new ways to move

As winter settles around the city, the sidewalks, streets and paths to and from the important points in my life change. From the apartment down the stairs, for one: We live on the second floor of what must be the only apartment building in Brooklyn with a metal staircase. A metal staircase? I don’t even think I should have to explain its abject treachery this time of year. Certainly a change, especially with the added change of now carrying a Corgi down the stairs. (He can go up, just not down; a small price to pay for such great love.)

Another change in modes of transport: As it’s gotten colder and rainier, riding my bike to work has become less convenient, as I have to completely change clothes when I get there. I’m working on getting a fender to keep the water off my rear and a pair of huge rain pants to go over my work-wool pants… Until then, I’ve been back on the F, only two stops to Jay Street. But I’d forgotten how crazy being on the train can make me. Sometimes, it’s great: It pulls into the uncrowded station, I get on, no one is rude or too close, and I get off without incident. Other times, it’s not so great: I wait and wait and wait while the platform fills, and the tide of my anxiety rises. I didn’t realize how much I hated crowded trains until I didn’t have to ride one into Manhattan every day. Now, I see it’s…something: Letting people be close to me, trusting that I’ll get there, even during rush hour. This is nothing I ever had to deal with as a driver. Sure, there’s traffic, but it’s not like a bunch of people suddenly get in your car and start pushing you and yelling about Jesus or being homeless or the last time they beat somebody up. I want to learn to travel within myself. I think that would be a good thing to do, here in New York.

Then there’s the sidewalks – how much they change in the winter. My new nature, my new backyard and barometer of the weather. How wet are they? Are there nice piles of leaves on this block for the dogs? Are they icy or just a little slushy? What shoes? What hat? A hat at all? Winter multiplies the variables. That’s why being inside, warm and at home, is so nice this time of year: You just don’t have to think about so many things. And going out is that much better because you get to come home. Up the metal stairs, with a new hat on.