find Marissa E. I'm really glad she has moved back into the hood, even as I contemplate moving out. The train comes; I get a seat and settle in. Next stop: more coffee.
Showing posts with label Adam. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Adam. Show all posts
Thursday, February 11
Tuesday, November 17
Starlight, Starbright
A new set of leaves have fallen to the ground and, outside, it still feels like Fall. Technically, it is Fall, but I recall the days before global warming, when November was full of snow. I'm typing into my Blackberry on Bennett when a woman, pushing a baby carriage, apparates less than two feet in front of me and startles the hell out of me. Embarrassment unavoidable, at least I am able to swerve out of the way in time.
Henry R. is standing on the corner of 186th Street. He seems preoccupied and walks right past me. On Overlook I see Ezra F. who also walks right by me. A few feet behind I notice Sara R. We wave.
Kara S. is on the platform, saying the morning prayers. Being the beginning of the Hebrew month, today's service is a bit longer than usual. I continue walking towards my spot and Adam F. passes me. That make it three days in a row that I run into him. Weird.
At 59th, I see Luba K. and she waves with a giant smile. "Good morning, Ely!" she says as she climbs the stairs. It's nice to see a familiar face so bright this early in the morning.
Henry R. is standing on the corner of 186th Street. He seems preoccupied and walks right past me. On Overlook I see Ezra F. who also walks right by me. A few feet behind I notice Sara R. We wave.
Kara S. is on the platform, saying the morning prayers. Being the beginning of the Hebrew month, today's service is a bit longer than usual. I continue walking towards my spot and Adam F. passes me. That make it three days in a row that I run into him. Weird.
At 59th, I see Luba K. and she waves with a giant smile. "Good morning, Ely!" she says as she climbs the stairs. It's nice to see a familiar face so bright this early in the morning.
Friday, November 13
Wind and Talk
Bill Evans, the Channel 7 meteorologist, said this morning that winds will be gusting to 50 miles an hour. For a bald guy that wears a yamika, this can spell trouble, but downstairs the air seems calm enough.
On the way to the train I pass a dollar bill on the floor but my uncaffeinated reflexes don't realize what it is until I am long past it. Even if I'd noticed in time, I'm not sure I would have picked it up. As a child, I had a joke bill that when folded on the ground looks exactly like U.S. $50, but once picked it up said something to the effect of "jokes on you."
I see Aliza B. walking towards the station as I'm walking inside. I've known since yesterday I'd see her. That's because I saw Aliza yesterday morning, and by some weird destine fate I never see her less than twice in a row.
On the platform, I pass Yael B. as she sips coffee from a blue thermos. She doesn't seem to notice me as I walk by. I also run into Sarah F. and her husband Adam F. They both say hello and walk past me.
Ilana Cowen walks past me too and I say hi. She stops to talk and we get on the train together. Her Mac is in disrepair, and when she asks if I can fix it I tell her that is not my area of expertise. She also tells me about an 1199 rally she attended in Albany yesterday. It’s clear that, this early in the morning, I am too tired to function, let alone carry on a proper conversation, so it’s not surprising when she tells me I ought to be taking a nap.
Leaning against the subway doors, I rest my head on the glass. Ilana somehow enters into conversation with a total stranger, a girl in a long charcoal overcoat and a big blue backpack strapped all about her. It’s hard to hear exactly what they're saying, but I think they are talking about "Night Pleasures," the book the girl is reading. The train has gotten crowded, elbows seem to be protruding everywhere, so I let my eyelids rest until 59th street. Just one more day to get through before the weekend.
On the way to the train I pass a dollar bill on the floor but my uncaffeinated reflexes don't realize what it is until I am long past it. Even if I'd noticed in time, I'm not sure I would have picked it up. As a child, I had a joke bill that when folded on the ground looks exactly like U.S. $50, but once picked it up said something to the effect of "jokes on you."
