i walked into a turnstile. i was in la-la land at the grand central lexington line station and forgot to put my metrocard through the reader. i just blithely walked forward and doubled over with force when the cold metal bar of the turnstile hit me just below the waist.

it didn’t hurt. but i felt idiotic. i looked around to make sure no one saw me. laughed a little too loudly. i adjusted my clothing and said something like, “Jeanhee, how about remembering to use your metrocard?” to no one in particular.

No one looked at me twice, although i guessed that some were wondering whether i was unusually well-dressed to be a crazy homeless person speaking out loud to herself so i just whipped out my metrocard, swiped myself through on the first try, and went on my merry, slightly more aware, way.