ALPHA or A-HOLE

     As it was in the beginning - Alpha males have been around since forever. What's an Alpha male? Depends on whom you ask really, for some, an over confident, self indulged, successful asshole comes to mind. Some think about a ladies man, I don't want to get into a debate with myself because its no fun, like trying to have sex with yourself (for guys at least). Instead of defining it with a pigeonhole thought I prefer to look at what comprises an Alpha male, hopefully we can clear up any misconceptions.

     Confidence. That's huge, you hear women talk about it like Sunday sermons, confidence is a turn on. But not just for women, also for people you're around or doing business with. It shows you're sure of yourself and your abilities whatever they may be. Speaking with regard to women, ask your girl or lady friend their thoughts on it but make sure you clear your day first.

     Leadership. A good leader has direction and determination and can make sound decisions in a timely manner. A great leader is defined by the difficult decisions HE ultimately makes and accepts responsibility right or wrong, good or bad. In a relationship with a woman, the Alpha will have that aura of leadership but the key...pay attention...the key is he knows when its time. As a leader, take President Obama for a sec, when he's meeting with heads of state he has a purpose, there's something he is intent on accomplishing BUT that doesn't mean he disregards what the other person is about. With regard to a woman, whatever your attraction to her is, an Alpha male keeps that in focus but he also knows to take time and find out about the woman of his desire so he knows how interact with her. Remember it’s cool to joke and have fun but those have to stop at some point and get to the seriousness of the situation, have some couth and substance.

     Courageous. Babies are extremely courageous, there is no adventure known to man that scares a baby. It’s the unknown that drives them, likewise with an Alpha male. He doesn’t do things with a safety net, he doesn’t press forward only if there is a guarantee of success instead he presses on at risk to be successful. Some guys won’t approach a woman because she’s sooo beautiful she couldn’t possibly be interested in them (only an excuse because you’re afraid to get the brush off). Or their actions with and towards women haven’t changed since high school then wonder why they can’t get a woman, the prospects of dating a high school girl now is daunting with some of the 300lb hairy dudes locked up already but yet they're afraid to try something different. Look, there isn’t much we can be certain of in life so why live in falsehood of it. Why not, as the Alpha male, accept it and make a move. Try something new, do something differently, but whatever it is just know that it’s okay to fail. Failure is one step closer to success and Alpha males understand this.

     Professionally and personally Alpha males get the job done. If you’re reading this and would like to become an Alpha male please send a $19.95 Travelers check or money order to PO BOX…just kidding. Be nice but not to the point where you get too deep in the other person’s emotions and leave your cahones on the nightstand. But don’t be an asshole with asinine tactics that’s tacky. Do what you know with confidence and direction but know when to take a moment to listen and learn. Fun and jokes have a time and a place, however, women don’t have time for immature thoughts and actions and neither does Alpha males.

Be great, one.

DIARY OF A STRAPHANGER

Aargh!!


That's usually the only non-violent way I can express myself when it comes to the simultaneously loved and loathed #2 train.


-I have to keep this one brief otherwise I'll miss my next birthday-


Growing up in Brooklyn along the #3 line then having to adjust to the #2 is cruel and unusual punishment. I used to wonder why so many people coming from the Bronx heading to the city always seemed so, how do you say pissed in English, oh yeah PISSED. My fellow New Yorkers from the BX, I humbly ask that you accept my apology.


I too feel my face hardening when waiting for a train at 149th St and Grand Concourse to go to 241st Street on weekend nights. I also feel like running up and down the platform screaming expletives in hopes of re-enacting a sort of rain dance for frequent service.


Ah yes, the feeling of turmoil, anxiety, frustration, futility, anguish, calamity, and invariable hunger pains sets in. Limbs get weary, eyes lose focus, everything around sounds like Snoopy is talking and to makes things interesting your iPod is running low on battery. Now you're trying gauge how much battery timeyou have left versus actual commute time (and you thought math didn't apply in the real world). All you need now is an ignorant comment, an incidental brush of the shoulder or a beat cop giving you the suspect eyes to make you go bong-kers.


New York City I can't make this stuff up, if I could I'd get paid more. The service on the #2 train is horrible (at times, I'll play fair). Is it me, or is there an announcement saying "traffic ahead" between every other stop! I know most lines have a delay of some sort but to have us sit in the tunnel without any notification for 2 mins is an eternity for a few hundred people trapped in a mobile sardine can. Did I mention these people are New Yorkers? hey! MTA on behalf of my fellow #2 Strap Hangers I implore you to IMPROVE the service. Less trains should mean less delays riiight and.more trains should mean more ridership (is that a real word?, email me) riiight.

And what's with some of the riders themselves. I'm sure if someone took a census we would see an increase in the number of derelicts, cons-both "victs" and "artists"- and the obliviously insane. Did the 2 train suddenly become a certified vocational rehab center/mess hall? yes mess hall. Can't menion a NYC train and not mention the buffet style assortment of leftovers. If I wasn't so concerned about salmonella, hepatitis a-z, or spending a weekend at the CDC I just might help myself to some chicken wings and fried rice  or what's left from a snack box. Alas, my insurance doesn't cover blatant stupidity.

All I know is something gotta give. they funded repairs and upgraded the southbound 1 line, all I'm asking for is some clean rrains that run a little more frequently at night. And maybe some metal detectors, undercovers that don't look like undercovers, and an onboard shrink couldn't hurt. May be a stretch but can you guys update the automated PA system, I seriously doubt every delay is "due to train traffic ahead"


Life on the 2 line is a reality show years in the making.