I see Aliza B. walking towards the station as I'm walking inside. I've known since yesterday I'd see her. That's because I saw Aliza yesterday morning, and by some weird destine fate I never see her less than twice in a row.
On the platform, I pass Yael B. as she sips coffee from a blue thermos. She doesn't seem to notice me as I walk by. I also run into Sarah F. and her husband Adam F. They both say hello and walk past me.
Ilana Cowen walks past me too and I say hi. She stops to talk and we get on the train together. Her Mac is in disrepair, and when she asks if I can fix it I tell her that is not my area of expertise. She also tells me about an 1199 rally she attended in Albany yesterday. It’s clear that, this early in the morning, I am too tired to function, let alone carry on a proper conversation, so it’s not surprising when she tells me I ought to be taking a nap.
Leaning against the subway doors, I rest my head on the glass. Ilana somehow enters into conversation with a total stranger, a girl in a long charcoal overcoat and a big blue backpack strapped all about her. It’s hard to hear exactly what they're saying, but I think they are talking about "Night Pleasures," the book the girl is reading. The train has gotten crowded, elbows seem to be protruding everywhere, so I let my eyelids rest until 59th street. Just one more day to get through before the weekend.
Tuesday, October 6
Bring Out the Leather
Today I am wearing my leather jacket. I bought it near Lake George a few years ago. At the time, I had a goatee and often wore a black wool hat in the winter, which my friends thought made me look scary. Coupled with shiny black leather, I made for a splendid gangster, so at the store they limited me to brown suede. There was one such jacket which I really liked, but it was the last one and my friend Koby had spotted it before me. He bought it and I settled for this one instead, but it turned out to be the best second-choice I’ve ever made. The jacket has been privy to more compliments than any other outwear I own. It also turned out that Koby’s jacket didn’t fit him too well, and so, after selling it to me for $20 later on, I ended up with both of them anyways.
Outside my building I see Adam F. returning from synagogue. I just met him this past weekend, and he waves hello. I ate together with him and his wife a few times during the first two days of Sukkot, and I feel we all had a chance to bond. They have an adorable son and a questionable babysitter.
I cross to the west side of Bennett and see Rabbi H. from the fourth floor of my building. I also Rabbi B. back on the other side of the street. John E. is up ahead at the corner of Overlook and 186th.
When I get to the platform, I see John again and pass him. Kara G. is also there. At 59th, I run into Doron S. He doesn’t see me, so I tap him and say hello as I quickly walk by. Josh S. is on the D. train when I board, but all the way on the other side of the car so we don’t speak. My hands are warm inside my leather pockets and I am the first one out of the train at Rockefeller, galloping up the stairs to the exit.
Outside my building I see Adam F. returning from synagogue. I just met him this past weekend, and he waves hello. I ate together with him and his wife a few times during the first two days of Sukkot, and I feel we all had a chance to bond. They have an adorable son and a questionable babysitter.
I cross to the west side of Bennett and see Rabbi H. from the fourth floor of my building. I also Rabbi B. back on the other side of the street. John E. is up ahead at the corner of Overlook and 186th.
When I get to the platform, I see John again and pass him. Kara G. is also there. At 59th, I run into Doron S. He doesn’t see me, so I tap him and say hello as I quickly walk by. Josh S. is on the D. train when I board, but all the way on the other side of the car so we don’t speak. My hands are warm inside my leather pockets and I am the first one out of the train at Rockefeller, galloping up the stairs to the exit.
Monday, September 14
School
I have to leave work early today so I head out of the apartment by 7:30, which even after a laundry drop will get me to the office sooner that any day in the past two weeks.
Adam E. is about a block ahead of me on 0verlook Terrace. Every once in a while, I export my address book to Facebook and "friend" the whole lot. Inevitably, some people don't accept, but Adam actually wrote back to apologize for rejecting me. He uses Facebook exclusively for communicating with elementary school classmates and others from his past, never anyone from the present. His excuse, if real, is a terrible waste of social networking, and I hope he was making it up just to avoid being FB friends.
