I love it! There was an article in the New York Times this morning about how a group in Delaware is using old New York subway cars as a way to stimulate marine life/growth. The article talks about how this is becoming so popular that it's causing problems for the group that started it in Delaware. But I love this idea! Finally MTA (metro transit authority) has contributed positively to the world (instead of just pissing all of us off).
Pics of the subway cars being sent undersea to be new homes for fish!
And this is how the fish would experience it: Fun fish movie!
Finally someone who can respect the space of a subway car! No pole dancers down here!
Showing posts with label crazy people. Show all posts
Showing posts with label crazy people. Show all posts
Tuesday, April 8, 2008
Monday, March 24, 2008
Things I've seen lately....
Please note that most of these wacky NY events happened on some sort of public transportation vessel:
1) The other night on my way home from Anatomy and Physiology class, I was with a classmate, minding my own business. A man got on the train wearing some tubes in his nose like he was on oxygen (thought I never saw an oxygen tank or anything). He minded his own business for a couple stops, and then got up and started talking about how no subway ride was complete without a visit with your local bum. His wit caught my attention and I looked over and OOPS, made eye contact with him. From there on out, he spoke to me directly, minus asking some of the people on the other end of the train for money. He even went so far as to pole dance for me on a pole in the middle of the train while staring directly at me and singing about booty. Thank God we were at our stop! Why me??
2) Here's a first. So I've seen people throw small pieces of garbage (wrappers, etc) out of subway cars during the stops. This this morning, a man (possibly intoxicated...he had that smell about him), got up from his seat in the back of the bus this morning, opened the back doors and threw his large can (of beer??) in a paper bag out of the back door onto the street. Good God.
3) Earlier on the day that the self-proclaimed "bum" pole danced for me, I was lectured on the subway by an enthusiastic man who wanted me to sit down and eat my breakfast "cause it would make you feel better". He also told me he was how he was because he ate power bars and was quite happy about the fact that I was carrying a large bottle of water because it was "healthy".
4) Even EARLIER that day, as I walked out of my apartment and looked down our sidewalk, I took note of a man about 20-30 feet away wearing no pants. Bare legs I tell you. Not sure if he was peeing, pooping or changing his pants. After brief contemplation, I crossed to the other side of the road, avoiding a potentially awkward situation.
Just a few events of note that I've experience in NY lately. :)
1) The other night on my way home from Anatomy and Physiology class, I was with a classmate, minding my own business. A man got on the train wearing some tubes in his nose like he was on oxygen (thought I never saw an oxygen tank or anything). He minded his own business for a couple stops, and then got up and started talking about how no subway ride was complete without a visit with your local bum. His wit caught my attention and I looked over and OOPS, made eye contact with him. From there on out, he spoke to me directly, minus asking some of the people on the other end of the train for money. He even went so far as to pole dance for me on a pole in the middle of the train while staring directly at me and singing about booty. Thank God we were at our stop! Why me??
2) Here's a first. So I've seen people throw small pieces of garbage (wrappers, etc) out of subway cars during the stops. This this morning, a man (possibly intoxicated...he had that smell about him), got up from his seat in the back of the bus this morning, opened the back doors and threw his large can (of beer??) in a paper bag out of the back door onto the street. Good God.
3) Earlier on the day that the self-proclaimed "bum" pole danced for me, I was lectured on the subway by an enthusiastic man who wanted me to sit down and eat my breakfast "cause it would make you feel better". He also told me he was how he was because he ate power bars and was quite happy about the fact that I was carrying a large bottle of water because it was "healthy".
4) Even EARLIER that day, as I walked out of my apartment and looked down our sidewalk, I took note of a man about 20-30 feet away wearing no pants. Bare legs I tell you. Not sure if he was peeing, pooping or changing his pants. After brief contemplation, I crossed to the other side of the road, avoiding a potentially awkward situation.
Just a few events of note that I've experience in NY lately. :)
Tuesday, October 30, 2007
Parenting skills...
