What does it even mean? Is not everyone essential to something that is essential to everything? Roads were plowed and passable. Sidewalks not so much. I think I id see one police vehicle and some sidewalk-plowing contraptions. But mostly the vehicles were snow-sculptures, some with spindly antennae of windshield washers lifted up in praise of something, someone. Only a few figures accompanied me on the journey to the only working transit in Astoria. The N train said “FUCK YOU” as I expect it will again tonight. But I am less concerned with getting home as I was with getting here. Here I am essential. At home I am nothing. With the Never train living up to its name it was about a mile walk to the R. Maybe 3\/4 mile. With the 34th Avenue entrances shuttered there is the extra distance of walking the full length of the station above ground to get to the entrance mid-block between 34th Ave. and Broadway. I walked almost entirely in the middle of the streets. Sidewalks mostly unplowed but the streets were passable and the wind only threatened to blow me over a few times. I got some of it on video and in photos. THe R was the way to go, after all. I should never have trusted the N. It’s above ground in Astoria andthus more vulnerable to the elements. The MTA made macho promises to the contrary but in fact the N is once again the Never train. For my purposes the W in the morning is irrelevant since it doesn’t start running until after 6. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Anyway… We made it. Others are arriving, others will arrive before 9am. I suspect I know exactly who will not show up. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
THings got surprisingly interesting yesterday with the Muslim woman I’d been talking to last week. For two Sundays we had shared part of the train ride home as far as 42nd Street. The first time I was so flummoxed I dropped the entire content of my wallet onto the floor. She helped pick it up. The second time she seemed so taken astride that she almost went off in the wrong direction at William and John. Now it seems she’s been talking to others about these semi-impromptu connections, telling others that I’m a nice guy with lots to talk about. She started replaying some of our conversations, about the air fryer and the Lindt chocolates I share with her. She’s more interested than I expected. At this point she could have no idea I dated a Muslim woman for three years. I would do it again, cultural collissions bedamned. THere is a 19-year age gap, but there was a 16-year gap with the previous Lebanese hottie, and an identical 16-year gap with the angry Asian who followed her. It’s fine with me if we can find things to talk about, and we do. I’m just unclear on her family life. Three adult children but no mention of a husband and no 4th-finger rock. What does it mean?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I am toked on anxiety and BP meds today so feeling fine and seeing my reflection once again in the window that looks down on John Street. A building across the street hosts a medical facility where an ex from forever ago came from upstate to have a procedure done. I don’t know if things like this happen to more than others or if others just don’t care but knowing that she was right across the street from me in a city where thousands of medical practices could just as easily have handled her situation was some kind of small miracle, or at least kismet. She was non-plussed by it. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
I looked around at the others on the train today. Mostly men, mostly older. These are assumed to be essential workers, seeing as a travel ban limits usage of public transit today to only the most essential. Violation is a class D but enforcement is not expected to be a reality. The ban only lasts until noon. It was ostly older men on the train today. One younger guy stood out for appearing to be following through with travel plans. He had a suitcase and exoted at Penn Station. I wonder where he thingks he’s going.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Almost time to be essential. THis is what I came for. THis is what I signed up for. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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