Subway Vignettes in the Wake of a Tragedy
I have a lot of work looming, but all I feel like doing is writing on my blog. I spend so much time punishing myself when I’m happy by doing things I hate, so today, I’m going to indulge by doing what I want.
I’ve been riding the subway a lot this week, because it’s been too cold to ride my bike, and I’ve had to attend many events. When you don’t ride the subway regularly, and especially not during rush hour, you can really appreciate it. Maybe not so much if you’re that Chinese man who got pushed off the platform by a mentally ill homeless man earlier this week. As he tried to crawl off the tracks, screaming for help, an approaching train hit him. There were many spectators; none of them rushed to his aid. He died. I don’t know how to say that elegantly. The whole thing makes me physically sick.
“May I gaze upon you when my last hour has come, and, dying, may I hold you with my weakening hand.”
—Excerpt from a poem by Tibullus, stolen from the short story by David Gilbert in last week’s New Yorker
Caleb would love the Farnley Hey house, a pristine specimen of mid-century modern clean. Me? Every time I’d see that view, I’d be looking for a throw blanket, and somewhere to put my feet up.
Photographer of the week: Whoever took this photograph of the construction of the Golden Gate Bridge, circa 1934.
January 19, 2012
Architecture
California
Golden Gate Bridge
Retronaut
Vintage Photography
photographer of the week
