Having been given the opportunity to work in the SoHo office yesterday, I gladly accepted. Not because I wanted to be in an office with three other people, but because a 30 minutes subway ride from the Avenue of the Americas is much quicker than an hour's journey from CT to Grand Central on the Metro North and two subways to Central Park West.

Every December 8th for the past few years, I've gone to 72nd Street and Central Park West to join in the celebration of the life of John Lennon. Though he was killed four years before I was born, his influence on my own life has been staggering, so I make it a point to get there.

The past few years have seen relatively large crowds, walking freely around the memorial in the park, talking and singing, or just taking it all in. This year, being the 25th anniversary, even more joined the gathering. The police responded with metal barricades and forming lines, yelling at the patiently waiting people, “have your cameras ready and move along” as we passed the memorial spot.

It was possible to pass the barricades and get to the celebration, near the musicians, but it was standing room only. No chance to even set a bag down as people gently pushed their way through. Though the weather was somewhere below freezing, there's something to be said about the utility body heat.

I'd do it all over again, of course. With any luck the 26th anniversary will have fewer obstructions.

[0] comments