I Hate Monday

There are few things more hated than Monday mornings. As I head out to the laundromat, I notice that there has been yet another increase in the amount of dog poo left on the sidewalks.

I pass Mt. Sinai and see people chatting outside, among them Marc R. Services must have just ended. On the way back, after dropping off the laundry, I see Adina L. and her husband Yaki R. on the corner, near Key Food. Heading towards the train station and passing my own building, I run into some of my neighbors who are schmoozing among themselves. I see Ezra F. across the street.

On Overlook, I see David H. go into the station ahead of me. A few seconds later I walk in to find the station smelling a strange mix of urine and lemon scented cleaning solution.

I am late to work and wondering if, as is usual at this hour, I'll run into Adina S. I turn around and, eerily, she is right behind me. "You're late" she admonishes. Yehuda B. passes us on the platform and waves hello. Adina and I take the train together, talking about the recent array of Chanukah parties in the neighborhood, and I tell her all about a very drunken Rock Band after-party at my place on Saturday night. She does not sound sorry to have missed it.

Dust in the Wind

In a brave, bold move, I decide to take the stairs instead of waiting for the elevator. The staircase’s windows overlook 187th street and on my way down I see Yaki R. walking out of synagogue with someone else. I have a slight cold, and my eyes hurt, so I am not wearing contact lenses as usual. This is especially irritating today, as there is a slight drizzle of rain outside and there are few things more frustrating than the speckles they create on eyeglasses.

The V. Rusciano Construction Company, Inc. has torn up most of 186th street, there is big gaping hole along most of the street between Bennett and Overlook. There is a lot of dust in the air and I rush through it to get to the station. Inside, I am about to go through the turnstile when I hear someone calling my name. It’s Sarah F. walking in the other direction, out of the station. I say hello and ask how she is doing, then continue down to the platform. I pass Lisa K. and wave, and she smiles back. The train, when I board, is almost empty and I easily find a seat, relax, and watch some TV on my phone.