Holiday Card vs. Holiday Reality

Yesterday I mailed our holiday cards. Knowing they were going out later than usual, I ordered Happy New Year cards, despite not feeling the happiness of the New Year ever since the election results came in.

That's probably the first misleading statement on the cards.

The front has four pictures: Ashley tossing a graduation cap in the air; family photo with Santa including Ashley's girlfriend Anna; Don and I in an antique car in Cuba; and Don and I in the foreground with the Sydney Harbour Bridge and the Sydney Opera House behind us. Plus the message: Sending Peace, Love and Cheer and a Happy New Year on the front.

All truths.

The message:

The big news this year is Ashley graduated summa cum laude from Muhlenberg College with a double degree in theater and psychology. She is the assistant technical director at Passage Theater in Trenton, and is working deck crew at Bucks County Playhouse. She and Anna celebrated their second anniversary together in May.

Don is enjoying his retirement gig working part time at REI in Mercer Mall. He celebrated his 60th birthday with family and friends by having a beer and ice cream party.

Jacquie volunteers at an archaeological site in West Chester, PA; conversing with students at the English School; writing the monthly newsletter for Alliance Francais; and the Voices of Ewing project at the Benjamin Temple House.

Don and Jacquie had several trips this year. Internationally we travelled to Cuba and Australia. We took road trips to Buffalo, NY to experience the eclipse; Columbus, Ohio to see the Smith family and Heidi; and North Carolina to see Karen and Sam Miller.

Our exchange son, Yoran, returned for a 10-day vacation this summer.

We enjoy catching up with friends and family, seeing shows, and taking day trips.

