“Ladies and gentlemen, this is the Number Seven Train, running local and making all stops between Main Street and Times Square. Watch the closing doors.”
I’m a child of Flushing, Queens and so too a child of the 7 Train. Following its sinuous track through the neighborhoods of ethnic Queens on its way to Grand Central & Times Square, the 7 will t
each you many things– the first of which is to treat the words “running local” as they come over the PA with comic introspection. The 7 stops everywhere, seemingly at random. It will be a long and potentially interesting ride.
Those who know me know where I’m going with this– the fact is that my train of thought has a big “7” plastered on the front because, like the train that made John Rocker infamous, it makes all stops. My wife suffers through episodes like the time I was sitting suddenly awake and wondering aloud if Hector Elizondo skydives. At any moment I may spout off about strategic realities in the Middle East or Caucasus and then an hour later I’m musing about the intricacies of building a smoke house in the backyard, the Yankees playoff prospects and the genius of Monty Python simultaneously. God (and my wife) know it can be maddening, but every now and again I come up with something interesting to say.
Please watch the closing doors and enjoy the ride. Foreign affairs, politics, food & drink, restaurants & plays, sports and music, the news and the culture and all stops in between are fair game for this blog. We’re running local.
Running Local 