To the guy on the train that sneezed... thanks.
Not a lot has been happening during my commutes lately. People get on the train, we ride, we get off. Nothing extraordinary.
This morning, as we trundled into the city, someone sneezed.
I glanced up, said "Bless you," and went back to my book. Then I glanced up again.
The guy that sneezed had captured my attention. He seemed to be around 30 years old, sitting there with his eyes closed, listening to his iPod. He was wearing jeans and a light blue button down shirt, loafers with no socks, and long, brown dreadlocks. He seemed so peaceful, riding the train and listening.
I wondered what he was listening to. What kind of music would he choose for his morning commute? Zeppelin? Queen? Jay-Z? Taylor Swift? Could he be listening to a podcast of some kind? A comedy routine? Stuff You Missed In History Class?
Then I began to imagine how all these different choices would change his personality. If he was listening to Zeppelin would he be a slacker? An achiever? What if it was Taylor Swift? What kind of man would he be? How would his choice of music affect my perception of him?
I imagined entire worlds for this stranger, his job, his girlfriend/wife (depending on his music choice, of course), his interests. I imagined him a football fan, an art lover, a hacker. I gave him friends and family, a dog, cats, a snake (the snake went with Blues Traveler for some reason). With each musical artist or group that I placed in his iPod I gave him an entire personality, a complete life as I imagined the person that would pick such a tune.
I found myself smiling, even giggling as certain combinations arose: the Taylor Swift listener is unlucky in love (of course) and enjoys World of Warcraft, while the Queen listener was an adventuresome traveler who works in human rights. I have no idea where these imaginings came from or why they went with the musicians they did, I just let fly. And it was great fun.
And he just sat there, listening.
I then realized that my imagination was extremely limited. Why couldn't he like World of Warcraft and Jay-Z? Why couldn't he be an adventuresome traveler and love Kelly Clarkson?
I then gave this man ALL the music and ALL the personality traits that I had previously compartmentalized. He suddenly became worldly wise, a free thinker, a humanist. He became an artist, a businessman, a sports lover. He became, in my mind, a man that would hang out with Banksy one night and Rand Paul the next, fitting in equally with both.
He became limitless.
I really liked that guy.
I wonder who he is in reality. I wonder if he feels his limits or if he allows himself to be immeasurable. I wonder if he reaches beyond himself.
Then I realized that I want to be that guy when I grow up. I want to be limitless.
In that moment I made a vow: I will try to see that version of people as often as possible. I will try to envision their infinity, their openness. I will try to look past the limits that people put on themselves and see the possibilities for them.
I soon thought, "If I can do it for others, I can do it for me."
Then I cried.
I haven't imagined possibility in so long that I had forgotten that it was feasible. I spend so much time fighting for things in my life, fighting for my health, clawing and scraping just to get by, that I didn't remember that I am also limitless. I have within me the possibility to do and be anything. I can be anything. I can do everything.
And I will.
As we exited the train, the guy that sneezed caught my eye.
"You OK?" he asked, seeing a tear on my cheek.
"Yes. Thank you." I replied. He had no idea what I was actually thanking him for, but he didn't need to know. It is enough that I do.
I wish this for everyone. I wish, for all of you, a guy that sneezes and takes you on a journey.
So, to the guy on the train that sneezed... you jump started my imagination and brought me to an epiphany today. You have no idea what you inspired, but I will be forever grateful. I will look for the limitless in others and, more importantly, in myself.
Thanks. Truly.
Tuesday, August 19, 2014
Tuesday, August 5, 2014
Adventures in New Jersey Transit
To the guy on the train who repeatedly called all of us assholes... just wow.
So last night was one of the worst travel experiences I have had with New Jersey Transit, but some of the greatest people that I've met along the way.
We began our journey on our usual 6:18 train to Summit, though it was a bit more crowded than usual due to earlier cancelled trains. Everyone was either settled into their seats or leaning against the vestibule braced for the short journey home. We made it as far as Secaucus (the first stop outside New York and not a regular stop on our train) where we sat for more than an hour. Apparently the Portal Bridge, which we must use to get to Newark, had a fire.
So we waited. Very patiently, I must add.
