Random thoughts on the N train

It's January 2nd of 2024 and everyone is back to the grind, the hustle, the NY pace of life (well, in NY that is). Back to Manhattan like no one ever let for the holidays. With a new clinical job ahead of me, I head out to get medical clearance at an 8 am appointment that seemed to be the only time slot left (although upon arrival, it was as silent as midnight on Christmas...). Today is one of the rare times I've taken a long train ride without busying my mind with a new kindle read or my favorite R&B playlist, and I've come to the realization that the subway and the city in general is perfect for creating scenarios and asking rhetorical questions to myself that I would never publicly speak into in the NYC MTA. Heads down, people asleep, curious eyes, and bobbing heads listening to music are just a few of the activities happening, but even better, here are some of my random thoughts while scanning this 7:14am N train subway car full of commuters:

I wonder how she spent her holidays? With family and friends or maybe just lonely with her cat in her 6 ft x 10 ft apt?

I wonder if this guy just arrived back in the city last night or early this morning. His combo of eye bags and actual duffle bag screams that he either just finished his 3 hour drive back from upstate or he has loads of cash from the NYE game he won amongst his group of friends and is still hungover but headed to work anyways.

Is she headed for an interview with her resume in hand and all black fit and pumps? She's killing it, hope she gets the job.

Is this man next to me homeless? He doesn't smell or anything, but maybe that's why this cluster of seats was open. Because people are afraid of him, I mean he's sleeping in a corner seat wearing a hoodie.. doesn't mean he's necessarily homeless and looking for a fight, but in NY I guess better to be safe than sorry. Orrrrr is it actually because I'm sitting on throw up? Ew what's on the window? Is it vomit? No can't be, there's not enough of it. In the clear.

I wonder when people started coming back on the train. I remember empty COVID trains like they were yesterday and now we are jam packed again like it's 2018.

They really gotta put some WD-40 on these train hitches. So squeaky, no wonder everyone always has headphones in.

Ooh! Barclays Center, brings me back to the old days. I remember this one time I ditched class my freshman year to just spend a day with my roommate (don't worry Mom, I passed that class). What a blast we had back then. We watched a movie, went shopping, got food (and I think we TRIED to get drinks, but we were still too young), and spent the whole day just wandering around the Big Apple since we both weren't from here. Such good memories.

I guess most of the commuters coming from Brooklyn transfer at 14th street? More space for me, potential homeless guy still on the train though. Meh, seems harmless.

Ope, this is me. Dang, no headphones is kind of a vibe...

I thoroughly enjoyed writing out these random thoughts and being more observant. I feel like I could maybe do a series of these. Thoughts? Do we say yay or nay?

Anyways, hope you're starting your 2024 off strong. Love you, mean it! SHOOOOOTZ \m/