Comments on: New York Minute http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/2011/02/25/new-york-minute-22/ Development site for Bronx Banter Blog's upcoming look and feel Wed, 19 Jun 2013 19:19:57 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.4.2 By: williamnyy23 http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/2011/02/25/new-york-minute-22/#comment-70734 williamnyy23 Sat, 26 Feb 2011 05:28:46 +0000 http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/?p=49754#comment-70734 [18] I’ve also had many more “interesting moments” (from comically weird to surprisingly pleasing) on the subway, but several years back had one potentially violent episode similar to the one John relayed. On my way to work around 5AM, I was sitting in a fairly empty car with my eyes closed. In close proximity, I could hear a few teenaged kids whispering, so as the train pulled into the next station, I opened my eyes just enough so I could see. Sure enough, as the last of the group exited the train, he reached back to throw a punch. I raised my right hand to block and wound up literally catching the fist, which was a good thing because the kid had jammed his keys into his fist. In the exchange, I wound up coming away with the key chain, and as the dumbfounded kid said something like, “hey, give me my keys back”, I tossed them off the Atlantic Avenue elevated platform, where they probably still rest today. As the doors closed and the train pulled away, the look on the kid’s face was priceless. Before closing my eyes again, I looked at the four or five people also making their morning commute, and they all gave a very subtle approving glance. [18] I’ve also had many more “interesting moments” (from comically weird to surprisingly pleasing) on the subway, but several years back had one potentially violent episode similar to the one John relayed. On my way to work around 5AM, I was sitting in a fairly empty car with my eyes closed. In close proximity, I could hear a few teenaged kids whispering, so as the train pulled into the next station, I opened my eyes just enough so I could see. Sure enough, as the last of the group exited the train, he reached back to throw a punch. I raised my right hand to block and wound up literally catching the fist, which was a good thing because the kid had jammed his keys into his fist. In the exchange, I wound up coming away with the key chain, and as the dumbfounded kid said something like, “hey, give me my keys back”, I tossed them off the Atlantic Avenue elevated platform, where they probably still rest today. As the doors closed and the train pulled away, the look on the kid’s face was priceless. Before closing my eyes again, I looked at the four or five people also making their morning commute, and they all gave a very subtle approving glance.

]]> By: TheGreenMan http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/2011/02/25/new-york-minute-22/#comment-70733 TheGreenMan Fri, 25 Feb 2011 23:02:45 +0000 http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/?p=49754#comment-70733 I've only had a handful of incidents that were potentially dangerous riding the subways. Usually late at night when the wild things roam. I've had many more wonderful experiences. Stuff that doesn't happen anywhere else in the world. Getting jostled by a woman getting on the train looking to hold onto something and realizing it was the actress Laura Linney. I think I was the only person on the train who realized who she was. Or the time I took a later train home from Yankee Stadium and my subway car was empty except for Freddy Shulman (Freddy Sez). I'd "met" him dozens of times, using his spoon to bang on his pan. But that was the only time we had a conversation. He told me about his wife, his eye, his favorite Yankee Stadium memories, his life. It is one of my favorite NYC moments ever. But yeah...shit can get real awfully quick sometimes. I’ve only had a handful of incidents that were potentially dangerous riding the subways. Usually late at night when the wild things roam.

I’ve had many more wonderful experiences. Stuff that doesn’t happen anywhere else in the world. Getting jostled by a woman getting on the train looking to hold onto something and realizing it was the actress Laura Linney. I think I was the only person on the train who realized who she was. Or the time I took a later train home from Yankee Stadium and my subway car was empty except for Freddy Shulman (Freddy Sez). I’d “met” him dozens of times, using his spoon to bang on his pan. But that was the only time we had a conversation. He told me about his wife, his eye, his favorite Yankee Stadium memories, his life. It is one of my favorite NYC moments ever.

But yeah…shit can get real awfully quick sometimes.

]]> By: Mrs. Hall http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/2011/02/25/new-york-minute-22/#comment-70732 Mrs. Hall Fri, 25 Feb 2011 21:42:22 +0000 http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/?p=49754#comment-70732 Yeah, its not what they say or how they say it. It's when they press they're energy on you. And keep pushing. This is can be done quietly or loudly. But, it's always felt if your listening. Yeah, its not what they say or how they say it. It’s when they press they’re energy on you. And keep pushing. This is can be done quietly or loudly. But, it’s always felt if your listening.

]]> By: vockins http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/2011/02/25/new-york-minute-22/#comment-70731 vockins Fri, 25 Feb 2011 21:02:51 +0000 http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/?p=49754#comment-70731 Bernard Goetz can get fucked forever. Bernard Goetz can get fucked forever.

