Thank you for sharing Ms. Martinez’s story!! And honestly, thanks for all the stories you share about the great people of NYC. The world needs to know that the light of kindness and humanity and community still shines brightly in that fine city!
I want to say thank you for sharing in your experience about one of the happiest MTA subway conductor's around. Ms. Martinez is my co -worker. She is a pleasure to be around. She brings that same energy to her Mta family and friends. We love being in her presence and you can tell a difference when she is not around. I filled in for her one day while she was on a much deserved vacation and her 50th bday the customers were very sad that she wasn't around. HER SHOES were very HARD 2 FILL.😅. Thank you again for giving recognition to her and letting others know how she brighten everyone's day. As a fellow Mta Platform Controller she has helped inspire the program with her cheerful spirit, helpful hand ,and smile that keeps everyone motivated. When customers see us on the train platforms with our Blue vest they are happy and ask several questions and greet us.
What I love about Julia, and people like her, Justin is that she is putting so much enthusiasm and creativity and care into the most ordinary of jobs, and making it something really great. What if everyone did that? What a world!
I love this book gathering-- I would definitely go now that I know about it! Also, <3 Juliaaaa <3 i adore seeing her on the 59th platform. She absolutely makes my day every time :)
I loved this post! And whoever the degenerate was who told Ms. Martinez "F*ck you"...I hope he had a real shit day. I wish I had the optimism of Ms. Martinez but I was born an old lady Capricorn so I'm stuck with my pessimism/realism...especially when I'm on the 5 train.
Checking out Reading Rhythms and I can't wait to meet Julia! Cafe Anne is literally like the most beautiful rainbow paired with the most delicious coffee! This platform is a haven for feeling fabulous!!!!!
Julie Martinez will be a star turn in ‘Cafe Anne’s Bedside Companion’ when it is published if I have anything to do with its compilation. Up there with Ukrainian window box man and the naked cowboy. I read you Anne and I always think of the late Ray Gosling, a Nottingham based English writer and broadcaster, who had the same touch as you when it comes to celebrating the joy of every day life. Another wonderful post.🐰
I love your column.. always so reassuring of the best parts of living in New York.. finding the good in every situation.. bringing a smile to my face and some hope too.. What a great idea to share this.. to be interested enough to pursue businesses, and people.. I especially love this post with Ms Martinez.. and those book readers...
Awww, Anne, this newsletter's made me SO HAPPY! (And I've managed to injure my foot by doing plantar fasciitis exercises, so I needed it!). All those awesome people reading books, and the happiest New Yorker in existence! Amazing! I think she might have to meet the incredibly cheery guy on the Birmingham to Cardiff train who sings as he goes from carriage to carriage! It's impossible to be grumpy when he's working that train.
It's cool to hear Julia has a UK counterpart, Helen, but not surprising. There are people like this everywhere. For a while we had a crossing guard in Brooklyn who had the most fantastic dance moves. I think he had to stop because his flashy signaling was causing accidents.
Your photo of the Rhythm Reading people on the train suggests that most of the readers are women. Most of the ones you interviewed are also women. And my sense is that book clubs lean overwhelmingly female. All of which leads me to ask: Why?
I just did a little research. According to a 2021 Gallup poll, U.S. women read an average of 15.7 books per year, while men read an average of 9.5 books per year. And according to Pew Research, 74% of women reported reading at least one book in the past 12 months, 65% of men reported the same.
But these "reading together" events skew even more heavily female than general reading stats do.
So yes, why?
I've found that among my friends and family, the men are just as happy talking about books as the ladies. Maybe even more so. So sorry to say, I am living on BOOK MARS and can't even come up with a good theory about what's going on with the earthlings.
I recently saw employee's stories shared on the bus the other day. I liked it. From baseball card collectors to advid book readers and sport fans. Reading my mom's story and the appreciation everyone has towards her and the energy she brings day in & day out put a big smile on my face. Keep living life to the fullest mommy Julia. No good deed goes unnoticed. Love you always. Thursday or not, I'm thankful for you. - your oldest
Ms. Martinez sounds just like the woman at the Knickerbocker Ave station! She’s so joyful every morning and for the longest time I just thought she was saying good morning to people she knew. But then I realized she’s talking to everybody! I’ve been too shy to respond because for the longest time I thought she surely wasn’t talking to me, but now I kinda wanna throw some of that good energy back her way.
Wouldn't it be great, David, if we all got a little score card at the end of the day indicating the total effect, positive or negative, we had on others?
Thank you for sharing Ms. Martinez’s story!! And honestly, thanks for all the stories you share about the great people of NYC. The world needs to know that the light of kindness and humanity and community still shines brightly in that fine city!
Thank you Laura Rebecca!
Now it's time to unleash CAFE ANNE AFTER DARK!
Wheeeeee!!! Looking forward to THAT
I want to say thank you for sharing in your experience about one of the happiest MTA subway conductor's around. Ms. Martinez is my co -worker. She is a pleasure to be around. She brings that same energy to her Mta family and friends. We love being in her presence and you can tell a difference when she is not around. I filled in for her one day while she was on a much deserved vacation and her 50th bday the customers were very sad that she wasn't around. HER SHOES were very HARD 2 FILL.😅. Thank you again for giving recognition to her and letting others know how she brighten everyone's day. As a fellow Mta Platform Controller she has helped inspire the program with her cheerful spirit, helpful hand ,and smile that keeps everyone motivated. When customers see us on the train platforms with our Blue vest they are happy and ask several questions and greet us.
