Anyone have her phone number?
A good bunch of years now with a cane as
constant walking companion -- if you can call it walking. It offers some
lessons in slowness, especially for someone who's been in a hurry (for no
special reason) since infancy.
Fast to read, to walk, to talk, to swim.
The slower world of canes can be startling even after all these years.
The enforced slowness comes from a small,
stupid act, compounded by a small stupid injury, which turned into a large and
long-lasting injury when the small, stupid act was continued instead of
stopped.
First thoughts included "Okay, millions
of people do this, it can't be THAT tough." And then there were
thoughts like "which side does the cane go on? Which step -- if any -- does it match."
Asking probably would have brought quick
answers. The Macho attitude brought answers, too, but not nearly as fast.
And once learned, the protocol has to be practiced.
Anyway, here's what happens in this condition.
The first thing you learn is that as slow moving traffic, you change the
environment. People have to pass you and they don't quite know how to do
it.
Some just brush by. Others make a big
production of going around you. Still, others are paralyzed with
indecision.
You learn pretty quickly that the slightest
incline has become a mountain. When did THAT happen?
Stairs? What, are you kidding?
A seat on the subway? Forget about it.
But one is forced to see more of the
environment, now self changed, but which used to whiz past.
You have to look down a lot. In so
doing, you notice patterns of junk. Cigarette butts tend to
congregate in patterns, for example. So do discarded candy wrappers. You notice wind direction. You realize there are pathways through knots
of people -- and ways around them
You become conscious of many things you didn't
previously notice -- which can be both good and bad.
If you're a student of sidewalk art, there's a
whole world waiting for you. And there's a world of slow-step thinking
time awaiting. The thoughts can be
profound. They can run the entire gamut from "ouch!" to
"Is there an elevator at this subway stop?"
People often look at you funny.
"Oh, that poor old guy with the cane." And the
reverse: "Here comes that mean old
guy and I don't want to get in the way of that walking stick.
And you hear this a lot: "Oh, was
that your bad leg I just hit? Soooo sorry."
Note:
the above is a lightly revised “best of” from 2009 around this time of year.
The following is not.
SHRAPNEL:
-- Are you tired of “limited editions” of
everything yet? Fountain pens, musical
instruments automobiles… and now… MetroCards. These are to honor 9/11 victims
or first responders. The MTA, which doesn’t know how to run a train, subway or
bus knows how to profitably tug at our heartstrings.
I’m Wes Richards. My opinions are my own but
you’re welcome to them. ®
Comments? Please send to wesrichards@gmail.com
© WJR 2019
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