As it seems to be picture week here on the Gondola Project, I feel that it is only appropriate to carry on this unofficial theme.
Monday we saw new images of Livigno, Tuesday was Jackie Chan sporting a cable car sweater day, and Wednesday we got a glimpse of the progress of the Emirates AirLine (London cable car) gondola.
Today is less about the transit infrastructure (or sweaters) and more about the act of catching, or trying to catch, the train. On April 6 the New York Times blog featured an article called “Stand Clear of the Closing Doors, Please“. It is a lovely piece about the “glorious triumphs and heartbreaking defeats” we experience riding transit. When one or two seconds make all the difference, who will run and who will be stuck waiting for the next train to arrive?
Richard Perry / The New York Times
As promised, the article showcases just over a dozen images by Richard Perry of people and transit in New York City. Some images feature the chase, others the frustration of being just a moment too late, and still others the rather monotonous, daily commuter look.
Also mentioned in the article is the poem “A Commuter’s Lament, or a Close Shave”, by Norman B. Colp, which is printed on the ceiling of the Time Square Subway Station. The poem reads:
“Overslept / So tired / If late / Get fired / Why bother? / Why the pain? / Just go home / Do it again.”
Speaking of repetition, the poem has been up since 1991.
Pretty catchy. I don’t know about you but I would read it every day.
Check out the full article, and of course the rest of the photos here, on the NYT blog.