Still Up, Still Down, and Still a Hole in the Ground

This most bizarre year grinds on and on and on. The most bizarre presidential election in memory is now only three months away. A sitting president is boasting about acing a dementia test and daring his opponent to do the same. His rival, by the way, is running a masterful campaign, appreciating that—now more than ever—less is definitely better. A footnote on the aforementioned test: I read somewhere that one question asks the patient to count back by seven from one hundred. Honestly, I don’t think very many young people could do that now. The dementia tests of the future will have to take this into account.

Speaking of bizarre, but sadly the norm in these Orwellian times, I came upon this recent ABC News tweet: “Protesters in California set fire to a courthouse, damaged a police station and assaulted officers after a peaceful demonstration intensified.” Once upon a time, President Bill Clinton answered a question with this: “It depends on what the meaning of ‘is’ is?" I say: It depends on what the meaning of “peaceful” is. Personally, I know a peaceful demonstration when I see one. And when it intensifies as noted above—by a mainstream media Goliath—it becomes something else entirely. Just sayin’. I suppose it’s in the company style manual: Any mention of violence in said demonstrations must include the word “peaceful” in it. Actually, if a peaceful demonstration intensifies, it should ipso facto be more peaceful.

Anyway, I ventured down to lower Manhattan this past weekend—into the belly of the beast in this Bizarro World in which we all reside. Curious to see what the peaceful demonstrators had wrought in the vicinity of City Hall, I planned a walk-around of the wounded landscape. The area, though, was barricaded and tightly guarded by police, who had at long last evicted—upon orders of the man-impersonating-a-mayor—Chaz East. Thwarted, I ventured into the canyons of Wall Street and down to Battery Park. Sometimes, you just have to look on the bright side of things—in this case of a pandemic. From a purely selfish perspective—I know—there are benefits to having fewer people around a piece of real estate typically overflowing with folks from all over the world. That said: I look forward to the business of New York’s return, which includes tourists en masse. But until that unknown date, I will wonder as I wander in the relative tranquility—in peacefulness, if you will.

The people still ride in a hole in the ground, but on the Number 1 line—heading into lower Manhattan—not until after Dyckman Street.

I wish I could say that New York City has gone to the dogs. But, unfortunately, it's gone to the politicians.

While it's a squeaky clean environment nowadays for many riders, it doesn't always last. Please, don't let this feeling end...

In the environs of City Hall, the big cleanup was ongoing. 

NYC Chaz ended with a whimper and not a bang, which was good for all concerned.

If you are a misanthrope and an outdoorsman, it's actually an ideal time to visit Manhattan.

Beware, though, of COVID-19 and stray gunfire.

This guard must be off-duty on weekends. He's never inside to disturb.

Sit here, not there, not there, not there, okay here.

Is all of this a bit of overkill? From my observation, individuals who practice social distancing will practice social distancing without untold prompts. And those who don't won't be inspired to do so by countless directives.

The bronze "Charging Bull," which I'm happy to report was left unscathed by peaceful demonstrators, is located in the historic Bowling Green area in the Financial District. By the way, there are a lot of statues down there.

What, pray tell, isn't nowadays?

Rest easy, lawn!

The place is here. The time is now, and the journey into the shadows that we are about to watch, could be our journey. This is Rod Serling's opening narration from "Where Is Everybody?" the first ever episode of The Twilight Zone, starring Earl Holliman. The above image is of the Castle Clinton National Monument, which in ordinary times would be teeming with visitors.

Including this big guy, who is one among countless little guys out of work in these bizarre times.

Here's that bright side that I was talking about.

Only a handful of people were on Miss New York, which was headed to the recently reopened Liberty Island. In normal times, this boat is packed to capacity with long, winding lines awaiting the next trip and the one after that and the one after that.

Alas, no climbing the Lady's innards at this time. But this too shall pass, he said.

(Photos from the personal collection of Nicholas Nigro)