Joanie's take on interesting observations in the city......One would never guess that playing Frogger on a daily basis would become part of everyday life. Yes, you remember that phenomenal old game where the frog tries to cross the stream by jumping on logs and the logs get faster as you go. Well, imagine that feeling every morning, Level one getting on the subway. First, you stand to the side when the subway doors open await the people getting off the subway to exit, your objective is to get on the train before the doors shut on you. If you are successful you get on that subway. If not, the doors can take off a ligament and you miss the train so you wait for another to arrive. Once on a train its time for level two, transferring subways. You exit and dash for the stairs where you are hit by people, bags, and other sundry objects as people are trying to run up the stairs faster than you. Not sure what the exact rush is as there is still a hike to go to the next train and you just rush to wait. You go back to level one to get on the next train then the real fun begins...Penn Station (you skip to level ten). You have to really strategically plan your attack. If you want Starbucks you have to stay to the left then once you have Starbucks in hand you have to plan your attack to cross from the left side of Penn Station to the right. The logs (ok the people) go really fast and you have to weave in and out avoiding falling off the log (or causing a people collision in the corridor). Definitely an adrenaline rush in the morning. And without coffee a challenge on some mornings. If successful you win the level and get another life. Or shall I say get to do it again in the evening on the way home.
Another interesting phenomenon is walking down the street and seeing the biggest kids in baby back packs and strollers. I am not a parent so maybe this is normal but isn't there a weight limit on those type of devices? I have never seen bigger kids in carrying vessels. I know I often exaggerate, but seriously this is a true story. There was this kid in a baby backpack (not sure of the technical name but you know what i am talking about he had to be 7 yrs or older. His feet almost touched the ground he was almost as big as the mom. when i passed them I thought I heard him say "mom if you want to take a break, pick up your feet and I will walk for a bit". OK he didn't say that but he could have. His feet almost touched for goodness sakes. Then you see these other parents carting their big kids in strollers. If kids are old enough to ride a bike or go to the mall with friends aren't they too old for a stroller. They are too big for a stroller. I'm just sayin'.
