A Challenge to Bloggers as Community-Building Comes to a Screeching Halt

I learned today that WordPress, who hosts this blog and a bajilion others worldwide, will no longer run their weekly photo challenges and writing prompts. By participating in the photo challenges, I have been privileged to view beautiful photography from around the world and right in my city. Many of us follow each other’s blogs so we don’t miss a post. I am lucky but new and future bloggers won’t have that opportunity.

One last time, here is my contribution to a challenge: Twisted. We were asked to show something that is rounded. This subway station connects the E and M trains with the 6. It was an efficient transfer point while I was commuting for a late-night short-term project. I don’t recall ever using that station much; indeed, I initially forgot about it and took a more time-consuming route.

Why I Will Not Take Off My Backpack

The New York subway system has been attempting to teach riders to be more courteous. Great, as we have an often undeserved reputation for being rude riders. But the most ill-conceived idea involves backpacks.

Backpacks are a practical way to carry books, work supplies and lunch. They’re kinder to the spine than a heavy tote or messenger bag that causes an uneven distribution of weight. Here’s why I won’t take mine off on the train: