Musings of an Irate Commuter

Centennial morning in Grand Central Terminal

2013-02-01T07:46:00.001-05:00

Centennial morning in Grand Central Terminal, originally uploaded by *Bitch Cakes*.

Friday morning in Grand Central Terminal

2013-01-18T07:44:00.001-05:00

Friday morning in Grand Central Terminal, originally uploaded by *Bitch Cakes*.

Coincidence? I think not.

2012-04-12T22:32:00.001-04:00

If you find yourself reading this blog post, I'm going to assume you know how much I love the artist formerly known as The Moustache Man. He was responsible for the beautiful curly-queue moustaches that artistically enhanced so many otherwise boring subway NYC ads for about a year, delighting many a weary commuter.

That is, until he got arrested for it.

Well, needless to say, myself and likely tens of thousands of other commuters have been missing his work since he was cruelly forced to hang up his sharpee; and still find ourselves scanning subway ads hoping to find an old "moustache" sighting.

I know for a fact I still do this - scan for moustaches. So imagine my surprise when I was on the Vernon-Jackson platform one morning - the same platform where I was entertained on a daily basis with his work - and I saw... THIS-

really? REALLY?!

Wait... What?! Each borough has a different facial hair style?! What's going on here?? What are they talking about?! Although, come to think of it, I think the Bronx one is dead on...

Forget about the baffling facial hair styles chosen to represent each borough - I think this ad is an obvious nod to our very special friend, The Moustache Artist! Even though it's not the written word "Moustache", the fact that it's supposed to look like a defaced subway poster - with a moustache - and just so happened to be up in the same subway station where he used to do that very thing seems like way too much of a coincidence to me. In fact, I have never seen this ad in another subway station! Only this one!

So what's up, Braun? Were you inspired by the Moustache Artist? I think you were. And it was smart on your part because I, for one, would have totally ignored your ad otherwise.

Perhaps the Moustache Man deserves a cut of your sales...

Say it ain't so!!

2011-06-27T00:59:00.005-04:00

It's been well documented on this blog just how much I love the Moustache Artist. You know, the anonymous street artist who wrote the word "moustache" beautifully in script across the upper lips of many personalities who appear in ads displayed in the NYC subway system.

In fact, one of the highlights of 2010 was finding two posters that were personalized for me - a thrill I will never forget!

But more recently, I was beside myself with joy when I found and tumblr'd this. It was a cardboard cut out that was tagged not only above ground (breaking his tradition of underground subway poster tagging!) but I saw it just 2 blocks from my apartment. It meant the Moustache Artist was right here! In Greenpoint! The 11222! I may have even passed him on the street and not known it!

Well, I guess the NYPD was hard at work trying to capture this menace to society (don't get me started...) because I received terrible news yesterday - apparently my beloved Moustache Artist was arrested! Many blog readers, friends & twitter followers alerted me to the breaking news. Needless to say, I think this is a terrible injustice. (You can read about it in the Daily News and see what he really looks like. You will also see nothing but support in the comments for the piece!)

And according to Gothamist today, he was made to apologize and say he would 'never do it again'. Well you know what? This blows! For one thing I'm sure he isn't sorry. At least I hope he's not. However, I do believe he will not do it again - I mean, who wants to go to jail?! - and that's the part that blows.

I guess that means this is really over. I will miss those little "moustaches" so much. And not just me, I know many people were a fans of his work, much more so than the ridiculous posters he was defacing. His style was simple and elegant - and he gave me and many other commuters something to smile about on occasion.

So, in honor of Moustache Man and this unfortunate turn of events, I am showing off the moustache photos I took earlier this year that I haven't had time to blog. Here you go:

Farewell, Moustache Artist, I will forever be a huge fan and miss that gorgeous cursive of yours. Even though I know I won't see any more of your work, it will be a long time before I get out of the habit of scanning posters as I walk down a subway platform, hoping to catch a new "moustache". Thank you for brightening mine - and many other commuters - trips on the NYC subway system. Your work will be missed by many.