]]> By: Chyll Will http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/2011/02/25/new-york-minute-22/#comment-70730 Chyll Will Fri, 25 Feb 2011 17:18:08 +0000 http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/?p=49754#comment-70730 [2] Werrrd... >;) [2] Werrrd… >;)

]]> By: Raf http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/2011/02/25/new-york-minute-22/#comment-70729 Raf Fri, 25 Feb 2011 16:56:38 +0000 http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/?p=49754#comment-70729 [5] I had bats (baseball/softball, wood/aluminum) and shotputs (pitching training aid) as well. [7] If I have a kid with me, I usually camp out in the corner with him/her blocked off. [9] Speaking of subway douchery; http://www.subwaydouchery.com/ I also think Goetz wasn't wrong. Still think he should've kept his mouth shut during the trial. [5] I had bats (baseball/softball, wood/aluminum) and shotputs (pitching training aid) as well.

[7] If I have a kid with me, I usually camp out in the corner with him/her blocked off.

[9] Speaking of subway douchery; http://www.subwaydouchery.com/

I also think Goetz wasn’t wrong. Still think he should’ve kept his mouth shut during the trial.

]]> By: Dimelo http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/2011/02/25/new-york-minute-22/#comment-70728 Dimelo Fri, 25 Feb 2011 16:28:10 +0000 http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/?p=49754#comment-70728 [9] Yeah it does. Subway subway-douchery is alive and well. There are times you have to protect your neck because people can be up to all sorts of effed up stuff. I remember as a kid I would get into fights a bunch of times on the train, it was during that period in 80s and 90s where people would stare you down to see who would win the stare down and if nobody won the stare down then it would naturally lead to a fight. I really hate that uncomfortable feeling, where you can cut the tension in the air with a butter knife, when I was younger my first reaction was usually to throw the first punch and hope it stops the threat. Now, in my current advanced age, I don't feel I would be so bold if I was confronted with a situation where I needed to start throwing haymakers. It's an uncomfortable feeling, which results in people feeling violated. I always loved the Charles Bronson character in Death Wish as a kid. IMHO, Bernard Goetz wasn't wrong since he was provoked. [9] Yeah it does. Subway subway-douchery is alive and well. There are times you have to protect your neck because people can be up to all sorts of effed up stuff.

I remember as a kid I would get into fights a bunch of times on the train, it was during that period in 80s and 90s where people would stare you down to see who would win the stare down and if nobody won the stare down then it would naturally lead to a fight.

I really hate that uncomfortable feeling, where you can cut the tension in the air with a butter knife, when I was younger my first reaction was usually to throw the first punch and hope it stops the threat. Now, in my current advanced age, I don’t feel I would be so bold if I was confronted with a situation where I needed to start throwing haymakers. It’s an uncomfortable feeling, which results in people feeling violated.

I always loved the Charles Bronson character in Death Wish as a kid. IMHO, Bernard Goetz wasn’t wrong since he was provoked.

]]> By: ms october http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/2011/02/25/new-york-minute-22/#comment-70727 ms october Fri, 25 Feb 2011 16:22:59 +0000 http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/?p=49754#comment-70727 course there are the weirdos you don't target as such too. a few summers or so ago i was on the d train to brooklyn after work and was wearing sandals and i'll add i have fairly nice feet. anyway some clean-cut professionally dressed guy in his 30s was sitting down and i was standing up in front of him. he reached down to to mess with his shoes or something and brushed his hand against my foot. at this point i just thought it was an accident and ignored it. then as the train was rolling past church av he started trying to pet my foot. i was too stunned to say anything but as soon as i felt his hand on my foot i walked away. thankfully these are my only encounters with people actually invading my personal space. course there are the weirdos you don’t target as such too. a few summers or so ago i was on the d train to brooklyn after work and was wearing sandals and i’ll add i have fairly nice feet. anyway some clean-cut professionally dressed guy in his 30s was sitting down and i was standing up in front of him. he reached down to to mess with his shoes or something and brushed his hand against my foot. at this point i just thought it was an accident and ignored it. then as the train was rolling past church av he started trying to pet my foot. i was too stunned to say anything but as soon as i felt his hand on my foot i walked away.

thankfully these are my only encounters with people actually invading my personal space.

]]> By: Jon DeRosa http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/2011/02/25/new-york-minute-22/#comment-70726 Jon DeRosa Fri, 25 Feb 2011 16:11:03 +0000 http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/?p=49754#comment-70726 I saw a dude light up a crack pipe on the C Train about 2 years ago. That made me move away with quickness. [7] Good point about the kids on the train. I go ahead and avoid all the weirdos. I figure, let them see how to avoid potential danger down here, I'll teach them all the other stuff above ground. I saw a dude light up a crack pipe on the C Train about 2 years ago. That made me move away with quickness.

