New York City Subway

Each time I ride the New York subway, I gain a little more respect for this vast vast system. At first, the grittiness and intimidatingly large stations and maps had me put off. But that grittiness and complexity are so very representational of the city that lies directly above it. And just as getting to know the city leads to more comfort with being in it, so it goes with the subway. You quickly learn that if you miss your initial transfer station, there's another route to get where you're going. You learn what time of day which trains will be packed and running behind and know which ones to take instead. You learn the pre-walk, positioning yourself in the correct car so as to most easily access the exit at your final station. For being such a vast system, it strikes me by how inexpensive it is. It's a one-far system, rather than tiered by distance (like D.C. or Tokyo). Just $2.25 gets you underground or there are all sorts of passes and extra deals for multi-riders. If you had just a day in NYC and only $2.25 to spend, seeing the city's underground might not be a bad option. Of how many cities can one say that every one of its residents has a shared bit of culture? In New York, people don't not use the subway. It's not really an option. That culture—knowledge, etiquette, opinions—creates a bond between New Yorkers, one that I can't say I've seen in cities like Seattle or Denver. This wide usage also makes for trains full of everyone imaginable, from $900 suits to children in soccer outfits, the nanny with a double stroller to the guy just looking for a warm place to sleep. I could go on and on about the variation in the modernity from one line to the next, the lonely one-line station vs. the mega transfer ones, the lore associated with the A-train for example, or anecdotes about the random people I see down there, but the only way to really understand is to get to know it yourself. A city's public transit says a lot about the city itself, and it is one of my favorite ways to get to know it.

Tuesday November 2 2010

File under: travel, transportation

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on Tue 02nd Nov, 2010 06:24 pm PDT Saxtor said: HEY! That's my stop! You're at my stop*! ************************ on Fri 05th Nov, 2010 10:14 pm PDT Wren said: After I made this post, I had an awesome subway experience that I just have to share. It is called the A/C or B/D game and it is played at the Canal street station. Often times, there are multiple lines that will get to you to your destination. In most places, those lines will run on the same or adjacent rails so you can just wait in one spot. At Canal Street, however, the B/D runs on rails one floor lower than the A/C. For much midtown travel, however, any of those lines will work. The way A/C or B/D game works is you gather a couple of strangers who are in the same dilemma and create a bucket brigade type chain from one set of platforms to the next with the purpose of passing info on when a train is arriving. If the B or D comes first, the person on that platform passes the word, and up the chain it goes, allowing everyone waiting on the A/C platform to rush down the stairs to make the B/D. Many thanks to Mark for teaching me this insider's hint. ************************

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Rally to Restore Sanity

What happens when you gather a lot* of people together in a small space to rally for the cause of sanity? Well, it gets a little insane, but in a good way. Today, I attended John Stewart and Stephen Colbert's Rally to Restore Sanity and/or Fear in Washington D.C. Let me tell you, it was an experience. Here's my bulleted pointed review. The crowds - we are talking a lot of people. When leaving the mall, we pretty much claimed the streets of downtown D.C. as our own, because there was no way the sidewalks were going to contain us The energy - sane people from all over gathered to enjoy being sane together*. Goofiness with a good dash of passion and purpose is the best I can describe it The special guests - Kareem Abdul Jabar, Yusef Islam*, Ozzy Osborne, Kid Rock & Sheryl Crow, Sam Waterstien, Father Guido Sarducci, the Mythbuster guys* , and more The message - mostly over the top parody (very funny) but ending on a heart-felt serious note of really working together, approaching politics more level-headedly, and tuning out fear-mongering mass media The music - besides those listed above, there were a bunch of famous people that I didn't recognize because they are from a different era, but my cultural translator Saxtor filled me in on the importance The witty signs - Make English (muffins) law, Frustrated Arizonans Rejecting TEA, Give Quiche a Chance, [citation needed], You may have a good point but all this yelling makes it hard to understand, BIG SING IN ALL CAPS, Down with toilet seats, ALL CAPITAL LETTERS MEANS I'M SERIOUS, I support this sign, and so many more. Sign spotting was almost the highlight of the day Although we pretty much watched the whole event via huge t.v. screens set about the lawn because of the immense size of the crowd, just being there to support the cause, feel the energy, and, well, say I was there made the day a great experience, one like I doubt I'll ever experience again. After all, how often in one's life does one get to gather with 150,000+ people on a beautiful day in a beautiful place and have a bunch of fun?

