I flossed too hard and now my tooth hurts. That's what I'm thinking about as I pass Ezra F. on 186th Street, on the way to the A train. There is a bit of commotion in the station and before I get to the platform I smell smoke. At the top of the stairs, I can see it's coming from the tracks. Fellow passengers are debating if the train is still running, and one laughably states that they won't risk trappage on a smoking train. A girl standing next to me looks vaguely familiar so I smile and say hi.
The announcement that train service has been suspended comes a moment later. I head out and see Ezra B. and ask if he'd like to split a cab. He knows the girl that had been standing next to me - Rach M. - and asks her if she also wants to take a cab. It turns out that Rach is roommates with Zippy K. and we head out to meet up with her so that she can join us too.
We walk towards Zippy on Broadway, but she passes us on a different street, so we hail a gypsy cab and go pick her up. I find the car comfortable and roomy, despite being in the middle of the back seat. Zippy and Rach are both sipping coffee, Zippy from the same Dixie "Grab N' Go" cups I use, except she has crushed the bottom of hers. I wish I hadn't finished mine so quickly.
The three of us talk about all manners of things, including but not limited to Toronto weddings, Central Park North, and the Israeli Day Parade. One by one the cab drops each of us off near our respective workplaces. Was it not for the whopping $40 price tag (a complete rip off despite Ezra's subtle complaint that he's previously paid only $25 for the same distance) I'd suggest we do this every day.
Showing posts with label Zippy. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Zippy. Show all posts
Thursday, May 27
Tuesday, May 4
Treats
Eliana, my cleaning lady, rings my buzzer at 8:02 AM and by the time I leave the apartment at 8:10 she is well into the bathroom agenda. Nechama B. walks past my building just as I get outside and says hello. It's a rare treat since I hardly ever see her. At about the same time, Mo H. walks into the lobby.
On 186th, I run into Michelle Z. - another rare treat. She's moving out of the hood, and I'm sad to see her go even if I know she'll be happier downtown. We chat for ten minutes, about apartment hunting, packing, and selling things on Craigslist. I recommend she post on Maalot.
Ezra F. walks by while Michelle and I are talking. She offers me a ride to work but after some debate I stick to the subway and we hurry off in separate directions. On Overlook, Esther D. pushes a baby carriage across the street. I see Dr. T. heading towards the subway, probably to take the shuttle van servicing nearby Yeshiva University.
On the platform I pass Zippy K. and say hello. She smiles and waves. I love smiles - they make people happy - and I think people should smile all the time.
On 186th, I run into Michelle Z. - another rare treat. She's moving out of the hood, and I'm sad to see her go even if I know she'll be happier downtown. We chat for ten minutes, about apartment hunting, packing, and selling things on Craigslist. I recommend she post on Maalot.
Ezra F. walks by while Michelle and I are talking. She offers me a ride to work but after some debate I stick to the subway and we hurry off in separate directions. On Overlook, Esther D. pushes a baby carriage across the street. I see Dr. T. heading towards the subway, probably to take the shuttle van servicing nearby Yeshiva University.
On the platform I pass Zippy K. and say hello. She smiles and waves. I love smiles - they make people happy - and I think people should smile all the time.
Thursday, March 4
Constitutional
The clock keeps ticking as I wait for Willie to come upstairs and get my key, so he can fix my leaky faucet later in the day. At 8:15, I call him and it turns out he had an emergency to deal with. He apologizes and sends Antonio to fetch the key.
While walking to the subway, I send emails to a few friends who are coming with me to a taping of the Daily Show later tonight. I won four VIP tickets at a Mount Sinai Panoply and want to arrange where we’ll be meeting.
Inside the station, Newspaper Guy says hello. Marc R. is at the foot of the stairs and also says hi. He asks if he’ll be mentioned in my blog and we briefly discuss the new draft of the Mount Sinai constitution. Marc led a campaign against the first draft, which failed to be voted in by the synagogue membership. He tells me that not all his issues have been addressed in the latest revision, but the most important ones were and feels comfortable with it.
I start walking towards my spot and pass Zippy K. sitting on bench while listening to music and sipping coffee from a Dixie cup. She waves hello. Sara R. is also nearby and says hi. Today, her hair is wavy. I wonder what is she doing in the middle of the platform; she is always near the stairs.
