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Uraniumfish
Uraniumfish

Thoughts on the subway

Recently someone told me that there's a contest out there for playwrights, where the goal is to take the A train from one end of its route to another, and write a complete play during the time it takes you to traverse the distance. The winners get performed in a festival.

Anyway, this thread is dedicated to thoughts one has while riding the subway. My thoughts today went toward examining people's shoes, and finding them wanting. Even people in great and expensive clothes, I noticed, will wear awful, cheap, scruffed -up shoes. Guess few of us think to look below the knees?
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ajadedidealist
ajadedidealist 2yrs+
That sounds like a fantastic idea, @uraniumfish! I wish I could take part.

I tend to try to see what people on the subway are reading and imagine their lives based on the books they choose...
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uptowngirl
uptowngirl 2yrs+
@Uraniumfish to veer a little off topic but my mum always seems to judge people by the kind of shoes that they wear that's the first thing she notices about people. I love observing folk on the NYC subway but my husband always tells me not to stare at anyone too long apparently it can cause an easily spark an altercation as some folk don't like being looked at! I love to see what people are wearing and the like nothing else..
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hhusted
hhusted 2yrs+
@Uptowngirl: I agree with your husband. I don't look too long either. I try and look at the floor or the ads on the ceiling if at all possible. I will glance at people every so often, but not too long.
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NeverSleeps
NeverSleeps 2yrs+
I always see people writing or drawing, or sometimes even typing on their laptops and I always wonder how anyone can be creative on public transport. How are the monitoring those playwrights, I wonder? Putting them all in the same train car? Seems like it would be nice and quiet in there, which somehow takes away from the idea of the contest for me.

And, to answer the question, I tend to check out what people are reading, too. Sometimes I creepily read stuff over shoulders. Only when I don't have my own entertainment with me, of course. I like to check out what the hipsters are wearing on the rare occasion I end up on the L, and I like to check myself out in the window reflection across from wherever I am sitting. And then I always worry that people are catching me making cute faces at myself.
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hhusted
hhusted 2yrs+
@NeverSleeps; I looked over a guy's shoulder to read the newspaper he was holding. I think he sensed it and looked up. He gave me an angry look and turned the page. I just turned my head in the other direction. When the train stopped and people got out, he moved to another seat.
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Uraniumfish
Uraniumfish 2yrs+
@NeverSleeps I doubt they monitor the playwrights. They're probably just on their word of honor.

@uptowngirl It's true I kind of form impressions of people by their shoes, too. Obviously, one studies the whole package, so to speak, but I find shoes can be quite expressive of personality.
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Uraniumfish
Uraniumfish 2yrs+
@NeverSleeps Weeell, everybody checks themselves out int he window reflections, and they're all likely feeling just as sheepish as you.

