Free Entertainment

“Obama condoms,” the street salesman shouted at passersby, “get your Obama condoms—for those hard, hard times.”
This played out on Saturday afternoon in Times Square. I found it a refreshing reminder that Times Square is still unmistakably part of New York City. I mean, the Disneyfication only goes so far. They can put “Little Mermaid” on Broadway and remove the cars and have thousands of regular Americans pour into the neighborhood and then place lawn chairs next to the TKTS booth, but this town still has an edge. And thank God for that.
The next day, yesterday, I learned the same lesson all over again. I was walking downtown through Christopher Park, just past the lovely Gay Liberation Monument. I love this little history-making block. The sun was shining. Two guys were walking in front me. One white, one black, both fellows were heavyset (I always like it when I find someone more heavyset than myself) and very, well, regular-looking. Normal New York dudes, but with a nice gay twist. I saw one put his arm around the shoulder of the other. Nice gesture, so I tuned in. Then I heard one was reporting on what he characterized as the “huge” size of his penis to his friend. “I have a nice, f—ing big dick,” the guy says.
This is what we call free entertainment. And without a full-time job for the first time since the Clinton Administration, I find myself appreciating more than ever what is out there on the streets of the city. The last time I was looking this desperately for a job I was living in New Jersey. I think these days a good deal about that time, now that I am back in the same boat. And I wonder if it is better to be unemployed in New Jersey or in New York City.
For now, if only for the sake of the unending show available out there in the streets, I pick the city. Yes, when I feel lonely in New York, that horrible feeling can be extra-horrible because it comes amid all the hustle and bustle and the millions of people who do not give a damn about what happens to me. I get that, but most of the time I do not feel that way. Instead, I appreciate the activity that is out there beyond my apartment door. I feel lucky to be here (until the money runs out) and to be overhearing things and seeing people moving about. Even without a job, I get in my gut an appreciation for the energy of our big and messy town. It still works for me—even if I’m not actually working.