One of my biggest issues with the subways are that you never really know when they run. When taking a bus, there is always a schedule at the stop which gives you an estimate as of when a bus might come, but I did not see something like that on the subway - maybe yet.

Of course I could check out the tripplaner website beforehand, but let’s reserve my beef with the tripplanner for another blog post.

So while I am really glad that the subway system runs all around the clock, I have also found myself numerous times standing on a platform in the middle of the night wondering when my dear train comes to bring me home. Just add to the uncertainty of time, the uncertainty about the overall service (”It’s the weekend, does the 2, 3 stop here?”), rats and all kind of weird people to make this experience a lasting one.

Last weekend I went out with some friends in Williamsburg and to get their I took a L-Train from Manhattan to Bedford Avenue and I noticed that the L is the first one of all the lines I’ve used that actually displays the time of when the next train runs right on the platform. At least in Brooklyn.

And while I was waiting for the the train at Spring St, they kept announcing an ETA for the next train every three minutes. Not that you need it so often, but it’s still a nice service.

So this is still pretty rare for NYC and the system is probably a pilot. All the people I talked to about it so far were joking about the MTA raising prices soon to compensate the spending on the panels. ;) Even though I oppose raising the prices (Of course!), I feel like this system is long needed.

Does anyone share my enthusiasm and know more?

Last night marked the end of Bryant Park’s 16th annual movie series with Superman closing season. My first Bryant Park movie experience, I had expected a crowd - but I hadn’t realized how big that crowd would be.

I arrived a little after 5 and already the park was packed. Luckily, a friend had gotten there earlier and reserved a not terrible spot. We munched on a modest picnic of fruit and cookies as our respective significant others joined us. Some female picnickers next to us required my husband’s help opening a wine bottle and rewarded us with free, much appreciated glasses of wine.

After watching some folks in Superman costumes and listening to a couple business sponsors, the show began. The crowd sang along to the 80’s HBO song which opened the movie (I have to admit it did make me a little nostalgic). I had never actually seen the whole film, but I enjoyed the ridiculous dialogue and the terrible effects. I understood why the film had acquired the cult following that it must have, judging by the enthusiastic audience. The sound died at a climactic part of the movie, right as Lois’s car was filling with dirt. The audience chimed in with their own sound effects and a rousing version of the Superman theme music. After some further technical problems, the film came back up to show Superman reversing time and saving the night.

Today I moved from my BK sublet up to a friend’s place at Lex and 28. Doing so, I yanked my luggage into a cab to go up to the new place, and on the way, the cab hit a lady on the bike.

Now, the good news is - she did not die. But she could have.

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I understand that on high humidity days like today, women want to check themselves out in a mirror just to make sure that their hair hasn’t frizzed to the point of no return and to see just how much their face is shining. Totally understandable.

What I DON’T understand is what I witnessed this morning.

I stopped into The Green Bean on my way to work since I didn’t have time to make my own coffee this morning. (late night after seeing the Police at Jones Beach and an early morning meeting) There was only one woman in front of me and after she paid for her breakfast, she started heading towards the door to leave. I placed my order, paid for my coffee and as I went to grab a napkin and sugar on my way out, I noticed that the woman was standing at the high table near the door that has a mirror above it. Before I go on, let me just point out that the Green Bean is TINY. (check out the picture)
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Mondays have become laundry night for me. Which is fine since most of my friends are too worn out from the weekend to do anything - plus, it’s usually a quiet night at my laundromat.

There are times when I wish I was one of those people that could relinquish control of doing my own laundry and stopped caring about whether or not they use Downy and if they fold my underwear.

Over the last 3 weeks, there are 2 guys that have been coming in and just hang out for hours. I’m not even sure if they’re doing laundry or just chatting up all the women that walk in. 3 weeks ago I noticed them but I had my headphones so they didn’t say anything to me (unless I just didn’t hear them), but 2 weeks ago they totally creeped me out.
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My very green friend The Lizardman will be performing this weekend at Coney Island’s Sideshows by the Seashore. He’ll be performing his full one man show at 10 PM on Saturday night, August 2nd. If you’ve never seen a show with the Lizardman, I highly recommend going - he puts on a fabulous show. Besides, how many times in your life will you get to hang out with a dude who looks like a lizard?

If you can’t make it to the Saturday show, he will also be appearing with the regular sideshow cast during their normal hours doing selected short acts 8/1-8/3. Their weekend hours are Friday from 2-8 PM, and Saturday and Sunday from 1-9 PM.

Admission to the Saturday night show is only $10 and the admission to Sideshows by the Seashore during their regular hours is $7.50. Directions and more information can be found at the Coney Island website.

Okay - as promised, here is the second installment of A Commuter’s Manifesto.

Please keep in mind that this was compiled from hours upon hours of research and “man on the street” style reporting - basically, I just asked people what drives them nuts about commuting, and they pretty much gave me these answers*.

PART II: WHEN RIDING THE SUBWAY Read more

The other night we were hanging out at Brooklyn Water Park, which is basically underneath the Manhattan Bridge. The view on the surroundings is pretty good, and popular. I snapped this shot of one of the infamous NYC waterfalls. They are pretty hideous, no? :)

Last night was Billy Joel’s final concert at Shea Stadium, and Shea Stadium’s final concert. Shea has as much history as a concert venue, as it does for being the Mets’ ballpark.

But the best piece of history was made at the Billy Joel concert last night, when Paul McCartney closed the performance with the Pianoman with “Let it Be”. For it was in 1965 that 55,000 Beatles fans packed this same stadium for its first concert — the Fab Four! So it was that Paul McCartney came full circle last night at Shea!

It’s time once again for Lincoln Center’s for Midsummer Night Swing until July 26, 2008. The outdoor dance party features theme nights — including swing, salsa, disco, funk, and more. Like “Dancing with the Stars” but this is under the stars! Each evening begins with a dance lesson at 6:30 PM for dancers of all levels of experience. The live music begins at 7:30 PM.

Midsummer Night Swing events take place on Josie Robertson Plaza at Lincoln Center (Columbus Avenue between 62nd and 65th Streets). Most tickets for individual events are $15 (price includes dance lessons) and admission for Kids’ Day events is $5.
Click here to buy tickets or see schedule online or call 212-751-6500.