It’s been almost two weeks since my last post. Since then I have been getting into the swing of things. I just started a new job on a film. Phil Spector, an HBO production starring Al Pacino and Bette Midler. I haven’t gotten to meet the main actors yet but, I dream of the day where I get to shake their hands and NOT ask Mr. Pacino to “Say hello to my little friend” while giving him a pen to give me an autograph. Or NOT asking Bette to sing “I Put A Spell On You” (If you like “Hocus Pocus” say “ho”). Anyhoo, everyone’s pretty great. I’m meeting a lot of cool people with interesting NYC advice to give. Monday – Friday I get up, dress and make my way towards the L train for my morning commute. At first it was a little annoying, travelling 40ish minutes to and from work. But now, I kinda love it. It gives me a chance to wake up or wind down. Plus it allows me to experience one of the more interesting places in this city: The Subway.
The Subway is a magical place where every kind of person you can think of comes together to join in that traditional, New York dance called Mass Transit. Old people, young people, stockbrokers, hookers, hipsters, college students and crack heads are all there for the same reason. Just trying to get to that next destination in life. I find myself becoming more and more fascinated with the Train crowd. So many people to observe, it’s like every actors dream. The fashion alone causes me joy. I may not have gotten a ticket to Fashion Week this year but, that’s ok. I get to see every new trend, every intriguing take on clothes all the time. The platforms are like a runway and man…. I need to shop… Or maybe not. My friend Jean gave me great advice before coming here. She said “If you think you are fashionable, you’re NOT. No one is when they first get here. Fashion is like art here, and must be honed with the skill of a master craftsman.” And baby she ain’t kiddin’. Sometimes I feel I look busted and that everyone is wondering “where’s your artistic expression?” Then I remember Jeans words to that comment. “Nobody’s looking at you. They’re all looking at that model that just walked in. “Ahhh Jean…my Guru.
What kind of subway person are you? I’ve discovered that I am a reader. I swear I could be on the train for an hour and not notice with a good book in my hand. Sometimes I put down my book and attempt to casually watch my fellow choo-choo readers. They are so enraptured with the story. Foreheads creased, a slack jawed expression on their faces, gasping at surprises, hardly noticing the train bumping this way and that. The “Please don’t talk to me right now” is at about an 8 on the 1-10 scale. Or, you could be the music lover. I have never seen so many different types of head phones. All colors, sizes and freaky designs, they are like a really great accessory to an outfit. The music lovers have their own way of blocking out the world. They stare, quietly listening to whatever jam that suits them, bopping their heads. They rank an overwhelming 10 ½ on the scale. Except, of course, the ones who play their music Spinal Tap high on their smartphone and refuse to wear headphones. They obviously want you to join in the fun. Who am I to knock a good jam session? I vote for bopping your heads along with them. You won’t believe how awesome your morning gets. Let’s see…. You have the awkward staring people (yuck! Sometimes I fall into that category. Can’t you tell?). But, don’t worry; they’re not staring at you (They are looking in your direction with a slight sneer as if you stole their wallet…. But it’s not your fault). You have the sleepers (how do they not miss their stop?). The models doing their makeup, the chatters trying to start conversation, the people obviously enjoying their cocaine high while making up rap songs about the Holocaust (yes, that actually happened). Seriously, there are too many to categorize. What truly amazes me about the subway is that I encounter incredibly talented individuals every day. Its like a free concert starring the most creative people in the city. You want to discover culture, get out your metro card! World music, Hip Hop, Country, whatever your preference. It boggles my mind that Rebecca Black is an internet sensation and some of these people are unknowns scraping by. How is that fair? Yesterday I watched a man in a suit (I assume coming from work) walk up to a group of musicians playing on the 14th street stop and ask them if he could play with them. He whipped out his harmonica and they gave me the best music I’d heard all day. I missed my train because of them. It was amazing.
Really, why would you take a cab when you have the whole circus below your feet? Well, it’s time for me to wrap this up and catch the train home. I’m a circus freak too ya know. Ladies and Gentlemen, introducing “The Girl who stares at people on the train, when she’s doesn’t have her head in a Nora Roberts book, tearing up over the romantic ending”.
Love Always,
The girl who’s sneezes sound like angel farts
