Thursday, 12 December 2002 | Three strikes

The news here is dominated by the talk of a transit strike, scheduled for Monday. I will probably be one of the least inconvenienced, if it happens, as my bike and I have a relatively short commute. It's hard for me to imagine the migration of people leaving the land masses surrounding Manhattan on foot, crossing bridges in thick coats and tennis shoes, and flocking back eight hours later. I wasn't here for last year's exodus.

***

Every year around this time I am aware that Christmas is approaching, and I dutifully make plans and make gifts and buy things and go to theme parties. And it's nice, most of it. But if I weren't reminded by the advertisements and the ornaments and flags dripping off the lampposts, it might slip past me unnoticed. Tomorrow evening I'm going the first Christmas party, the office party.

***

On Tuesday, there was a club in the west village where people who dressed like 80s rock stars congregated beneath TVs that looped 80s videos, next to a stage where some of those people stood and belted out lyrics above synthesizers and guitars. I enjoyed the videos and the DJ that seeped in between songs more than I did the live music. It was fun being there, standing in the middle of it, but it made me wonder whether I'm an introvert or an extrovert. Which is nothing new.