[7] Good point about the kids on the train. I go ahead and avoid all the weirdos. I figure, let them see how to avoid potential danger down here, I’ll teach them all the other stuff above ground.

]]> By: Ben http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/2011/02/25/new-york-minute-22/#comment-70725 Ben Fri, 25 Feb 2011 16:06:56 +0000 http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/?p=49754#comment-70725 Course there was the time a guy pulled out a 8" hunting knife on the G train, and started picking dirt from his fingernails. After soiling myself I got the F*** off the train. Course there was the time a guy pulled out a 8″ hunting knife on the G train, and started picking dirt from his fingernails.

After soiling myself I got the F*** off the train.

]]> By: Alex Belth http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/2011/02/25/new-york-minute-22/#comment-70724 Alex Belth Fri, 25 Feb 2011 16:06:47 +0000 http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/?p=49754#comment-70724 4) Man, this post just brings up all sorts of unsettling memories. Oy. 4) Man, this post just brings up all sorts of unsettling memories. Oy.

]]> By: Ben http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/2011/02/25/new-york-minute-22/#comment-70723 Ben Fri, 25 Feb 2011 16:04:13 +0000 http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/?p=49754#comment-70723 On the F train back in the mid 90's I hop on at Carrol street, packed train. I weasle to what I saw was an open area, only to find out why. A guy, middle aged, swaying drunk, is there. People had formed a perimeter around him, backs turned. He smells sweet like booze. He mumbles. I hold my ground, arms length away. Something about him doesn't seem dangerous. And I like having room to stand. Suddenly he looks up, registers me, leans in quick and kisses me, real juicy on the cheek. Backs still turned, nobody notices. Now I was about 23, looked about 16 and stood shy of 5'9". But i muster all the authority I can in my voice, and like a dad say, 'Nope. Don't do that." His shoulders slumped and he looked shamefully at his feet "I'm sorry." he said. I stepped off the train at Jay street knowing I had a story I'd be recalling 15 years later. On the F train back in the mid 90′s I hop on at Carrol street, packed train. I weasle to what I saw was an open area, only to find out why. A guy, middle aged, swaying drunk, is there. People had formed a perimeter around him, backs turned. He smells sweet like booze. He mumbles. I hold my ground, arms length away. Something about him doesn’t seem dangerous. And I like having room to stand.

Suddenly he looks up, registers me, leans in quick and kisses me, real juicy on the cheek. Backs still turned, nobody notices.

Now I was about 23, looked about 16 and stood shy of 5’9″. But i muster all the authority I can in my voice, and like a dad say, ‘Nope. Don’t do that.”

His shoulders slumped and he looked shamefully at his feet “I’m sorry.” he said.

I stepped off the train at Jay street knowing I had a story I’d be recalling 15 years later.

]]> By: The Hawk http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/2011/02/25/new-york-minute-22/#comment-70722 The Hawk Fri, 25 Feb 2011 16:03:18 +0000 http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/?p=49754#comment-70722 It's true that no matter how you think about it in general, when the rubber actually hits the road it you're never really prepared. Having a little kid with you exacerbates things, because at a much earlier stage I start wondering if I should move or not. I don't want to send the message that any weirdo is to be reacted to by running away but I my risk aversion is much higher. One thing to do - I guess everyone here knows this - is to avoid the last car, probably the first too. It’s true that no matter how you think about it in general, when the rubber actually hits the road it you’re never really prepared.

Having a little kid with you exacerbates things, because at a much earlier stage I start wondering if I should move or not. I don’t want to send the message that any weirdo is to be reacted to by running away but I my risk aversion is much higher.

One thing to do – I guess everyone here knows this – is to avoid the last car, probably the first too.

]]> By: Jon DeRosa http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/2011/02/25/new-york-minute-22/#comment-70721 Jon DeRosa Fri, 25 Feb 2011 16:00:39 +0000 http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/?p=49754#comment-70721 [4] Yes that is a very scary situation. Any response you make at that point will likely be taken as a signal for escalation. [4] Yes that is a very scary situation. Any response you make at that point will likely be taken as a signal for escalation.

]]> By: Jon DeRosa http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/2011/02/25/new-york-minute-22/#comment-70720 Jon DeRosa Fri, 25 Feb 2011 15:58:37 +0000 http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/?p=49754#comment-70720 [2] All I got is 5'11", 165, and at times, a 34 inch aluminum bat when I'm headed home from baseball practice. [2] All I got is 5’11″, 165, and at times, a 34 inch aluminum bat when I’m headed home from baseball practice.

