subway

Postcard from New York: Superheroes in the Subway

One of the things I love about New York City is that you can walk as much as you want. If you’re late for where you’re going, you can always jump on a train. It’s usually faster than a taxi. If your destination is too far to walk for the amount of time you have, (figure a block a minute for uptown/downtown blocks) you can walk part of the way and take the subway the rest of the way. Who needs a gym? And the subway is fun. The people watching is out of this world.

When I moved to New York, I had a bicycle. That’s a whole other post to file under ‘reckless behavior’. For today I’ll just say that this bike saved me the 50¢ subway fare every time I went anywhere. Today, the same ride costs $2.75.  

In the past few years, the 4,5 and 6 subway trains on the Lexington Avenue line (East side) have developed a bad reputation, with the #5 distinguishing itself as one of the worst trains in the city for its mechanical breakdowns and delays. Sometimes the platforms for these East side trains are so crowded that you have to wait your turn as three or four trains fill up before you can even get on one.

The Union Square subway station at 14th Street and Broadway is busy and, from the looks of this video, dangerous (though I have to admit I’ve rarely felt the danger). It’s great to know we have back up patrolling the corridors …  but I felt just a little less safe when I noticed their tip box. Aren’t superheroes supposed to be above that kind of thing?

Go Big or Go Bust: Day 142 (on opportunities falling in your lap)

It's feeling like I'm in some kind of crazy dance with my life, a dance that I normally wouldn't have even been aware of.  Instead of scowling at the person who plopped down in one of the three subway seats I'd sort of figured were 'mine', I smiled at her.  She was pretty in a very unpretentious and open way and she even apologized for 'crowding me'. Before long we were talking and soon after that I sat down beside her so I could hear better and not have to shout. 

Remember when something falls into Louise's lap on the subway?  (ep 23)  Kind of happened to me today.

Remember when something falls into Louise's lap on the subway?  (ep 23)  Kind of happened to me today.

She'd gone to a 'Conversation' with Abbi Jacobson and Ilana Glazer last night, the creators and stars of Broad City which, in case you don't know, is a hugely fun and funny show on Comedy Central but which started out as an East Village web series with a very small audience.  Ever curious, I popped the question: "Did they have some pearl of wisdom to share?"  According to my new friend, the gist of what they said was : "We kept taking the next logical step."

That's it. 

It sounds sort of like Victoria Trestrail's response to my plea the other day HOW DO YOU DO IT?  "One task at a time."

Combine Victoria's and the Broad City team's wisdom with Dr. Kumar's unforgettable: "It all comes down to luck and destiny" and hey, the pressure just evaporates. BOOM. 

PS Neither my new friend nor I had business cards on us but she told me her very unusual last name.  Funny thing she didn't mention that she's kind of a big deal. Crazy who you can meet on the subway if you don't have a sizable "I'm too busy" chip on your shoulder.