ceebeegee | Crazies on the Subway

Have to say, my nerves are being stretched verrrry thin nowadays by crazy subway people. I've found ever since this summer, I have MUCH less tolerance for The Crazy, even less than I did before. The Fungus was obviously fucking batshit, but she knew exactly what she was doing and was therefore fully responsible, notwithstanding her "Iiiiii'm the victum heah" whining. The Crazies (and their partners, the Loud Ones) seem to be multiplying like tribbles, although tribbles are much cuter and make a nice sound, UNLIKE The Crazies. As much as I love that 59th Street to 125th Street is express, it also puts us as the mercy of these freaks. Last week, I get on at Columbus Circle and there's a preacher. Now most of these guys are hideously annoying, but some at least can speak--they modulate their voices a little, have a preacher cadence. This one had no public speaking skills whatsoever--his voice went UP and DOWN and UP and DOWN, with a heavy accent. I wanted to scream. I glared at him, put on my iPod and turned the sound up--it was pretty high before he was drowned out.

This seems to be happening more and more. The next day, after UP and DOWN preacher guy, came aboard a singer. And yep, it was at Columbus Circle. This guy announced he was there to sing for us, he wasn't going to charge us (gee, thanks) but we could "show him a little love." He plants himself two feet away and starts to sing a capella, quite loudly. The leg from 59th to 125th is a little under 10 minutes, so he gets through several songs--eventually he's walking through the car, sticking his hat into people's faces and rattling it. HATE. Seriously, I just want to smack that thing out of his hand. It's JUST SO RUDE, it really is a form of extortion. Let us ride in peace.

Saturday night, one annoying guitar player (I will say, his playing and singing were pretty good and at least he didn't demand money, it was just too LOUD and more to the point, it was forced on us) and this morning, two annoying Mexican salsa players--again with the LOUD and the hat in the face. The worst was when Mom and I were coming back from JFK airport after our London trip. Something like 5-6 preachers, panhandlers, musicians, one right after the other. And the shtick is so rehearsed and lame.

Thank goodness for iPods. I don't know why but it's really getting to me lately. Personal space and the right to ignore someone--the right to be in my own thoughts and not be forced to interact--is a huge deal with me.