At about 7:25 we were kicked off of that train in Secaucus and had to trudge across the station to get on a second train bound for Hoboken.
Beginning to get a little grumpy now, I said, "Another adventure in New Jersey Transit."
"Always a good time!" said the guy in the aisle.
"Hey, it could be worse," the woman behind him added.
"Yeah," I said, "We could be on the bridge."
"We could be stuck in the tunnel," said another man.
"It could have been Sandy again," said a third.
"Oooooo, right," we all agreed. Anything is better than Sandy.
So with that in mind we all trudged together to the next train headed for Hoboken, attempting to remain pleasant. This train was packed to the gills as it housed not only the passengers from our train but from another stranded train as well. With sighs and resignation we stood together on the way to Hoboken.
In Hoboken we disembarked and headed to our third attempt at getting home.
This train, now this train was truly packed. As we jogged down the platform it became evident that we may not be able to fit onto this train at all. The doors to the first two cars were closed so we had to head down the platform even farther. The first open door I came to I saw people already crowding the vestibule, but I saw a little daylight near the door so I stepped in. The people there welcomed me with looks of understanding and we all shifted to make room for me along with two people who stepped in behind me. I made it about 3 feet into the train car before the wall of people prevented any further movement. Everyone in the car was trying to help as many people as possible get on, but at that point there was simply no more room.
We were packed butt-to-balls, nose-in-armpit, crotch-to-face. There was no more room.
One man had some inside connection to the situation with the trains and was giving everyone in our car updates as he got them. Several of us shared our phones with people so they could call home, we laughed at all the gawky touching and talked about NJTransit experiences that were much worse in order to make ourselves feel a bit better. There was awkward laughter and sighs all around.
Then came the shouting.
From outside the car came the voice of a woman, shouting and screaming that we needed to move so that she could get on the car. Many of us shouted back (some politely, some not) that there was no more room, nowhere for us to go. She decided to test that theory and tried to shove her way onto the car. She pushed against the wall of people which caused the group to lean away a bit, then as the attempt to keep ourselves on our feet had us leaning back toward her en masse she ended up on her ass. This caused more screaming and shouting for the conductor who basically told her that she was not getting on this car, she would have to wait for another train.
A collective "Wow" could be heard rolling down the car at that point.
A few minutes later a man began to shout that we needed to move, at which point the people near the door explained what happened to the woman in great detail (which made the rest of us laugh a lot) and told the man to try another door. He started screaming and calling everyone an asshole.
"You're an asshole! And you, with the red tie, you're an asshole! The lady with the blue shirt is an asshole!..." and so on. He named as many people as he could see in his tirade of assholes, screaming and beet red all the while. I haven't seen or heard a hissy fit like that outside of the Terrible Twos. It was quite impressive. He stood there on the platform, pointing, screaming, practically foaming, calling everyone around him an asshole.
The people on the car began to get into the game.
"Hey, asshole, could you move your foot a bit?"
"Sure thing, asshole."
"Hey, asshole, I'm sorry I stepped on your toes."
"Don't worry about it, asshole, it wasn't your fault."
For the next ten minutes we all addressed each other as "asshole" and laughed and relaxed and tried to make the best of a bad situation.
As we finally landed in Maplewood and queued up to disembark a man from my Jitney yelled, "It was nice to meet all you assholes!"
Perhaps it was the relief at being at our home station, or perhaps his farewell was simply that funny, but everyone on the car howled. The spell was broken, the frustration roughly at an end, we were almost home.
Unbeknownst to him, the pathetic, screaming man created a new tribe last night, a tribe of assholes who tried to make the best of a really bad situation, tried to keep each other relaxed, who worked together to make it home.
Today I am not ashamed to say that I am an asshole. I travel with a pack of assholes, and we rock.
So, to the guy on the train who repeatedly called all of us assholes... you need to learn to go with the flow. Yes, it sucks. Yes, it was insanely frustrating. Yes, we are all miserable about it. And as we all learned last night, screaming will get you nowhere. Hissy fits will make you an item of ridicule. And being an asshole isn't always a bad thing. But you ... just wow.
So last night was one of the worst travel experiences I have had with New Jersey Transit, but some of the greatest people that I've met along the way.
