( 2005.07.28 )
The morning rush hour temperature has been over 80F for many days, today it was 73F, nice and easy. Not only that, the interstate 87 is literally empty. I *rushed* passing the only gas station on the way to work, passing the split of 87 and 95 at the speed of 70m/h (where it usually was 30 at a good day.)
With an almost empty oil tank, I was in Manhattan in less than 20 minutes. The song in CD was singing something like "I never know I never know I never know......" over and over when I was driving across the bridge. I became curious, what did he never know? I replayed the song, again ,and again, still could not make out what was sung after "I never know". ( well, I never know. )
The merge of FDR and Tri-borough bridge traffic was as bad as usual, the black Cherokee man is already at work. This guy, I don't what he is doing there, but he got a perfect spot for whatever he's doing. The traffic passing here is never rush, at least every time, when I passed here, I was able to see what he wrote on his poster, and I was able to see what objects he was displaying by the road side. I was even able to take a picture of him when one day he was in an incredible post that made him look like *big* in Chinese, with one big piece of water melon in each hand stretching out, biting a big red apple in his mouth, and another big piece of water melon on top of his head. When I took the picture and waved to him, he managed to brink.
He is there almost every time I pass this place in the morning rush hour, no matter how cold or how hot the weather is. He has this poster made out of apparently a cardboard box, hanging on the pole. I wish I was able to remember all he ever wrote in his poster. The day after Pope John Paul was dead, his poster read:
"
..P..
..E..
GRACE
..C..
..E..
He loves you all."
The day after London Bombing, the poster said: "You are low down loser, terrorists."
A black Cherokee, a street philosopher, some advocator? I don't know, maybe I never know.
"I never know, I never know, I ....... you made me want to cry". This is what was singing.
- posted on 10/05/2006
( 2004.11.18 )
It's been a while I have not been taking commuter trains and subways. I missed the chatting with friends and the quiet time for reading, and best of all, that subway languages.
In the Grand Central Station big hall, the three national guards still post at the same corner. No weapons seen, no long guns, not even standing straight. (OK, it is a day without threat.)
Walked down to the subway platform, it was nearly empty. (ooops, just missed one train. )
The train did not come until I finished the Art section, the International Business section and the Circuit section of the NYTimes.
It was already crowded, fortunately I was in front of the door. "Brooklyn Bridge, Brooklyn Bridge." the voice sounded quite happy, it sounded like "Broken Bridge, Broken Bridge". People were getting ready to get in, it was even more crowded inside. 'Why do we like to go to a broken bridge?' (Well, it is New York.)
"goinsidegoinsidegoinside, ladyandgentlement, lettheminletthemin,
thankyouthankyou have-a-nice-day." the door closed while the conductor was still talking happily.
People looked each others, smiling. (It is a happy day, I supposed.) The smiling on many faces have not closed yet, the voice started again:
"good morning, ladiesandgentlements. thank yo for ridingthetrain,
goinsideallthewayin, stayingawayfromthedoor, don'tblockthedoor,
youdon'twantotbebehindtheschedule, youwantotbeaheadoftheschedule,
goallthewayallthewayin,in,in,in,in, thankyou. movetothedoorifyouareoffnext,
takeallthepapersallthecoffeesallthecups,cup,cup,cup,cups, takethemwithyou,
useallthedoorsallthedoors, thankyouverymuch, have a nice day." there was no room left in the car for people to move, but plenty of smiles. (What a morning ride, here in New York City.)
There are many street/subway speakers, singers, performers, artists everyday in the city. Some were really surprisingly good. (maybe I will start collecting their work. Not a bad hobby to start, I figured.)
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