On the platform, I can see Adam still ahead of me. I'm walking along and thinking of the Facebook incident when someone calls my name. It's loud, as if maybe it had been called out once or twice already and I just hadn't hear it. I turn around and it's Jay B. I just met him yesterday, at the Heightsbridge After Party. He asks what I do, which seems abrupt without some lighter pleasantries and especially this early in the morning. Desperate to get to my usual spot, if only because I'm in such a hurry, I am short with him and don't engage, offering quick answers to his questions. He finally bids me a good day and I continue on.
On the train, there is a girl sitting next to me who I'm pretty sure I recognize from the neighborhood. She is blonde, wearing a white t-shirt with a black hoodie, and blue jeans. She has a backpack labeled "Hot Shot" and is reading a textbook on chemistry. She is up to Chapter 13: Chemical Kinetics and the Rates of Reaction, not bad for the start of a new semester.
Adam E. is about a block ahead of me on 0verlook Terrace. Every once in a while, I export my address book to Facebook and "friend" the whole lot. Inevitably, some people don't accept, but Adam actually wrote back to apologize for rejecting me. He uses Facebook exclusively for communicating with elementary school classmates and others from his past, never anyone from the present. His excuse, if real, is a terrible waste of social networking, and I hope he was making it up just to avoid being FB friends.
On the platform, I can see Adam still ahead of me. I'm walking along and thinking of the Facebook incident when someone calls my name. It's loud, as if maybe it had been called out once or twice already and I just hadn't hear it. I turn around and it's Jay B. I just met him yesterday, at the Heightsbridge After Party. He asks what I do, which seems abrupt without some lighter pleasantries and especially this early in the morning. Desperate to get to my usual spot, if only because I'm in such a hurry, I am short with him and don't engage, offering quick answers to his questions. He finally bids me a good day and I continue on.
On the train, there is a girl sitting next to me who I'm pretty sure I recognize from the neighborhood. She is blonde, wearing a white t-shirt with a black hoodie, and blue jeans. She has a backpack labeled "Hot Shot" and is reading a textbook on chemistry. She is up to Chapter 13: Chemical Kinetics and the Rates of Reaction, not bad for the start of a new semester.
Friday, July 24
Missing Breakfast
There's an early meeting at work and so I've made sure to be on time today. On my way out the building a neighbor waves and says good morning, and a few minutes later I see Ezra F. on Bennett Ave. I'm invited to dinner tonight, to some friends who live on Magaw Place, and I know he's invited as well, but not sure if he knows that I am or that I know that he is.
Up ahead at the corner I can see Adam E. walking with his child and a few seconds later I bump into Henry R. Henry was vice president of the local synagogue when I served on its board of trustees. I like him and have a lot respect for him, and I am also very friendly with some of his children. He waves and says good morning as I pass him by.
On the platform I run into Tova K. and for the second time this week, we ride together on the train. As we sit and start to chat, I notice Emily L. seated further up, at least 15 feet away. One stop later Emily sees me too. She shouts hellos and good mornings and what ups from across the subway car. I shout back and we try to converse this way but it quickly becomes apparent that this is painfully irritating to other passengers.
I return to my chat with Tova and we continue the discussion about relationships from the other day, particularly about lifelong decisions and lifelong regrets. We also talk about the recent crime wave in NJ and a girls camp upstate. She tells me she is visiting her brother this weekend, who lives in a 17th story pad, and then asks about my thumb ring. Is it the same idea as a pinky ring? I balk at the comparison. Thumb rings were essential to archery in ancient and middle times, protecting the archer's thumb from the rebound of the bow. She is surprised I am still wearing it after all this time.
When I get off at 59th, Emily and I find each other and we catch up a bit. She looks tired and tells me it's because her neighbors have been noisy and because the sun light creaks into her room early in the morning. I suggest light-blocking blinds and say goodbye when we reach my stop.