We began our journey on our usual 6:18 train to Summit, though it was a bit more crowded than usual due to earlier cancelled trains. Everyone was either settled into their seats or leaning against the vestibule braced for the short journey home. We made it as far as Secaucus (the first stop outside New York and not a regular stop on our train) where we sat for more than an hour. Apparently the Portal Bridge, which we must use to get to Newark, had a fire.
So we waited. Very patiently, I must add.
At about 7:25 we were kicked off of that train in Secaucus and had to trudge across the station to get on a second train bound for Hoboken.
Beginning to get a little grumpy now, I said, "Another adventure in New Jersey Transit."
"Always a good time!" said the guy in the aisle.
"Hey, it could be worse," the woman behind him added.
"Yeah," I said, "We could be on the bridge."
"We could be stuck in the tunnel," said another man.
"It could have been Sandy again," said a third.
"Oooooo, right," we all agreed. Anything is better than Sandy.
So with that in mind we all trudged together to the next train headed for Hoboken, attempting to remain pleasant. This train was packed to the gills as it housed not only the passengers from our train but from another stranded train as well. With sighs and resignation we stood together on the way to Hoboken.
In Hoboken we disembarked and headed to our third attempt at getting home.
This train, now this train was truly packed. As we jogged down the platform it became evident that we may not be able to fit onto this train at all. The doors to the first two cars were closed so we had to head down the platform even farther. The first open door I came to I saw people already crowding the vestibule, but I saw a little daylight near the door so I stepped in. The people there welcomed me with looks of understanding and we all shifted to make room for me along with two people who stepped in behind me. I made it about 3 feet into the train car before the wall of people prevented any further movement. Everyone in the car was trying to help as many people as possible get on, but at that point there was simply no more room.
We were packed butt-to-balls, nose-in-armpit, crotch-to-face. There was no more room.
One man had some inside connection to the situation with the trains and was giving everyone in our car updates as he got them. Several of us shared our phones with people so they could call home, we laughed at all the gawky touching and talked about NJTransit experiences that were much worse in order to make ourselves feel a bit better. There was awkward laughter and sighs all around.
Then came the shouting.
From outside the car came the voice of a woman, shouting and screaming that we needed to move so that she could get on the car. Many of us shouted back (some politely, some not) that there was no more room, nowhere for us to go. She decided to test that theory and tried to shove her way onto the car. She pushed against the wall of people which caused the group to lean away a bit, then as the attempt to keep ourselves on our feet had us leaning back toward her en masse she ended up on her ass. This caused more screaming and shouting for the conductor who basically told her that she was not getting on this car, she would have to wait for another train.
A collective "Wow" could be heard rolling down the car at that point.
A few minutes later a man began to shout that we needed to move, at which point the people near the door explained what happened to the woman in great detail (which made the rest of us laugh a lot) and told the man to try another door. He started screaming and calling everyone an asshole.
"You're an asshole! And you, with the red tie, you're an asshole! The lady with the blue shirt is an asshole!..." and so on. He named as many people as he could see in his tirade of assholes, screaming and beet red all the while. I haven't seen or heard a hissy fit like that outside of the Terrible Twos. It was quite impressive. He stood there on the platform, pointing, screaming, practically foaming, calling everyone around him an asshole.
The people on the car began to get into the game.
"Hey, asshole, could you move your foot a bit?"
"Sure thing, asshole."
"Hey, asshole, I'm sorry I stepped on your toes."
"Don't worry about it, asshole, it wasn't your fault."
For the next ten minutes we all addressed each other as "asshole" and laughed and relaxed and tried to make the best of a bad situation.
As we finally landed in Maplewood and queued up to disembark a man from my Jitney yelled, "It was nice to meet all you assholes!"
Perhaps it was the relief at being at our home station, or perhaps his farewell was simply that funny, but everyone on the car howled. The spell was broken, the frustration roughly at an end, we were almost home.
Unbeknownst to him, the pathetic, screaming man created a new tribe last night, a tribe of assholes who tried to make the best of a really bad situation, tried to keep each other relaxed, who worked together to make it home.
Today I am not ashamed to say that I am an asshole. I travel with a pack of assholes, and we rock.
