NYC Underground

6:00 AM Elizabeth Seckman 33 Comments

Battery Park. We seemed to have cut Lady Liberty from our picture.
Sorry for your luck, chick.
I'm back! My trip to New York was fun and refreshing. It's been a while since I hung out with my old friends--that's not a jab at our ages--it's recognition of the durability of friendship.

Let's see...I once fed Melissa mud pies when we were in kindergarten. I played at the park with Steffi, who never questioned my fear of the teeter totter. And in high school, Candy tried to teach me to drive a stick shift, much to her parents' car's dismay.

For years, we kept saying-- one day we will take a trip, but never did it. Then an amazing thing happened-- we all had a weekend free! So, we headed to the Big Apple. We spent three days in the city and covered a lot of ground checking out all the major sights. Times Square, Broadway, Statue of Liberty, One World Trade Center... all the regular, fanny-pack wearing tourist to-do list stuff.

In our travels we also saw the unscheduled, unglamorous excitement of New York.

The Subway.

The most excitement happens underground.

You know, things like the homeless guy peeing in the subway car-- like right there in the car a few feet from us. He produced a stream of urine we had to keep eyes locked on in case it flowed to our feet.  Thankfully, he was polite enough to turn his back to us while he relieved himself.

There were also the unwashed troubadours on the subway. I was so moved by their talent,  I inadvertently tossed a silver necklace into their bucket along with my loose change. It was a very sentimental/real silver necklace, so I had to chase these singers down--interrupting their chorus--to get it back. Not once did my friends question my lunacy. They just laughed knowing I had obviously lost my mind and that was okay--we were on the New York subway! I'd fit right in.

There was the late-nigh preacher, who assured us he was unarmed, which immediately made me think I was about to get shot. Until that moment, I never considered he might be packing heat. He had a message, but it was totally lost on me once I was thinking he dothed protested too much about being harmless.

They weren't all crazy-acting. I had trouble refilling my metrocard and a nice man walked me through it. It seems he was an unofficial subway volunteer who was currently unemployed and without an address to call home. Unlike the pisser, he was an asset to the system and I was happy to give him some cash for the help.

Let's see...there was also the very annoying beggar in the train station that I gave a dollar to if he promised to go away. That wasn't a smart move. I reinforced an infantile approach that will probably get him popped in the nose eventually. He should pair up with the artists and the helpful type and learn to earn a dollar the productive American way.

Here's a few pictures. We took tons, but I hate fighting with pictures on my blog, so here's a sampling! And remember, if you're skipping the subway and Ubering around the city, you're missing out.


Our carriage driver in Central Park. I think they were all Irish. 
The High Line, a walking trail made from abandon rail lines.
(Yes, we did peep in windows of apartments overlooking the path. Buy some blinds already!) 
I snapped a photo and ran. I thought the police said no pictures, seems he said, "Oh, pictures."
Thank God my odd behavior didn't get me tazed.
The Hudson River from the High Line
Fortunately, Rockefeller Center was still decorated for Easter. There is so much to-do over the Christmas tree, I never realized Easter was equally as impressive.

Now that's art!
Having my own well-endowed booty, I was appreciative of Peter's fluffy tail. 
You can check it out from all angles, Peter was on a spinning wheel. 
We also checked out some churches. Hopefully we didn't interrupt any services!
To be respectful, we offered prayers and donations to their poor boxes. 
Looks like the "End of Days" church...you know, the movie with Arnold?




 Celebrate the Small ThingsTo be part of this blog hop, all you have to do is visit the Celebrate page on Lexa's Blog for the rules, and then post every Friday about something you're grateful  for that week.  It can be about writing or family or school or general life.  This is the funnest and easiest blog hop ever! (Originated by VikLit)

I got Hulu! I readjusted my dish line up and dropped my channels to the bare minimum, then I got Hulu. Now, I can watch when I want to watch and I'm saving some money. 

Conner, boy #4, is gearing up for graduation. I can't believe my baby is going to be graduating. I may be in denial, but I'm trying to wrap my brain around it.

I'm working hard on edits for the next book. There are times when I think it's impossible, but this week I felt like I was making progress, so that's good!! 