Stay strong and good luck in court!

forever your fan,

*Bitch Cakes*

President of the "Free Moustache Man!" campaign

Return of the Moustache Man to Long Island City

2010-09-19T12:56:00.001-04:00

I've written about the Moustache Artist on this blog numerous times. And many of my friends and readers have sent me "Moustache" sightings at various subway stations throughout the transit system. I've enjoyed all your notes and photos, thank you. But unless I stumble upon it myself, it just doesn't have the same thrill. I love the aspect of surprise and delight when I'm walking down a subway platform, glancing at the posters and I spot one, and another, and another.

And that's exactly what's been happening in Long Island City again! It appears my sharpie carrying friend is back and has been hitting many of the posters on the Vernon-Jackson platform!

This one is extra special - not only is there a moustache, but there's a unibrow!

Welcome back, Moustache Artist. I missed you!

I knew you'd be back :)
xoxoxo

Wait a minute...

2010-07-22T23:03:00.004-04:00

ok why did it take me a month for this to hit me/bother me?

As I blogged, the "Moustache" artist left me this present on the Manhattan bound side of the Vernon-Jackson platform a while ago-

and when I saw this on the Queens bound side of the platform days later, I just assumed it was from him again-

But the more I think about it, the more I think it was NOT left by the same person. After it was pointed out by reader Laramie Glen in my comments, I am certain the first "bitchcakes" moustache in the Warehouse 13 poster was done by THE moustache artist. I still have no idea who that person is but I assume they googled themselves and found my blog. But I am now fairly convinced the "Moustache Man <3 BitchCakes" poster was done by an imposter! Not done by the actual moustache artist!

GASP!

I mean, I'm no handwriting analyst, but since the curly-que before the "m" in moustache is done in the wrong direction, the "b"s in "bitchcakes" don't match, and the pen used in the latter picture is not as thick, I am just inclined to think these were not done by the same person.

And if that's true, it begs the question - who would go through so much trouble for me? Is it someone who really loves me (not likely - despite my online popularity, I'm pretty unlovable) or is it someone who wanted to see me blog about them, albeit anonymously? I mean really - who was it and what were their intentions?! And will I ever know??

All I do know is I haven't seen a new "moustache" in Queens for a few weeks now. But readers are writing in to me that they've spotted his work on other lines. In midtown, I think it was, I have to check my email (thanks readers!). But this guy is clearly on the move. He's made himself famous in LIC so he now has bigger fish to fry in Manhattan.

I won't lie - I miss seeing his "moustaches" in LIC and I still look for them. I hope this isn't over...

The end of (yet another) transit-related love affair

2010-07-11T20:58:00.007-04:00

As you likely recall, I was excited about the work of the Moustache Artist since I started seeing his modifications on posters at Vernon-Jackson in Queens. But then, when I saw he addressed me in some of his posters, I was simply smitten!

Since that post, I noticed two additional "moustache" works on the Manhattan bound Vernon-Jackson platform; but am not sure how long they've been there since I don't often make it down this far on the platform before the subway arrives -

However, it's been weeks since my "Bitch Cakes" poster and he has not made any contact since then.

To pacify myself, I theorized that the above posters must have been modified around the time he established contact with me via his posters and I just hadn't noticed.

But if that were true, then how would I explain this???

Remember this poster? The one where he wrote "Moustache Man <3 Bitchcakes"?

Well not only has he not responded to my "*Bitchcakes <3s you too!" but when a new poster appeared adjacent to it, he drew a *new* moustache on it - while completely ignoring my poster!

So that means he was there - in that location. He must have seen what I wrote, but completely ignored me.

I'll be honest, it hurt. :(

But the more I think about it, I think it's for the best that he ignore me and not make any contact. I have a feeling if I met the Moustache Artist it would - at best - take the mystery away and at worst, what if I were disappointed? I think some things are better off remaining a mystery.

Besides, at this point, I have a feeling he might abandon his moustache premise because a friend of mine told me she saw a bad copycat "goatee" in another station and then I saw this (see below) in Vernon-Jackson. While mildly amusing, it's obviously not his work, but someone trying to make it look like it is:

Anyway, whatever you decide to do, Moustache Man, I wish you the best. It was fun while it lasted and I was thrilled to be a part of your art. In the immortal words of Tim Gunn, our savior, "Carry on!"

The Moustache Artist strikes again, leaving another present for me!

