A Case of the Subways

What is it about a New York City subway ride that makes people-watching so much fun? As I sit on this train out of the city, I’ve already observed hundreds of people riding the subway and laughed on the inside at some interesting subway behavior.

My empty train pulls into a very rowded station. When the doors open up, everyone (and I mean everyone) rushes in and congregates in front of the doors on both sides. Not one single person walks farther into the train to make room for more people getting on the train. This begins to annoy a riled up rider who begins to yell and curse, asking people to move into the train. One (yes one) person moves in while the annoyed rider holds the doors open until someone lets her in, delaying everyone’s ride. I guess the middle of the tain has cooties? Maybe people are afraid of catching an std from sitting in an empty seat?

After some more shouting, people move in and we’re on our way. As we pull into my stop, the annoyed passenger decides to stand in the doors as they open as a little payback, making everyone walk to another door. But one passenger was having none of that. A man stands up from his seat and (with all his might) shoves the passenger out of the train, nearly pushing her down onto the platform. Really? Anger management classes not paying off? You never know who you’re dealing with in the subway, let alone when it’s someone who seriously flipped out on everyone in the train.

Those were just two of the things that happened today. There were a few more weird occurances, but I’m about to get off of my train.

Have you ever encountered a hilariously weird subway or train moment where you live or when you travel? I’d love to hear some stories!

Matt Has an Epiphany!

My dear friend and musical partner in crime, Matt, has been locking himself in his room for days. I couldn’t find any way to get him to come out! Finally, I had a friend of ours plant a webcam in his room to find out what in the world he’s been doing with himself. Our findings were shocking… take a look.

Red Alert! Mayday!

Photo Time: Uno-Leg Pigeon

This past weekend, I was on my way to Staten Island. When I got to the ferry terminal in Manhattan, I noticed a couple of NYPD officers making fun of a Pigeon that had been walking around them. Wondering why they were making fun of the poor little guy, I decided to take a closer look. When I did, I discovered that he wasn’t walking… he was hopping!

Poor little guy…

Riding The Q

This morning, I came across that story via an article on CNN.com that finally made sense to me. While the content’s of the article are somewhat disturbing, the outcome spoke out with peace.

So I ask the question that’s been asked for the longest time: “Why can’t we just get along?”

While you ponder the answer to that question, enjoy today’s video zen!

I love being Jewish in Hymietown!

ExplainCast – Voice Your Opinion

FameCast.com has thrown my band, Soundscape Soul, for a loop (and for the 3rd straight Season). Thanks to everybody’s support, we’ve kept up a #1 Ranking on the Pop Stage and have made it into the Top 10. On the Singer/Songwriter Stage, we had maintained a #3 Ranking. For some reason, we were knocked down to 20th while the voting was closed and therefore missed the cut into the Top 10 on that stage. FameCast has issued a response to the drop in rank by sending me this email:

“Hi Josh,
I apologize for the confusion regarding the drop; the Audit Committee had their work cut out for them.  As always, votes deemed illegitimate were removed and the ranks changed accordingly.  I assure you that your shift was the direct result of such action.
Thank you”

Please, if you have the time, visit this Forum on FameCast.com, login to or create your account, and post your feelings on what has happened and what you feel should be done to fix the “Vote Auditing” system. Your opinion matters, and can make a difference. You can also leave a comment here. If we can rack up enough comments here, I’ll go ahead and forward all of your suggestions and comments directly to FameCast.

What’s done is done, and our focus returns to the competition. Despite being knocked out of the Singer/Songwriter Stage, we’re still alive on the Pop Stage, and that’s where we’ll need your support the most! Our submission into the Pop Stage (since this new round must feature a new video) is a clip of us performing the first song we had ever written: “Her Song”. We performed this song at the Triad Theater in New York City back in March of 2006. I hope you all enjoy it, and can head over to FameCast.com to vote for the video. Voting will begin on Tuesday, November 6th at 9:00pm Eastern and last until Tuesday, November 20th at 12:00pm Eastern. Thanks again everyone, and enjoy this clip!

Soundscape Soul – “Her Song”

Photo Time: Really?

Consolidated Edison is New York City’s electricity provider, and has been for many years. They’re also known for ‘to-the-point’ advertising, with campaigns like their recent “On It” posters and banners. Recently, on the subway, I ran across a new brand of Con Ed advertisements. The current advertising campaigns include tips on how to save money off of your electric bill (despite Con Ed raising their rates because they started to use a new paper size for the bills… yeah… I know). While I was looking at all of the advertisements, I came across this little section of a banner:

Let’s break this down, shall we?

