Urban Cowboys and Starbucks in NYC

As I sat on the 1 train, heading downtown, three urban cowboys got into the car. Red and white sharply pressed shirts, string ties, tight, shiny jeans, and cowboy boots with spurs. One guitarist, one keyboardist, one lead singer. They sang Feliz Navidad. I gave them a couple of dollars but they moved on before I could snap a picture. They were rather good for traveling musicians.

Now, I am sitting somewhere which could be anywhere in this corporate world of ours. Starbucks on 72nd street and Broadway, and I have free wifi. It's bitterly cold but the streets are full of people. I think, for these next few days, they will give generously to the beggars who sit still on the frozen ground, watching the ankles of the world go by. Is it guilt or a desire to share the season? It doesn't matter to the recipients. They are just glad I think. They have warm rooms for the homeless and the rootless at various places in the city. It's hard to be without a place to call home, especially in this frantic city.

My coffee tastes the same as it does everywhere else. It's warming...and the caffeine buzz is almost instant.

To all my readers (yes, all 10 of you :-)...on this Chritmas Eve of 2009, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year, and as our corporate overlord Starbucks commands, Hope...and Joy! You better do it!