So, to the guy on the train who repeatedly called all of us assholes... you need to learn to go with the flow. Yes, it sucks. Yes, it was insanely frustrating. Yes, we are all miserable about it. And as we all learned last night, screaming will get you nowhere. Hissy fits will make you an item of ridicule. And being an asshole isn't always a bad thing. But you ... just wow.
Wednesday, July 30, 2014
Scars
To the guy on the train with the scar on his leg... it's beautiful - don't let anyone tell you otherwise.
This morning a man slid into the seat next to me wearing cargo shorts. His leg brushed up against mine as he settled in, which caused me to glance down from my book. As I did, I noticed a large scar on his leg that ran from his outer thigh down to his mid calf. It was really striking.
"That's a beautiful scar," I said.
"Yeah, right," he replied.
"No really, it's gorgeous. How did you get it?"
"Are you serious?"
"Yes. Why wouldn't I be?"
"My scar usually freaks people out," he said, "most of them can't even look at it."
"I know the feeling."
"You do?"
"Yeah. I have a scar on my back from when I was a kid and it tends to freak people out. I think its pretty, but most people tell me its gross."
"Huh. Yeah, people suck."
I laughed. "So, how did you get it?"
"Well..."
We spent the rest of the ride into the city discussing scars, how we got them, what they mean to us, how they define us. How people's reactions affect us. I learned a long time ago that someone's reaction to my scar is all about them, not me. When I was a kid I had no problem showing my scar in public, even after a woman tried to insist that my parent's had burned me with an iron (my scar looks nothing like an iron, by the way). He still seems to get rattled sometimes and lives in the defensive phase, but he hasn't had his scar as long as I have had mine.
"If people's reactions to it still upset you," I asked, "why do you show it? Why not just wear long pants?"
"Because f*$k them, that's why."
Attaboy.
Our scars are a piece of who we are, a natural tattoo to mark an event in our lives. Our scars are part of what makes us us. Without them we would be totally different people. I can't remember a day when I didn't have the scar on my back, it has always been a part of me. I have added several scars to the lineup over the years, but that one is my favorite.
When I mentioned that to the guy on the train he said, "Your favorite?"
"Yes. I love that scar. You'll love yours someday."
"... I don't know."
"You will. It's really beautiful."
He looked at me for a long while, measuring me. "Thank you," he almost whispered.
As we looked at each other in that moment we saw beneath the layers, beneath the scars. We saw the people. It was an intimate moment between strangers that I won't soon forget.
I love most of my scars (a few still piss me off) and I am so interested in the scars of others. It seems to be a subject most people don't broach, don't want to know about. I won't stop asking about them, though. I respect it when someone doesn't want to talk about their scar, but most people seem to have no trouble telling the story. They fascinate me.
His fascinated me.
So, to the guy on the train with the scar on his leg... love your scar, man. It marks an event in your life that you are meant to remember. It has helped to make you the man you are today, it has helped you see people for who they are when they see it, helped you realize who you are without the physical part of you, the beautiful part. It has marked you, yes, but you live to bear the mark. You are more stunning because of it, not in spite of it.
It's beautiful - don't let anyone tell you otherwise.
This morning a man slid into the seat next to me wearing cargo shorts. His leg brushed up against mine as he settled in, which caused me to glance down from my book. As I did, I noticed a large scar on his leg that ran from his outer thigh down to his mid calf. It was really striking.
"That's a beautiful scar," I said.
"Yeah, right," he replied.
"No really, it's gorgeous. How did you get it?"
"Are you serious?"
"Yes. Why wouldn't I be?"
"My scar usually freaks people out," he said, "most of them can't even look at it."
"I know the feeling."
"You do?"
"Yeah. I have a scar on my back from when I was a kid and it tends to freak people out. I think its pretty, but most people tell me its gross."
"Huh. Yeah, people suck."
I laughed. "So, how did you get it?"
"Well..."
We spent the rest of the ride into the city discussing scars, how we got them, what they mean to us, how they define us. How people's reactions affect us. I learned a long time ago that someone's reaction to my scar is all about them, not me. When I was a kid I had no problem showing my scar in public, even after a woman tried to insist that my parent's had burned me with an iron (my scar looks nothing like an iron, by the way). He still seems to get rattled sometimes and lives in the defensive phase, but he hasn't had his scar as long as I have had mine.