Yesterday while riding the bus to work in the Bronx, I observed some parenting skills probably comparable to Brit Brit's (Britney Spears that is). A woman, probably in her early to mid 20s, was sitting across from me with 2 toddlers (adorable might I add). I was alarmed when she was swearing profusely into her phone telling someone he was "wasting her fucking minutes" and calling him names. The kids were both crying, one because her pacifier had fell on the floor and the mom wasnt giving it back because it was dirty. The mom proceeded to tell the youngest to "shut up" because she was whining about the pacifier. When we got to their stop, the mom grabbed the youngest girl and basically tossed her to a man who was waiting for them at the bus. She then grabbed the other little girl from her seat who didnt seem to want to leave and tried to stand her ground. The mom violently took the girl by the arms and carried her off the bus. She then proceeded to bitch at the girl and yell more obscenities at the guy. As the bus door closed, an abrupt burst of spanish took over as multiple hispanohablantes were watching this whole incident and I couldn't have gotten a word in at all over the clamor of chatter.....Oh the Bronx.
P.S. Also in the Bronx, which was about 50 degrees this AM, I saw a girl eating a popcicle. Interesting.
P.S. Also in the Bronx, which was about 50 degrees this AM, I saw a girl eating a popcicle. Interesting.
Tuesday, October 23, 2007
Things I've seen lately....
In an attempt to chronicle the weird weird things I see while living in New York, I am starting an entry entitled: Things I've seen lately....let there be many many more entries to follow!
Things I've Seen Lately:
1) When Scott and I were walking down Amsterdam a week or 2 ago, we came to a bodega at the corner of Amsterdam and 103rd and saw a possibly inebriated man with blood all over his face and arm swaying around. People were just staring at him, and upon closer inspection, I noticed he was only wearing one shoe, and his other shoe and a brief case were on the side walk a few feet away from him. Scott and I promptly walked up 3 blocks and over to Broadway before my hero of a boyfriend called 911 who sent an ambulance....well no one else was gonna do it!
2) I've seen 2 separate woman panhandling in pink Croc shoes. Either people like to donate their pink Crocs to the needy, they choose to buy pink Crocs with their panhandling money in stead of...you know...nourishment, or they don't really need to be panhandling. Will have to do some more investigating on this one.
3) Saw a kid put loads of salt onto a piece of Sal and Carmine's pizza (which is already salty/smokey tasting.) This wasn't so much weird as it was gross. Talk about hypernatremia. *wink* And for those of you who know Sal and Carmine (who have been described as "two crusty Italians", who are in their sixties and have perma-frowns), I am convinced they are a gay couple. Just a thought.
4) Lastly, I saw a panhandler on the subway last night, one who didn't smell so good and looked quite dirty, who began holding onto the pole in the middle of the car and singing "It's getting hot in here! So take off all your clothes!" However, people ate this up! He got money for singing this. So I guess his bizzaro tactic worked.
Happy Tuesday everyone. Is it Friday yet??
Things I've Seen Lately:
1) When Scott and I were walking down Amsterdam a week or 2 ago, we came to a bodega at the corner of Amsterdam and 103rd and saw a possibly inebriated man with blood all over his face and arm swaying around. People were just staring at him, and upon closer inspection, I noticed he was only wearing one shoe, and his other shoe and a brief case were on the side walk a few feet away from him. Scott and I promptly walked up 3 blocks and over to Broadway before my hero of a boyfriend called 911 who sent an ambulance....well no one else was gonna do it!
2) I've seen 2 separate woman panhandling in pink Croc shoes. Either people like to donate their pink Crocs to the needy, they choose to buy pink Crocs with their panhandling money in stead of...you know...nourishment, or they don't really need to be panhandling. Will have to do some more investigating on this one.
3) Saw a kid put loads of salt onto a piece of Sal and Carmine's pizza (which is already salty/smokey tasting.) This wasn't so much weird as it was gross. Talk about hypernatremia. *wink* And for those of you who know Sal and Carmine (who have been described as "two crusty Italians", who are in their sixties and have perma-frowns), I am convinced they are a gay couple. Just a thought.
4) Lastly, I saw a panhandler on the subway last night, one who didn't smell so good and looked quite dirty, who began holding onto the pole in the middle of the car and singing "It's getting hot in here! So take off all your clothes!" However, people ate this up! He got money for singing this. So I guess his bizzaro tactic worked.
Happy Tuesday everyone. Is it Friday yet??
Friday, October 12, 2007
Crazy poodle photog update
I wanted to share (though haven't had the chance until now) that I saw crazy photographer man this past Monday who took a random picture of my sweaty, tennis-shoe-ed self in front of some random boutique on 95th street about a month ago (See this entry.)
