La versión en español está después de la versión en inglés.
I’m still coasting along on my surprisingly good health news. It’s been 20 months since my diagnosis, much longer since my symptoms began. I had given up hope of being in possible recovery mode. Thanks for all the moral support. I realized the number of pills I now take each day is 11 (not 10) because I take two capsules of my major medication first thing in the morning, but the number of medications is down to 9. Simple pleasures.
When The Kid Brother and I visited the NYC Transit Museum in November, we had a great time reading the old subway signs and advertisements. Well, I read them aloud while he laughed. I told him I’d like one of the large subway signs for over our bed. He surprised me and said he liked that idea. Although I had been considering one large one, like the first one below, he immediately selected four on one wall (the second below) which began with “Off Hour Waiting Area.”
I asked, “What do you think about ‘SPITTING On the Platforms’”? and he said, “That’s disgusting. They shouldn’t do that.” “I know, but what about the sign?” “Oh, that’s a good one!” he laughed.
His favorites, however, were in one old subway car because he understood the messages thanks to the illustrations. He contemplated a sleeping man with his feet up on the seat. “Say! What’s the idea?” he snapped. “He can’t do that!” He thought the next one would be especially good above the bed.
We video-chatted Tuesday night and he was in a great mood. That’s more often the case these days. I showed him the picture of the reservoir distribution center from my blog post about the library. When I explained it to him, he said “I knew that!” That’s his common response when I tell him about something new. Rarely does he actually know that! I let it slide this time. Sometimes, I say, “No, you did not, wise guy!” And he laughs. I usually know what I can get away with.
I told Chuck my good health news and that my kidney problem was under control. His response? You mean like Maxwell Smart? Some of you may remember the American tv series from the 1960s, “Get Smart.” It was a parody of the secret agent genre. Maxwell Smart was bumbling Agent 86 for a US organization called CONTROL. You follow?
Sigo adelante con la sorprendente buena noticia de mi salud. Han pasado 20 meses desde mi diagnóstico, mucho más desde que comenzaron mis síntomas. Había perdido la esperanza de estar en modo de recuperación. Gracias por todo el apoyo moral. Me di cuenta de que ahora tomo 11 pastillas al día porque tomo dos de mis medicamentos principales a primera hora de la mañana, pero ahora solo tomo 9. Placeres sencillos.
Cuando El Hermanito y yo visitamos el Museo del Tránsito de Nueva York en noviembre, nos lo pasamos genial leyendo los viejos letreros y anuncios del metro. Bueno, los leí en voz alta mientras él se reía. Le dije que me gustaría uno de los letreros grandes del metro para encima de la cama. Me sorprendió y dijo que le gustaba la idea. Aunque había estado considerando uno grande, como el primero de abajo, enseguida seleccionó cuatro en una pared (el segundo de abajo) que empezaban con “Zona de espera fuera de horario”.
Le pregunté: “¿Qué opinas de ‘ESCUPIR en los andenes’?”, y me dijo: “Qué asco. No deberían hacerlo”. “Ya lo sé, pero ¿y el cartel?”. “¡Ah, qué buena idea!”, se rió.
Sin embargo, sus favoritos estaban en un viejo vagón de metro porque entendía el mensaje gracias a las ilustraciones. Contempló a un hombre dormido con los pies sobre el asiento. “¡Oye! ¿Qué es la idea?”, espetó. “¡No puede hacer eso!”, pensó, o el siguiente quedaría especialmente bien encima de la cama.
Hablamos por video el martes por la noche y estaba de muy buen humor. Últimamente es más común. Le enseñé la foto del centro de distribución de la reserva de mi blog sobre la biblioteca. Cuando se lo expliqué, dijo: “¡Ya lo sabía!”. Es su respuesta habitual cuando le cuento algo nuevo. ¡Rara vez “ya lo sabía”! Esta vez lo dejé pasar. A veces le digo: “¡No, no lo sabías, listillo!”. Y se ríe. Normalmente sé con qué me puedo salir con la mía.
Le conté a Chuck que estaba bien de salud y que mi problema renal estaba bajo control. ¿Su respuesta? ¿Te refieres a Maxwell Smart? Algunos recordarán la serie estadounidense de los 60, “Superagente 86”. Era una parodia del género de los agentes secretos. Maxwell Smart era el torpe Agente 86 de una organización estadounidense llamada CONTROL. ¿Me entienden?
• Esto era más o menos del ancho de nuestra cama y lo que tenía en mente.
• Aunque me gusta “Zona de espera fuera de horario”.
• No se siente en / mano de la escalera mecánica / barandilla ni en los escalones. Intenté averiguar qué era una “mano de escalera mecánica”.
• Al acercarnos a este vagón, KB dijo: “¡Ese es el viejo tren ‘F’!” No había ninguna señal. Una vez dentro, confirmó lo que dijo. ¿Cómo sabe estas cosas?
• Mientras subía, dijo: “Norton, ¡hazme una foto!”
• Ralph Kramden (Chuck) al volante. Ed Norton (yo) entre Alice y Trixie.
I love all of those subway signs. I didn’t know such a museum existed. And in your last paragraph, I wouldn’t have gotten the reference to “Get Smart” had you not explained it. I had forgotten all about that show, one I watched as a kid.
Michael:
I didn’t know about the museum until 2017. My brother and I now visit it every year. So many classic lines came from Get Smart. Very Mel Brooks.