2010-06-16T21:32:00.002-04:00

As I blogged last night, I didn't even notice that the newest 'moustache' at Vernon-Jackson was addressed to yours truly until I got home and uploaded the photo. And as I mentioned in that post, I wanted to get a photo of me *with* the poster this morning. Alas, that was not meant to be. So I just took a quick close up of it before getting on the train-

While at work, I found out about a sale not to be missed at Banana Republic (trust me, this is integral to the story, just keep reading), but the thing was I had to go there tonight in order to take advantage of it. While the one outside of Grand Central is the most convenient, they don't carry petites. So that meant I had to go to my favorite one - the one in Rockefeller Center - after work tonight.

I accomplished my mission while I was there. I bought (are you ready for this? I hope none of my WW blog readers are over here because it will spoil the surprise) pants. Yes, PANTS. As in those things you step into one at a time that cover each leg from waist to ankle. (I.E. Not a skirt or dress, which have dominated my wardrobe since I was 14.) Actual freaking PANTS! Don't believe me? Well, look at this!

I ended up buying the three pairs shown above. And I swear there is a point to all of this besides me once again gratuitously showing off how good I look. Ahem...

I left Banana and headed to the subway to get home. From the Rockefeller stop, I would normally have taken the V/M uptown and over to Court Square, Queens and switched to the G. However, I wanted to get a photo with my subway poster since I didn't have time this morning. Therefore, I made a point to take the V/M back downtown one stop to Grand Central, taking the 7 Train to Vernon Jackson - just so I could get those photos. (see, I told you there was a point to the Banana story! I was so determined to get those photos I changed my route home! Just for my blog and you, Moustache Artist!)

I exited at Vernon Jackson and as I walked up the platform, of course I checked for any new posters/new moustaches. I saw the same ones I had photographed last week: 'Drop Dead Diva' girl, 'Get Him to the Greek' guy, and this actual mustached man -

But something had changed since I last photographed that poster. And I don't know if this was here yesterday and I didn't see it, or if this appeared today. But tonight, I noticed it immediately!

OMFG. For realz. He was so excited, he forgot to cross the "T" in moustache! (Inexplicably, he also gave the man in the poster eyeliner, which is fine - just an observation.)

Armed with a red pen I brought home from work specifically for this purpose, I wrote him back a note:

and asked a random passer by to get a photo of me:

Look at that ridiculous smile on my face. I was so excited! Super surprised and elated!

From there I exited, crossed the street, went down the stairs and swiped my MetroCard to complete my original quest: getting a photo of me with the poster on the Manhattan side:

Now, I swear, I have NO IDEA who this artist is and (since some of you asked) it's not me! I'm not nearly that clever OR self absorbed, thank you very much (close, but not quite). So I have no idea who has been doing this. I am more inclined to think they are male now, since they wrote "Moustache Man" but that could have been specific to throw me off. Anything is possible. I'm guessing it someone that lives in LIC near that stop, but maybe they just go through there every day like I do. I don't know! The only thing I do know is this person has a beautiful penmanship and excellent sense of symmetry. Not to mention, their curly-ques are outstanding!

I must admit, I am really looking forward to whatever happens next. Maybe there will be something new waiting for me tomorrow. Maybe I will see the artist in action at some point. Maybe it's someone I know. Or maybe I will never see another 'moustache' and it will remain an unsolved mystery until the day I die. One thing is for certain: I love New York City and this is just one tiny example of how magical and awesome something as mundane as commuting can be.

Thank you again, Moustache Man. You made me giddy! :D

xoxo
*Bitch Cakes*

Thank you, Moustache Artist!

2010-06-15T21:19:00.007-04:00

You may recall that I recently blogged about the mysterious Moustache Artist. And I'm sure it's no surprise that I continue to be on the hunt for new moustaches (even at other subway stations) because I love them so much.

This morning was totally normal - I caught the B62 with my usual driver and arrived in Vernon-Jackson without incident. A 7 Train was pulling in as I entered the turnstile, and while I normally like to get as far up on the platform as possible, I walked slower than usual, checking for new subway posters and new 'moustaches' along the way.

I immediately noticed a young man taking a photo of the subway poster with the little kid with the moustache. I already have that one, of course, but it was nice to see other people appreciate the work. Then, right next to it, I noticed a new poster - and the woman in poster had a 'moustache'. With the 7 Train already in the station, I quickly snapped a photo of the poster - literally with only a second to spare - and then turned around to board the 7 Train.

