Tag: New York City

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Commute issues

I’ve heard NYers are perpetually late but unlike most regions there’s an understanding for this lack of punctuality because of situational influences: freak rain, taxi accidents, or train delays. I admit, I’ve used the train delay reason for being tardy a few times, but there have been several justifiable instances where I’m on time and there’s just no way a taxi, walking or a train will get me to my destination or meeting early enough.

Today was one of those days, I had a meeting uptown near 54th and Lex, so I took the dirty E uptown about 45 min before my appointment. I arrived on time up to Penn station and then the train relaxed. You can always tell you’re going to be stuck when the door don’t slam shut on someone and the train releases a burst of air pressure from the breaks as if signing, needing the rest. Apparently someone had gotten sick on the train in the station ahead of us, and it’s holding up the whole line.

Getting sick and halting the transportation system for one of the largest cities in the world seems absurd but apparently it happens more often that I thought. Today I just happen to be reading the NY Post, and in it is an article on one of the MTA‘s latest marketing campaigns as of late: Ads through out the subway lines that encourage New Yorkers to take the day off if they are laid up or sick and to stay off the trains.

Apparently last year, sick customers caused 6,136 delays on the the NY subway lines, which is the 3rd largest cause of delays (for the 2nd straight year – 4,481 delays in 2006). Apparently when passengers are sick, MTA employees and even train conductors must stay with the passengers until EMT or other help arrives to ensure their safety. Without someone to man the trains, everyone must wait….. So next time you’re feeling sick on the train, make sure you get off before you puke! I was 25 minutes late for my meeting because some jackass threw up from his pneumonia.

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Unmonumental art at New Museum is just that

Today we killed some Sunday Funday time at the New Museum down the street from my apt. The building, a incongruent stacking of boxed floors is juxtapose between the decayed furniture and homeless shelter buildings on Bowery.

One of the primary exhibits this month is the Unmonumental works which “are an exhibition about fragmented forms, torn pictures and clashing sounds. Investigating the nature of collage in contemporary art practices, “Unmonumental” also describes the present as an age of crumbling symbols and broken icons.”

Fragmented is certainly a fitting description and the over all impression of these “conversation” pieces was crap. I think we’ve all compiled our own collage of artifacts around the house, yard, trash and neighborhood but we all don’t get the opportunity to show case our piles of crap. So with this opportunity I’m fortunate to explore the meaning of cutouts of porn, buttons, and scraped furniture.

I enjoy the addition to the neighborhood but will be much more discerning when contemplating a visit and research the art that’s showcasing.

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Sinking ships, plugging dykes and drinks all around.

Thomas Pink striped shirt draped by a BOSS suit, guy at the bar shouted to his friend “Eh, yo! how’d youse do in the Market today?”
The Ted Baker wearing brit responded “I took a hit for 50 today”
“Aaaoooohhhh! I’m only down 25”
“Eh guy! pour me a stiff vodka red bull!”
“Make it two!!”

In New York, finance guys are all a dime a dozen – shit 75% of my friends work for some bank, hedge fund, analysts or what ever. I’ve met many of the cocky witless monkeys that blab on about the bonuses that eclipse pedestrian salaries, like these guys, at the latest nautical “dive” bar scene, The Rusty Knot, fit the stereotype to a T. The Knot with Busch Beer on tap, box wine on the shelf, Tiki glasses, Spider Bowls, a pool table and decor from the Love Boat is Ken Friedman (The Spotted Pig), Taavo Somer (Freeman’s), Tobey Maloney (Milk & Honey) and a Momofuku alum bar’s new venture which quietly started up last week on the west side overlooking the Hudson River.

Despite the yupster vibe, I’ll be back to the Knot for the cheap happy hour and to point fingers at the Jersey commuters that are stuck in traffic headed back to the tunnel.