Oh wow thanks Laniece! It’s so fun to hear this extra background about Ms. Martinez. But I’m not surprised to hear she brings her light everywhere. :)
I love Julie Martinez with all of my heart, never having met her. Thank you for sharing some of the brightest spots in the city, in the world!
What a joy!
What I love about Julia, and people like her, Justin is that she is putting so much enthusiasm and creativity and care into the most ordinary of jobs, and making it something really great. What if everyone did that? What a world!
I love this book gathering-- I would definitely go now that I know about it! Also, <3 Juliaaaa <3 i adore seeing her on the 59th platform. She absolutely makes my day every time :)
Thank you for the tipoff, Emma!
Everyone—it was Emma who spotted Julia and suggested I interview her. Emma has a super fun food Substack y'all should check out!
https://notgoodforyou.substack.com/
Thank youuuuu Emma you are such a beautiful lady it was such a pleasure to see you as well
I loved this post! And whoever the degenerate was who told Ms. Martinez "F*ck you"...I hope he had a real shit day. I wish I had the optimism of Ms. Martinez but I was born an old lady Capricorn so I'm stuck with my pessimism/realism...especially when I'm on the 5 train.
LOL
I suspect he was ALREADY having a real shit day, RJ.
Fair point! LOL.
Checking out Reading Rhythms and I can't wait to meet Julia! Cafe Anne is literally like the most beautiful rainbow paired with the most delicious coffee! This platform is a haven for feeling fabulous!!!!!
Thank you Alexis! I think you'd enjoy the folks at Reading Rhythms for sure.
Julie Martinez will be a star turn in ‘Cafe Anne’s Bedside Companion’ when it is published if I have anything to do with its compilation. Up there with Ukrainian window box man and the naked cowboy. I read you Anne and I always think of the late Ray Gosling, a Nottingham based English writer and broadcaster, who had the same touch as you when it comes to celebrating the joy of every day life. Another wonderful post.🐰
Oh wow, thank you O L O Bunny aka Kevin! I'll have to check out Ray Gosling now.
Ukrainian Window Box man and Naked Cowboy are two of my favorites as well. :)
I love your column.. always so reassuring of the best parts of living in New York.. finding the good in every situation.. bringing a smile to my face and some hope too.. What a great idea to share this.. to be interested enough to pursue businesses, and people.. I especially love this post with Ms Martinez.. and those book readers...
Thank you LL! So glad you enjoyed!
I want to say thank you so much for all the support I really appreciate it I love what I do Anne Kasey your the best
I think you and Anne both have an international fan club :)
Awww, Anne, this newsletter's made me SO HAPPY! (And I've managed to injure my foot by doing plantar fasciitis exercises, so I needed it!). All those awesome people reading books, and the happiest New Yorker in existence! Amazing! I think she might have to meet the incredibly cheery guy on the Birmingham to Cardiff train who sings as he goes from carriage to carriage! It's impossible to be grumpy when he's working that train.
It's cool to hear Julia has a UK counterpart, Helen, but not surprising. There are people like this everywhere. For a while we had a crossing guard in Brooklyn who had the most fantastic dance moves. I think he had to stop because his flashy signaling was causing accidents.
Oh, he sounds AMAZING!!
Your photo of the Rhythm Reading people on the train suggests that most of the readers are women. Most of the ones you interviewed are also women. And my sense is that book clubs lean overwhelmingly female. All of which leads me to ask: Why?
I just did a little research. According to a 2021 Gallup poll, U.S. women read an average of 15.7 books per year, while men read an average of 9.5 books per year. And according to Pew Research, 74% of women reported reading at least one book in the past 12 months, 65% of men reported the same.
But these "reading together" events skew even more heavily female than general reading stats do.
So yes, why?
I've found that among my friends and family, the men are just as happy talking about books as the ladies. Maybe even more so. So sorry to say, I am living on BOOK MARS and can't even come up with a good theory about what's going on with the earthlings.
Hahahaha
Another amazing interview! I work from home, so I have no business being on a morning rush hour train, but I still want to go see Julia in action.
If you do, Samm, it's worth hanging out for a while to observe all the interactions with passengers. It's often quite funny!
I recently saw employee's stories shared on the bus the other day. I liked it. From baseball card collectors to advid book readers and sport fans. Reading my mom's story and the appreciation everyone has towards her and the energy she brings day in & day out put a big smile on my face. Keep living life to the fullest mommy Julia. No good deed goes unnoticed. Love you always. Thursday or not, I'm thankful for you. - your oldest
Awwwwwww thx so much son you took me back with mommy Julia lolllllll love you always
I want to say thank you so much for all the support I really appreciate it I love what I do Anne Kasey your the best
Ms. Martinez sounds just like the woman at the Knickerbocker Ave station! She’s so joyful every morning and for the longest time I just thought she was saying good morning to people she knew. But then I realized she’s talking to everybody! I’ve been too shy to respond because for the longest time I thought she surely wasn’t talking to me, but now I kinda wanna throw some of that good energy back her way.
If she's anything like Julia, Eden, I hope you do talk to Ms. Knickerbocker. Julia LOVES it when people stop to chat. It helps her keep going!
People like Julie can never know the enormous cumulative positive effect they have on people. She is a blessing.
Wouldn't it be great, David, if we all got a little score card at the end of the day indicating the total effect, positive or negative, we had on others?
Yes, and a positive storyline for the next Black Mirror anthology!