Saturday October 30 2010

File under: misc

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on Sat 30th Oct, 2010 08:29 pm PDT Andrew said: We had 160,000 people over at our place last night. But whatever. ************************ on Sun 31st Oct, 2010 04:56 am PDT steve said: glad to hear you attended. Yay for sanity ************************ on Sun 31st Oct, 2010 11:14 am PDT Mom said: Here's the sign I would have carried: Hyperbole = the Greatest Threat of All Time!!! ************************

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Thoughts on Pay Phones

As most of you know, I'm one of those stubborn holdouts that refuses to get a cell-phone*. This makes for some tricky planning in today's "I'll call you with the details 15 minutes beforehand" social culture, esp. when travelling. Because of this, I find myself using pay phones now and again, enough to start to notice a few things. For one, finding a pay phone is hard. There are occasions where I've spent almost half an hour looking for the nearest pay phone. And presumably because of the reduced use, many of them are in disrepair. So even if you find one, there's no guarantee that it will work. Secondly, you probably didn't notice, but the price of pay phones is no longer a quarter. Occasionally you see a $.35 one, but most of the pay phones these days are $.50 for local calls. Long distance, of course, is much higher. (And long distance is usually what I need because a person's phone number no longer relates to where they are, what with cellphones, etc.) Pleasantly, though, I've found New York City to buck both of these trends. Public phones are plentiful and [mostly] functional and, to my utter surprise, only a quarter for local calls. In one of the most expensive cities in the world, who would have thought pay phones would be so cheap. As silly as this sounds, this little fact boosts my opinion of NY more than I should probably admit.     I <3 NY (pay phones!)

Friday October 29 2010

File under: travel, USA

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on Mon 01st Nov, 2010 12:52 pm PDT Stephanie said: I was in New York just a few weeks ago and something that I noticed about it is how surprisingly stuck in another era it is. I mean, all the fashion is the latest thing and there are some really trendy restaurants and businesses and such, but if you were just out on the street or down in the subway and you weren't paying attention to people's clothes (and also ignoring the cell phones) you could just as easily be in 1980 as 2010. At least that was how I felt the whole time I was there.So I'm not at all surprised that there are more payphones there. It seems suiting. ************************ on Wed 03rd Nov, 2010 07:12 pm PDT Michelle said: Can't you get a phone card with an 800 number that would work on any pay phone? ************************ on Fri 05th Nov, 2010 10:05 pm PDT Wren said: @Michelle: I have a card where you dial an 800 number, enter your code, and get cheap calls. The problem is that it deducts a ridiculous amount of minutes if you are calling from a payphone—like 30 minutes. I'd rather keep a pocket full of quarters. ************************

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Autumn in New York

If I was to ever write a list of 1001 things that someone should do or see before they die, one of the first things I would add is Autumn leaves in someplace like New England. In its peak and the right place, you are just surrounded by the beautiful colors. It's not often that I have this feeling of being so engulfed by such an incredible phenomenon. Luckily, this trip has taken me exactly along the path of the changing season, it seems. It was in the parks and along the streets of Toronto. The drive from Toronto to Montreal was possibly the most epic I've ever seen...until the drive from Montreal to NYC. Now, as I meander around Manhattan and Brooklyn, while peak leaf-peeping has come and gone, there are still some truly awe-inspiring vistas.

Wednesday October 27 2010

File under: travel, USA

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on Thu 28th Oct, 2010 12:53 pm PDT Jenn said: Fall leaves are the best. It was one of my favorite things about living in Dayton, OH. October was a very dangerous time to be on the road with me because I was never watching the road -- I was always looking at the leaves! ************************

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Flying Karamazov Brothers in NYC

Being in New York means seeing a show, right? Actually, let me rephrase that: being in New York means seeing a show.* And while I would go see the Flying Karamazov Brothers any time I could, seeing them on stage in New York was really a treat. To further sweeten the treat, I got to hang out with the gang before the show, watch them warm up, and even toss a few clubs around with them, all a real treat for a geek juggler like myself. The new show at the Minetta Lane Theatre, which used to be called 4-Play but is now just called Flying Karamazov Brothers, was great. Lots of music, juggling, juggling while playing music, playing music through juggling, and some unexpected hilarious comedy. It's my hope that the show catches on and gets big not only so the group flourishes, but because the more people that see this hilarity the better. To that end, go see the show! It's reasonably priced, a totally great experience, and unlike anything else you'll see here in New York. Also, it is worth pointing out that Steve and Amiel, who stood in for some travelling members of the group, did a spectacular job on stage. So not only did I get to see a great show, hang with the gang, and be inspired by some creative juggling, I got to see 2 friends hit the big time! Chalk one up for New York!