My out of town visitor remarked how so many people in this city seem to be doing something at all times, even on the subway. How no one can just do nothing for a spell. Which is quite remarkable about New York. When I was a student and learning French, I'd be thumbing through my dictionary on the subway, thinking up words to look up, even when the cars were totally packed and I could barely hold the dictionary in front of me. gotta make use of all those minutes.
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JenMac
JenMac 2yrs+
I always judge people by the books they read. The L train is the best because everyone reads books like Candide and Tropic of Cancer, and I always think: you don't really want to read that . . .you just want people to think you enjoy books like that.
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ajadedidealist
ajadedidealist 2yrs+
Haha, that's a really good point, @Jenmac. DO people on different subway lines read different books?
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DBlack
DBlack 2yrs+
@uptowngirl It's true, people do get all weirded out and aggressive if you stare at them too long. A point of etiquette in this city is to not look directly at people unless you're looking for trouble...
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DBlack
DBlack 2yrs+
@JenMac You're so right, the L train is full of people out to impress with their reading prowess. It might just be the most literary train in the city.
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JenMac
JenMac 2yrs+
DBlack, it really is. The old school book mobiles have got nothing on the L. I used to joke that I was going to have to make a fake "Franny and Zooey" cover to put over "Twilight" if I ever wanted to be allowed on the train again.
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JenMac
JenMac 2yrs+
And, yeah, people get aggressive when you stare at them . . . but, so do I. It creeps me out like I'm gonna get stabbed with a syringe at any moment.
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NeverSleeps
NeverSleeps 2yrs+
@JenMac I loved reading Candide and Tropic of Cancer! But I didn't do it on the L train, I guess...
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ajadedidealist
ajadedidealist 2yrs+
That's why I like my kindle! Nobody can tell whether I'm reading Tolstoy or Twilight!
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JenMac
JenMac 2yrs+
Don't get me wrong, I love those books too. But, I feel like those kinds of books are more status symbols than anything else over in my neck of the woods.
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uptowngirl
uptowngirl 2yrs+
@ajadedidealist I must admit I am noticing a increasing number of kindles everywhere in NYC nowadays but maybe that's just until Saturday , the 3rd of April when the Ipad launches. I dont think there will be such a rush outside the Apple Stores though as even Best Buy is going to sell them on that very same day.
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ajadedidealist
ajadedidealist 2yrs+
I saw a woman on the train today reading a kindle for the first time and I felt so validated. Like YES! MY LIFESTYLE CHOICES ARE VALID! Also, more awkwardly, the woman sitting next to me, who didn't have a kindle, kept peering at me and mine over my shoulder...
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hhusted
hhusted 2yrs+
@Everybody; I take the D train to the lower part of Brooklyn every day to a new job and when I get on it, I have a book I read all the way till my stop.
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JenMac
JenMac 2yrs+
I understand the benefits of the kindle; but, I just can't do it. There's something about the smell and feel of a real book that I just don't think I can part with.
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hhusted
hhusted 2yrs+
@JenMac: Actually, I agree with you. Holding a book in my hand and being able to bookmark it for later reading is very beneficial.
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NeverSleeps
NeverSleeps 2yrs+
I tend to think a real book is easier on the eyes, too.
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ajadedidealist
ajadedidealist 2yrs+
I couldn't imagine reading a magazine on a Kindle - the pictures are half the fun! Even though I find kindle books totally easy to read - easier than paper!
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uptowngirl
uptowngirl 2yrs+
Yes ajadedidealist and what of the smellies? all those yummy perfume inserts.. on the basis of one I have fallen in love with the new Chloe fragrance. How will an e-reader manage to replicate that?
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hhusted
hhusted 2yrs+
@Yeah, uptowngirl. I have a subscription to The Hollywood Reporter, since I am writing screenplays, and they have a digital version as well. I also agree with you regarding taking a physical book to bed. Not only do I do that sometimes, but when I have to take a trip on the subway, I take a book to read as well.
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JenMac
JenMac 2yrs+
Although, maybe if they can do digital magazines, then Domino will come back? Wishful thinking . . .it was my favorite.
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ajadedidealist
ajadedidealist 2yrs+
The only thing I worry about regarding the kindle is that it might be a magnet for potential thieves in the way that a paper-book would not be. That is my only fear re: taking it traveling. Same with my netbook. I originally bought it to be something I could travel with; now, of course, I live in fear it will get stolen; it's my prized possession!
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Uraniumfish
Uraniumfish 2yrs+
I much prefer looking at a book when I read, though it took me years to get over the need to then keep the book on my bookshelf. Now I try to either sell it to a used book store if I own it and I'm done reading, or else borrow it in the first place.
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DBlack
DBlack 2yrs+
I saw a kid busker last week who did a flying back flip inside the subway car. It was IMPRESSIVE. I'm usually grateful when buskers work the subway cars since it breaks up the monotony of the ride.
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ajadedidealist
ajadedidealist 2yrs+
That is AMAZING! Did he get lots of tips, @Dblack?
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DBlack
DBlack 2yrs+
@ajadedidealist Are you kidding? He and his two friends were raking in the cash. They were young enough to also play up the cute factor with the women, so the money came out of the purses right away. I'd guess they made $30-$40 in about 5 minutes, and then moved on to the next car at the station.
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BroadwayBK
BroadwayBK 2yrs+
Aren't they already doing digital magazines? I hate them, though, because the joy of magazines has to do with those lovely glossy pages.

And @uptowngirl I sometimes read things on my iPhone in bed, because I can read it - though I probably shouldn't - without any lights on. I guess I should ask @ajadedidealist if you can do the same with a Kindle?

@DBlack That's awesome - all I ever see are three piece mariachi bands.
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uptowngirl
uptowngirl 2yrs+
@BroadwayBK I think the Kindle is back lit so I guess it is possible to read it when the lights are off but maybe ajadedidealist will be able to tell you more.
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