notes from the commute

I traveled with my camera one day last week.


Get on the train HERE.



You would think, at eight in the morning, that this guy



is just going to work, wouldn't you? But with this kind of equipment he might just be traveling uptown, climbing on a bus and heading north to a mountain region. And, ya know, about the whole carrying water thing? Why? I mean, yeah, this particular man may, in fact, be traveling somewhere where there is no fresh drinking water available. And I say this because he has a giant backpack with him. But it's just as likely that he's going to a cubicle somewhere to write code or something. Don't most workplaces have potable drinking water? Is that redundant? I just wanted to say potable.



Now, see, this guy is READY for work.



And take a look at this yellow wool coat, would ya? It's a man. He was pretty swell looking, sartorially speaking.

On the other hand -



this nice lady with the walking stick, helped on and off the train by the fellow at the door in this picture, was wearing rosy pink! And had a shopping bag to match. Highly unusual in my dark-toned city.



The little kids board just after I get on. They often read picture books as they commute. I find that somewhat charming. It is very surprising to me to see kids on the train - especially at rush hour.
Also, that's a pretty cool coat and backpack in that shot. I hadn't noticed it when I was surreptitiously shooting the kids.

Time for my stop.
Walk to the top of the stairs, and, if I time it right, see this guy -



riding a small child on the front rail of his bicycle. It's a lovely thing to see and the city is still just a little quiet.
K has been with me up to this point (he's freelancing a few blocks away from me) and I stand on my toes and give him a good-morning kiss and walk down the street for my cafe.



The arrow points to an apartment where two little boys live. I know this because I was standing on the corner one evening before Christmas and saw two other little boys down on the street waving to them. They have bunk beds. I know this because I stood and watched.


Walk past this past place...



at which there is always something like this



going on.

Past this -



construction which is HAMPERING my commute.

Past this place where there is ALWAYS something interesting going on -



A sample sale, a showing, a shopping extravaganza!



There are planters outside my building, which is good in case I'm sleepwalking and can't find my way to the door.
But first, I stop here -



for my decaf cafe au lait.



How groovy is my cafe? David Carradine? PRETTY DAMN GROOVY, I'LL TELL YOU.

Out the door, walk 20 feet, up the elevator and we're at my desk.
That's what I see. That's the route.