Dancing In The Rain

Commuter Therapy

Posted on October 20, 2014 by mahines

Last week was a particularly crappy commuting week: stalled train with 2 hour delay, rain slick roads with multiple accidents, slippery-rail slowdowns, and tons of leaf-peepers with luggage. By the time Friday evening rolled around, everyone was cranky city. The 6:04 has been excessively crowded lately and for some insane reason (known only to the powers at the MTA) they’ve been running a short train. So when I boarded it Friday night, I was prepared for a miserable trip to my station. I squeezed into a four-seater and pulled out my IPad and head phones and got ready to go to my happy place. Something in the six-seater opposite me caught my attention. There was a dog spread out on the seat. A sweet little mutt with big brown eyes and a wagging tail. She laid there quietly as the car filled up and when the young couple she was with realized the seat was needed, they pulled her over next to them. But nobody semed to mind that she was taking up prime real estate. People who would normally keep to themselves began asking questions about her and telling about their own dogs. Everyone wanted to scratch her ears. She got down on the floor and began going from person to person, giving a lick and a wag and getting pets and “What a good girl” from each one. People on this crowded, end-of-the-work-week train, people who normally look like they ate kittens for lunch, were smiling and chatting and visibly relaxing. The ride actually became pleasant.

So MTA, here’s an idea for you – how about commuter therapy dogs. I guarantee you will have much happier passengers and the dogs work for cookies.

A Welcome Passenger

Posted in Commute, Dogs | Tagged Commute, dogs, MTA | Leave a comment

Polarity

Posted on October 20, 2014 by mahines

Where do they come from, these tears.

This sorrow that wraps itself around me

like a leaden shroud,

a toxic lover.

I have done nothing to call you.

You come, unbidden, from the darkness of the well.

You crack my heart

and shred my soul.

You sink your long, sharp claws into my soft places

and howl

at my stubborn refusal to stay in your desolation.

Is there no bottom?

No place where you cannot find me?

Why have you not diminished? Shriveled? Withered?

I do not feed you.

On the contrary, I have purged you

time and time again.

Yet, you survive

to ambush me in the most pedestrian of moments.

Posted in Daily Life, Depression | Tagged darkness, sadness | Leave a comment

Piggy’s Night Out

Posted on October 4, 2014 by mahines

Piggy went for a walk one eve
around the neighborhood.
And what should he spy in the clearing there
but campers in the wood.
Their tents were shut, the fire out
“They’re fast asleep”, he thought.
“I think I’ll creep in closer still
to see what food they’ve brought.”
But when he got up to the spot
no food he found, I fear.
But happy, happy better still
some lovely cans of beer.
They’d never miss a single can,
so he would drink just one.
But eighteen cans were drained quite dry
before our boy was done.
He shook his head and tried to stand
he did not feel so right
“I think I’ve had a wee bit much.
I’d best call it a night.”
So Piggy wobbled to his feet.
His head spun like a top.
He stumbled on for several yards
Before he had to stop.
And standing there, upon a rise
he saw a wondrous sight,
a giant, gorgeous spotted sow
awash in soft moonlight.
His heart beat fast, he closed his eyes
and thanked the stars above.
For Cupid’s arrow hit its mark;
Dear Piggy was in love.
He’d never seen a pig so big
with eyes so dark and deep.
This was the one he’d waited for,
a love that he could keep.
And so he staggered closer still
and whispered “‘Lo there Miss.
I have come to rock your world.
So now, let’s have a kiss.”
“Get out of here”, she answered him.
“I said go on, now git.
I’m not a pig you silly fool.
I’m Cow, you drunken twit.”
“I like that, Gal”, said Piggy.
“You’re playing hard to get.
Just let me give my love to you.
You’ll beg for more I bet.”
He snuck in close to steal a kiss.
She answered with a kick.
He landed twenty feet away
His head, it cleared real quick.
Cow was headed straight for him.
and coming at a run.
“Ok, Ok, I take the hint.
I’m outta here. We’re done.”
She chased him round and round again
until the night grew old.
Then Cow went back to ruminate
when Piggy passed out cold.
And when at last he finally woke,
his head, it hurt real bad.
The only memory of that night
was of the dream he had –
an angel sow had broke his heart
then left him neath this tree.
And though that beer was lots of fun
for now, he’ll stick to tea.

http://gadling.com/2013/09/10/australian-pig-steals-beer/

Posted in Country Living, Drunk | Tagged drunk, pig | Leave a comment

Surprise, Surprise, Surprise!

Posted on October 1, 2014 by mahines

Every weekday, I get a surprise. Now for most people, that would sound like a great thing. But my surprise is always my commute. See I travel 150+ miles a day roundtrip; some of it by car, some by train, some by subway and some by walking. So there are lots of places for the whole thing to get f**ked up. On occasion, I get a day when everything clicks – no traffic, the train is on time, no delays on the subway – but those are rare indeed.