Sunday October 24 2010

File under: juggling, travel

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on Mon 25th Oct, 2010 10:04 pm PDT mindi said: "No Standing Anytime"... You tell jokes! he he he ************************ on Sun 14th Nov, 2010 04:43 am PST Dave said: Am I the only one in here who sees a resemblance between Wren and the guy on the far left of the AP-watermarked picture? ************************

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Canadian Crosswalk Guy

Canada and the U.S. are pretty much the same, right? Well, there's that whole health care thing, and everything having to be written in both English and French, and the foreign policy thing, and well, almost everything governmental. But when it comes to actually being there, the similarities outweigh the difference. Perhaps it is because of this that I find such incredible humor in a tiny little difference between the U.S. and Canada. I giggle every time I see the Canadian crosswalk guy. He just looks so awkward to me. When I try to explain to Canadians that never in a person's stride are both of their legs totally straight, they don't get it at all. Many U.S.-ians* don't either. I guess it will have to remain my own little joke and will probably continue snapping pictures of the little guy whenever he really speaks to me...which is almost always.

Thursday October 21 2010

File under: travel, Canada

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on Thu 21st Oct, 2010 09:11 am PDT mely said: i think the canadian crosswalk guy just walks with more purpose and uprightness than the american guy. look how proudly he crosses that street! ************************ on Thu 21st Oct, 2010 09:42 am PDT steve said: I like the scramble walks - ************************ on Thu 21st Oct, 2010 07:52 pm PDT Saxtor said: I always called him Jaunty Crosswalk Guy. Jaunty is really the only word I have for him. ************************ on Fri 22nd Oct, 2010 03:52 pm PDT Stephanie said: I also think that the Canadian crosswalk guy is hilarious looking. I kind of laughed internally when I saw the pictures even before I read your post. ************************ on Fri 22nd Oct, 2010 03:54 pm PDT mely said: i agree with saxtor. canadians are generally jaunty street-crossers especially between the months of october to april. ************************ on Fri 22nd Oct, 2010 07:00 pm PDT Amanda said: I had the same reaction when we lived in Vancouver. That little guy never got old. ************************ on Sun 31st Oct, 2010 03:09 pm PDT Jeffrey Howard said: I agree, Wren. I have always thought something very similar and been consistently amused and pleased by his position. I also very much like Canada's speed "humps" as opposed to the US' speed "bumps. Bumps sound like a disease while humps...you get the picture. Go Canada, eh? ************************

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Careers 101 by Yours Truly

You never know what a day on the road will hold. Just last Friday, in Toronto, I got the chance to talk to a high school Careers class about my "career". Ha! While I tried my best to tie stories about traveling, circusing, housesitting, etc. back to applicable information, making smart choices, and other "teachable" topics, after the kids warmed up to me, it turned into more of a Q&A with perhaps somewhat of a less teachable feel. I mean, the story of pooping in a cup in Guatemala can't have too much value in a Careers class, but it is a pretty good story. Then, of course, it degenerated into a juggling demonstration. It's hard for me to say no to the request for a personal juggling show. The kids seemed to enjoy my impromptu mishmash of juggling tricks, although less so with the rope tricks. Oh well. Anyhoo, here's a brief clip of me throwing some balls up in the air. Hope you like it. (And if you want to book me to speak at your school, I come cheap!)

