That’s called a job.

I’ve been so very busy lately, I haven’t had much time to think much less write. The days seem to slip by so readily and I find myself wondering how I am on this treadmill but at the same time thankful to be busy and working.

Often, the only time I will really have for any kind of reflection (if that is what you can call it) is bookended into the day as I walk from Grand Central to the job in the morning and then back again at night. It’s a pretty direct route so there really isn’t any solid reason to take one of the two or three regular routes back and forth.

Not much changes from day to day, over time yes, but it’s imperceptible for the most part... scaffolding goes up, a building gets repaired, another one is built, a storefront goes blank and the windows are pasted over in that white gook until a new tenant moves in but that’s really about it.

Still it’s a nice walk for the most part.

One of the things I have noticed though is how certain spots have been staked out.

If I walk along one side of Park Avenue, I can be assured of passing three people during the course of my travels. When I say I can be assured, I mean to say that it is almost guaranteed each day they will be there rain or shine.

Doing what?

Why begging of course!

It seems these two or three individuals have marked out their little corner of Manhattan to conduct a social experiment and to play upon the generosity of their fellow urbanites. Everyday there is the same woeful pitch as you pass or the same pleading handwritten sign detailing the tale of woe (one of them has the fact that he’s a traveler but interestingly enough he appears stuck to one spot).

You would think I have a very hard heart and in some ways I do, not because I don’t believe in charity but more because I believe these people have suspect motives.

See... think about it in these terms. These people, get up in the morning, go to the same place, spend hours there and all the while trying to make money. I can’t help but think to myself they have another name for that... it’s called A JOB! If you can sit in one place for hours, HEY! You can get a f$%^&ng job and work like the rest of us.

In the words of someone I used to know, “Suck it up!”