My Commute

My commute consists of 3 short blocks (that's how E and I describe the north-south blocks as opposed to the east-west blocks).  Let's just say that 20 blocks equal a mile.  You can do the math, but it's an extremely short commute by any measure.  In the mornings, the commute goes by really fast.  It's sunny.  It's not too hot yet.  The street smells haven't become more pungent by the summer day.  I haven't been beaten down by a day of work.  Etc.

The commute home, however, has it's downsides.  I can never get home fast enough.  I live in a very touristy neighborhood, and I identify with the feelings behind this article sooooo much.  (No, really, you should click the link.  It's really good.)  Anyway, living in this neighborhood does have upsides.  For one, I can walk home safely at night until after 2:30am (that's my personal safety threshold).  Any later than that then you have to deal with the roving teenage gangs.  No joke.  I left work at 4:45am one morning (I know, please kill me) and asked the security guard to walk me home please because it was snowing and there were no cabs and I felt unsafe.  Good thing he did!  There was a real life gang of about 5 teenage boys on my side of the street.  Had I been alone and not with a retired police officer, it would be have been very scary.  That was back in January or February.

For the last 6 months, my journeys home have been rather uneventful.  Until Thursday of last week.  I'm walking home at 2:30am from work (right at the threshold) minding my own business when this tall English guy (who reeks of alcohol btw) says something to me.  At first I think that I must be hearing things because no one talks to each other on the street (see #5 on the list from the article).  But no, he was talking to me.  This is our conversation—we'll call him Liam:

Liam: Do you feel safe walking by yourself at this time of night?
Me: (in my head: Yeah, until now you creepo! Please don't attack me, steal my purse or rape me.  I'll attempt to be nice to you so you don't get offended then aggressive then do the things just listed.) Yeah, I walk home in this neighborhood at this hour often.  It's a pretty safe area.
Liam: Really?  I don't know if I even feel safe walking alone.  You sure?
Me: Umm... why? Should I not feel safe for some reason?
Liam (ignoring my why-the-fuck-are-you-talking-to-me attitude): Where are you coming from?
Me: Work.  I work in that building right there.  It's not a far walk.  And there are always lots of cops around this neighbor (so don't attack me!) so it's definitely safe if that's what you are worried about.
Liam: What do you do?
Me: I'm an attorney.
Liam: Oh, wow, you must be really smart...
Me: I don't know about that.  I'm at a job where I'm just now leaving work.  Where are you coming from?
Liam: [unintelligible because he's obviously VERY drunk]
Me: Fortunately, I'm home! Bye!

All I can say is thank GOD I live so close to work and live in a doorman building.  This is exactly why I picked my apartment.  Just this past Monday I walked home at 4am!  No, it probably wasn't the smartest decision but I looked around and saw city construction workers and a cop car so made the decision it was safe.  The one scary part was when I heard fast footfalls behind me.  I turn around quickly and see this man running towards me.  Took me a second to figure out that he's running for exercise.  Who is this insane person exercising at 4am in the morning?!  Why is he already awake?!  And why was I still awake?!!

Anyway, really, Mom, it's safe.  I swear!