No Vitamins Today

I let the cleaning lady into the apartment this morning and, after a short chat, I leave for work. Downstairs, I run into Willie, the super, and then into David M. across Bennett Ave.

Sara K. leaves her building on 186th, and on Overlook I see Rabbi H. looking into the engine of his station wagon. Once inside the train station, Newspaper Guy says hello as I walk past him. Doron S. is also there, running after his son, and doesn't notice me or the fact that he’s wearing same coat as me.

A short woman with curly hair and a leather jacket smiles at me at bottom of stairs. Margie C. is also on the platform, and we ride the train together, discussing random topics. Of particular interest is the source of the strange smell in the car.

At 59th, I see Doron again, sans child, but still don’t get a chance to say hello. I transfer to the B, and get off near the bagel store, where I run into Will Y. To my deep dismay, they are out of vitamin water.

Last Day of the Week

I head downstairs and on Bennett Avenue I see Shifra A. getting out of her black SUV. She is wearing a gray overcoat and stomping across the street in high decibel heels. She asks “what's up?” as I wave. Up ahead at the corner I see Sarah F.

At the station, I can hear the train approaching but continue my calm pace as others run towards it. I don’t reach it in time, but none of them do either. At the bottom of steps I see Doron S. with his little boy.

Isaac D. is also on the platform, fishing through his knapsack. He doesn't see me as I walk by towards my spot. When I get there, I find Yael B. right next to me and she says hello.

There is a soft saxophone playing at the far end of the platform. It is pleasant, but muffles an announcement about an approaching downtown train which was already difficult to hear.

Riding with Rachel

I seem to be back on schedule and should make it to work on time, though I skipped breakfast just in case. It’s hot in the elevator and so, despite the rain, I enjoy the cool air when I leave my building. Just outside Will A. is walking down Bennett Avenue with his wife.

At the station, I spot Sara R. near the bottom of the platform steps. Her hair is down and wavy. The train arrives right away and just as I get in I see Doron S. and his son walking out from a different door.

I am sitting in the train when Rachel W. comes over and says hello. Her rain boots are ultra-funky, full of psychedelic colors. She tells me her mom bought them for her, then takes my book to read the back. Rachel is with a friend and introduces me, and then she and I spend the rest of the ride discussing Broadway, weekend plans, and random parties. The ride feels short and I even have enough time to pick up a bagel before I go in to the office.

A Slew of Peeps

It's while waiting for the elevator that I notice the downpour of snow outside the hallway window. It looks beautiful, but the sky is menacing and I can feel the cold draft through the cracks in the window's frame. I get into the elevator and run into Mo H. twice. First, while throwing out the garbage - Willie the super is also down in the basement - and later in the lobby. Venturing outside and onto Bennett, I pass Shaindle S.

I stroll slowly to the station, and take in the fall of snowflakes. I even consider stopping to photograph them, but reluctantly I continue towards the train; I don't want to ruin this week's perfect streak of getting to work on time.

Ezra B. overtakes me on Overlook and I congratulate him on his recent engagement. He thanks me and mentions my blog, saying that he was thinking about the "Raise Plow" sign from yesterday's post. We chat some more before parting ways at the platform. While boarding the train I run into Doron S. He and his son are getting off and Doron waves and he bends down to take his son's hand.

At 59th, we pull into the local track. There is a another A train parked on the express track, numerous police offers strutting about. A stranger, who has also just gotten off the same train I was on, shoots me a look of wonder. Caroline M. walks by, and up the stairs to the exit. Both A trains pull out shortly afterward, a D arrives, and I continue on to another day of work. On time.

Makes Me Wonder

I swear I'd like to slug that AM New York peddler square across the face. Every morning, she has the same stupid banter as I walk into the station.

Rabbi G. is on the platform and says hello.  On the train, I lean on one of the doors.  There is a seat nearby, occupied by none other than the bag of the passenger in the next chair.  Clad in a plethora of winter clothing, it's difficult to say whether the passenger is male or female.  It is, however, quite evident from facial characteristics and other various signs that the passenger is developmentally disabled.

A woman asks the passenger to move the bag so she can sit. She is answered with a frighteningly blank stare.  Another woman walks over and also asks to sit, and the passenger tantrums momentarily, twice punching the wall and letting loose a gargantuan groan.  Then, without a word, the passenger removes the bag.  Neither of the two women wants to take the seat, however, and it is a third woman, boarding at the next stop, who takes it without incident.

It makes me sad, and I start to wonder about many things in life.  The train arrives at 59th and I step off, spotting Doron S. in the distance. On 6th Avenue, while walking to Milk and Honey for breakfast, I see Yochanan A.  I don't think he notices me and I just walk by, in a rush to get to work on time.  Then it suddenly occurs to me - the passenger was wearing pink.  She was a woman.

The Heat Is On

I head downstairs at 7:24 and find it overwhelmingly hot for mid November. I insisted on wearing my new sweater and realize now I should have compensated with a lighter jacket.

Steven S. is on Bennett. We exchange hello and how are you and keep going. Around the corner, I bump into Lisa K. and we say hi as well.

I get into the station and onto the platform. Rachel L. is there again, sitting on a bench, and I take a seat next to her. She has a cold, and I have a bit of a lingering cough, so we talk to each other while looking straight ahead - at the "181" signs across the tracks - to avoid breathing at each other.

While talking to Rachel I see Rena G. on the catwalk above the platform. Before I started writing my blog, I almost always used the catwalk, to avoid bumping into people and being forced into conversation too early in the morning.

I can hear the train in the distance and say goodbye to Rachel as I head to my spot. I run into Doron S. and we walk together towards the front, passing Emily L. on the way.

Doron and I sit together and he takes off his jacket, revealing a spiffy blue shirt with beige trim squares. It's a tough color to match but he's done a good job. We chat a bit and, seeing my phone, he asks about Blackberry apps. After a little while we decide to each do our own thing. He puts on his headphones and I go back to writing emails. We work across the street from each other, so we both switch at 59th, but I head further up on the platform. I am planning to get a bagel.