Today, it rained. That is always a bad sign. Apparently, most people do not know how to drive in the rain. Especially on oily, leaf covered roads. It’s like bumper cars without the rubber bumpers. I’m finally getting close to my destination after two and a half hours of traveling.

Here for your entertainment is a brief look at part of my trip. Enjoy.

Note: I took this video when we were at a dead stop. I pointed and pressed start. When we began moving, I shut off the phone. My eyes never left the road. And by the way, I just got to the office – a new record, drum roll please – 3 hours.

Posted in Commute, Daily Life | Tagged Commute | Leave a comment

Bad To The Bone

Posted on September 30, 2014 by mahines

I love jewelry. My husband says it’s an addiction. The first Christmas gift I can remember asking for as a child was a turquoise and silver ring. I do love jewelry. And I have my collection of sparkly stuff. But my real love is tribal and one of a kind pieces. My friend’s sister is a jewelry designer and I recently bought some pieces from her. My favorite is hand strung aggate beads with a carved coral skull. I think he needs a little bling though so for for Christmas, I’m giving him a small, black diamond tooth. Say hello to my little friend.

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged jewelry, skull | Leave a comment

Eyes Wide Shut

Posted on September 30, 2014 by mahines

I’ve been trying to do more walking lately. I spend too many hours on my butt staring at a computer screen. The only way for me to fit it into my day is to walk from Grand Central to my office or vice versa. It amazes me how many people have developed the habit of walking with their heads down staring at a smartphone with ear buds or sportscaster like headphones stuck to their heads. Besides being dangerous (you don’t see or hear traffic that way) it is a hazard to the rest of us non-plugged in types. I find I often have to walk like I’m posing for the Heisman Trophy to keep the electronic zombies from smashing right into me.

But the really sad part is that by not looking up and around, they miss so much. This is NYC for God’s sake. Open your eyes. If you pay attention, there are so many marvelous things to delight and educate.

There is a wonderful shop on Sixth Avenue close to Central Park South that has all sorts of treasures – ormolu furniture and knick knacks, antique china, art deco statues, netsuke, and my favorite, pate de verre objects. I have always loved this technique of creating glass art. The colors are beautiful and it seems that the work glows from within. I spent a few happy moments just enjoying the variety of pieces in the window.

Pate de Verre

As I cross Central Park South and walk along the Park wall, I notice that the pedestrian entrances are named. I pass Artists’ Gate and Artisans’ Gate.

Here’s a link to a NY Times article about the Gates.

http://www.nytimes.com/2003/02/02/nyregion/new-york-observed-portals-to-the-19th-century.html

I turn west and head toward Columbus Circle. I look up and ahead of me rises the Time Warner Center where I work. Seeing these glass towers through the branches of hundred year old trees is such an incongrueous sight. I wonder if Fredrick Law Olmstead envisioned this when he designed the urban wilderness that is Central Park?

Time Warner Center

I will admit that I too have often rushed through my day, oblivious to what is around me. But my promise to myself as I start my sixty first year of life is to stop trying to do more, work harder, work faster. I need to stop and really see and hear what is around me. It all goes by so quickly. It’s a shame to miss the scenery because you are too busy studying the map.

Posted in Aging, Beauty, Central Park, Daily Life, New York City | Tagged Central Park, New York City | 1 Comment

A Horse Is A Horse

Posted on September 26, 2014 by mahines

It was such a beautiful day today, I thought I would walk from Grand Central to my office. And truthfully, my pants are getting too tight so I figured the exercise wouldn’t hurt. I walked along Fifth Avenue and turned up Central Park South. I wanted to chat with the Famous Central Park Horses and see how they were handling all the craziness surrounding their right to work.

As I walked, I saw a parade of carriages heading down CPS in the opposite direction, getting ready to make the left turn to line them up along the edge of the Park. I didn’t want to yell across the street, so I kept walking. I came upon a few who were already in position, but they were arguing with the pigeons over breakfast and I didn’t want to interrupt their meal. Finally, around Sixth Avenue, I came upon a handsome fellow, pawing at the ground and, pardon the expression, chomping at the bit to get his day started.

“Good Morning. Beautiful day.”

“How YOU doin’?”

“I’m fine, thank you. I was wondering if you would mind if I asked you about the push to get you out of the Park, to shut down the Carriage Horses. Does it concern you?”

“Nah, I ain’t worried about them mooks. I’m a New York horse. Nothin’ bothers me. Except maybe construction cranes. They make me a little skittish, you know? Besides, I’m in the union, The Teamsters. You remember Jimmy Hoffa don’t ya?”

“So you don’t think they’ll replace you with antique cars?’

“Are you kiddin’ me. I’m a freakin’ institution, for cryin’ out loud. Like the tree at Rockefeller Center. All the tourists love me. And where’s the romance in ridin’ in a Model T. You gonna propose in a crummy clown car?”

“But don’t you get tired of this? Don’t you want to run free in green pastures?”

