Subway Violinist
Lost in thoughts of finding the next subway connection to catch the Path back to the train in Hoboken I heard violin music. The music took me by surprise as I realized subway cars don’t play music. At the far end of the car was a young woman playing a violin. She played with vigor as she walked toward my end of the subway car. It was no small feat, especially since the car was clipping right along! It would jump, dive, and bouce left and then right. As the car passed under the East River the music filled the car. It was as if a subtle and beautiful voice was beckoning to each person in the car. “Stop, reflect, and appreciate the music” the voice seemed to say.
As she reached the end of the car where I was sitting she finished the piece and sat down. Under her left cheek was a small brown mark that revealed this wasn’t her first performance. As the car pulled up to the stop I, alone, politely applauded. Why did she choose to share such an enriching piece of music in the bustle of the subway car? It was no easy task and it was played beautifully. I saw no solicitation for gratuity and wondered if she was simply playing to share some joy she had deep inside?
Deep down I wish that I had continued with piano and had something to give in return – simply to give. Yet, even though my musical talents might consist of playing a CD player and singing a tune off key I have something to give. “… Silver or gold I do not have, but what I have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk…” I might not have the power to heal people or provide all the right answers I can testify about who Jesus Christ is to me. I’d love to hear who he is to you and to share who he could be if he isn’t already someone to you.
NYC To Do List
In no particular order, with no rhyme or reason:
- See the World Trade Center site – DONE
- Ride the subway – DONE
- Ride a crowded subway car – DONE
- Get lost in the subway – DONE
- Meet a nice New Yorker – DONE
- Go to the Good Morning America Show
- See Times Square -DONE
- Visit the Metropolitan Museum of Art – DONE (want to go back)
- Visit the Cloister Gardens
- Go to the top of the Empire State Building – DONE
- Visit Rockefeller Center
- Get dressed up and have a fancy dinner with friends
- Visit the Botanical Gardens – DONE
- Go to Bernie Madoff’s office in the Lipstick Building – N.A. Lost Interest
- Take the Ferry
- See the Statue of Liberty (close up)
- Take the NYC city tour bus
- Meet someone famous – KINDA DONE (LJ)
- Don’t get mugged – DONE
- Sail remote control boats in central park
- Bike the 6 mile loop around central park
- Goto the IBM tower
- Walk Brooklyn Bridge – DONE
- Get off the street. Maybe eat at 230 Fifth
- Take circle line tour (Boat ferry?)
- Find Google Headquarters in NYC
- Goto Times Square Church on Sunday
- Ride in the first subway car and look down the tunnel – DONE
- Be NYC tour guide – DONE
- Ride Staten Island Ferry – DONE
- Check out used book stores
- Buy a vest from the garment district
- Go to FAO Schwarz – DONE
- Manhattanhenge
More to follow as they come to mind….
11/12/11 Revised. Realized I scratched off 13 earlier this year. Added general to-do list.
07/14/10 Revised. Added and scratched 29, 30, 33. Added 31 and 32
05/11/10 Revised. Added and scratched 28.
04/25/10 Revised. Added 22-28, Scratched off 14,18, 10
08/05/09 Revised
01/25/09 Initial post
Apartment Party and Drakon
Today was the day Drakon came out of her box! It was my first attempt to get some of my friends hooked on a game that has been a lot of fun for me. To sweeten the deal I cooked lunch. The afternoon was rainy and overcast so it was a perfect day to be indoors.
Have my friends warmed up to Drakon? I’m not sure, it will take another game to find out. LI, BL, VG and I were in attendance. The victory was almost mine until BL tripped me up which paved a way for LI to sneak in with the win. Beginners luck, this time :)
Weekend Cooking Project 041809
Found this recipe in a cook book while waiting in line at the grocery store. The slaw on top of the pork created a nice contrast. The fresh wheat bun was soft and sweet like only bread can be. There was no barbeque sauce in the dish. The meat was cooked in a combination tomatoes puree with chunks, mustard, and something else I can’t remember. The left over portion heated up well and provided two days lunch!
Protected: First Horse Trip Oct 08
Personal Thoughts
When I think about how stubborn the horses were from lack of riding the trip out to Little Girls Point was quiet remarkable. Especially considering I had never ridden on one before, much less for 6 hours straight! There are several remarkable moments that stick out in my memory after having gone so many months ago.
Crossing the black top by Burger King. The feeling of being on top of a large animal as it inches closer and closer to the curb ( but not wanting to step over the curb ) is very odd. After having crossed a 4 lane intersection and walking in the groass along side BK I would have thought stepping back onto the blacktop would have been the least difficult task the horse would do. Apparently not, God only knows what horses think about. As the horse walked along the grassy peninsula up to the black top I had no idea what it was doing. In my mind it was all down hill and the hard part was over. When the horse stopped at the curb and refused to go further I had no idea what it was waiting for. Who would have thought the horse would hesitate stepping over a 4 inch curb. But alas, as it stood there ignoring my feeble prods I could just feel it inch closer and closer until it was forced to stray left or right. It wasn’t until I figured out to steer her onto the parking lot and around the curb did the journey continue.
Horses are lookers. After an hour or two of riding, and having a chance to think about how dim horses were, I was surprised to see how excited they got when another horse walked up to them from a field in the near by pasture. It was fenced in but ran along calling out to us as we trodded by. Our horses kept looking at it, as if to size him up and say, “Hi, how are you, can you run along with us”?
Horses are 4 speeds.
1. Stalled
2. Are we moving?
3. Hey this is bumpy!
… and my favorite …
4. Weeeeyaaaa!!!!
The “Hey this is bumpy!” speed was fun but hard on my butt. My horse wasn’t ridden much so when it decided to move a little faster all on its own gumption I thought that was pretty exciting. Towards the end of the trip Tim decided to push them a little harder. Thats when the “Weeeeyaaaa!!!!” moment happened, its beyound a trodd and into a full blown gallup. For such a large animal to bound underneath me was an increadible feeling of exhiliration, I couldn’t stop giggling as I’m in the habit of doing.
In the end, after getting off the horse I’m just thankful I could stand because my legs were like jelly, oh, and that the horse let me tag along for the ride :)