– If you lose power, you can call the phone number above from your cell phone, and your land line. But, if you have an internet phone without the land line (don’t laugh, some people are in that scenario), you’re pretty much screwed. You’ll have to borrow someone’s cell phone, or call Con Ed from work, right? That’s lame.

– If you lose power, you can log on to the website above… no, wait… you can’t! Why? Because you have no power! Way to go, Con Ed!

So what do you think about that advertisement? You know what I think? I think all of this electric nonsense makes me hungry for some Zen. It’s not Con Ed, but let’s give it up to the Electric Company!

They will NOT be bringing you the power!

Attention New Yorkers

That is all…

The Times They Are A-Changin’

Friday night was the first night of the Subway Series. For those of you who are baseball deficient (which are few, but I won’t go hatin’), The New York Mets and the New York Yankees play each other for two three-game series’ during the course of the MLB Season. This year’s Subway Series is particularly different for a couple of reasons.

1) In celebration of the Subway Series, the Empire State Building will change its colors. Starting on friday night, the tower was to have Yankee Blue and White on the North and South sides. The East and West sides of the tower was to have Metropolitan Blue and Orange. The winner of this month’s Subway Series will have their team colors shown on all four sides of the Empire State Building’s tower.

2) The Mets went into this year’s subway series with a 26-14 Record and a 1.5 Game lead in the National League East. The Yankees entered the Subway Series with an 18-21 Record and 9.5 Games behind the Boston Red Sox. Clearly, without debating on what league is better, the Mets have had the better season this far.

So, with these 2 tangibles entering the Subway Series, it was obvious that the Yankees were the team “on the ropes”. A Subway Series loss to the Mets might not mean much this early in the season, but it would add to an already dismal start to the Yankees’ 2007 Season.

With the series over, here is how it all went down:

Game 1: Mets 3, Yankees 2
– Mets are now 2 Games ahead of Atlanta and alone 1st Place in the NL East
– Yankees are now 10 Games behind Boston and are tied for 2nd in the AL East

Game 2: Mets 10, Yankees 7
– Mets are now 2.5 Games ahead of Atlanta for 1st Place in the NL East
– Yankees are now 10.5 Games behind Boston and alone in 4th Place in the AL East

Game 3: Yankees 6, Mets 2
– Mets are now 2.5 Games ahead of Atlanta for 1st Place in the NL East
– Yankees are now 10.5 Games behind Boston and tied for 3rd Place in the AL East

 

There’s a new King of New York!

Yo Bob! Hows about my Daily Moment of Zen! I’m thinkin’ a little… Theme Song?

Bob Costas is the man!

Reebalk

Well, Reebok, you almost had me. I was all set to check out your website and pick up a new set of kicks after I saw your cleverly misspelled advertisement (See Previous Post). But this morning, I saw the same advertisement, only spelled correctly! Are you trying to take us New Yorkers for fools, or did somebody really misspell the advertisement? I love catchy advertisements, and I love seeing the advertisements that plaster the New York City transit system… but be consistent.

Exhibit A

Exhibit B

Wait… you know what? Nevermind. Whoever misspelled the advertisement, should be the president of Reebok! At least he’ll be able to encourage Grammar in New York City!

Daily Moment of Zen? Anyone? Yes? Sweet! Oh… hold on a second. Before I show you the Zen, I have to apologize in advance. If anyone gets grossed out, or offended by today’s Zen, then I’m sorry… Not!! (Borat reference? anyone?)

Gunther, anyone? Ding Ding Dong much?

Oh yeah… the F Train was lame again today. Hooray F Train!

Spell Easy NY.

Cleverly Advertised, or Unintentionally Misspelled? That was the question I asked myself when I saw one of Reebok’s new poster advertisements while riding the amazing F train to work this morning. As I’m sure you know, the New York City transit system is flooded with clever and dull advertisements. I’m a little torn between loving and hating the advertisement I saw this morning.

So, not everything needs to be done in a New York Minute…. wait.. I mean.. eveything… huh? Wait a sec, did I fail a spelling bee or something?

On first glance, I was a bit confused. Was I supposed to pronounce “Eveything” as a “New Yawker”, to match the stereotypical accent? Was somebody about to get fired for a misspelling that could be seen “eveywhere”? Or was this advertisement put together in a New York Minute? I’m going with the 3rd guess. This is probably one of the most clever advertisements I’ve seen in a long time. It was clever enough to get me to head to Reebok’s website and check out some new kicks. Not only that, but it’s a nice message. Basically, we should all run at our own pace. Live life at our own speed. I like it. Well done Reebok!

And now, it’s time for my Daily Moment of Zen. Have you tried Ecstasy lately?