I never inspected the photo any further. That is, until right now...

I just downloaded today's photos and am quickly looking through them to decide what to upload tonight. And that's when I saw it. Something so incredible that in my excitement I startled my cat - Something I didn't notice in my haste this morning.

Look at this!!

Holy. Effing. Crap! Did you see that? Did you SEE THAT?! There's a BitchCakes moustache!!! I didn't even look at the guy in the poster this morning when I snapped the photo or I would have squealed in the subway station! I hope it's still there tomorrow because I want a photo *with* it, even if I miss a 7 Train because of it.

That is so freaking awesome, I can't stand it! (And in case my readers are wondering: No, I have NO IDEA who the artist is!!)

Thank you, Moustache Artist! It's an honor to be featured in your work and I'm so glad you found my blog! You rule!!! Keep up the great work!

xoxo
*Bitch Cakes*

An Open Letter to the Moustache Artist of Vernon-Jackson

2010-06-09T18:44:00.003-04:00

Dear Moustache* Artist,

From the first morning I encountered one of your pieces of modified subway art on the Manhattan bound Vernon-Jackson platform of the 7 Train, I was smitten. It was such a simple modification to a poster, but so fun and clever. I loved it so much, I had to take a photo of it:

Just a few days later, I was thrilled to find more!

(Ironically, those Italian women likely spend a good deal of time ridding themselves of unwanted facial hair... not that I would... *cough* know what that's like *cough*...)

Heck, even Jennifer Lopez wasn't safe!

Since then I have seen quite a few more of your works, all at Vernon-Jackson, and on both sides of the platform. Here are some I captured one night coming home, on the Queens bound side:

I noticed the other 2 members of that poster were already 'stached, so your pen did not meet their upper lips:

And I am guessing that is the same reason you left this poster alone:

Although this has not been going on very long, I must admit that I get excited when new posters go up, because I keep hoping to see new 'moustaches'. And this week, you did not disappoint me, even moustaching a little kid!

and a dorky college student:

Finally, I know this is going to sound weird, but I dreamt about you. That's right, you left such an impression on me that you invaded my subconscious. In my dream, I met you. And sure enough, you had the beautiful scripted "moustache" written across your upper lip (that's how I knew it was you). Aside from that, you looked like my favorite employee at B's Bikes, Andre, but in my dream it was you: The Moustache Artist.

Now, you may or may not be Andre, or look like Andre or even be male for that matter (I am making quite a sexist assumption here, I realize), but I think whomever you are and whatever you look like, you're pretty fantastic regardless. Thank you for brightening my commute and giving me something to look forward to each morning and night.

Keep up the great work! I'll be on the lookout for more moustaches. And perhaps yourself.

Sincerely,
*Bitch Cakes*

*I spelled "Moustache" that way for you, since that is your preferred spelling. I usually keep with the traditional "mustache" myself...

A follow up to my Miss Grand Central post

2010-05-18T09:58:00.004-04:00

Since crowning myself Miss Grand Central, the media has swarmed in on me! Well I guess that's a bit of an exaggeration, but two sites did pick up my post...

I'd like to thank Crushable for not only writing about me and linking to the post, but interviewing me too (it's a pretty fantastic interview if I may say so myself).

Also, in case any of you wandered over here from those sites or are fairly new readers, I just wanted to point out a few more things about my love affair with Grand Central Terminal that you may not know:

I photograph it often. Here's my Flickr set of photos of Grand Central.
I am a bit bathroom obsessed and I eagerly awaited the opening of the refurbished downstairs bathroom. When it was finally revealed, I blogged a review.
And when the upstairs bathroom was redone, I not only blogged about that too, but that has become my favorite bathroom - the one where I take my (nearly) daily photo.
I blogged about the Whispering Gallery aka Whispering Corners outside of the Oyster Bar (yes, they really work!)
I met TV celebrity, and World Champion, Judah Friedlander in Grand Central.
I once was fortunate enough to have the opportunity to visit and walk on the glass walkway with my favorite Metro North conductor, Anthony.
And prepare to be very jealous: I managed to score one of the best birthday gifts ever last year - a mini photoshoot and personal tour of Grand Central Terminal with Dan Brucker. (yes, I am ten pounds heavier in those photos) I somehow (looks? personality? luck? probably all three) scored that super secret tour of parts of Grand Central that very few people ever get to see!