David M. waves as I pass him and the train arrives just as I get to my spot.
While walking to the subway, I send emails to a few friends who are coming with me to a taping of the Daily Show later tonight. I won four VIP tickets at a Mount Sinai Panoply and want to arrange where we’ll be meeting.
Inside the station, Newspaper Guy says hello. Marc R. is at the foot of the stairs and also says hi. He asks if he’ll be mentioned in my blog and we briefly discuss the new draft of the Mount Sinai constitution. Marc led a campaign against the first draft, which failed to be voted in by the synagogue membership. He tells me that not all his issues have been addressed in the latest revision, but the most important ones were and feels comfortable with it.
I start walking towards my spot and pass Zippy K. sitting on bench while listening to music and sipping coffee from a Dixie cup. She waves hello. Sara R. is also nearby and says hi. Today, her hair is wavy. I wonder what is she doing in the middle of the platform; she is always near the stairs.
David M. waves as I pass him and the train arrives just as I get to my spot.
Thursday, January 7
Viagra Vacation
It’s the third day in row forgoing Starbucks for my own brew, but with less time available this morning (snooze malfunction), I have to take it on the go. The cup is warm in my palms.
Ezra F. is on Bennett Avenue, most likely on his way to synagogue. I walk to the station and on my way down the steps I see Josh S. near the turnstiles. I want to get to my spot so I don’t wait to say hello. On the platform, I pass Zippy K. and then Kara S. She waves.
Sarah M. is also on the platform. I ask her to hold my coffee while I finish typing an email on my Blackberry, and by the time I’m done the train arrives. We board together and speak mostly about the same thing we did last time we took the train together – travel and vacations. She tells me how, on a recent trip to Israel, her plane made an emergency landing in Rome. On the way back, she got stuck in Brussels and made friends with a fellow Washington Heights resident, whom she recognized at the airport. They toured together for several hours, until the trouble at Newark ended and their flight was able to take off. Our conversation ends, just before I get off at 59th street, with a discussion about her profession, pharmaceutical advertising. Though Viagra is one of her firm’s clients, she does not have that account.
Ezra F. is on Bennett Avenue, most likely on his way to synagogue. I walk to the station and on my way down the steps I see Josh S. near the turnstiles. I want to get to my spot so I don’t wait to say hello. On the platform, I pass Zippy K. and then Kara S. She waves.
Sarah M. is also on the platform. I ask her to hold my coffee while I finish typing an email on my Blackberry, and by the time I’m done the train arrives. We board together and speak mostly about the same thing we did last time we took the train together – travel and vacations. She tells me how, on a recent trip to Israel, her plane made an emergency landing in Rome. On the way back, she got stuck in Brussels and made friends with a fellow Washington Heights resident, whom she recognized at the airport. They toured together for several hours, until the trouble at Newark ended and their flight was able to take off. Our conversation ends, just before I get off at 59th street, with a discussion about her profession, pharmaceutical advertising. Though Viagra is one of her firm’s clients, she does not have that account.
Tuesday, December 22
Leaving On Time
My cleaning lady is like Alice from the Brady Bunch. She is a part of the family, and after catching up with her for twenty minutes, I set off for work.
At the station, Newspaper Guy waves to me, then glances at a large group of Orthodox Jewish teens gathered at the metrocard vending machines.
Zippy K. is on the platform. I doubt she remembers me, but last year she came to my place with her cousin and we watched a movie.
The train arrives and I stand at the doors, peering through the glass, scope out the available seats, and decide on the best choice before the doors have opened. Everyone slowly files in, I get my seat, and try to mentally prepare for the day. It dawns on me I might actually arrive on time to work.
At the station, Newspaper Guy waves to me, then glances at a large group of Orthodox Jewish teens gathered at the metrocard vending machines.
Zippy K. is on the platform. I doubt she remembers me, but last year she came to my place with her cousin and we watched a movie.
The train arrives and I stand at the doors, peering through the glass, scope out the available seats, and decide on the best choice before the doors have opened. Everyone slowly files in, I get my seat, and try to mentally prepare for the day. It dawns on me I might actually arrive on time to work.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)