In My Face

(Originally published 10/6/19)

I had the misfortune of boarding a train this morning at the Van Cortlandt Park terminal alongside a fellow passenger who loudly sang "My Way." Now, don't get me wrong, I'm a big fan of Frank Sinatra and his rendition of the song. But in an otherwise empty subway car at its point of origin, I'd rather not commence a trip with some guy who might be on a trip. Anyway, he eventually stopped singing and got on his phone, connecting with somebody he called "Mama." It wasn't his actual Mama because he referred at some point to the genuine article. Long story short: He wanted the faux-Mama to clean his turtle tank for him. Instructions included placing half a leaf of Romaine lettuce in it for the turtle's nocturnal needs. From what I gleaned from the conversation, the not-the-real-deal Mama didn't appear too smart. The subway singer explained over and over that all she had to do was cut a single lettuce piece in two and place it in the tank. And the turtle would take it from there.

Later, on the mean streets of New York, a young fellow seemingly materialized out of nowhere, got in my face, and shrieked, "Piece of shit!" Happily, for me, he wasn't playing the "Knockout Game." Perhaps he was listening to his preferred music, which wasn't "My Way" by the way, and just felt the urge. Maybe he's a reader of this blog. As if it never happened, both he and I moved on unbowed after the exchange. Yes, it pays to be ever vigilant in the big city. But even then...

Yesterday supplied the first real taste of autumn around here. The local Rite Aid drug store has even begun stocking its Christmas items, which will completely subsume the store after Halloween and probably a day or two before. Last year the very same retailer was preparing aisles for Valentine's Day on December 22nd.

From my persona experiences this weekend: Not so much loving therein.

"When it's least expected it, you're elected. You're the star today. Smile...you're on Candid Camera."

I sincerely hope they are better with hair than sign making.

"No phone, no lights, no motor car...not a single luxury." No, that's Gilligan's Island. This is Ellis Island.

Toiling in a street cart is not for the faint of heart. Nature, after all, does still call.

And the view is constantly changing.

Signs of the season: Con Edison steam pipes belching it up a notch.

Now, if only things were looking up...

I caption this picture: Down the up staircase.

Count your blessings instead of sheep. Done. Not too many of them.

Do you look at life as almost empty or barely full?

A new day has dawned. An overcast, breezy Sunday, which introduced me to the Sinatra impersonator and turtle parent.

Yes, I'd rather have been in the train's first car this morning with this bird than the one loudly singing "My Way" and talking on the phone about his turtle and its affinity for Romaine lettuce. It likes to sleep under a half a leaf of it and only a half a leaf of it.

Last year the biggest snowstorm of the season arrived in mid-November, before Thanksgiving, and it wasn't all that big at seven inches. However, the city brass was caught woefully unprepared and thereafter spread salt with abandon in anticipation of forecast snows, which didn't always materialize. I guess the sanitation department's not leaving anything to chance this year.

What treasures does this mysterious sidewalk trunk hold?

Homeward bound: Saw two little kids with their parents. They were both spellbound during the ride with their handheld devices. Don't you know that you are children on the subway. A train that travels through dark tunnels and makes a lot of noise. That's what interested me in my bygone youth. No devices required.

Read on, subway customer. Yes, that's how some train conductors refer to riders nowadays. Passenger will do just fine. And, too, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) has completely cast asunder "Ladies and gentlemen" in announcements. Can't risk offending someone who is neither. To be continued...

(Photos from the personal collection of Nicholas Nigro)