As promised, here’s what happened. I headed up to Harlem after work the other day to a personal appointment. Just like Jenny from the block, I took the 6 on the Eastside after I grabbing cash from Commerce, the best bank ever. (Friends really don’t let friends bank anyplace else. Thanks, Thomas.)
Wearing my cranky-pants for the trek, I felt tired and was dreading (already) the return ride home. Then on came the conductor, in a tone that’d make any professional green with elocution envy:
“Ladies & Gentlemen, this is an Uptown 6 train. If it happens to get crowded, please consider that another opportunity to get to know your neighbors. & wherever you’re going today, happiness is the way.”
People who looked even grouchier than me couldn’t help but let a small smile creep across their commuting faces.
Reaching my destination, I headed to the address of my appointment around 125th & Lex. I rang the bell but no one answered. Having spied my favorite kind of shop - cheap ass shit - on the way, I bee-lined back to Top Lots or whatever it was called. There I could kill some time & very little money. Just inside the door, sat a box of beautiful brown rugs, covered with green & blue polka dots. Not only would it match my new Tyler couch but the price was so right: $14.99. Are they outta their minds? I’d looked at lunch on-line & seen similar ones for $300. This was a no brainer.
After I realized my meeting was off, I descended the subway stairs to start the long ride home to The Heights. The 6 took me to Grand Central where I grabbed the shuttle across town. I missed one train by mere minutes, as it’s hard to run with rugs you know. But the one I did make, took me into an underwater world, courtesy of Westin Hotels. I’d heard about these completely covered cars but had never seen one. The entire inside of the car (seats included) was fish & bright blue water. It made this Piscesean Pixie so pleased. I’d have taken a pic but holding rug out of my neighbors’ faces was a full-time job. Here’s one showing another scene, the forest, by a fellow blogger.
Walking through Port Authority’s mad rush, I heard a busker belt out a beautiful “I will survive.” This made me smile even more. It was the final boost on my last leg that I needed. The soundtrack of the subway is indeed a magical thing!
Finally, rug & I made it to the Magic A. Standing up, I shared a pole with a young guy, working his way up to Morningside Heights to look at an apt. He was Columbia bound & seemed excited to be at that stage in the game. He started the chit-chat with an obvious, “Nice rug.” To which I replied, “Thanks, only $14.99!” Oh how I love to reveal a steal! We stopped talking for a bit & rode in silence again. Then, under his breath a bit, Pole Guy said, “Rugs are nice. They delineate space,” to which I perked up again. We bantered back & forth until his stop about rug giving shape to the “rooms” in my open studio spot. As he departed, I wished him luck on the new house hunt.
I rode on, then finally hit home - exhausted, dripping wet in sweat but oh so satisfied by the experience. & who knows, maybe rug & I’ll even get a Missed Connection on Craigslist. We sure were hard to miss!
Here’s to life not going according to plan & how perfect that can be!
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{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
Thanks for sharing a little slice of NYC life with us here. Sounds like you had an adventure!
I’d like to come visit NYC sometime maybe but have never really thought about it. Funny coz I live in the Finger Lakes region in New York state.
Hey, I stopped by today because I wanted to say that I appreciate you being here and sharing parts of your life.
Hugs,
~ RubyShooZ ~
Peace, love and understanding.
You’re welcome & starting next Saturday, I’ll have a great couch! Maybe you need a little NYC in your shooz?
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