This time when I saw him however, he didn't see me, so no random photos taken of me. (I feel a little bit like a celebrity who avoided the paparazzi...sad). However, he did have his large white poodle with
him (think golden retriever size or bigger), and the poodle had a kipa on. (For those of you who don't know what a kipa is, it's the headpiece that jewish men wear. See the pic.) The kipa was red and held on by hair clips. Funny thing is that photog man wasn't wearing a kipa. So apparently the dog is Jewish, and the photographer is just crazy.
Have a good weekend!
This time when I saw him however, he didn't see me, so no random photos taken of me. (I feel a little bit like a celebrity who avoided the paparazzi...sad). However, he did have his large white poodle with
him (think golden retriever size or bigger), and the poodle had a kipa on. (For those of you who don't know what a kipa is, it's the headpiece that jewish men wear. See the pic.) The kipa was red and held on by hair clips. Funny thing is that photog man wasn't wearing a kipa. So apparently the dog is Jewish, and the photographer is just crazy.Have a good weekend!
Monday, September 10, 2007
New York Happenings: Volume 14 (Quite frankly, I don't know how to write that in roman numerals)
Dearest friends and family,
The summer has come and gone and I am just about ready for that due to the fact that I have not worn sandals once this summer due to my stupid ankle except for at Jackie Harris's wedding in which I wore them for about an hour and then switched into the boot. Let's hope the fall brings cool weather, closed toe shoes and healed ankles.
For anyone still interested in my ankle news after all this time, here's the latest: I finally threw in the towel and gave up on my podiatrist who had given me 2 cortisol injections. While these helped, I knew they weren't addressing the problem as my ankle is still weak and I still have pain radiating up my leg and in my knee sometimes. Awesome. I needed to find someone who wouldn't dance around my constant sources of frustration with a needle full of drugs but would grab me by the ankle and say, "Look, your ligaments don't support your body in general, so having an injury on top of loose ligaments is taking all them ore time to heal." Which is exactly what my NEWEST podiatrist, Dr. Louis Galli told me. I was referred to him after I wrote my primary care doctor (only MD I trust in NY) to tell her of my frustrations and ask her advise. 3 months of sprained ankleness is just ridiculous. Dr. Galli is a foot and ankle specialist and works in dance medicine so he works with people with my loose ligament problem all the time. Good news is, I trust him. bad news is, more physical therapy which means more money which I don't really have. But it's worth it. I am starting with a new physical therapist on Wednesday who works with dancers and "knows about my kind of injury." I'll keep you updated. Month 4 of the ankle injury saga continues...
In other news, I have started class again and remember why I didn't like science classes to begin with: I HATE LABS. Honestly, lecture me all you want. Make me do the lab but explain it to me one on one without dozens of other people standing in front of me trying to see what you're doing. And for God's sake, give me a chair (my chemistry lab which is almost 3 hours does not have chairs in it..awesome for injured ankle girl.) BUT I am enjoying microbiology...can't say the same for Chemistry which is every Sunday from 9-3. I feel like i should be getting paid for being somewhere that long if I'm not enjoying myself. But I will push on!
I have also had 3 celebrity sitings since we last spoke..or should I say in the last week. The most exciting of which was Chris Noth (Mr. Big from Sex and the City) who was at the Bronx VA filming Law and Order Criminal Intent last week and who stopped to speak with my two coworkers and I even though they were invasively holding up camera phones and snapping his pick. I"m convinced he thought we were cute. For more info and pics, see the blog. I also saw the back of Dustin Hoffman's head (not too exciting) at 65th and Central Park West. And Scott and I saw Montel Williams (of talk show glory) walking out of AMC Loew's theater at 42nd and 8th on Saturday on our way to a play. He looked scruffy, but good.
Bizzaro land (aka New York City) has continued to fascinate me this month, especially this past weekend when I was standing at the corner of 95th and Broadway waiting for my friend Julia who was actually coming up 96th towards broadway but that's a whole other story. I noticed an older guy, 50s or 60s, walking a large poodle with a camera around his neck talking to 2 other guys. I basically just thought it was strange that some grey haired man with semi long hair was walking a poodle with a camera around his neck. This is why it stood out. My mind wandered else where until I saw the guy rushing back across 95th street, to the middle of the street and I looked over to see his poodle waiting patiently for him on the sidewalk. The guy picked up his camera as to take a picture of the poodle (so I thought) but then I realized he was taking a picture of little old me. I kind of tried to ignore this but it was hard when he came back, picked up the leash to his large poodle and snapped another picture of me standing there with a bewildered look on my face. The only explanation for this is that he thought I was Anna Paquin (or that is my conceded and hopeful explanation). Otherwise, I don't get it. I wasn't even looking cute. It was too hot. I had been sweating all day and I've been wearing tennis shoes for the past 3 months and just feel I can't look cute until the days I can don flats again.