"If people's reactions to it still upset you," I asked, "why do you show it? Why not just wear long pants?"
"Because f*$k them, that's why."
Attaboy.
Our scars are a piece of who we are, a natural tattoo to mark an event in our lives. Our scars are part of what makes us us. Without them we would be totally different people. I can't remember a day when I didn't have the scar on my back, it has always been a part of me. I have added several scars to the lineup over the years, but that one is my favorite.
When I mentioned that to the guy on the train he said, "Your favorite?"
"Yes. I love that scar. You'll love yours someday."
"... I don't know."
"You will. It's really beautiful."
He looked at me for a long while, measuring me. "Thank you," he almost whispered.
As we looked at each other in that moment we saw beneath the layers, beneath the scars. We saw the people. It was an intimate moment between strangers that I won't soon forget.
I love most of my scars (a few still piss me off) and I am so interested in the scars of others. It seems to be a subject most people don't broach, don't want to know about. I won't stop asking about them, though. I respect it when someone doesn't want to talk about their scar, but most people seem to have no trouble telling the story. They fascinate me.
His fascinated me.
So, to the guy on the train with the scar on his leg... love your scar, man. It marks an event in your life that you are meant to remember. It has helped to make you the man you are today, it has helped you see people for who they are when they see it, helped you realize who you are without the physical part of you, the beautiful part. It has marked you, yes, but you live to bear the mark. You are more stunning because of it, not in spite of it.
It's beautiful - don't let anyone tell you otherwise.
Thursday, June 26, 2014
Communication Phenomenon
To the ladies on the train talking over each other... I'm impressed!
The train was unusually crowded this morning, so I was stuck in a 4 person seat, two-to-a-side facing each other. Not my favorite seat.
Three women joined me in the other seats almost immediately, chatting away, obviously friends. We all settled in, me with my book and they with their phones, two of them talking away the other seemingly texting.
It took me a moment or two to realize that they were not, in fact, talking on their phones - they were talking to each other. Talking over each other would be more accurate. Neither of them stopped to listen to the other, they just kept talking over each other, answering whatever the other one said without taking a break. It was amazing.
I have no idea how they heard anything the other was saying.
Every once in a while the third lady would pop in with a "yeah," or a "totally," continuing to text all the while, each time forcing me to suppress a laugh.
I realized after a bit that my mouth was hanging open watching this phenomenon of communication. I was only able to catch snippets of what they were saying, but they seemed to understand each other perfectly. I was amazed.
We were on that train for an hour and a half today due to delays, and they did not stop the entire time, talking over each other the whole way. It was insanely entertaining. A sit-com in the making.
These two ladies were oblivious to everything except each other and the occasional "whatever" from their peanut gallery friend. By the time the train landed in New York I was exhausted, listening to them had zapped me.
They exited the train before me, and I could still hear them going from the bottom of the escalator. I have never seen, or heard, anything like it.
So, to the ladies on the train talking over each other... I have no earthly idea how you managed it, but I must say, I'm impressed!
The train was unusually crowded this morning, so I was stuck in a 4 person seat, two-to-a-side facing each other. Not my favorite seat.
Three women joined me in the other seats almost immediately, chatting away, obviously friends. We all settled in, me with my book and they with their phones, two of them talking away the other seemingly texting.
It took me a moment or two to realize that they were not, in fact, talking on their phones - they were talking to each other. Talking over each other would be more accurate. Neither of them stopped to listen to the other, they just kept talking over each other, answering whatever the other one said without taking a break. It was amazing.
I have no idea how they heard anything the other was saying.
Every once in a while the third lady would pop in with a "yeah," or a "totally," continuing to text all the while, each time forcing me to suppress a laugh.
I realized after a bit that my mouth was hanging open watching this phenomenon of communication. I was only able to catch snippets of what they were saying, but they seemed to understand each other perfectly. I was amazed.
We were on that train for an hour and a half today due to delays, and they did not stop the entire time, talking over each other the whole way. It was insanely entertaining. A sit-com in the making.
