I stepped out of the PATH station today and was immediately bombarded with people on 9th/4th. One guy’s selling books, one guy asking about a survey for Planned Parenthood and one guy handing out his CD to passer-bys on the street. I ignored everyone, going into “yeah, get out of my way running late to work” mode, but felt bad for the music guy a block later, wishing I would have taken his CD and given it a listen.
[Mural at the entrance of the 9th PATH station in NYC]
Sure, he can be criticized for having the entire Internet to promote his music and not taking advantage of it, and sure he came across as a panhandler but I have to give him credit for taking a physical, person-to-person approach with his music. This sort of thing rarely happens any more and I sometimes wonder if this is for better or for worse. After all, music is about connecting and reaching out to all people through universal language and emotion - that’s something the internet can’t replace. And I hope never, ever will.
just thinking out loud. - caro
I took two quotes away from this first Thursday and Friday:
May 31, 2012:
[Regina Spektor tech guy talking on the phone to someone. He also has a British accent]:
“Working fast will get you everywhere but the dressing room.”
June 1, 2012:
[Bleecker St, NYC]
Both of these quotes struck me, especially since I’m unclear about what either of them mean.
I can infer that the tech guy on Thursday was addressing the work he does versus the amount of work a “famous artist” does. Performance and composition is strenuous in a very different way than setting up a full-staged production, and I sense there was some day-of-the-show-bitterness coming across in that phone call.
As for the sign - that’s just comical to me. By whose standards is noise unnecessary? and under what circumstance? Essentially “noise” is simply unwanted sound of any kind taking place during a time that a wanted sound is also heard. My guess is that the unnecessary noise must be honking and the wanted sound peaceful New York city ambience. New Yorkers must definitely have a different standard of silence.
The weather was also incredible both days:
[Washington Square Park, NYC]
Biggest drag about working in NYC…having to learn the subway/transit system. And having to share a commute with thousands of other people. Getting lost on our way back (Evan met me for celebratory sushi and sake) also kinda sucks. Guess I’m not used to using the PATH during the day time, not at 2 AM.
[Lost in Newport. On the wrong side of the tracks.]
BUT, it’s surely an adventure. Gotta learn somehow, right?
- caro
the ninth street PATH is running with some residual delays