So there you have it folks. August/September in the city. Looking forward to a visit from Jamie and Steve Held this weekend followed by a visit from Erin and Steve the next weekend. Can't wait to show them my little town. Happy September. Stay cool. Protect those ankles. Love, Lauren
p.s. Blog subscriptions are still available..and in fact will be available as long as I am writing the blog..but continue to email me if you'd like to subscribe and I'll set it all up. :)
The summer has come and gone and I am just about ready for that due to the fact that I have not worn sandals once this summer due to my stupid ankle except for at Jackie Harris's wedding in which I wore them for about an hour and then switched into the boot. Let's hope the fall brings cool weather, closed toe shoes and healed ankles.
For anyone still interested in my ankle news after all this time, here's the latest: I finally threw in the towel and gave up on my podiatrist who had given me 2 cortisol injections. While these helped, I knew they weren't addressing the problem as my ankle is still weak and I still have pain radiating up my leg and in my knee sometimes. Awesome. I needed to find someone who wouldn't dance around my constant sources of frustration with a needle full of drugs but would grab me by the ankle and say, "Look, your ligaments don't support your body in general, so having an injury on top of loose ligaments is taking all them ore time to heal." Which is exactly what my NEWEST podiatrist, Dr. Louis Galli told me. I was referred to him after I wrote my primary care doctor (only MD I trust in NY) to tell her of my frustrations and ask her advise. 3 months of sprained ankleness is just ridiculous. Dr. Galli is a foot and ankle specialist and works in dance medicine so he works with people with my loose ligament problem all the time. Good news is, I trust him. bad news is, more physical therapy which means more money which I don't really have. But it's worth it. I am starting with a new physical therapist on Wednesday who works with dancers and "knows about my kind of injury." I'll keep you updated. Month 4 of the ankle injury saga continues...
In other news, I have started class again and remember why I didn't like science classes to begin with: I HATE LABS. Honestly, lecture me all you want. Make me do the lab but explain it to me one on one without dozens of other people standing in front of me trying to see what you're doing. And for God's sake, give me a chair (my chemistry lab which is almost 3 hours does not have chairs in it..awesome for injured ankle girl.) BUT I am enjoying microbiology...can't say the same for Chemistry which is every Sunday from 9-3. I feel like i should be getting paid for being somewhere that long if I'm not enjoying myself. But I will push on!
I have also had 3 celebrity sitings since we last spoke..or should I say in the last week. The most exciting of which was Chris Noth (Mr. Big from Sex and the City) who was at the Bronx VA filming Law and Order Criminal Intent last week and who stopped to speak with my two coworkers and I even though they were invasively holding up camera phones and snapping his pick. I"m convinced he thought we were cute. For more info and pics, see the blog. I also saw the back of Dustin Hoffman's head (not too exciting) at 65th and Central Park West. And Scott and I saw Montel Williams (of talk show glory) walking out of AMC Loew's theater at 42nd and 8th on Saturday on our way to a play. He looked scruffy, but good.
Bizzaro land (aka New York City) has continued to fascinate me this month, especially this past weekend when I was standing at the corner of 95th and Broadway waiting for my friend Julia who was actually coming up 96th towards broadway but that's a whole other story. I noticed an older guy, 50s or 60s, walking a large poodle with a camera around his neck talking to 2 other guys. I basically just thought it was strange that some grey haired man with semi long hair was walking a poodle with a camera around his neck. This is why it stood out. My mind wandered else where until I saw the guy rushing back across 95th street, to the middle of the street and I looked over to see his poodle waiting patiently for him on the sidewalk. The guy picked up his camera as to take a picture of the poodle (so I thought) but then I realized he was taking a picture of little old me. I kind of tried to ignore this but it was hard when he came back, picked up the leash to his large poodle and snapped another picture of me standing there with a bewildered look on my face. The only explanation for this is that he thought I was Anna Paquin (or that is my conceded and hopeful explanation). Otherwise, I don't get it. I wasn't even looking cute. It was too hot. I had been sweating all day and I've been wearing tennis shoes for the past 3 months and just feel I can't look cute until the days I can don flats again.
