Morning Commute in DC

I took this photo a while back on the Metro to/from Washington, D.C. 

It combines the seemingly normal person on the way to/from work listening to music and reading the newspaper with wearing a pretty scare face mask. 

It reminds me of the horror movie, “The Purge,” where people are permitted one night a year to commit crimes and murder others “legally” as a venting mechanism for social unrest and to help eliminate crime and criminals. 

Sitting across from this guy, you’re not really sure if he’s gonna finish reading the paper and walk off the train all nice or get up and start wiping people out left and right. 

Big cities in the U.S. can be scary places, and the mass transportation systems are one of those places where you don’t always feel safe. 

Maybe a mask is just a mask until G-d forbid, one day, it isn’t.

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

Homeless and Hungry

I took this photo in Washington, DC.

Two statues of back-to-back homeless people in the grit on the sidewalk.

They sit as everyone rushes on past them–many stone faced as well as too many stone hearted.

In this case, someone put the newspaper Street Sense on the lap of the statue. 

As many in DC, the homeless are trying to get back on their feet in this case by writing articles for and selling this newspaper about homelessness, poverty, and social issues. 

Impressive that they sell about 16,000 of the biweekly 16-page paper and that the homeless vendors make about $45 per day doing this. 

Like this picture of the homeless on the street, bracing back against each other and sort of huddled up among the masses of the fortunate around them, I imagine that they must really feel like these statues–odd, uncomfortable, lost, scared, and painted over by society that marks them as dirty, dangerous, and unwanted.

But these homeless and hungry are G-d’s children, no less than any of us!

I applaud Street Sense and other advocates and activists that see, hear, and feel beyond themselves and help the needy and downtrodden. 

Helping these people in desperate need is truly G-d’s work, and like recently sainted, Mother Teresa, is an act of unbelievable kindness and mercy that we can all learn from and should emulate. 😉

(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

Newspaper, Identity Thief

So, true story.

I know identify theft is a serious matter, but really…

I’m heading out of the driveway and I see the newpaper delivery guy just pulling up.

He’s running a little late, but I figure I can still get the paper in time for morning reading on the Metro.

I walk over to him and ask if I can get the Journal that he’s deliverying to me.

He says, “No, I only deliver the Wall Street Journal and the Post.”

I say, “Yeah, the Wall Street Journal, can I get it, since you’re running a little late this morning.”

He says. “I’m never late!”–actually, he is and sometimes doesn’t deliver at all (the other week, I got 3 papers in one day).

I say, “OK, but I can take it from here.”

He says, “No, I only deliver to the door.”

I say, “But I’m right here.”

He says, “How do I know you are who you say you are?”

I say, “I am, and thank G-d, I really don’t need to steal a $2 newspaper from you, Sir.”

He says, “Okay, but I’ll need to see an id!”

I say, “Are you serious?”

He says, “Yeah,” pulling back to safety the pile of newspapers he is holding is his arms.

Reluctantly, I flip open my wallet and flash my license to him.

Not good enough…he insists I take it out so he can read it.

I finally got the paper, but we wasted what seemed like 5 minutes between the negotiation and proof of identity exercise.

Don’t get me wrong, I appreciate his diligence, but I think this type of scrutiny over access and identity would be better placed squarely on our cyber assets–somewhere where we really need them! 😉

(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal

Get Your Newspaper With Style

Some people give out the newspapers in the morning with a loud and resonant, “Get your daily newspaper!”

Others with a call to duty, “Look alive people–it’s a workday!”

A more tame and spiritual approach is the man who wishes everyone with, “Have a blessed day!”

And finally this cheerful young lady who greets everyone coming out of the Metro with a warm smile and a great happy hat!

Thanks to all the hardworking folks providing the news at Metro in the mornings, in all weather, and also at no cost. 😉

(Source photo: Andy Blumenthal)