Exiting the station at 47th, I go to Milk and Honey for a bagel with cream cheese and my morning coffee. There's a lot on mind today, and its earlier than usual, which may help explain why I've left the store and am already on 5th Avenue empty handed. I've paid for my breakfast but left it on the counter.
Up ahead at the corner I can see Adam E. walking with his child and a few seconds later I bump into Henry R. Henry was vice president of the local synagogue when I served on its board of trustees. I like him and have a lot respect for him, and I am also very friendly with some of his children. He waves and says good morning as I pass him by.
On the platform I run into Tova K. and for the second time this week, we ride together on the train. As we sit and start to chat, I notice Emily L. seated further up, at least 15 feet away. One stop later Emily sees me too. She shouts hellos and good mornings and what ups from across the subway car. I shout back and we try to converse this way but it quickly becomes apparent that this is painfully irritating to other passengers.
I return to my chat with Tova and we continue the discussion about relationships from the other day, particularly about lifelong decisions and lifelong regrets. We also talk about the recent crime wave in NJ and a girls camp upstate. She tells me she is visiting her brother this weekend, who lives in a 17th story pad, and then asks about my thumb ring. Is it the same idea as a pinky ring? I balk at the comparison. Thumb rings were essential to archery in ancient and middle times, protecting the archer's thumb from the rebound of the bow. She is surprised I am still wearing it after all this time.
When I get off at 59th, Emily and I find each other and we catch up a bit. She looks tired and tells me it's because her neighbors have been noisy and because the sun light creaks into her room early in the morning. I suggest light-blocking blinds and say goodbye when we reach my stop.
Exiting the station at 47th, I go to Milk and Honey for a bagel with cream cheese and my morning coffee. There's a lot on mind today, and its earlier than usual, which may help explain why I've left the store and am already on 5th Avenue empty handed. I've paid for my breakfast but left it on the counter.
Tuesday, July 21
Umbrellas
I hate umbrellas. I rarely use them, but this morning the rain is so bad I have little choice. On 186th Street I see Harriet and she waves. I wave back and continue on to the station. Miriam B. is walking out as I'm walking in. She has taken the elevator down from Fort Wash and tells me she is on her way to see a client.
Swiping my card at the turnstile, I get the infamous "insufficient fare" message, and am surprised to learn that my monthly has expired yet again. I am getting a new card and just finishing the purchase when I hear the train approaching. I don't run for it, and I miss it, but once on the platform it's clear that was an uptown. There are still plenty of people waiting for the downtown. Adam E. is on the platform just ahead of me.
Walking towards my usual spot I run into Tova K. We sit together on the train and discuss her upcoming travel plans. Two nights ago, we spent an hour on the phone - I was giving her tips on what to see in various European cities - and so the subject switches quickly. We move into a discussion about relationships. This seems to be the new hot topic in the neighborhood, with lots of scandalous chitchat to fuel it. I'm glad to say, however, that our conversation is able to stay away from the shallow, even as we discuss people that have long ago fallen off the deep end.
Swiping my card at the turnstile, I get the infamous "insufficient fare" message, and am surprised to learn that my monthly has expired yet again. I am getting a new card and just finishing the purchase when I hear the train approaching. I don't run for it, and I miss it, but once on the platform it's clear that was an uptown. There are still plenty of people waiting for the downtown. Adam E. is on the platform just ahead of me.
Walking towards my usual spot I run into Tova K. We sit together on the train and discuss her upcoming travel plans. Two nights ago, we spent an hour on the phone - I was giving her tips on what to see in various European cities - and so the subject switches quickly. We move into a discussion about relationships. This seems to be the new hot topic in the neighborhood, with lots of scandalous chitchat to fuel it. I'm glad to say, however, that our conversation is able to stay away from the shallow, even as we discuss people that have long ago fallen off the deep end.
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