So there you have it folks. August/September in the city. Looking forward to a visit from Jamie and Steve Held this weekend followed by a visit from Erin and Steve the next weekend. Can't wait to show them my little town. Happy September. Stay cool. Protect those ankles. Love, Lauren
p.s. Blog subscriptions are still available..and in fact will be available as long as I am writing the blog..but continue to email me if you'd like to subscribe and I'll set it all up. :)
Friday, August 17, 2007
Gallavanting and CBGBs...
I didn't know quite how to share this story by writing but when I told it verbally to AL and AB, they couldn't believe I hadn't yet posted it...so I will do my best with what verbal skills I have.
The other day when I was walking home from the subway at W103rd and Broadway, I noticed a man gallivanting in front of me. I don't really know what gallivanting means, but its really the only word I can think to use to describe the type of action this man was performing. Basically, picture a chicken walking around, pecking the air...on drugs...that's what he reminded me of. Anyways, I see this man walk up to a group of people at an outdoor patio at Cafe du Soleil, a nice French restaurant near my apartment. I think, maybe he knows him and is going to say hi. But no, he walks up to the table and spits a piece of candy (think like a gummy life saver) out of his mouth and begins to laugh hysterically and runs off. The people look shocked. What a nut. He proceeds to do this again at Carne, another restaurant near us on 105th and Broadway. I have to pass this man to get home and I am praying he does not turn around and spit something at me. Meanwhile, while he's walking, he's laughing like a doofy hyena and looks stoned out of his mind. I finally pass him and turn the corner towards my apartment. I glance back just once to see him flapping his wings while running across the street to yet another table at another restaurant. Who are these crazy people?!
Speaking of drug, when Scott and I were in the East Village (which happens to be where we're considering moving next year) before his play on Sunday we walked by the building where CBGBs used to be (famous punk bar for all those who are not hip on pop culture). We saw a man in what Scott called a "heroin stupor". He honestly looked like someone from the book/movie Awakenings, compeltely paralyzed in this awkward, bent over position, long, rocker hair hanging down over his face. It was mildly frightening. Interesting thing was that when we walked past him again about 15 minutes after the first time, he was in about the same position except facing a different direction. Really...JUST SAY NO kids. Scott joked that the man was reliving his CBGB days. Sad sad sad.
(Pic of an actual catatonic man from www.minddisorders.com)
The other day when I was walking home from the subway at W103rd and Broadway, I noticed a man gallivanting in front of me. I don't really know what gallivanting means, but its really the only word I can think to use to describe the type of action this man was performing. Basically, picture a chicken walking around, pecking the air...on drugs...that's what he reminded me of. Anyways, I see this man walk up to a group of people at an outdoor patio at Cafe du Soleil, a nice French restaurant near my apartment. I think, maybe he knows him and is going to say hi. But no, he walks up to the table and spits a piece of candy (think like a gummy life saver) out of his mouth and begins to laugh hysterically and runs off. The people look shocked. What a nut. He proceeds to do this again at Carne, another restaurant near us on 105th and Broadway. I have to pass this man to get home and I am praying he does not turn around and spit something at me. Meanwhile, while he's walking, he's laughing like a doofy hyena and looks stoned out of his mind. I finally pass him and turn the corner towards my apartment. I glance back just once to see him flapping his wings while running across the street to yet another table at another restaurant. Who are these crazy people?!
Speaking of drug, when Scott and I were in the East Village (which happens to be where we're considering moving next year) before his play on Sunday we walked by the building where CBGBs used to be (famous punk bar for all those who are not hip on pop culture). We saw a man in what Scott called a "heroin stupor". He honestly looked like someone from the book/movie Awakenings, compeltely paralyzed in this awkward, bent over position, long, rocker hair hanging down over his face. It was mildly frightening. Interesting thing was that when we walked past him again about 15 minutes after the first time, he was in about the same position except facing a different direction. Really...JUST SAY NO kids. Scott joked that the man was reliving his CBGB days. Sad sad sad.
