I could have gone exploring on my own, but it's more fun to discover and share with friends. I have a new colleague at the Big J, R---, and it's her first summer in the City, so I've been grabbing her to go out with me and learn about all the bazillion things the City has to offer.
It was a beautiful sunny day, so the Upper West Side was out in full force. R--- is much more outgoing than I am, so she was really into interacting with the vendors. Some were more crotchety than others, some were okay with you photographing them and their wares. We grabbed cards, gabbed, tried on some lovely hats and fascinators, looked at belts, dresses, scarves, and the people. Oy, the people. Oh, the humanity.
Blue scarves and blue metal roses - how to keep the blues away!
Now, in case it crossed your mind, I did NOT stop to play the Pop-Up Piano.
1) It was crowded.
2) It was near The Metropolitan Opera, and at Lincoln Center. Can you imagine? Please -- it's the artistic capital of the U.S. and the granite of the buildings have soaked up more talent than I ever had.
3) There were people around (see below), and
4) MOST IMPORTANTLY, I haven't played in a decade or more.
I have social performance disorder. I never could "play on demand." I was never one who liked to play solo in front of crowds, or could play "by ear" and just riff off songs. I'd rather be hidden behind an organ manual, or behind the choir. Not only that, my memory banks for anything but "Chopsticks" has been overwritten by other things, like subway maps, crochet patterns, and the need to document my life for this here blog. More power to those brave people, though, who have no qualms about who might be watching or recording for posterity.
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