These two ladies were oblivious to everything except each other and the occasional "whatever" from their peanut gallery friend. By the time the train landed in New York I was exhausted, listening to them had zapped me.
They exited the train before me, and I could still hear them going from the bottom of the escalator. I have never seen, or heard, anything like it.
So, to the ladies on the train talking over each other... I have no earthly idea how you managed it, but I must say, I'm impressed!
Thursday, June 12, 2014
Liquid Karma
To the guy on the train that purposefully spilled his coffee on the seat... the joke's on you, pal!
There seems to be a new trend on New Jersey Transit. People are going to new levels to try to make sure they get a seat to themselves, especially when sitting in a two-seat row.
Now, we would all be much happier if we all got a seat to ourselves on the train, able to sit more comfortably all the way to our destination. Most of us realize, however, that there are other passengers who may want a seat, and so we understand that the ride will be slightly less comfortable, but not uncomfortable, slightly less private, but by no means invasive.
Just people sitting in the seat next to us.
In the olden days, people would just pile their extra bags on the seat next to them to try to dissuade others from asking for a seat. It didn't always work, as those of us with a little hutzpah would wait patiently while they moved their bags to the overhead rack, or simply put them on their laps.
Or they would spread their dinner out next to them, eating slowly and deliberately in hopes that no one would dare ask them to move it.
Nowadays, though, there is a new trend: people are sitting in the aisle seat, purposely pouring some liquid on the seat next to them, and then sitting back to enjoy their private seat. People come along and ask to sit, only to be told that "someone spilled something there" in mock sympathy.
The first time I saw this I thought it was a singular event. The next time I thought that, maybe, it was the same person.
I have now seen this being done many times, and it's obnoxious.
Today, though, Karma got involved.
The guy got on the train, found his aisle seat, and promptly spilled some leftover coffee onto the one next to him.
The important thing to note, is that for the majority of the ride the train is in motion. The physics of liquids, especially when not contained, are varied and unpredictable. And he was wearing khaki pants.
There he was, smug look firmly attached to his face, eyes closed, enjoying his morning private seat, warning people away from the "spill."
No one said anything to him about this behavior, though I'm sure that many were tempted by the looks on their faces. We were contained.
The liquid not so much.
As we arrived in the city and stood up to leave, there were many twitters of laughter happening behind him. It turns out that Karma sent that coffee in the direction of his khaki pants, a long, brown stain emerging on his left butt cheek. He must have shifted at some point allowing more liquid to encroach his hind region (or Karma has more tricks up her sleeves than we realized) because that stain had spread to his middle.
I don't envy him the day he was about to have, how many times he would need to explain away the brown stain on his butt. I don't envy him having to walk the city in those coffee stained, khaki pants.
But... Karma.
So, to the guy on the train that purposefully spilled his coffee on the seat,Karma's a bitch, liquid Karma even more so. And the joke's on you, pal! I hope you'll think twice before doing that again.
There seems to be a new trend on New Jersey Transit. People are going to new levels to try to make sure they get a seat to themselves, especially when sitting in a two-seat row.
Now, we would all be much happier if we all got a seat to ourselves on the train, able to sit more comfortably all the way to our destination. Most of us realize, however, that there are other passengers who may want a seat, and so we understand that the ride will be slightly less comfortable, but not uncomfortable, slightly less private, but by no means invasive.
Just people sitting in the seat next to us.
In the olden days, people would just pile their extra bags on the seat next to them to try to dissuade others from asking for a seat. It didn't always work, as those of us with a little hutzpah would wait patiently while they moved their bags to the overhead rack, or simply put them on their laps.
Or they would spread their dinner out next to them, eating slowly and deliberately in hopes that no one would dare ask them to move it.
Nowadays, though, there is a new trend: people are sitting in the aisle seat, purposely pouring some liquid on the seat next to them, and then sitting back to enjoy their private seat. People come along and ask to sit, only to be told that "someone spilled something there" in mock sympathy.
The first time I saw this I thought it was a singular event. The next time I thought that, maybe, it was the same person.
I have now seen this being done many times, and it's obnoxious.