(Pic of an actual catatonic man from www.minddisorders.com)
Tuesday, July 24, 2007
Silly Little Gummy Bears....
I am having a tough time focusing today. Maybe it's because I leave for Minnesota in less than 48 hours, and I while I'm there I will turn 24, get to see my family, some of my closest friends and I won't have to think about work for almost 2 weeks. Then again, maybe its because of the Lindsay fiasco. In fact, I think that may be the more likely reason.
For those of you who don't yet know, Lindsay Lohan is my heterosexual girl crush, you know, one of those celebrities of your own sex who mesmerizes you....ok....maybe I'm the only one who has one of those...but for those of you who can't claim celebrity gossip as their guilty pleasure, I must let you know that Lindsay was arrested in the wee hours of this (Tuesday) morning for a DUI. Yes, ALREADY! Turns out (according to Perez Hilton and the associated press...both very reliable sources...I swear...) that one of Lindsay's personal assistants quit a few hours before her arrest and Lindsay proceeded to engage in a car chase the personal assistant's mother or another personal assistant (the facts are not yet clear) with Lindsay being the chaser. Speaking of chasers...Lindsay had a blood alcohol level of .13 (.08 is the legal limit)and cocaine in her possession when she was arrested after the chasee called 911.
Oh poor misguided Lindsay. My co-worker Amelia B and I have analyzed this extensively. Seeing as how I have a BA in psychology and Amelia has an MS in mental health counseling, I think we are pretty reliable sources. We've decided that since she doesn't have the familial support of Paris Hilton (who seems to be getting her shit together) she is just lacking the support she needs to get better. Her dad is an ex-con, her mother I've never had a personal problem with but who some say is just as wild as Lindsay. We've decided that the only person who can help her is her Grams, whose name I can't quite remember because I can't get to PerezHilton.com on a VA computer and because I don't want to spend anymore of my air time minutes on my new phone. She is still in good old Long Island and we all know how grounded people from Long Island are. (Actually, I've met some friendly people from Long Island....AND some not so friendly people). We even discussed how perhaps I should become Lindsay's family to support her but we decided that wouldn't have my best interests at heart because at this point in time I am lacking trust in her.
And just so you know, I am only half joking about most of this stuff. It's quite sad and I've had a lot of down time today to ponder it. I'll let you know if I come up with any solutions. Right now, I'm just glad Lindsay is following my advice by checking back into rehab. Glad I could be there for her right now.
38 hours until plane time (at the time this post is being written). Can't wait! MN: HERE I COME!!!
In the mean time, I'll continue to chow down on my gummy bears and watch the clock until 5pm rolls around. Happy Tuesday. MWA!
For those of you who don't yet know, Lindsay Lohan is my heterosexual girl crush, you know, one of those celebrities of your own sex who mesmerizes you....ok....maybe I'm the only one who has one of those...but for those of you who can't claim celebrity gossip as their guilty pleasure, I must let you know that Lindsay was arrested in the wee hours of this (Tuesday) morning for a DUI. Yes, ALREADY! Turns out (according to Perez Hilton and the associated press...both very reliable sources...I swear...) that one of Lindsay's personal assistants quit a few hours before her arrest and Lindsay proceeded to engage in a car chase the personal assistant's mother or another personal assistant (the facts are not yet clear) with Lindsay being the chaser. Speaking of chasers...Lindsay had a blood alcohol level of .13 (.08 is the legal limit)and cocaine in her possession when she was arrested after the chasee called 911.
Oh poor misguided Lindsay. My co-worker Amelia B and I have analyzed this extensively. Seeing as how I have a BA in psychology and Amelia has an MS in mental health counseling, I think we are pretty reliable sources. We've decided that since she doesn't have the familial support of Paris Hilton (who seems to be getting her shit together) she is just lacking the support she needs to get better. Her dad is an ex-con, her mother I've never had a personal problem with but who some say is just as wild as Lindsay. We've decided that the only person who can help her is her Grams, whose name I can't quite remember because I can't get to PerezHilton.com on a VA computer and because I don't want to spend anymore of my air time minutes on my new phone. She is still in good old Long Island and we all know how grounded people from Long Island are. (Actually, I've met some friendly people from Long Island....AND some not so friendly people). We even discussed how perhaps I should become Lindsay's family to support her but we decided that wouldn't have my best interests at heart because at this point in time I am lacking trust in her.