Susan Flett Swiderski's new book is available for pre-sale. Not to brag, but I've already read it. I had the pleasure of beta-reading this story and as usual, Susan didn't fail to entertain me. Complex characters in a story that leaves you turning the pages to see what's in store for them. 

Pre-Order now!
The Blurb:

Maybe this time will be different.
Terrible things happen to the people he cares about the most, so it’s safer for Archie Jaworski to simply stop caring. He doesn’t give a flying fandango what anybody says about him, keeps every relationship shallow, and does unto others before they can do unto him.
And then, shortly before he leaves the Army, he spots a pretty widow and her two kids, and all bets are off.
His war hero uncle says he’s not good enough for that perfect little lady, but Archie’s determined to prove him wrong. No matter how many threats his uncle and his fellow officers make to scare him away from their buddy’s widow, and no matter what it takes, he’s determined to meet that family and to seduce that skirt.
What’s more, if she’s a decent cook, he might even marry her
Archie plans his courtship to the smallest detail, but the one thing he forgets to do is keep his feelings under wraps. He doesn’t mean to care about them, but the allure of finally being part of something normal, something good, is more than he can resist.




Maybe this time, no one has to die.

33 comments:

  1. It sounds like a terrifyingly amazing visit to NYC! You should write comedy...thanks for the morning chuckle. I spent a week in the city once and I missed all the exciting stuff...LOL.

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    1. You will have to go back!

      As for writing comedy...I'm never funny when I try to be. I just take advantage of the stuff stuff that happens around me.

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  2. Last things first... thanks for the shout-out for my book. :)

    It sounds like your trip to NY was a blast. A gal who was my friend all through school is coming to visit on Monday. We've kept in touch recently via email and telephone, but we haven't had a face-to-face in more than forty years! Should be interesting...

    Have a super weekend. And again... thanks!

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    1. Happy to help, Susan. I'm always happy to share a good read!

      Enjoy your time with your friend. It's good to pause the busy-button and just enjoy some good company.

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  3. I have never wanted to visit New York. I lived in London, England, for four years and that was quite enough big city for me. Surely that wasn't Peter but the Easter Bunny? Glad you enjoyed yourselves though.

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    1. My Philistine-ness will be showing again, I'm sure...aren't Peter Cottontail and the Easter Bunny the same guy? Kind of like Kris Kringle and Santa?

      I enjoy visiting the city, but I want to live in green spaces.

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    2. Nope, Peter Cottontail was in books written by Beatrix Potter in England. The Easter Bunny was, I think, an American invention.

      You and me both, but I don't even want to visit.

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    3. Hmm, then I Christened this green fellow Peter Easter Tail, he's a dual-citizen icon of the spring season who brings fresh fruit and veggies to good little adults. There. That's how I paint myself out of the ignorance corner.

      Hugs, Jo. You keep me on my toes, which is why I love you so much!

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  4. Thanks so much for the NY pics! I lived & worked there a long time ago & it was awesome -- except the subways. Yup, there you have to just keep your head down and hope to go unnoticed. Yay for TV shows & more for less, yay for editing progress, and congrats to the almost diploma-ed son! Have a great weekend!

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    1. I'm glad you enjoyed them! If you recall, you were the one who was kind enough to help me wrap my brain around the idea of my son living in New York-- how to get groceries and taking the train instead of driving.

      Yep, head down. That is more good advice!

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  5. I've pre-ordered Susan's book and can't wait to read it.

    Looks like you guys had an amazing time in NYC! I love the story about chasing down the guys to get back your necklace. I can just picture this in my head. It would make a great scene in a book.

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    1. And for the official record, I was diving into their money bucket for my necklace...not grabbing fives like my friends jokingly suggested.

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  6. Your posts always make me so happy. I agree, when you visit New York, one should always try the subway and the bus. I met so many hilarious characters on the bus and even the driver wanted to help me out and stopped at a few choice spots for me so I could see some amazing attractions. Great characters for writing too! Congratulations on all your successes and the editing process. Congratulations Susan on a new release :)

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    1. You're right about the friendliness. Where did New Yorkers get the label as being unfriendly? Although, there was the bagel shop experience...ordering food New York style is quite different than here in slow-paced WV.

