Determined to finally do another SF0 task, but also determined to conquer my laundry, I decided to visit the laundromat, and hang out on the corner outside until something interesting happened.

After wrestling my laundry together,


downstairs, to the mat, and into the machine,

I ambled to the corner.


Why the barricade? (My interesting-detector began to beep.)

"Excuse me, officer, why is the street blocked off?"

Apparently, I was the only person in the city not to realize that the New York City Marathon was taking place, a block away.



Runners flowed by, and I was impressed by their endurance (nearing mile 20) or their costumes (one guy dressed as a banana, meeting with my high approval). However, the fan turnout was great to see, too; hundreds of people stood on each block to cheer the runners on. Across the street, a rock band played "Johnny B. Goode" on the steps of a bar, among many other songs.


It was fantastic to be reminded of the hard work all these runners put in (many goading themselves into running 26 miles by raising money for a charity), and I loved the goodwill emanating from all of my (unknown) neighbors. Additionally, I've always been fascinated by the open expanses of streets and highways, when they're not taken over by cars; it was great to see hordes of people reappropriating First Avenue!