And just so you know, I am only half joking about most of this stuff. It's quite sad and I've had a lot of down time today to ponder it. I'll let you know if I come up with any solutions. Right now, I'm just glad Lindsay is following my advice by checking back into rehab. Glad I could be there for her right now.
38 hours until plane time (at the time this post is being written). Can't wait! MN: HERE I COME!!!
In the mean time, I'll continue to chow down on my gummy bears and watch the clock until 5pm rolls around. Happy Tuesday. MWA!
Wednesday, July 11, 2007
2 weeks
First of all, let me say thank you to all of my new subscribers!! You have made me feel so good by wanting to receive these blogs in email form and it is refreshing to know I have a mini-following. Perhaps you will all have a book dedicated to you someday. ;)
2 weeks from tomorrow, I go home to Minnesota for the first time since April, which I guess isn't that long, but it has felt long. You can probably tell that I have been much happier in NY since about March or April, and it has begun to feel like home. However, without getting too specific, the events of the last 24 hours have brought back some of my resentful feelings towards NY and the people of NY. I even had someone say that when they think of "nice", they think of "fake". Wow. Thats pretty damn cynical. And sad. People in NY can be nice. And many are. But many also have this shell around them for some sort of protection and it makes them tough and seemingly unfriendly. Here is a list of some of the things I could do without about the people in NY:
1) I am really sick of girls on the Bronx bus getting upset when I'm standing in front of their seat and my bag brushes them and they proceed to give me attitude about moving it. Get over it. Don't waste your energy getting upset about something I obviously didn't try to do.
2) Along the lines of getting upset for stupid reasons, a woman who works are a receptionist in the Substance Abuse clinic at the VA actually told me I should wear sneakers because my boots "are really loud and you walk really hard". I literally saw that woman twice a week for about 30 minutes at a time. If it really annoys you so much that you need to make a comment about it to me, maybe the issue is w/ you and not with my boots.
3) Im tired of the fact that the almost the only people in NY (I say almost because there have been a few outstanding examples for the contrary) who have customer service skills are people who are either a) getting paid on comission; b) working at a really fancy establishment; or c) a combination of the 2. The people who actually don't fit this category are the fine folks who work at Starbucks. I'm convinced its because they get health benefits for working only part time. But I have rarely met an unfriendly Starbucks employee. Props to them.
4) I'm tired of having to prove my competence to arrogant hotshot doctors (MDs and otherwise.) I mean this within and outside of the work place. For those within, you hired me to help you, now appreciate it! (I am speaking for many a research coordinator/assistant out there when I say this). I don't mean this towards my new boss however as he has been quite gracious towards me for my help. (Also, this may not just be an NY thing...however, as I am ranting, I figured I'd add that in too).
5) Finally, I'm sick of looking at girls, especially in the Bronx who wear clothes that are at least 2 sizes too small for them. Ever heard of a muffin top? Its the chub that hangs over your pants (e.g. love handles and that fun pouch in the front.) Well I've seen some jumbo muffin tops out here and it ain't pretty. And I am not saying this to be derogatory to people who are overweight because God knows I'm not a thin person. However, I wear clothes primarily that fit me and that I can breathe in and that don't give people a sore eye when they look at me. Clothes that fit= a better situation for everyone involved.
Ok...I'm done being bitchy. I'm just a bit of a grump today. Maybe its the heat. As the weather man said its "sticky and soupy" in NY today. How attractive sounding is that? (P.S. That was a shout out to Amelia Bowman).
On a more positive note, I look forward to getting back in touch with my friendly Minnesota roots and seeing some of my wonderful Minnesota friends and my family. I will be in town from July 26th through August 6th so if you're around, let me know if you wanna meet up! I promise to be more pleasant. Thanks again everyone for being so wonderful. I miss you all!
2 weeks from tomorrow, I go home to Minnesota for the first time since April, which I guess isn't that long, but it has felt long. You can probably tell that I have been much happier in NY since about March or April, and it has begun to feel like home. However, without getting too specific, the events of the last 24 hours have brought back some of my resentful feelings towards NY and the people of NY. I even had someone say that when they think of "nice", they think of "fake". Wow. Thats pretty damn cynical. And sad. People in NY can be nice. And many are. But many also have this shell around them for some sort of protection and it makes them tough and seemingly unfriendly. Here is a list of some of the things I could do without about the people in NY:
1) I am really sick of girls on the Bronx bus getting upset when I'm standing in front of their seat and my bag brushes them and they proceed to give me attitude about moving it. Get over it. Don't waste your energy getting upset about something I obviously didn't try to do.
