Thursday March 8th 2007Today I saw a man at the 96th St. Subway stop who really blew away my puking man story (see below).
So I'm waiting there, at my least favorite stop in all of NYC with heavy groceries and several hundred other people during rush hour. The local train is way late, and the express trains just keep dumping off loads more people.
And just for good measure, it's freakin' freezing.
I'm looking around and notice a white male, probably in his sixties, in a brightly colored fancy lookin' Gore-Tex parka.
The first thing I notice is that he's practicing basketball hoop shooting moves in a very uninhibited and focused way. He's got head phones on, and I imagine him listening to some basketball playing instructional tape (if there is such a thing, probably not).
Not unlike puking man, he looks very upstanding. Rolex watch, fancy bag, fancy shoes, well-groomed, expensive sunglasses.
I take a second look a moment later and notice that he's actually sweating - very unusual since it's 20 degrees. So I get to staring (I notice that a few other people are staring too), and I realize that he's so hot and sweaty that there is actually steam coming off of his head! I shit you not!
All the while, he's continuing to intently practice his hoop moves and bounce around a little.
It's at this moment that I realize this man is probably having a severely manic episode.
Then he starts energetically running his fingers all over the pole in the station. Now that I'm looking closely, it's clear that the man can barely contain his energy. I've heard that being manic is one of the best feelings, and I believe it! Although it can become very agitating after awhile too.
Anyways, just to put the icing on the cake, he takes out a harmonica and starts playing Strawberry Fields! He plays a few notes, then sings the verses, "Let me take you down, 'cause I'm going to Strawberry Fields, nothing is real..." etc.
Wow. True story. Sweating so much that he's steaming in the middle of winter. That is something else!
Hmmm. I guess he could've been on amphetamines too. But I like to think it was pure, unadulterated mania. I hope he finds his way back from Strawberry Fields safely.
3 comments:
And I'm certain most of your dear readers already know how much you hate puke, be it coming or going.
man, do i hate puke! the only people i know who like it are people who get migraines. my brother says he only feels better after he throws up. boy did that kid throw up a lot! my dad was watching my brother at a soccer game once. one of the soccer moms standing in front of dad pointed out my brother and said, "that's chuck harried." another said, "he's thrown up in my minivan!" a bunch of them chimed in with, "me too!" i think dad was pretty embarrased. i remember chuck had a migraine while i was babysitting him. i made him lie on the floor in the bathroom so that i wouldn't have to clean up puke. i am a very caring sister.
This is my first time on your blog, and I got not one, but TWO puke stories. Thanks, Monrovia!
Glad to see you're in NYC :)
Jen
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