By Ivoire Lloyd
Columnist

The New York City Subway as become the most interesting part of my day. Once I swipe my metro card, I can always look forward to various forms of entertainment, before and after work. One thing I really don't understand is the misuse of windows and personal space.

First, there are the annoying men who try to use the same pick-up line twice. Hey, only in New York. I find it odd that strangers find it necessary to hit on you after a hard day at work. Can you imagine being forced into a conversation while trying to finish a novel that is long overdue? Some people just don't take the book as the hint. It's as if I welcomed this individual's imaginary life, conjured up in his thoughts, about us having a future together. All I wanted to do was read my book on the way home.

And then you have people who give literal meaning to the cliché, "Hey, I'm not made of glass." Then again, maybe I'm just the reflective type.

On a recent train ride, I thought to myself, "Why is this woman staring at me?" Then it dawned on me: she was putting on make-up. After a few seconds of selfexamination, she reached deep down into her purse and basked in her newfound glory with the help of a compact mirror. With the trains being unavoidably crowded during the morning rush, I watched in awe as this woman paid no attention to the coffee- drinking man on one side of her, the rowdy teenagers on the other side, and the paper-folding man in front of her. She flawlessly applied her mascara, blush, and lip liner. I thought I've seen it all, but clearly, I was mistaken. Although I am confident in my own ability to apply make-up, it wouldn't hurt me to compliment someone who is able to master strokes of eyeliner on a swift moving D train.

From the beating drum quartets, to the homeless keyboard playing couple, and my favorite, the kids selling candy bars for a decent price, there is nonstop entertainment to cheer you up on a dreary day.

Did I mention that some people don't seem to think that it's crass to openly clip their nails or tweeze their eyebrows? I would be scared of any foreign object near my pupils, and yet, these people find every grooming tactic simple. And all this was in one day. Wow, what a Monday! I have been in a concert, serenaded, hit on against my will, and had a snack. And oh yes, a trip to the nail salon.