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Observations on a plane
After a 5-hour flight delay (not to mention the hour later spent on the Tarmac): A husband and wife get on, and the wife is afraid of flying. The plane is tiny, and this doesn’t sit well with her. “I can’t believe you’re making me do this,” the wife says. I am feeling cranky and…
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When we’re drunk, we’re invincible
One more round at the bar on the beach A final stop on the way out of town Or a lesson in responsibility? The government called, said get out now, or you will die. And you laugh and have another hurricane. “They said golden French fries would kill me too,” you state diplomatically – or…
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A dim conversation
We have nothing but time As I sit in the airport Of the greatest city in the world And you – I thought you sympathetic But you are laughing at me And telling me to write of things I know nothing about Are we talking about energy or rhythm? Instead you send a friend Who…
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Overheard on street
At JFK Airport, New York City Heard by Jeff New York City resident, in response to being told bars close at 2 a.m. in Charlotte: “It’s because people don’t want to be around drunk rednecks.”
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Being an aunt
I arrived in NYC on Sunday morning. Sunday afternoon, my sister-in-law, Jenn, gave birth to their second daughter, Sadie Claire. As much as I have loved spending the week in my favorite visiting spot, something is missing. I need to see my nieces! (and my dogs, for the record.) Years ago I decided I didn’t…
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Walking in a New Yorker’s shoes
I looked out the window Tuesday morning – on my second full day in NYC this trip – and it was raining. Ewwww, I thought. Who wants to do sightseeing in this weather? But I didn’t want to miss out on seeing anything. So, after an extra long session in the (indoor) workout room in…
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September 11, 2008
It was a quiet city, at least in the area of Ground Zero. People were silent as they walked around. I didn’t see anyone crying, but I did see T-shirts and signs … some claiming cover-ups about the attacks, others asking for remembrance, with flags and patriotism and claims to “Never Forget.” There were pictures…
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September 11, 2001
On that day 7 years ago, I was still a rookie copy editor and page designer at the newspaper. Fresh from college, I had been working there just 9 months, and this day would be the first day I would see what an impact working for the media can have – not just on the…
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The meaning of life, discussed over coffee at 11 a.m.
We share a pot and ponder 29. Then go to the college bar to prove we’re still young shots all around, ignore the protests, “I just can’t drink like this anymore.” I push too hard, pull myself back flirt with the boy I swear I knew before Give me a pen and I will check…