I See Weirdly Dressed People Everyday

I fell in love with NYC a long time ago and still enjoy coming here every day*.

The desire to work in NYC is something that was probably set into motion during my childhood.

My dad used to take me to work with him on a few occasions when I was younger and I just loved it. Initially, it was likely because the secretary pool thought I was cute and allowed me to pretend I was working and use one of their fancy electric typewriters.

As I got older, the trips turned into short forays into the exciting world of "The City". I was joined by the twin daughters of one of my dad's colleagues from Long Island.  Armed with nothing more than a subway map and a bunch of tokens, we'd head out for some shopping and adventure. Bloomingdales almost always was on the list of places to go and lots of other stops in between the 2 Broadway office and mid-town. We had no cell phones and probably didn't even have the number of our dads' office. All that was expected of us was to not to go above 59th Street and be back by a certain time to start the commute home.

Those trips were tons of fun and the thrill of exploring and people watching was forever seared into my brain. Although I consider myself a veteran city worker, part of me just loves the energy and vibrancy in NYC.  I believe it is like no other place on earth.

And sometimes I can't help and stop and stare at the often bizarre things that seem to be a "natural" part of NYC. Especially people dressed weirdly. Very weirdly. As in stuff you probably would only see at Halloween anywhere else.

Now, more often than not there is a logical reason for these costumes (promotions for a show or event), but it still makes me laugh inside.

Of course some of the get-ups are just people being weird too. Or somehow thinking that what they have on their backs is in some twisted way a unique fashion statement.

Since starting this blog, I decided to try and snap pictures of some of these sightings. Here's a few taken in the span of two days on my short walk to Penn Station.  I wasn't fast enough to catch a few others - there was a woman walking with what appeared to be a grey shag rug with a whole cut out for her neck. Hopefully she'll be around tomorrow....

I <3 NYC.

*Disclaimer: Days that the transit systems are mucked up are rightfully excluded.

What makes life worth living?

Today I learned that someone I know tried to kill themselves. Commit suicide. Die.

They did not succeed.

I'm left with an difficult range of emotions and reality to comprehend.  Disbelieve. Denial. Wanting to pretend it didn't happen.

Then the grief sets in. What if they had succeeded. Will they try again? Why did I not see this coming? What could I have done to prevent this?

What does it take in us as humans to drive us to the ultimate deed - purposefully cutting the life God granted (and can take away) short? Diverging from His master plan. Trying to control destiny.

Life is lots of things seemingly all at once. Blessed. Unfair. Joyous. Grief-stricken. Happy. Rebellious. Pleasurable. Confusing. Fulfilling. Regretful. And a thousand emotions in-between.

But if I could offer one thing to anyone who is unsure that they should be living... is that in life we are connected. Even if we feel we are completely cut-off and all alone - there is someone out there who would be devastated if you altered the natural order of your life. Devastated, as in unable to ever reconcile the belief they could have somehow changed the outcome. Responsible. Guilty. Defeated.

Find help. Take one more breath. Pick up the phone. Look in the mirror and remember one time in your life that you made someone else smile. Laugh. Hug you. Because whether they are in heaven or still walking this earth, they would be forever devastated if you purposefully ended your life.

Please. Just. Don't.

And I love you.

Thanking Bob Sherman

I kinda can't recall how at this point, but tonight I discovered Bob Sherman's Linked In profile and his blog which I never knew existed. I'm tremendously sad that I'm too late to reconnect with him, as Bob passed in 2011.

Bob was my first "real" boss.  He and Jon Olken took a chance on hiring me for their admin back in the 1980's - I was a fresh college grad desperate to break into the advertising business.

I have so many vivid memories of working at Della Femina Sherman & Olken, which I remember fondly and with tremendous gratitude. And, truth be told, with lots of smirking and laughing at the shenanigans that were a daily part of life working for an ad agency at that special time.

Now, looking back not only am I in awe of his overall career, but so grateful to have had the opportunity to have rubbed elbows with him. I was able to get a glimpse into his amazing talent, salesmanship and advertising genius - all right alongside of his tremendous love for his family.

Sometimes, you don't realize who the most important influencers in your life are until they are no longer here to thank.  If I could see you tomorrow, I would thank you, Bob Sherman. For taking a chance on me and teaching me how to succeed. I will never forget you.

Government Shuts Down

Typically I love waking up on October 1st. It's the start of my very favorite month of the year.

But as I woke this morning, I heard the news of the Government shut-down starting today from our bedside Sony Dream Machine clock radio. (Yes, it's ancient, I'll post a pic soon).

This means a half day's work for my spouse, which when unexpected, is greeted with the same joy as a snow day when you were a kid.

But hopefully this won't turn into an protracted vacation. With two kids in college, having even one paycheck compromised is a scary thing. (And my paycheck will be going through some changes too. We'll get to that in a later post.)

For all the Federal employees who really work for a living, I sincerely hope our elected officials can get this straightened out quickly.