By random chance, I was on my commute and a woman nearby seemed intrigued I was writing. She asked if I was in the Arts and when I said I was, she introduced herself. Madeline Schwartzman is a writer/filmmaker who runs 365 Day Subway: Poems By New Yorkers. What makes her site different, is she approaches a complete stranger whilst on her subway commute, and asks them to write a poem. The result joins an impressive array of poems from everyday New Yorkers on
It’s funny to realize I’m blogging in New York City, and have yet to write anything about life here. Well that ends tonight! I admit after 6 years of New York, I’ve grown used to the frenetic energy. But that to which I can’t adapt, are the wild and crazy people I encounter. Here are some anecdotes.
I was coming home late along 7th Avenue in Park Slope and I noticed a twenty-something walking down the sidewalk laughing in a kooky way. Continue reading
As I commuted through Fulton Street station yesterday, I heard wonderful classical music… and a woman’s voice. I soon passed two mildly amused classical musicians and saw the source of their disturbance: a religious fanatic had decided to park herself right nearby. She was belting out “religious” “songs”. If she hit a correct note, I don’t think anyone knew, including her. And, God bless her, she was so loud and off-tune she was actually competing with two stringed instruments! I almost broke. But I had to get to work. What a royal pain!
The best way I’ve found to write on the Subway, is with a reporter’s notebook. You’d laugh to see how cumbersome writing in normal notebooks is or even a Moleskine (which I normally love). And that’s because you have to write for extended periods of time while standing up. Believe me, I’ve done it! I like Ampad Earthwise (recycled) Reporter Notebooks best. I bought a three pack at Staples last year for a decent price, so I’d look there before buying them on Staples.com or Amazon.
I’m currently writing in Portage News Reporter Notebooks,which have thick paper. While I like Ampad’s notebook better, I bought a 12 pack, so I guess I’ll be using them for awhile! But Portage notebooks feel a lot sturdier and may be more durable against Father Time.
While we’re on the subject, I write in Parker Blue Quink (Gel Ink), which I believe is permanent. A great writer’s tool.
Writing on the subway isn’t easy, but it’s a great chunk of time to muse.
– The Wandering Humorist
I walked onto the R train last night and Daryl Dixon was sitting there staring me in the face. I don’t often see posters just sitting on the subway,
so I had to strike up a conversation with his friend. Apparently, you can buy these framed posters of popular TV series at Spencer’s in the city. I had to laugh. The subway is full of surprises, but when they’re fun, they’re really fun; because the rest of the time they can be really weird. More subway tales later…