Glinda Dragon (6) passed away suddenly. Kitty Lucy (12) and Kitty Mimi (5) are doing well.

~~~

All factually true. 

All lacking in the full truth.

Add in:

Ashley is still living at home because the rents are horribly expensive and though she is working two jobs, there is no chance of affording a place of her own.

We knew retirees spent a lot of time with doctors. We didn't realize by retiring early that just meant going to doctors earlier. Hurt my foot in September 2023 and spent more of 2024 hobbling and trying to fix it. Don burst a blood vessel in his eye, which necessitated more appointments. Nothing serious, but still tired of seeing doctors and physical therapists.

While I enjoy volunteering (and do more than I listed), I'd really rather have some gig work that gave me freedom to travel, as well as extra money to splurge on trips.

Came home with upset stomachs from Cuba, and a crutch from Australia. The crutch was when Don broke blood vessels in his leg on day four of our three week trip. Learned Australians have excellent health care. The Bali leg was cancelled due to volcanic ash. I spent two days moping about the lack of Bali beaches, and the money spent we would not get back.

Spent more time in airports, airplanes, and urgent care in Australia than we spent seeing the sights. Same with our road trips, except those were more time spent in the car or sleeping than enjoying the sights.

We enjoy spending time with family and friends. I do not enjoy spearheading most of those visits and having to smile and say I understand when the other person cancels on us, when I'd rather say: next time it is on you to schedule.

Even though it has been five years, Mimi and Lucy still do not get along and still hiss at each other. One sleeps upstairs and the other sleeps downstairs.

~~

Yet the annual card is a way to put a shiny face on our lives. Sent to over 100 people, the list is made up of people from all stages in my life, including people we have not seen in a over a decade and only communicate in this form. 

As you read the cards and see the smiling pictures, remember a lot of memories from the past year did not fit on the card or were edited out to keep people happy.

Man Pushed on Subway Tracks

A fun afternoon riding the Nostalgia train with Cousin Laura and Matt will always be a reminder of a 72-year old man being pushed on the tracks. 

News reports:

NBC on Monday

Patch

Pix

WNCT--includes the video the man was filming at the time it happened

CBS

Googling "man pushed on subway NYC" brings up an alarming number of hits. Seems this is happening at frequent rate.

The five of us (Laura, Matt, mom, Don, and I) decided to get off at the 34th Street/Herald Square station after having ridden the Nostalgia Train for over two hours. Laura and Matt only had a few more hours until they had to leave to catch their flight home. We wanted lunch. After getting off the train we paused to watch it go. I took a few more pictures. Matt shot a video of the train pulling out of the station.

Moments later a 72-year old man was on
those tracks. The man in the blue jacket
helped bring him back to the platform.

As I turned to Don, Laura, and mom to say something about getting some lunch, we heard shouts there was a man on the tracks. In those moments I saw both good and evil. Evil in that it was obviously not an accident. A 72-year old man was pushed onto the tracks by a stranger. No shouts were heard. No reason why him. It could have been any one of us. Why him? Likely we'll never know.

Then the good. Three strangers jumped onto the track to pick the man up. Two of them got back up by themselves. A third was helped up by another stranger. A woman, later identified as an FDNY EMT tended to him. She calmly took control of the situation, knowing exactly how to take care of him. Eagle Scout Matt stood by to help her. I did what was in my skill set: I called 9-1-1 to make sure the next train was stopped before it got to the station. By the time I told 9-1-1 a man was on the tracks at the 34th Street station, the other strangers had picked him up, so I shared that with the dispatcher. I could barely hear the voice on the phone. Someone else chased the criminal, but did not catch him.

Amazingly right next to where he was pushed there was an emergency call box. I vaguely remember someone using it.

A few minutes later the police came. I heard the woman taking care of the victim identify herself as an FDNY EMT. Knowing it was under control and there was nothing extra we could add, we started to leave. At the top of the stairs Matt looked at his camera and realized he had a video of the guy who did the pushing. Not the actual push, but bursting through the crowd.

We waited until Matt talked to the police before heading to lunch. We later learned the 72-year old was stable. As awful as it was, it could have been worse. So much worse. 

UPDATE: the victim wants to get his story out, but asked to only use his last name and not show his face. The New Yorker's name is Robert. He has broken bones, and is facing surgery today. He had to cancel his European family vacation. 

ANOTHER UPDATE: There were 17 people pushed on the tracks in 2023. That number is 24 this year. 

RANDOM THOUGHTS: I read a lot of murder mystery books. My brain went down the, er, track of what if this was a mob hit, or some other reason why he was the victim. Next thought was, oh my God, it could have been one of us! 

Because it was the holiday train, that track was dedicated to this one train going back and forth every hour. It was not due to return for another hour allowing plenty of time for the people to bring him up before the another train was due back at the station. Or maybe not. The nostalgia train starts out as the F line before switching to the Q line. I honestly don't know if it is timed so other trains share the line in-between rides.

What possesses someone to do this? The video shows the criminal jumped the turnstile, went to the crowd, and pushed one of the people onto the track before turning around and racing out of the station. 

May Robert have a full recovery.

May they find the person who did this.

2024 NYC Nostalgia Train

