September 17

Rudy asked that we try to make New York City as normal as possible. Today, New York City was not normal. It was better.

Today people smiled at each other. They spoke to each other. They have a shared experience, and it has united them. I went to get my hair cut today. Yes, I still need to pay to have what remains of my hair cut.

The guy in the next chair was having his eyebrows waxed. I have to say that this sight was, again, a first for me. As I sat down in my chair he told me that he is a construction worker. They are building a 48-floor building at 37th and Sixth Ave. He has to have his eyebrows waxed once every three months or they get out of control. This was clearly too much information.

Before last week he wouldn't have shared that information.

Everybody who knows me knows that I make a habit of talking to complete strangers. It drives those around me nuts. In the Big City I had cut back on this activity. Not everyone here speaks English. Today was different. Everyone wanted to talk.

New York City is smaller today.