Sunday October 17 2010

File under: travel, juggling

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on Mon 18th Oct, 2010 05:14 pm PDT mely said: thank you for coming to speak to my children. we had a fun time one and all :-) ************************ on Mon 18th Oct, 2010 05:15 pm PDT mely said: hahahaha i just noticed that if you look closely, you can see aaron there, sleeping in the front row... (totally not your fault though - that guy sleeps through all my classes too) ************************ on Mon 18th Oct, 2010 08:14 pm PDT Mom said: I hope you split the scene before agitated parents confronted you about putting crazy ideas in their kids' heads! BTW, does all that stuff on the chalkboard relate to your "talk?" ************************ on Thu 21st Oct, 2010 09:13 am PDT mely said: hehe nope, mum, that's from my first period 9th grade french lesson :-) ************************

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FC 120 - Vandalism at Its Finest

Canada doesn't have intellectual property rights, right?* If so, I might be in trouble with this week's comic. I'm afraid that I stole it...I think. You tell me. Here's the story: while out on a bike ride yesterday through Toronto*, I came across this bit of graffiti. I immediately assumed it was a pun and appropriately groaned. Then I started thinking about it; that concrete wall isn't a gateway. Perhaps the artist wasn't intending to make a pun but instead just social commentary. It was only when this doubt found its way into my head that I decided it was okay to comicize it. If Maiden Canada decides to prosecute me for this crime of intellectual property rights, I figure I'll be long gone. After another day or two in Toronto and a couple days in Montreal, I'll be back where the people are decent* and we only sue about issues involving coffee being too hot or not hot enough. Anyhoo, Happy Friday!*

Thursday October 14 2010

File under: comic

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Musee Mecanique

On a post long, long ago, former* BdW reader Jenelle suggested that if i was ever in San Francisco, I should check out the Musee Mecanique. Well, since I found myself in SF with lots of time to kill, I did just that and boy was I glad I did. Imagine a room chocked full of row after row of old-timey arcade machines. Love testers, strength testers, laughing creepy dolls, elaborate scenes where everything moves when you drop in your quarter, player pianos, mechanical games, stereographic slideshows, and on and on. There are a few nods to modernity, like some classic video games*, skee ball, air hockey, penny smashers galore, and one "game" where you grab onto these two metal posts and it progressively shocks you more and more until you let go. The more shock you can stand, the more points you get. Oy. Located at Fisherman's Wharf, the Musee Mecanique is quite a treat. Admission is free, with the only money you spend being on playing the various games and novelties. The attendant, at least when I was there, cruised around on roller skates and was glad to show off his skillz at the various obscure games.

Tuesday October 12 2010

File under: travel

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on Tue 12th Oct, 2010 10:09 pm PDT Mom said: Okay, I'm curious, how shocking could you be on a scale of 1-10? It reminds me of holding hands with my brothers on the farm when the first one would touch the electric fence and the last one in the line (usually me)would get the biggest jolt. Oh big brothers, what bothers. ************************ on Thu 14th Oct, 2010 02:16 pm PDT mely said: i've been there! ************************ on Mon 25th Oct, 2010 07:53 pm PDT Dan Zelinsky said: Thanks for kind words, glad you enjoyed yourself! I want to let you know that we have a new web site at http://www.museemecanique.com. The one you link to is not owned operated by us, if you could change it, we'd appreciate it! ************************ on Tue 26th Oct, 2010 09:33 am PDT Wren said: @Dan: Thanks for the correction. It's been...um...corrected. Also, thanks for maintaining a kick ass attraction! ************************

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I Heart Craigslist Rideshare

I, for one, love craigslist rideshare. While it isn't always the most convienent way to travel, necessarily the most comfortable, or the surest travel bet in the book, the environmental perks, the cost savings, and the interesting people I meet make it my #1 choice for flexible travel. To those of you who haven't experienced a ride via craigslist before, let me share a few tidbits fro my most recent ride. I caught a ride from Portland to Sacramento. While the train ride would have been 18 hours and $100, it only took us 9 hours and I paid $35. Not bad. The best party, however, was the peolple. Folks who are inclined to take a chance on a stranger are typically more interesting than most. In our [2-door honda civic], I met 3 good, interesting people; a hiker just coming off 4.5 months on the trail*, a world traveler who, conveniently, recently traveled to my next hopeful destination, and a no-traditional-job/lifestyle-for-me-thank-you-very-much free spirit. The great conversations made the miles just fly by. The catch of the whole thing, however, is that I wasn't going to Sacramento. I had to cobble together transport from Sacramento into the Bay area, a task more expensive and difficult than you might think. But thanks to a couple helpful good people, I made it in time for juggle club at the Vulcan. All in all, chalk it up as another positive craigslist rideshare experience!

Saturday October 9 2010

File under: travel, transportation

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on Sun 10th Oct, 2010 08:36 pm PDT Dave said: I couldn't get my mouse to hover over the asterisk quickly enough! ************************

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