My Dumb Observations

Never Forget. Ten years later and I’m swirling with mixed emotions. To many, the phrase has become a cliché; a weary disclaimer that we all support because it’s polite. Kind of like sending that “Happy Holiday” mass- text and feeling satisfied because it’s the “thought that counts.” I guess the gesture is nice, but there’s a resounding sense of detachment to it all. Looking around and reflecting on my last ten years I’m even more emotional. I started September 11 th 2001 unlike most in that I was watching the towers before sunrise. An amazing beacon across the harbor, I recall staring at Lady Liberty and the nearby Twins. It was about 4 am and I was headed home from Red Hook, Brooklyn after enjoying a Monday night out. Working for the NYPD, that Monday and Tuesday was my “weekend” – they were part of my squad 1 rotating days off. Glancing passively at the skyline, I enjoyed feeling as one with my great hometown. It chills me to think today how that clouded thought was my firs...

So I'm investigating a suspicious briefcase left on a subway station platform. What makes it suspicious? I have no idea, except someone forgot it while commuting; but as long as you "See something, say something" I guess the world's a better place... Anyway, while two uniformed officers search up and down the outdoor platform  for said suspicious package, I notice an overly nosy mother/daughter team following our every move. The daughter is also wearing a cut off NYPD t shirt. So I squeeze between them, with my back to mom... "Excuse me," I say, "Did you happen to notice a tall Russian woman wearing a black blazer, black pants, and abnormally large sunglasses? She's also carrying a subway sandwich bag with a poorly made sandwich in it?" Holding back laughter while perfectly describing the mother standing only inches behind me, the daughter replies,  "No, But I will definitely keep a look out for it." "Thank you very much, an...