Jul 05, 2000
Why is pedestrian a derogatory term? Resist the temptation to high five our flaccid air, to heil the sky: take to the street rather than that imposed sociability of the taxi spree. This evening wandering from Bar Veloce on 2nd Avenue (somewhere in the early teens; don't ask me where exactly, I'm a girl), where they serve delectable paninni and excellent wine, I experienced one of those nocturnal perambulations that remind one that psychedelics, though no longer imbibed on a regular basis, taught you the language of the metropolis. Post-samosas on 2nd Avenue in an odd Dehli-like deli affair, I find myself on 2nd Street going east of 2nd Avenue, blocks bulging with significance: the New York City Marble Cemetry (looks like it was fashioned after an Edward Gorey illustration); a mutual revelation in 67 2nd Street to Brian Greenbaum, amidst tubs of Haagen Dazs, of our imminent deaths, the only difference being he is dead and I am not; the dog shit strewn sidewalk of 2nd Street between 1st and A and the vision, simultaneously, of a homeless man alseep on the street and the chevron of fruit rippling accross the avenue outside Graceland deli. But I've missed two of the most pleasing aspects: I actually grabbed hold of the railings to climb up to read the plaque of the Marble Cemetry, and a Preserved Fish, a prominent merchant happens to be buried there. Whatsmore, just before reaching Avenue A I encountered whatever the collective noun for a lot of empty beer bottles is, lying there, beautifully, like a piece of Brit art. And three last things finished the night to perfection: I am without ambition, but cannot resist the temptation to make a walk sign, my favourite achievement being to cross Houston from A to Essex, or vice versa, without hesitation—made it tonight; then I find a clothes horse in the garbage, a twin to our household faithful on which our clothes hang, all of those we are too damn precious to throw in the dryer. Finally, I walk through the door to air conditioning. Thank you men folk who I love.
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Why is pedestrian a derogatory term? Resist the temptation to high five our flaccid air, to heil the sky: take to the street rather than that imposed sociability of the taxi spree. This evening wandering from Bar Veloce on 2nd Avenue (somewhere in the early teens; don't ask me where exactly, I'm a girl), where they serve delectable paninni and excellent wine, I experienced one of those nocturnal perambulations that remind one that psychedelics, though no longer imbibed on a regular basis, taught you the language of the metropolis. Post-samosas on 2nd Avenue in an odd Dehli-like deli affair, I find myself on 2nd Street going east of 2nd Avenue, blocks bulging with significance: the New York City Marble Cemetry (looks like it was fashioned after an Edward Gorey illustration); a mutual revelation in 67 2nd Street to Brian Greenbaum, amidst tubs of Haagen Dazs, of our imminent deaths, the only difference being he is dead and I am not; the dog shit strewn sidewalk of 2nd Street between 1st and A and the vision, simultaneously, of a homeless man alseep on the street and the chevron of fruit rippling accross the avenue outside Graceland deli. But I've missed two of the most pleasing aspects: I actually grabbed hold of the railings to climb up to read the plaque of the Marble Cemetry, and a Preserved Fish, a prominent merchant happens to be buried there. Whatsmore, just before reaching Avenue A I encountered whatever the collective noun for a lot of empty beer bottles is, lying there, beautifully, like a piece of Brit art. And three last things finished the night to perfection: I am without ambition, but cannot resist the temptation to make a walk sign, my favourite achievement being to cross Houston from A to Essex, or vice versa, without hesitation—made it tonight; then I find a clothes horse in the garbage, a twin to our household faithful on which our clothes hang, all of those we are too damn precious to throw in the dryer. Finally, I walk through the door to air conditioning. Thank you men folk who I love.
- rachael 7-05-2000 7:42 am