Today, though, Karma got involved.
The guy got on the train, found his aisle seat, and promptly spilled some leftover coffee onto the one next to him.
The important thing to note, is that for the majority of the ride the train is in motion. The physics of liquids, especially when not contained, are varied and unpredictable. And he was wearing khaki pants.
There he was, smug look firmly attached to his face, eyes closed, enjoying his morning private seat, warning people away from the "spill."
No one said anything to him about this behavior, though I'm sure that many were tempted by the looks on their faces. We were contained.
The liquid not so much.
As we arrived in the city and stood up to leave, there were many twitters of laughter happening behind him. It turns out that Karma sent that coffee in the direction of his khaki pants, a long, brown stain emerging on his left butt cheek. He must have shifted at some point allowing more liquid to encroach his hind region (or Karma has more tricks up her sleeves than we realized) because that stain had spread to his middle.
I don't envy him the day he was about to have, how many times he would need to explain away the brown stain on his butt. I don't envy him having to walk the city in those coffee stained, khaki pants.
But... Karma.
So, to the guy on the train that purposefully spilled his coffee on the seat,Karma's a bitch, liquid Karma even more so. And the joke's on you, pal! I hope you'll think twice before doing that again.
Friday, May 23, 2014
Rockin' Out
To the guy on the train that was rockin' out to his tunes... you put on a hellofa show, man!
While meandering down the aisle looking for seats, we all came to notice that everyone already seated was watching something. We could see them watching, looking around us as we walked by, and they were thoroughly enjoying whatever they were watching. Hmmm..
As we new additions to the car found our seats and turned to face the same direction as the previous occupiers of the car, we saw it too. In the end seat, facing everyone else, there was a man. His eyes were closed, his hair hanging long and loose, large, old-fashioned looking headphones in place.
And he was living!
He began with the air drums. In his mind he must have been on par with Neil Pert (Rush) or Keith Moon (The Who). His imaginary sticks were flying, he was groovin' right along, air-playing his heart out.
Fairly soon he seemed to switch to conducting, the sticks morphing into a baton, as he directed his virtual band, or orchestra, or symphony (from his performance I would glean that his imagination would create a fantastic symphony the likes of which can not exist outside his mind). The musicians in his head were obviously as enthusiastic as he, his facial expressions becoming more and more exaggerated as he directed the music and encouraged his vision to produce.
No one on our car was speaking, we were so enjoying the show, smiles on all of our faces. We weren't laughing at him, not at all! We were right there with him, our imaginations having been co-opted by his, trying to see as he saw.
Conducting naturally transformed into choreography, his entire body becoming a part of the dance. He grooved. He bopped. He got down.
It was mesmerizing.
He remained completely unaware of his audience, didn't feel our eyes on him at all. Or, maybe he did, and rather than be embarrassed he soaked us in, drew on our energy, to create his masterpiece.
I have no idea what he was listening to. No idea what his symphony consisted of, what his dancers were wearing, what the stage looked like... no idea of the depths of his imagination... but, man, would I have loved to have seen it.
He created with abandon, his joy and enthusiasm seeping into everyone around him. It was bliss. We were watching a passion piece, and we got to contribute a part of our own imagination as we tried to conjure his vision in our own minds.
As the train pulled into the station, and his mind was pulled into the now, he opened his eyes and, realizing that all of ours were upon him, offered a sheepish smile.
In response, we clapped. Many people thanked him. Most just smiled back.
Guy on the train, you changed a lot of people this morning, even if only for a little while.
So, to the guy on the train that was rockin' out to his tunes... I hope you get to realize your vision someday. I hope your imagination and passion can combine in reality, and I hope that they are with you, always. Keep dreaming, guy on the train, you put on a hellofa show!
While meandering down the aisle looking for seats, we all came to notice that everyone already seated was watching something. We could see them watching, looking around us as we walked by, and they were thoroughly enjoying whatever they were watching. Hmmm..
As we new additions to the car found our seats and turned to face the same direction as the previous occupiers of the car, we saw it too. In the end seat, facing everyone else, there was a man. His eyes were closed, his hair hanging long and loose, large, old-fashioned looking headphones in place.
And he was living!
