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October 18, 2004

The Stars Are Conspired to Send Me Off

Now that my 9 years in NYC is coming to a close it seems as if every moment is filled with some sort of message about how I can't wait to be OUT, or that there definitely things to which you can say nothing except "only in New York."

1. As I finally brought the printer I got back in December (of '03) home from Bitflip (where it's been since then) and dragged it to the subway, on the subway, from the 1 to the A, to my apartment, all I could think was that in a week, I will have a trunk.

2. As I lugged the printer on to the A train at 59th, I looked for the emptiest car. Found it. Then realized why it was so empty. There was a homeless duo (though here, who knows if they are really homeless), with a keyboard and a tupperware collection jar putting on a show. Grrrreat.

3. I can't remember what tune they were finishing when I got on, but as the train started off to 125th (and I'm accepting that I'm trapped until then, and weighing whether or not it will be worth it to switch cars - b/c this car is rather empty and a seat would be nice with all this stuff and they'll probably get off too, but what if they don't...) they start "Let's Stay Together." And the singer is pretty good. And some other folks on the train are starting to get into it. Then they go into "Love and Happiness." By this point, I'm singing along on the chorus. In harmony.

4. There's a guy sitting in the corner who looks religiously specific (in order to protect the innocent, I'll leave it at that). This particular religion tends to be a bit aggressive, demanding and intolerant of outside anything not to their liking. And he's making noises. That eventually start to sound like he's maybe singing in another language. Perhaps a religious song. Perhaps to counter the music everyone else on the train is starting to really enjoy. And it's getting louder and sounds _nothing_ like what the duo is doing. I'm annoyed.

5. At 145th (I stayed in the car @ 125th), the musicians get off and as they're leaving, the keyboardist says - "who was singing back here? I heard someone." The guy in question raises his hand, and says "thank you for the music. Thank you." The keyboardist says "thank you for the note - I was missing that one in my chord!" Everyone smiles.

6. I feel like a judgemental ass on many levels, and am ultimately warmed by the scene, the likes of which I'm doubting I'll encounter in my car during my new commute.

Only in New York.

Posted by nikl at October 18, 2004 11:23 AM

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