That NYC Transit Museum looks like a lot of fun — I can see why you and KB go every year! Now that Chuck is retired, he’d make a great Volunteer Guide at this museum. There might even be restoration projects or displays where his wealth of knowledge about the NYC Subway might really be appreciated?
Tundra Bunny:
The museum is definitely a pleasant place to return to. Chuck loves it. Unfortunately, he’s not at the level to be a guide, meet a lot of strangers, or even answer direct questions. However, if you need to get anywhere on public transportation, he’s your man.
Oh, I understood Chuck’s reference to Maxwell Smart and CONTROL right away! I was a big fan of “Get Smart” when I was a kid. And I agree with him about how disgusting public spitting is too.
Debra:
You’d do well with Chuck. San Geraldo usually has no clue what he’s referring to.
I’d like any number of those signs!
Leave it to the KB to hear “under control” and jump right to Get Smart! I love that!
Bob:
Yes, leave it to him. That’s how his brain works. He hears the number three and immediately says, “Ya mean a three-hour-tour? (But drop the “T” in “three” and drop the “silent R” at the end of “tour.”
My……how the subway has changed. Now it’s almost all plastic seats and brushed silver interiors… with all the men going to work or gym in tight pants… sitting man spread. Maybe SOME change is good for the eyes!!!!
And I ADORE the Honeymooners. I watch it every Sunday night here MeTV. Course I’m a huge fan of Jackie Gleason. I also so glad to read your upbeatness! Hell, and I was complaining about the six pills I’m taking for my after surgery. I hate taking pills. And have never been on any meds in ages. I can swallow other things, but choke on pills…go figure. As of yesterday, though I’m done with two of them.
Mistress Maddie:
Ah, yes, the Lycra. However, I still remember a guy who got on the train at West 4th in 1973 in dressy clothes with the tightest pants and the biggest basket I have ever seen publicly displayed. If he still looks the same, I’d recognize him instantly. Poor little closet case that I was. So glad you’re recovery is going well and you’re dropping the meds. Hard to believe I’m celebrating taking ONLY 9 pills a day. I’ve never choked on anything… except for last week when I took my lunch pills without water and one fast-dissolving (and awful tasting) one got stuck in my throat Now, I hesitate every time I take it.
Chuck is really a mixture of terrific knowledge and gaps. You know him so well! His transportation knowledge is stunning. And I hear what a boost your good health update has given you. Boud.
Boud:
Yes, Chuck is so inconsistent in his abilities. Mostly, I know them now, but he still manages to surprise me.
Ha! Get Smart! I remember my dad calling me over to introduce me to that show…”Hey, Jude, come watch this.”, and then he told me about the show 🙂 He liked introducing us to old ’40s movies when they’d come on, too.
Great visit to the museum!
Judy C:
I don’t think my father ever saw Get Smart. I watched it with Chuck which is why I can do all the routines with him (mostly for him). “I TOLD you not to tell me that!”
To talk about this any more, you must bring in the Cone of Silence. I love the signs.
Wait.
Wan’t there a Get Smart movie with Anne Hathaway and Steve Carrell?
And I love those signs!
XOXO
Sixpence:
Yes there was. I haven’t seen it. Might have to check it out. Although the series was classic Mel Brooks with a wonderful cast.
David Godfrey:
That show was so clever. Chuck I don’t think caught the silliness of the design of the cone of silence. I loved that.
“Would you believe…?”
That show gave us so many catch phrases. It was absurdity at its best. Mel Brooks! I just this second realized that Maxwell’s Agent number, 86, is code for getting rid of something. I am sure that was purposeful. And oh, the shoe phone.
The Honeymooners would not make it ten minutes on TV today with Ralph threatening bodily harm to Alice every other minute. She didn’t seem too worried about those threats though, did she? That show too was great TV.
Mitchell, we are all so thrilled about your health news.
Lovely post.
Mary To The Moon, Alice!
Mary To The Moon, Alice! (Bang! Zoom!)
I cringe when I see Ralph Cramden waving a fist at Alice. But I loved that she knew it would never happen. Yes, 86, take it off the list because it’s already gone! But “I TOLD you not to tell me that!”
My Seattle son and wife were in Brooklyn over Thanksgiving to see my granddaughters and I told them to visit the Transit Museum. They did and all thought it was great.
jacquie:
I’m so gald to know that!
What a treasure trove of signage!
Seems like Chuck is full of information, especially if it is about the transit system.
Isn’t that right, Norton!? lol
Happy you are cruising right along health wise.
I always enjoyed Get Smart!
Do you use one of those pill cases to keep track of your meds? I remember thinking “oh no” when I had to switch to one with AM and PM, but saw one online this week with Breakfast, Lunch, Supper, and Bedtime!
Those are great signs, but I gotta say, I wouldn’t want the spitting one hanging in my house! Funny how all the “bad manners” perpetrators are men. Are they trying to tell us something?
“Get Smart” — now there’s a show I haven’t thought of in ages. Barbara Feldon is still alive! She’s 92! (I just Googled it.)
I wonder where that “Honeymooners” picture was taken? I was trying to figure out what building that is behind them, but there’s not much to go on.
I can think of better things over my bed than a sign giving directions on using the subway. I remember Get Smart but I would have trouble following your brother’s leaps.
And on Get Smart the enemy organization was KAOS. CONTROL vs KAOS. Get it?
Great photos of the subway signs, Chuck knows a lot about the Subway, great memory for details.
larrymuffin:
Chuck took to the subways very quickly. He also loves maps.
I think spitting anywhere is uncouth.
Urspo:
The Kid Brother and I agree.