He began with the air drums. In his mind he must have been on par with Neil Pert (Rush) or Keith Moon (The Who). His imaginary sticks were flying, he was groovin' right along, air-playing his heart out.
Fairly soon he seemed to switch to conducting, the sticks morphing into a baton, as he directed his virtual band, or orchestra, or symphony (from his performance I would glean that his imagination would create a fantastic symphony the likes of which can not exist outside his mind). The musicians in his head were obviously as enthusiastic as he, his facial expressions becoming more and more exaggerated as he directed the music and encouraged his vision to produce.
No one on our car was speaking, we were so enjoying the show, smiles on all of our faces. We weren't laughing at him, not at all! We were right there with him, our imaginations having been co-opted by his, trying to see as he saw.
Conducting naturally transformed into choreography, his entire body becoming a part of the dance. He grooved. He bopped. He got down.
It was mesmerizing.
He remained completely unaware of his audience, didn't feel our eyes on him at all. Or, maybe he did, and rather than be embarrassed he soaked us in, drew on our energy, to create his masterpiece.
I have no idea what he was listening to. No idea what his symphony consisted of, what his dancers were wearing, what the stage looked like... no idea of the depths of his imagination... but, man, would I have loved to have seen it.
He created with abandon, his joy and enthusiasm seeping into everyone around him. It was bliss. We were watching a passion piece, and we got to contribute a part of our own imagination as we tried to conjure his vision in our own minds.
As the train pulled into the station, and his mind was pulled into the now, he opened his eyes and, realizing that all of ours were upon him, offered a sheepish smile.
In response, we clapped. Many people thanked him. Most just smiled back.
Guy on the train, you changed a lot of people this morning, even if only for a little while.
So, to the guy on the train that was rockin' out to his tunes... I hope you get to realize your vision someday. I hope your imagination and passion can combine in reality, and I hope that they are with you, always. Keep dreaming, guy on the train, you put on a hellofa show!
Friday, May 2, 2014
It Takes A Village
To the guy on the train that brought his kids to work today... you rock!
Several of us noticed you strolling your two young children up to the platform this morning, juggling two tiny backpacks, your shoulder bag, and a juicy cup. Your kids seemed really excited to go on the train! You, however, looked a little daunted.
When the train arrived, several of us offered to hold some of your things as you took the giant step up onto the car. Once on the train, seating was scarce, so we rushed ahead to save you and your children some seats. We managed, but barely. We held off the commuters who couldn't care less about a Dad and his kids. We all shared looks of triumph when the three of you were able to sit together.
Once we settled in for the ride, your children were delightful. They sang us songs, played games, and asked good questions. You looked so grateful that no one was annoyed by them. As more people joined our car, they too enjoyed playing with your children. It was a lovely ride.
As we exited the train, several of us grabbed a bag for you, or a stroller, or even held a child's hand.
"Thank you so much, everyone. I really appreciate your help." The relief on your face was evident.
We were all happy to assist. Your kids were great.
So, to the guy on the train that brought his kids to work today... remember, it takes a village. I hope your kids enjoyed going to work with you today. Also, you rock.
Several of us noticed you strolling your two young children up to the platform this morning, juggling two tiny backpacks, your shoulder bag, and a juicy cup. Your kids seemed really excited to go on the train! You, however, looked a little daunted.
When the train arrived, several of us offered to hold some of your things as you took the giant step up onto the car. Once on the train, seating was scarce, so we rushed ahead to save you and your children some seats. We managed, but barely. We held off the commuters who couldn't care less about a Dad and his kids. We all shared looks of triumph when the three of you were able to sit together.
Once we settled in for the ride, your children were delightful. They sang us songs, played games, and asked good questions. You looked so grateful that no one was annoyed by them. As more people joined our car, they too enjoyed playing with your children. It was a lovely ride.
As we exited the train, several of us grabbed a bag for you, or a stroller, or even held a child's hand.
"Thank you so much, everyone. I really appreciate your help." The relief on your face was evident.
We were all happy to assist. Your kids were great.
So, to the guy on the train that brought his kids to work today... remember, it takes a village. I hope your kids enjoyed going to work with you today. Also, you rock.
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