When Cousin Laura wrote that she and Matt were coming into NYC for a very quick trip, and invited free family members to join them, I immediately thought of the New York City Nostalgia Train. Matt is a train buff. It is a unique NYC holiday experience. The OMNY tap and go system makes it easier to do than in past years. At $2.90 for a subway ride ($2.60 if you use a debit card), it was an affordable activity.   

We first learned about these rides aroud 2015. It took a couple of years before we were able to go. The first year the three of us went (2017). I was blown away by the cosplay. I kept taking pictures and soaking up the experience. Don and returned the following year, since it wasn't the official / unofficial cosplay day, there were many less people dressed up. I'm guessing we were too busy in 2019. Then the pandemic hit. Though this is public transit (which operated during the pandemic), the antique cars draw a crowd. 

One lesson we learned in 2018 was that the trains become more crowded during the day. They make their first appearance at 10 am at the 2nd Avenue - Houston Street station on the F line. About 35 minutes later they end at 96th Street - 2nd Avenue on the Q line. It forms an L-shape. At 96th Street, the train left, and then returned. It stayed within sight, but with the doors closed. Back at Houston, it kept it doors open. People hopped on and off taking lots of pictures.

There were a solid number of people wearing vintage clothing and posing for pictures. I am sure there were many more the week before, but we were busy. 

Another lesson I've learned is to check the NJ Transit website to see if they are offering free transit tickets. They were! So, Don and I took the train from the Princeton Junction station. Getting on a stop earlier, mom went into NYC with us.

Mom enjoyed the trip back in time. She looked at the plastic straps from the earlier cars and said she remembered they were leather straps when she rode the train in the mid-1960s. I think we need a trip to the New York Transit Museum where we could ask someone on a quiet day when the straps were changed. The women dressed up in heels, carrying bags, reminded her of her daily commute.

Here are some pictures of cosplayers from the day. 

Her photographer brought
a light making her luminous

I noticed a lack of tinsel inside the trains, though they did have window decals. The accordion playing Santa was one station from the end. Laura had a great view of him from where she was standing. I could hear him, but not see him.

For the most part, the train was crowded. We started in the second car. Moved to the first. Moved back to the second. As we were only allowed to change cars at the station, and others had the same idea, we hopped out at a station and into the third car. That one was nice and quiet. We could all get seats. Matt was good about finding seats for my mom even when it didn't seem possible.

That first year I noticed a cosplaying photographer taking Polaroid pictures with his vintage looking camera. Noticing similar photographers this year, when the five of us sat down together, I asked him how much ($20) and if he takes cash (yes). As the price has not increased in seven years, that was an easy decision. 

Don's selfie

The Polaroid

Along with everyone else, we got off at the end and waited to be allowed back on. This time we started in the fourth car. I think we were able to change to the fifth car, but that was it. I was glad we were allowed to roam through the cars at the station.

We rode the full distance twice -- once uptown, then downtown. Then we rode it about halfway to the 34th Street -- Herald Square station so we could have lunch together before Laura and Matt had to leave to catch their flight home.

And all was good until we heard shouts there was a man on the tracks.

Played Whack-A-Mole for Six Hours Today and Yesterday

In other words, I substitute taught for the first time in years.

A friend asked if I could come in for a couple of days to help out. I hemmed and hawed, but eventually said yes. 

I am glad I did.

I recommend everyone trying substitute teaching at least once. It will help you appreciate the life of a teacher.

As a sub, I am presented with lesson plans, and the eternal gratification of the teachers who would have had to cover the classes if I did not come in. The teacher was kind enough to allow me a lunch and recess break free from watching students.

In other words, I had it easier than an every day teacher.

I subbed at a small, bilingual school. The students all speak both languages. I suspect some speak a third and fourth language. The other teachers came to my aid as I tried to get the students to quietly walk down the hall.

The teachers make it look easy! They take 12-18 students and the line is straight. No kids are hitting each other. No one is running ahead. The listen. A look from a teacher is enough for the kids to shape up.

Watching closer, the students are not perfect. The teachers are not perfect. The same students who acted out for me, act out for them, but they know how to straighten the course before the rest of the class falls apart, too.

I hope if I go back, I will work on these skills:

1) Learn their names. I had six different classes in two days. Plus new adults. 

2) Study the teachers to learn their tools. I don't know the rules for disciplining (written and unwritten). I didn't even know where the cafeteria was.

3) Bring a snack. 

4) Smile more. These are grades schoolers, not "moles."

5) Try not to have have the "deer in the headlights" look. 

I implore you to not be scared off and substitute teach. They are needed.

High points:

The first day was fabulous! I had a kindergarten class that does not like loud noises, so they stayed quiet and listened. I read them a book when they were done with their work. The last class of the day worked together beautifully.

I loved hearing the foreign language in the halls, but was grateful I was brought in to teach English! 

I saw a class Facetiming with a class in Europe. It is amazing that technology exists and even with the six hour time zone difference, they can make it happen.

Teachers and staff reaching out to guide me.

They Might Be Giants