]]> By: ms october http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/2011/02/25/new-york-minute-22/#comment-70719 ms october Fri, 25 Feb 2011 15:57:52 +0000 http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/?p=49754#comment-70719 about a month or so ago i got on the 6 train at spring street after a meeting and was heading back to my office - it was before lunch probably about 11am. i noticed a man sitting across from me that seemed slightly unstable - someone to be aware of but at first i wasn't overly concerned. i had a ton of emails from the interns so i figured i could start responding to them on my blackberry. i don't know for sure but i think something about me typing on my blackberry set this guy off. he started saying all kinds of crazy ish, such as "i know what you are doing - don't think you can do that to me." so i stopped typing on my blackberry - and kept my eye on him without looking at him. just before the train got to astor place he got right up on me and said he "would knock my head so hard against the seat he would put me in a coma." i thought if i got up and moved it would make it worse so i just sat there but trying not to show to much fear or anything. at 14th street just before the doors opened he shoved his backpack in my face and then walked off the train. it kind of had me shook, but fortunately nothing really physical happened. the scariest part is not knowing what to really do. about a month or so ago i got on the 6 train at spring street after a meeting and was heading back to my office – it was before lunch probably about 11am.
i noticed a man sitting across from me that seemed slightly unstable – someone to be aware of but at first i wasn’t overly concerned. i had a ton of emails from the interns so i figured i could start responding to them on my blackberry. i don’t know for sure but i think something about me typing on my blackberry set this guy off. he started saying all kinds of crazy ish, such as “i know what you are doing – don’t think you can do that to me.” so i stopped typing on my blackberry – and kept my eye on him without looking at him. just before the train got to astor place he got right up on me and said he “would knock my head so hard against the seat he would put me in a coma.” i thought if i got up and moved it would make it worse so i just sat there but trying not to show to much fear or anything. at 14th street just before the doors opened he shoved his backpack in my face and then walked off the train. it kind of had me shook, but fortunately nothing really physical happened.

the scariest part is not knowing what to really do.

]]> By: Alex Belth http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/2011/02/25/new-york-minute-22/#comment-70718 Alex Belth Fri, 25 Feb 2011 15:46:48 +0000 http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/?p=49754#comment-70718 I wonder if Bernie Goetz said, "You woudn't hit a man with glasses, would you?" I wonder if Bernie Goetz said, “You woudn’t hit a man with glasses, would you?”

]]> By: Raf http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/2011/02/25/new-york-minute-22/#comment-70717 Raf Fri, 25 Feb 2011 15:41:02 +0000 http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/?p=49754#comment-70717 Being black, 6'2", 265 has its privileges :) Being black, 6’2″, 265 has its privileges :)

]]> By: Alex Belth http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/2011/02/25/new-york-minute-22/#comment-70716 Alex Belth Fri, 25 Feb 2011 15:26:29 +0000 http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/?p=49754#comment-70716 Oh, man, this one hit home. Just a few weeks ago I was on a train with a friend, a guy who doesn't mind the idea of fighting, when we saw a big white dude, really drunk. The kind of guy who just spits on the floor and dares someone to say anything. If I wasn't with my friend, i would have just gotten up and moved away. I also remember once getting hassled by about 7 kids on the A train back when I lived in BK. It was late at night and I must have been about 25. They sat all around me and I tried to crack a joke and they mocked me and I was like, "OK, plan B." So at the next stop the door opened and I waited a second and then dipped out of the train really fast. Turns out I was at West 4th and I needed to transfer to the F anyway. But I was young and I remember calling a friend when I got home and said "Am I wimp?" and he was like, "Bro, 6 of them, 1 of you, c'mon." Man, I'm glad I'm not young anymore. LOL Oh, man, this one hit home. Just a few weeks ago I was on a train with a friend, a guy who doesn’t mind the idea of fighting, when we saw a big white dude, really drunk. The kind of guy who just spits on the floor and dares someone to say anything. If I wasn’t with my friend, i would have just gotten up and moved away.

I also remember once getting hassled by about 7 kids on the A train back when I lived in BK. It was late at night and I must have been about 25. They sat all around me and I tried to crack a joke and they mocked me and I was like, “OK, plan B.” So at the next stop the door opened and I waited a second and then dipped out of the train really fast. Turns out I was at West 4th and I needed to transfer to the F anyway. But I was young and I remember calling a friend when I got home and said “Am I wimp?” and he was like, “Bro, 6 of them, 1 of you, c’mon.”

Man, I’m glad I’m not young anymore. LOL

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