My annual mammogram is currently 16 months overdue. I need to get my eroding eyesight checked. I haven't been to the dentist for a regular check up for two years. And my primary care physician no longer accepts my insurance plan and I've yet to find a new internist. I haven't had a physical in three years. I decided a short time ago that I need to step this up.
Today, I did. I took the day off and went this morning to my eye doctor. She prescribed me new contact lenses that allow me to see clearly both far and close. I'm test running them but so far, they could mean the end of my reading glasses. And that would be good.
One down, my next medical appointment was hours away. I had time to kill so I lumbered through Madison Square Park. The sun was finally out and it shone clearly across pristine blue skies. I lollygagged at the enclosed dog park. I people watched at The Shake Shack. I reposed in the sun. I was in no rush so I decided to pick up some lunch. Hello, Fifth Avenue Epicurean!
This was my old lunchtime stable. I haven't been in here in two years. As I walked in, I spied the regular old counterman, Mark. He saw me and without losing a beat he said, "Hey, hey, hey! Nice to see you! Where ya been? How are our Mets going to do this year?" Some things will never change.
I ordered my usual: grilled portabello mushroom, fresh mozzarella and pesto on ciabatta bread. I took my lunch and ate it slowly in the park enjoying the view of the Flatiron Building,. I watched exuberant dogs running amok and people soaking up the sun. I watched the meandering lines of people at the Shake Shack. There was also a filming of a commercial there (the extras were speaking Japanese) which was a pleasant and interesting distraction.
I then made my way Uptown. I was tempted to stop at the Museum of Sex which offered an exhibit on the history of condoms. That would have been good but time was a-wasting.
I got to Herald Square and here I decided to repose. I plopped down right in front of Macy's in a sectioned area that is reserved for pedestrians. There are flimsy folding chairs set up and I stole into one and soaked up the sun, Granted, it was 56 degrees but the sun was strong and pure and the warmth on my skin felt like an injection of life. I sat silently and eavesdropped on conversations. I watched a young man inject himself into the crowd--he was wearing an exaggerated ballet tutu and he carried a tin foil embossed star wand which he hit unwary pedestrians with. Voila--a modern day Cupid.
I watched people embrace. I listened to people kvetch. I watched people soak up this weird and wonderful world that we call New York. Really rather wonderful.
I then went for my mammogram. I hardly enjoyed the required necessary compression of the exam but I made up for it by making friends in the waiting room. On my walk down to Penn Station, I saw a young man on the street lobbying for funds--his pitch? "Please open your heart. I'm out of work. I need some money. I need to get some weed. Help a brother out." Hmm. Original, yes, But critical? Not so much.
Today restored my faith in New York. I'm ready to leave this crazy place for a quiet place I can call my own, but that absolutely doesn't negate my appreciation for it. See for yourself.
3 comments:
Oh please, he SAYS he's going to use the money for weed, but you know he's just going to buy a salad with low-fat dressing and skim milk. Jeesh, pan-handlers.
Joe, that's exactly why I don't give them money for weed. I'ld be happy to take them to their dealer and buy it for them, but you're right. Left to their own, they'ld probably blow it on low fat yogurt!
You're trying out multifocal contacts? What do you think of them? I was always completely underwhelmed... they never seemed very good at either extreme, and were terrible for medium distance work (like staring at a computer screen).
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