Shayna’s not feeling well; go and give her a virtual Valentines Day present. It’s fun. Didn’t do a Boston Legal recap because all three stories were so timely and all had to do with a Constitutional issue or potential one.
Left my boots in the hall outside my apartment yesterday, and, without thinking, put shoes on. My dentist’s office is normally a 35-40 minute walk depending if walk down Central Park South or through the park itself. Took two hours today as the rare buses were packed, I couldn’t risk walking to the subway, going downtown to Times Square and transferring to the R or N back up to the East Side. It was icy; I forgot I wasn’t wearing snow boots. I quickly remembered. Fortunately i learned to fall and not hurt myself many years ago when I took ice skating lessons.
On-duty cabs, the few that were empty, wouldn’t stop. I was livid. To sound totally politically incorrect I’m the perfect fare. Cab drivers always stop for me; but not today. They weren’t stopping for anybody so I didn’t personalize it, but they shouldn’t have had their yellow lights on.
Finally one stopped. The ride took an hour fifteen minutes. The dental assistant was understanding when I called. The cab driver was interesting.
The appointment was painful. I heal quickly which is good, but I also have scar tissue from too much dental work. My dentist is an artist, scholar and scientist who made me very happy when he told me that I can fly so I shall soon, somewhere without Internet connections, maybe.
Didn’t have my digital camera because of the disc stuck in the printer problem. The dentist’s office overlooks Central Park. It’s two blocks from my old apartment and I always feel a pang of homesickness for the neighborhood I was too young to appreciate. Went straight from student neighborhoods to the most luxe zip code in the country, though not a luxe apartment. Luxe bones, but ancient fixtures.
The cab driver was Russian. He had a weird picture that looked similar to the Madonna and Child but was grotesque. I began talking about the amazing job Bloomberg did. He looked angry and told me that it was a job any mayor should do. Then he took a book from the empty seat next to him, and told me the book was his bible. It was Mein Kampf.
What does one say to that? This was a new cab; he had control of the locks. I smiled and said something totally stupid.
“That’s nice.”
When I was getting out of the cab I told him what part of Belarus my family came from over a hundred years ago. Only Jews came then from there. He looked pained. This time I really smiled.
Took me hours to warm up. Searched my house for Advil because there was no way I was going out again today. Found five, took three.
It wasn’t really a normal day. Will be featured on BIO on Thursday and will work on the post tomorrow because I’m useless today.
Hey Pia, sorry I haven’t stopped by in a while (nothing like work cutting into blog reading 😉
Cab drivers…reminds me, strangely enough, of San Francisco.
Nice post! Hope you’re healing from the dentist’s visit!
Sorry about the weather and dental woes (especially dental! Ouch!!)
Damn taxi drivers… damn Russian taxi drivers… 🙂 Hope everything went well at the dentist…
“Found 5 took 3” – classic, Pia! You have such a unique way of writing. If I were there, I’d go to a play with you. I’ve seen my share, but Les Miserables always tugs at me. It’s beautiful. I’m not familiar with what’s out now as I’m removed from the area.
Btw, Boston Legal totally rocked tonight!
I am in shock about that cab driver! Loved how you handled it, I must say!
Funny, I’m from SF and cabs always make me think of New York! My last night back home I took a cab, in the middle of the night, for hours looking for a suitcase I needed. The cabbie was a Jewish intellectual from New York who just wanted to drive a cab! He said I was one of the weirdest fares he’d had… hmmm… made me feel like a true San Franciscan to hear that!
Sounds like the city has come to a near complete stop. As for the cabbie, interesting bible he’s got. You handled it well!
Mein Kampf? Wow. Maybe I wouldn’t make it in New York 🙂
Pia, this post… it sounds cliched. But they keep getting better and better.
Can’t explain it, but the way you weave everything together. It’s unique. Brilliant. I have a great appreciation of your writing.
Like everyone else, I can’t believe the cab driver claiming Mein Kampf to be his Bible. You handled it well. And your dental work, so sorry for you (and for me for reading it reminds me I’m having a bridge done next week)
Awesome cabbie story pia…
You forgot boots???????
Well ….I think you are more like me than I know.
Oh how I would have loved a photo of the cab driver’s face right after you (implicated) your Jewish-ness! Exactly what I would have done, with relish! Feel better soon sweetie. *Hugs*
Hope the Advil’s working, my dear – my teeth hurt just thinking about it. I hate going to the dentist – just hate it. There’s two teeth that I probably have to get a root canal on, but because its sensitivity and not infection – I’m putting it off. You are a courageous woman – man, even the thought of it -brrrrrrrr!!! And afterward to run into someone who actually reads Mien Kampf! Good Lord – I can’t imagine! Some people! Pity you couldn’t clunk the idiot over the head with the damn thing.
Also – I wanted to congratulate you on your Koufax nomination. Best Writing indeed! You are a treasure – truly deserving of the recognition. I was so happy to see your name there. Bravo!!!
It always amazes me how often someone still brings up that book.
I mean, really. Have you ever tried to read it? God. It’s no wonder Hitler wanted to draw because he never learned how to write.
Pia 1
Cabbie 0
I love that sort of thing. My great gran was German and Jewish–she was given in marriage to a 30-ish Catholic Man at 16. There’s a post waiting to happen.
My mom’s dad was black/white mixed. But not up.
I love throwing that out when someone starts in with something profoundly racist.
They always think I’m joking as they look at me and my blonde, blue eyed self.
And then the way the blood drains from their face when they realise I am more than serious.
Priceless!