So as you can see, my memories here and love for this magnificent building run deep. And I'm excited about the upcoming one hundred year anniversary in 2013 - I wonder what they will have planned (one suggestion: no more laser light/electronic events please. They cheapen the beautiful interior. Thanks). I, for one, want to be a part of this celebration and will gladly make another appearance as Miss Grand Central!

One last thing - call me a hopeless romantic - but if I am ever proposed to again, I want it to be in Grand Central Terminal (as opposed to the first time, when it happened in the front seat of my 92 Jetta in front of the courthouse in downtown Brooklyn. Tres romantic!). Of course I will have to find someone worthy of dating me first. But yeah, that's my fantasy. A girl can dream...

A Dream Come True: My Day as Miss Grand Central

2010-05-09T15:43:00.007-04:00

Last year, when it was announced that there would be a competition for Miss G Train, several people encouraged me to enter. I wrote about why I did not want to do that, and in that post I also mentioned a different dream I had. A much bigger dream...

You likely know I commute through Grand Central Terminal daily to get to and from work. I've been doing this for over two and a half years now. And I do not take a single day of that portion of my commute for granted -

After getting off the 7 Train each morning, I walk up 3 flights of escalator stairs to reach the main floor of the terminal. And when I arrive upstairs, I walk quickly as I check the current time and which track my train will depart from that morning. But then there is that moment I look forward to every single day - the magical moment that I turn the corner to enter the main hall - where I first get a glimpse of that magnificent building - to see the high ceiling with the painted constellation, the giant chandeliers, the round center island information booth with its famous clock as well as the hustle and bustle of NYers walking in every possible direction but not colliding. And as I quickly walk through, I take a few seconds to notice the way the sunlight is streaming through the huge windows on that particular morning. It's nothing short of breathtaking to me. Still. I absolutely love that terminal and consider myself very fortunate that I get to enjoy seeing it every day.

It's because of my deep affection for that building that I had a much greater desire than the "Miss G Train" title. In that blog post, I wrote:

Of course the title of "Miss Grand Central" also does not exist, but if the City Reliquary could create "Miss G Train", I see no reason why I can't create a title for the grandest of all train terminals in the greatest city in the world.

But I still don't want to be judged, so the way I envision it is either: 1) I convince someone there to create the title just for me, or 2) I just tell people I'm Miss Grand Central. I can buy a sash with the title and wear it through the terminal. I'll have someone follow me around and take photos while I carry a bouquet of roses and wave like the queen. Why not? What's stopping me?

Now, I'm not sure why there has never been a "Miss Grand Central" but I figured if they had a "Miss Subways" competition for 35 years, why shouldn't there be a Miss Grand Central? And as I wrote in that blog post, what was to stop me from just saying I *am* Miss Grand Central?

So yesterday was the big day. I finally found a suitable dress on Friday night and spent all morning curling and recurling my hair. I grabbed my sash, gloves and tiara and hopped the B62 to the 7 Train, as I do every morning - but this time I wasn't going to work...

Since I am a creature of habit/repetition (*cough* OCD *cough*), I took a photo of myself in the bathroom as I do every weekday morning:

Then, much like Superman, I made a quick change. And with that, I was no longer ordinary "Citizen Bitch Cakes" - I put on my tiara, sash and gloves and emerged from that ladies room as MISS GRAND CENTRAL. Here are some of my favorite pictures from the day, in no particular order (I was all over the place!):

The funniest part was that as I walked around to pose for my photos, I overheard so many people say things like "Miss Grand Central? I didn't even know they had that!" or "Look! There's Miss Grand Central!". People waved to me, said hello to me, congratulated me, photographed me and two tourists (one from England and one from France) even asked to have their photos taken with me! As far as those people knew, I really WAS Miss Grand Central!

I cannot tell you how great this day was. I don't think I've ever felt more beautiful than I did yesterday and I can't remember the last time I felt such pure, simple joy and happiness. It's a day I will never forget, and one that I will cherish forever.

I loved being Miss Grand Central, even if my reign was for just a day. The photos and memories will last a lifetime.

(the entire photo set can be seen here)