On the train a few minutes ago, some guy running to get inside the train got caught in the door. The door jammed his elbows, such that his full coffee with milk popped out of his hand, flew across the width of the car, and smashed right at the feet of a guy standing at the other door. That guy, dressed in business casual attire suffers his shoes and the bottom of his pants being drenched with milky coffee. If he’s lucky, it was hopefully not too sweet. 

I was only three feet away as I too had just made it onto the train before its departure, and was the last person on without a coffee in hand. Fortunately, I had found a spot to tuck myself into under an air conditioning vent. Given the events of Monday, where the train on which I had ridden was packed, delayed, and without AC, I’ve been counting my blessings – and looking for vents with more than usual resolve. 
The drencher looked on with was likely to be a combination of shock, disappointment, and embarrassment. His look seemed to try to convey that he was also a victim of cruel circumstance. In typical subway culture, people looked on with varying degrees of engagement, amusement, and dismissiveness. Most probably anticipated some sort of exclamation, if not an eruption proper. 

The drenchee said not a single word though as he assessed the situation. He was obviously unhappy, but I think he handled it very well and with grace. I stopped short of telling him so given that I didn’t want to disrupt the fragile balance of silence, or be seen to be implying (or really, reiterating) blame. 

Commuters are advised to avoid bringing food and drink on the trains for this very reason. There were multiple lessons here of varying degrees, but I extract and carry forward the one on grace – “forgive those who trespass against us”.

The sequel to “To Kill A Mockingbird” will be released on July 14. Interestingly, it was written prior to To Kill, but when the editor of the first asked her to emphasize Scout’s childhood, it morphed into the literary titan we’ve come to know. I find it interesting that so much time has passed in the interim without much fanfare or recognition of the original script. A means to an end it would seem, has been recast. 

On recasting: the new book portrays Atticus Finch in a less glorified light, less a bastion and champion of equal rights. Perhaps I’ll reread the original in the coming days in preparations for “Go Set A Watchman”. If any of you read the new one or have read the former, feel free to share your thoughts. 

It’s been almost a month since I’ve posted – the longest stretch that I’ve gone since starting this blog in two years. It’s been busy. 

I started a new job, one that is hectic in a hectic high profile group of a hectic high profile place. It’s exciting, but busy. My last job afforded longer, but more leisurely commutes on which I wrote many posts and often. Now, my commute is shorter, but more crammed most days and seating is often scarce or tight. 

I went to San Fran the week before starting where I got a reasonable amount of rest. Much needed in fact. I also began watching Game of Thrones in earnest. I’ve just about completed the first four seasons. This week I’ve discovered (reiterated) why watching episodes just before bed is bad. Screens just before bed is bad and disrupts sleep. Yet, I continue. 

This year the 4th is on a Saturday and I don’t get Friday off, though I get a floating day. I’ll take it later. Apparently, I’m going to a party in the Hamptons which should be fun, especially if I am able and willing to cooperate with myself in suspending judgement of the those who have lost touch with reality, and those who are far to eager to. It will be “epic”, yet I’m sure that I’ll discover some (truly) inside jokes along the way. 

I’ve been reading a book on big data. It’s an interesting enough topic and will have greater relevance to me professionally as I take on a new project in the coming months. 

The 4th was pretty fun. I went to a party in the Hamptons which was fine, but we also had a big group of friends which probably made it a lot more fun. Ja Rule performed some old hits from a second floor balcony while people (including me) floated in the pool or gathered all around it. The party responded well to him. Not bad. 

Fireworks on the East River was phenomenal and our vantage point from a friend’s apartment on the water was excellent. Overall a great, but long day. 

I’ll write more soon. Thanks for continuing to support my blog 😉