I just got off work, out of the office and back into my warm apartment. The ice hasn’t started but I’m thinking more about the realities of unemployment. I’m tasked this week with forecasting for the year and even if it’s not a project yet, I still have to come up with 13 Million in sales pipe. I work with thousands of customers across the country and there isn’t a one that is not hit by the economy, losing employees, cutting spending or just not working on projects right now.
My commute this morning was lightening fast, compared to most days where I feel like it’s multiball play in the 90s Checkpoint game. It’s been a long time since I didn’t have to push my way through crowds at Penn Station at 8 am. I participated in a management meeting and then, headed back to the apt to pick up a project I left behind in the morning rush out the door.
On the way down Sullivan I stopped into the sandwich nazi of SOHO: Aladoro. It’s by far my favorite shop in NYC, and Walter can craft a true balanced Italian sandwich (get the Daniella on focaccia. Unfortunately at 12:30 when I came in, he was intently watching Suspicion and hadn’t seen a customer yet. I guess those $12 sandwiches are the first to go for the lunch crowd.
My commute back up town, was notable for a lack of the usual in-your-face advertising and billboards. This trip, many were painted blank, vacant, or stripped of their usual promotions and in place local taggers throw ups. Lack of ad money I guess? I’ve seen the same thing on TV where the normal high priced ads have been replaced with law firm commercials, 5 ht energy and useless infomercial products (the snuggie?).
I made my way down Prince to the R train, and noticed none of the usual street vendors or artists were out hawkin their wears. What is happening to this city? Not only are the tourists no longer in the way (great!) but the street life is vaporizing (or just changing character). I got off at Times Square and purposely cut someone off at the turn stall and pushed a guy with a camera down the stairs just to feel better.
Then I worked till 11 pm so it’s a mute point now…
Good post Austin. Yeah, times are certainly a’ changin’ here in the big Apple. Petty crime has spiked over the past few months as well, according to recently released city police statistics. And I’ve got news for you…things are only getting worse for the forseeable future. I’m talking two, three years. Is NYC about to go bankrupt again like in the 70’s? Maybe yes, maybe no….could it be worse? Yes…