Survivor!!!

The Challenge:  Safely make it across the dangerous alligator infested abyss between the train car and the platform at the end of the workday - one wrong step and you're gone!

OK the Backstory.....
The northbound local track between Rye and Stamford has been out of service for the past few weeks while the MTA replaces rail ties.  The trains stop on the middle express track and bridge plates are in use for people to walk over the local track to the platform.  But, the bridge plates are narrow, sometimes unsteady, and there's a good size gap between the train car and the metal plate.  So really it's a Survivor Challenge at the end of a long workday - just pretend it's an old rope ladder and there's seven or eight hungry alligators just waiting for someone to make a bad step - who says commuting couldn't be the next reality TV program?

We're Being Watched!

The train travels below grade through parts of the Bronx so mostly there's only old stone walls and tops of buildings to catch a glimpse of on the way by.  But, on top of those buildings, there are feathered creatures who stare down at us from their lofty perch - the pigeons!  That's right, from their rooftop vantage points the pigeons rule all they can see, including all of us commuters who pass in the shadows below.

A quick watercolor sketch.  It's supposed to have a Edward Hopper feel to it - the lonely American landscape with a solitary figure.  In this case, a commuter walking down the platform under pools of lamp light after coming home from work.

Animal Attraction

On the way into the city the trains pass along the edge of the Botanical Gardens, and not far from the Bronx Zoo.  When you think about it, not far from the tracks are hundreds of animal species from around the world.  Furthermore, we might think they're interesting to look at, but they probably think we're pretty crazy too.  They'd probably be thinking something like, "All those humans keep speeding by in big electric metal cages all day long, it's much better here just relaxing."

"Evenings Out"

I realized as I got out of the office this week there was still a hint of daylight in the western sky.  I'm looking forward to the summer monthes when it's still light out late in the day and I can still take a walk down to Binney Park (above) or Todd's Point.

For Those Who Come Home Late...

I have devised a simple map that illustrates the potential states of sleepiness someone could go through on their commute home from the city (especially if you're on the local to Stamford like me.)  The further out your stop is from Grand Central, the more likely you're going to fall asleep and miss your train.  Remember, the later it gets, the more likely you'll achieve maximum sleep potential: YOU MISSED YOUR STOP.

This is Anthony, I sat down next to him one evening and tried to start sketching him without him knowing.  About halfway through he figured it out, and immediately he did his best to sit still and be a great model.  I did it in pencil and added a little watercolor to it over the weekend.