Field Notebook

I decided to sit down in front of where I live. I grew up in the Bronx on 149st. I've been here for over 14 years now so I seen it transform, grow, and prosper over the years. From the corner with 149st and the 6 train station on Southern Blvd, at 12 pm, I can see that neighborhood is like the rest of the city. People are out and about. People coming into the stations and exiting. One lady seems to be late, she's waking fast, dodging people in her way towards the station entrance. Dressed in slacks, a blazer, and dress shoes I can only imagine she's late to her job or a meeting. A student passes by beats headphones on rapping out loud bookbag on shoulders. In another block people are entering and exiting C town. People come out with groceries. In this particular supermarket, bag boys help you bring the groceries home for tips which I see 2 ofbthen doing. Pushing the shopping cart following the person home. Outside the supermarket are taxis dropping and trying to pick up people. Its a mixture of green and black town car taxis. Both sounding their horn to people standing by bus stations or people standing by street corner. On a different street is a visible dunkin donoughts who is active. People come out with hot coffee and got other items in the brown paper bags with the dunkin donoughts logo. Theres a subways next to thebdunkin donoughts but it seems lacking in people. Perhaps the store didn't stick with the neighborhood. The day is great. A bit chilly but with some in sweaters with hoodies Others in long sleeve, and some oblivious still walking around in shirts, shorts, and shades on. Other than being chilly it's a calm day. A few clouds here and there but Fall in the air. Dukin donoughts is advertising punkin lattes and pastries. On an entrance to an apartment, a group of men are playing dominoes in a small table with others looking on. It's almost a ritual, all summer long, the same group plays dominoes into the night but as soon as fall arrives, they stop. Guess it's one of the last games. The latest progress in the neighborhood is the building of a giant apartment build. It's being built by New York City. I assume it's one if the rent controlled apartment buildings being built around the city. Construction workers have been working since last year. The building looks just about ready. Since the buildings are more south than the rest of the stores and buildings in the neighborhood (the area south of the neighborhood is an industrial park so you can clearly see where the general neighborhood end) you can see the Manhattan skyline. The Empire State building, Chrysler building and One World Trade Center are visible behind the new apartment building. The corner where I live on 149th street and Southern Blvd. Looks vibrant, busy, active, and homely. A mixture of people heading to jobs, schools, or just relaxing around.