“What, and give up Show Business? You nuts or somethin’? I love the way the kids giggle and squeal when they touch my nose. I always give a little blow – bbbrrrrh. Makes ’em laugh. And when the people are in my carriage, and we’re clipclopin’ through the Park, I show them what it was like to live here a hundred years ago. It makes me feel special. I got plenty a time to eat grass when my legs give out. Well, look – it’s been nice talkin’ to ya but I got to get to work. I gotta make a living ya know.”

“Thanks. I’ve got to get going too. I hope it all works out for you. I’d miss you if you were gone.”

“Lady, you have no idea.”

How YOU doin’?

Posted in Central Park, New York City | Tagged Famous | 1 Comment

What You Gonna Do In Those Shoes?

Posted on September 23, 2014 by mahines

Friday was my cousin’s wedding. She’s my age and it was her second marriage. I don’t get as worked up about weddings as I used to. When I was young, a wedding was a big deal. You spent weeks looking for just the right outfit. You knew it was going to be a fashion parade, a blowout, a major PAR-TEE. Now I know it’s all about the ceremony; about two people standing up in front of family and friends and promising to be there for each other, no matter what. I cry now at weddings. I didn’t used to when I was young. But now I understand what it means to be married, really married and the beauty and feeling of that promise touches me deeply and reminds me of my own promise to my husband.

But back to the party part of the wedding. I waited until the night before to decide what to wear. Nothing too fancy, no cocktail-type dress. After pulling out most of the dresses in my closet, I settled on a plain black v-neck wrap dress. With the fashion advice of my husband (who,for a guy who could be mistaken for Major Dad, has an amazing eye for color and style ), I paired it with a silk jacket with an abstract pattern in shades of blue, green, and purple. Now for the most important part – shoes.

My husband says that he just doesn’t get the shoe thing. Maybe it’s something we have on the X chromosome? It doesn’t matter how much you weigh, how tall you are or how old you are; a hot pair of shoes can make you feel like a million. I dug around the bottom of my closet, pulling out shoe boxes and peering inside until – Voila – I found them. Never worn, purple suede stilettos. I haven’t worn heels in awhile but it’s like riding a bike – you never forget.

I brought them downstairs to show the Fashion Arbiter.

“Wow, those are some CFMs.” (Note: In younger days, that acronym stood for something a bit different. Now it means “Can’t Freakin’ Move”.) Are you going to be able to manage those? You’re not 25, you know.”

He had just thrown down the gauntlet.

“Of course I can manage. I’ll take my flats with me. Just in case. I only have to wear them a short time. Then I can change.”

Well, I did wear them – all night. To be honest, I kept my flats on in the car and changed when we got there. And there was no dancing involved, just walking the buffet line. But still – all the twenty-somethings in their sky-high heels stared with envy at my kick-ass pumps. I could see admiration in their eyes and the thought “I hope I can still wear those when I’m her age.” I glided through that room like the Freakin’ Queen of Sheba. I was the Champ.

Guys don’t get it. Shoes, Baby. Shoes.

The Shoes

Proof I actually had them on.

Posted in Aging, Beauty, Fashion | Tagged aging, shoes, wedding | Leave a comment

Anger Eddies

Posted on September 18, 2014 by mahines

Today I am stuck in the “anger eddies”. That’s the place where you feel angry and frustrated and annoyed for no particular reason at all. I’m being pushed and bumped and swirled around and around. I need to fight my way out before I start pushing back.

Now I could take a brisk walk around the block but the streets are crowded and that would probably just make it worse. I could try to meditate but since my office is a bit like Grand Central Terminal I don’t think I could reach a Zen state. I’m not that evolved. I could breath deeply, stretch, yodel, play Yatzee – I don’t know. Any number of things to release the bad energy. But none of that stuff hits the mark right now.

So instead, I will fall back on my Grandmother’s technique and feed the inner child.

A Starbucks vente Pumpkin Spice Latte, a cheddar bacon scone and some monkey bread (for a snack later). Comfort food therapy. Works for me.

Posted in Daily Life, Family | Tagged Food, Starbucks | Leave a comment

The Money Shot

Posted on September 9, 2014 by mahines

Mother Nature sure has been putting on a show lately. Everywhere I look, on Facebook, on local news shows, on Instagram, I see these incredible photos of the sky. Last night though, she really outdid herself. She put on such a display that even the jaded, zombied-out commuters on my train stopped and took note. That’s quite an accomplishment. Usually they are on a straight-line trajectory from the train platform to their parked cars. And they never seem to be interested in anything that doesn’t have a power supply or a rechargeable battery. But last night, even if just for a quick glance, almost everyone disembarking the train looked up. I, of course, stood behind my car taking photos with my smartphone and I was gratified when a fellow in a late model BMW stopped on his way out of the lot.

“I see you are taking pictures.”

“Yup.”

“That’s some spectacular sky, isn’t it?”

“It sure is.”

Nice to know we are not all soulless automatons.