Wackos everywhere, plague and madness

I wasn't a New Yorker in the pre-Giuliani years (or even during the Giuliani years), but have consistently heard "true" New Yorkers either a) laud him for cleaning up the city or b) bitch about how NYC has no character thanks to his "aggressive enforcement-deterrent strategy."

Perhaps "no character" means "you can no longer get a dime bag in Union Square" (which, for anyone out there who might employ me some day -- I am a fan! Say no to drugs!), but it certainly doesn't mean "there are no longer freaks in Union Square." This is something I actually missed and have been able to enjoy in excess since moving back. I like free entertainment, especially when it is more creative than two guys banging on buckets or three amigos jamming on the 4/5 (which, for anyone out there who might employ me some day -- I am not a racist! Me gusta musica de Mexico!)

A few days ago, some man who looked like a groupie for Spinal Tap was playing what looked like an imaginary instrument. It was an electric version of those three-string mini-cellos you hear whining in Chinatown (see above statement re racism), except it had flashing lights AND it was a violin (sorta). This guy was dancing, Riverdance-style, with his greasy black hair flashing in the fluorescent lights. I wonder how people decide what they are going to do as their schtick for money. I can just imagine this dude sitting at home, plotting three days of no hair washing and the bastardization as of many instruments as he can think of and then Eureka! "I will add flashing red lights!" I mean, you can't make this crap up.

You also cannot make up ugly white girls with glasses and no hips, belly dancing -- badly. I was like "I'll pay you to stop."

Side Note: In addition to enjoying the daily freak show, when the subway is not packed (e.g. the 8:30am commute from anywhere on the UWS) I actually really really really like the subway. There is something simple and romantic about waiting for the train, reading on the train, people watching on the train -- even if while waiting for the F you see six rats bigger than your cat. I chalk it up to being raised in suburbia when the only time we rode the train was to go downtown for protests or Bullets games (yes, Bullets games -- I know they are the Wizards now and even though that's politically correct in a city that used to be the murder capital in addition to the nation's capital, I think that the name 'Wizards' sucks; and I'm a Knicks fan anyway so it's basically a non issue). Please note that I do not have these overly touchy-feeley emotions toward all forms of public transport -- some day I will talk about buses. Buses skeez me out.