2) Along the lines of getting upset for stupid reasons, a woman who works are a receptionist in the Substance Abuse clinic at the VA actually told me I should wear sneakers because my boots "are really loud and you walk really hard". I literally saw that woman twice a week for about 30 minutes at a time. If it really annoys you so much that you need to make a comment about it to me, maybe the issue is w/ you and not with my boots.
3) Im tired of the fact that the almost the only people in NY (I say almost because there have been a few outstanding examples for the contrary) who have customer service skills are people who are either a) getting paid on comission; b) working at a really fancy establishment; or c) a combination of the 2. The people who actually don't fit this category are the fine folks who work at Starbucks. I'm convinced its because they get health benefits for working only part time. But I have rarely met an unfriendly Starbucks employee. Props to them.
4) I'm tired of having to prove my competence to arrogant hotshot doctors (MDs and otherwise.) I mean this within and outside of the work place. For those within, you hired me to help you, now appreciate it! (I am speaking for many a research coordinator/assistant out there when I say this). I don't mean this towards my new boss however as he has been quite gracious towards me for my help. (Also, this may not just be an NY thing...however, as I am ranting, I figured I'd add that in too).
5) Finally, I'm sick of looking at girls, especially in the Bronx who wear clothes that are at least 2 sizes too small for them. Ever heard of a muffin top? Its the chub that hangs over your pants (e.g. love handles and that fun pouch in the front.) Well I've seen some jumbo muffin tops out here and it ain't pretty. And I am not saying this to be derogatory to people who are overweight because God knows I'm not a thin person. However, I wear clothes primarily that fit me and that I can breathe in and that don't give people a sore eye when they look at me. Clothes that fit= a better situation for everyone involved.
Ok...I'm done being bitchy. I'm just a bit of a grump today. Maybe its the heat. As the weather man said its "sticky and soupy" in NY today. How attractive sounding is that? (P.S. That was a shout out to Amelia Bowman).
On a more positive note, I look forward to getting back in touch with my friendly Minnesota roots and seeing some of my wonderful Minnesota friends and my family. I will be in town from July 26th through August 6th so if you're around, let me know if you wanna meet up! I promise to be more pleasant. Thanks again everyone for being so wonderful. I miss you all!
Thursday, June 14, 2007
Law and Order SVU episode waiting to happen
I've got a great New York story for you. SOOO Law and Order SVU (see link...its worth it). So the wife of an acquaintance of Scott was on one of those subway cars that was packed like a can of sardines. Let me just say from experience that those cars SUCK. You're around a bunch of dirty, smelly strangers and you have to be like skin to skin with them. So this woman manages to step into the car as one of the last passengers who fits and is close to the door. She is annoyed to see a "dirty looking" man heading towards her from the platform. He makes it onto the train too, the door closes and while she's standing there, she feels this man grinding up against her. SICK AND WRONG! I told Scott that at this point my elbow would have been in his gut and he would be doubled over in pain. However, this lady apparently doesn't have my violent nature, so she just queasily put up with it until she got off the train.
When she got off, she sort of glanced back to look at the guy and asked herself if she should do anything about it. She had just chalked it up to one of those crazy New York experiences when she gets tapped on the shoulder from behind. She turns around and this very large black man wearing chains is standing behind her. She's thinking Jesus Christ, what now? The man asked "Was there someone on that train who was bothering you?" And she said there was, surprised that anyone had taken notice.
Turns out this guy is an undercover cop and he and his partner have been tracking this sick dirty grinding-strangers guy all day! They first found him suspicious when he would wait at the subway stops and let a bunch of trains go by until a really crowded one pulled up. Then he would get on. Ewwwwww is all I have to say about that. So this wife of my boyfriend's acquaintance (who will remain anonymous) will be testifying at a trial for this guy and they're pushing the trial up because she's moving out of the state in a few weeks. Crazy shiz I tell you. Also, we learned that there is approximately 1 undercover cop on every subway train, most likely (in Scott and my opinion) looking for terrorists. But if they catch guys like this, that's an added bonus. Hotcha! Who would have known??
I thought that story was so great, I had to share it with all of you.
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