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Three Long Blocks

The distance between school and the subway stop is three long blocks. Three blocks is not very far to walk, but three long blocks stretch into an eternity. Three short blocks would be one thing, but, as far as i'm concerned, the difference between a long block and a short block is approximately half an hour.

Over the course of three short blocks, one can only think something like "should i get cigarettes? yes. no. yes. no. well now i've passed the tobacco shop and now i'm at school." Over the course of three long blocks, by contrast, one has time to contemplate the very meaning of a cigarette. What does it mean if i smoke a cigarette now? Is it different if i buy a pack or bum one? Is it different if i bum one from a friend or a stranger? If i offer some money in exchange? Do i even want this cigarette in the first place? Why? Does it have something to do with a general fear of success or a fear of failure? Is it self-sabotage or escape that embodies itself in this hypothetical cigarette?

What's worse is that short blocks are down avenues whereas long blocks are down residential streets. Avenues are busy. There is constantly someone or something to dodge, a conversation to overhear, a shop to investigate. Down a residential street, you may pass a number of dog walkers and undergraduates, but, in general, there is much less happening on long blocks than on their perpendicular counterparts. Less to distract or engage. Less to warrant a response or reaction.

Walking down three long blocks, there is enough idle time to become uncomfortable without something to do. It begs for someone to talk to, music to listen to, or occasionally a cigarette to smoke. Without anything to do, three long blocks threaten to allow your thoughts to surface. In a place as crowded and noisy as New York, unexpectedly, you are confronted with space.
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Comments

  1. UnknownDecember 18, 2011 at 6:42 PM

    I don't think you want the cigarette at all. My vote is for more music. Here's some if you like dancy electronica stuff http://ocremix.org/remix/OCR02302/ I've been trying to get someone to tell me they like that since it's pretty much the best song ever. Unless you like lyrics, in which case I am of no help. But on the other hand, music further isolates you in your own space, so I suppose I'm of no help regardless. Unless, of course, you embrace the ability to have such a space.

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  2. UnknownDecember 18, 2011 at 7:06 PM

    Also, I apologize if the previous comment is somehow unwanted or inappropriate. I'm pretty drunk as that seems to be the only state in which I'm capable of having meaningful thoughts. I don't think I mentioned boobies and I can't focus my eyes enough to check; but if I did, sorry.

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