Thanksgiving weekend Don asked Hayden if he knew anything about Union Transfer in Philadelphia. Long story story, to make way for an even longer story, yes, he knew about it. He and Chris, and Chris's brother and his family, were going to see "They Might Be Giants" as part of their The Big Show Tour the following week. 

We were asking because I wanted to go to that show. Hayden graciously let me buy his ticket off of him to the sold out show, and I got to go with Chris, making both Don and I happy.

Back when I was in college I co-founded Kappa Sigma Rho, a co-ed fraternity. Our theme song was "Women and Men." Last year when we were planning our Down Under adventures, TMBG (as they are called by their fans) was planning a tour that would have had them in Sydney about the same time as us. Our trip was cut short, and their tour was rescheduled for this year, but not for when we were going to be in Australia. Then I heard they would be on the East Coast and tried to figure out how and when to get tickets.

Don had no interest in going, and when I was standing in the venue, I was glad he wasn't there. It would have been too much standing on his bruised leg, too loud for his ears, too crowded, and not the music he enjoys.

Chris expertly guided us to the back of the floor section immediately in front of the sound board. This meant no one could push us forward and we were up on a small lip. We arrived an hour early. Dan and his family showed up as the show was starting and managed to stand next to us.

When John Linnell announced each show was going to be different, each based off an album I hoped this show was going to feature songs from their Flood album, the one I know best. It wasn't. They chose Apollo 18. The playlist was:

1. Synopsis for Latecomers
   Play Video
2. The Statue Got Me High
   Play Video
3. Narrow Your Eyes
   Play Video
4. I Palindrome I
   Play Video
5. Dinner Bell
   Play Video
6. Moonbeam Rays
   Play Video
7. Mammal
   Play Video
8. Dig My Grave
   Play Video
9. She's Actual Size
   (With drum solo)
   Play Video
10. Turn Around
    Play Video
11. Spider
    Play Video
12. The Guitar
    Play Video
13. 2082
    Play Video
14. Stellub
    Play Video
15. Where Your Eyes Don't Go
    Play Video
16. Brontosaurus
    Play Video
17. Set 2:
18. Sapphire Bullets of Pure Love
    (Recording of Stellub in reverse.)
    Play Video
19. Memo to Human Resources
    Play Video
20. Man, It's So Loud in Here
    Play Video
21. Meet James Ensor
    Play Video
22. The Famous Polka
    (Instrumental)
    Play Video
23. Can't Keep Johnny Down
    Play Video
24. Twisting
    Play Video
25. Science Is Real
    Play Video
26. The Mesopotamians
    Play Video
27. Last Wave
    Play Video
28. The Darlings of Lumberland
    Play Video
29. Lie Still, Little Bottle
    Play Video
30. Fingertips
    Play Video
31. Birdhouse in Your Soul
    Play Video
32. Encore:
33. Istanbul (Not Constantinople)
    (The Four Lads cover)
    Play Video
34. Doctor Worm
    Play Video
35. Encore 2:
36. The End of the Tour

Current band members:

John Flansburgh John Linnell Dan Miller Danny Weinkauf Marty Beller

I had flashbacks to seeing Springsteen eight years ago. I was told the tour would focus on "The River" album, instead he went in a different direction that night. Both concerts I felt like a student who studied the wrong material. Fortunately, both were concerts and not tests, so I relaxed into the music, singing along when I recognized a tune. Dancing in my spot when I didn't.

Alas, "Women and Men" was not performed, but they did sing "Birdhouse in Your Soul," and "Istanbul (not Constantinople)," two of my favorites.

Driving in and out of Philly was easy, thanks to Chris who knew exactly where to go, and the best place to park on that bitterly cold night. I wish we lived closer to a city instead of between two cities. Even with the reasonable 8 pm start, it still makes for a late night.

I'm so glad the night happened. The Union Transfer is a really cool building. It started its life in 1889 as the Spring Garden Farmer's Market. Between World War I and World War II (1918-1942), it was the Union Transfer Baggage Express Co., soring luggage for the railroad (back when people traveled with trunks). It has had a few other iterations before becoming an entertainment venue. Barely visible in the dark were some antique looking woodwork and light fixtures. It is either a really amazing place to see in full light, or a disappointing one since the darkness may mask many flaws. I suspect it is the latter.

Next time an event I want to see is there, I won't hesitate to go.

Wicked: Unpopular Opinion

Don and I saw "Wicked: Part 1" yesterday afternoon. I feel like I'm in the minority of musical theater lovers who didn't like the movie.

If you made it this far and loved it, please read further.

Yes, I felt as if I was transported to their magical world, especially because we opted for the 3D version. Yes, Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo are extremely talented. I was blown away by Ms. Erivo singing while performing her own stunts flying through the air during Defying Gravity.

My complaints are with the plot and the state of the world. 

Watching Galinda and Elphaba flip from being enemies to best friends in the span of a day annoyed me. One minute they are singing "What is this feeling?" complaining about each other and a couple of songs later they are having a sleepover singing "Popular." They have a lot of charisma in real life, so it is the plot and director.

That I could get past because we don't have a lot of time for a story arch. Maybe this should have been a miniseries instead of a two-part movie.

What bothered me was watching how the people from Oz were being manipulated by an inept mastermind (wizard) who is all show and little substance. 

Sound familiar?

I don't need to go to the movies to watch people losing their sense of morality all because their leader is telling them to do so.

I wanted to crawl out of my skin as fairly reasonable people are upset about animals talking and want to cage them, and agree it makes sense to have flying monkeys spy (scout) on everyone.

The timing of this couldn't be worse.

I'll read the reviews next November before seeing part 2. Hopefully by then our country will have righted itself and less people will appear to be brainwashed by T. May part 2 bring hope that our country will survive.