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  7. Some great shots. That was nice of him to be a pisser right in front of you. Blah. NY sure is a grimy spot in places.

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    1. Hand sanitizer is a must on the packing list, that's for sure!

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  8. Hi, Elizabeth! SOOOO sorry it took me so long to pop over and visit you, BUT I am so glad I did...You made me SOOOOOOOOO homesick for my NYC....I am HOPING that my new Memoir with Kay will bring me back there. I plan to submit to EVERY NYC agent and hopefully I will nab a good one, so that I can return home. It's been 26 years since I left and I miss it EVERY day.

    Yes..... the subways are a "treat" aren't they. Seems like they have gotten worse. I avoided them as much as possible and traveled on foot through the city. So much fun to people watch... LOVED seeing the Easter decorations. That is new to me. When I lived there, Rock center was never decorated at all at Easter, just St. Patrick's Cathedral with tons of Easter Lillies.

    SO happy you enjoyed my snippet... YES< I DO NEED to get back to writing, but I wanted to pop over and say HI!

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    1. Michael, I would love to see you return to NY in the grandest of ways! The only thing better would be I'd be there to stand in line to get myself a signed copy!

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  9. I'm so envious you got to visit NYC Elizabeth! It was only January when I was there but I wish I could go back soon. I'd love to be there when it's not so cold. For instance, we didn't get to visit the High Line because of the freezing temperatures! Your post really made me laugh out loud. I'd love to have been with you when all those things happened LOL!!
    Hugs
    Suzy xx
    www.suzyturner.com

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    1. As long as my son is living there, I'll be visiting the city as often as I can. It would be great to meet you there- one day, when it's warmer!

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  10. Sounds like an amazing visit! I so wish to visit NYC one day!

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    1. It is a wonderful city. Hopefully you get to visit it soon.

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  11. That’s some interesting experience. What you can only get in NYC. I love the purple carriage. And yikes. That’s a lot of horse poop in that picture. lol

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    1. I never even noticed the poop. LOL. You have a good eye for details.

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  12. How cool, it sounded like a blast and you didn't disappoint. I'd have done worse. Being half deaf doesn't bode well for interpretation. I've always wanted to go to NY, but hubby refused to take me. When I first went to Alaska, NY or AK was the choice. I'm not sorry for the one I made, just that I've never yet gone to NY City.
    Living on the beach, I've seen more men piss in the ocean than I care to admit. But I swear one of the oddest trends is the picture taking of the 'butt'. Young and old alike. It's mind boggling! LOL
    I loved Susan's book too. She is one amazing woman and knows how to tell a story!

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    1. I can deal with whales pissing in the water, but men? Gross!!

      Butt pics? No thank you. When I was a teen, I had a thing for taking pictures of my toes in the sand...never my butt!

      It's not too late to make it to NYC. I drive into a quiet train station in New Jersey and ride the train in. Easy peasy, no traffic fights required.

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  13. Phew. So glad you didn't run into Martha Stewart and had a fabulous time with the gal pals. It's well earned.
    Susan is a gem of a lady and writer. I must check out her latest publication. Thanks, girlie.

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    1. If I had run into Martha, I'd have asked her to make my scarf into a swan I could wear on my head. That would be so pretty. :D

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  14. It's a different breed in NYC, Elizabeth. My girlfriends and I also spent a few days there at the tourist sights. It reminds me why I don't live in the city. We had some very talented troubadours singing to us in the subway, though. The food's great there. They really do have every culture covered. All best to you!

    http://victoriamarielees.blogspot.com

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    1. Speaking of food, I finally got a hotdog from a cart. I am now a cart hotdog fan...they may be better than at the ballpark!

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  15. Omg. Sounds scary but thrilling visit!

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    1. With the exception of the preacher, I never felt any trepidation. It really feels like a safe city.

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  16. Congrats to Connor and you! Way to go!
    I think NYC is amazing - and I didn't get a chance to peek in windows or see the bunny. :)
    We only rode the subway once - my husband was too afraid. (kind of funny, actually)

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