This is highly recommended, a series where I provide a compelling argument for why you should like something that I like.
Dear Reader,
One of the worst things about the New York City Subway is that it’s the fucking worst. But one of the best things about the New York City Subway is the variety of standing and sitting options.
Sometimes, when I’m on the New York City Subway, I feel like standing. And there are so many places I can stand: right in front of the bench seat, in the doorway where I have to move every time we stop to let people on, in the other doorway where I don’t have to move when we stop because that door doesn’t open, at the back of the car near the other door that rarely opens and in the middle clinging to the single pole are just a few of the options.
Sometimes, when I’m on the New York City Subway, I feel like sitting. And there are so many places I can sit: on the edge of the bench seat near the door, in the middle of the bench seat near the pole, in one of those weird seats that doesn’t face inward, on the floor or in one of those seats that folds up when it’s not in use are just a handful that come to mind.
But honestly, all of that variety is too much (TOO MUCH). Because there’s only one place that is truly worth sitting when you want to sit.
I highly recommend sitting on the couch.
Why?
Sufficient Area For Multiple Sitting Positions
As you can probably tell, I love having the option to sit in as many ways as possible. (Every type of activity demands a different type of sitting position, but my thoughts on that subject are too extensive to detail here.) The couch (unlike a dumb chair) provides the perfect amount of space for me to lounge, lay or labor. (Yes, it’s ok to use the couch for both work and pleasure. Couches are versatile.) Every time you sit, you find a new way to enjoy the best piece of furniture in your residence. (IT’S BETTER THAN BED.) (I’LL NEVER RECOMMEND A BED.)
Sleep Adjacent
It’s better than bed because it can be used for so much more than sleeping. Sure, taking a nap on the couch and waking to the afternoon sun is a pretty spectacular feeling. But that feeling is not even close to walking the fine line between wakefulness and sleep that I experience every night while sipping an after dinner cocktail and half-heartedly paying attention to yet another Minnesota Timberwolves loss. Being near sleep but not a-sleep is the move.
Relaxation
I try to spend as much of my free time enjoying something I like to call “relaxation”. Now, that means something different for everybody. And it doesn’t always mean the exact same thing for me. But most of the time, “relaxation” needs to the couch. It’s like a machine that was built for relaxation; an invention created by someone who never invented anything else because they spent the rest of their days relaxing. Whatever form my relaxation takes on any given day, the there’s a good chance the couch can host it. (I haven’t done a “long relaxing drive” in a while because I live in the city and don’t have a car, but next time I do I’ll be driving this.)
Proximity To Quality Entertainment Options
Listen, I love a good concert or live sporting event as much as the next blogger. I’ll even visit my local cinema on occasion, if only to purchase their delicious popcorn. But none of those fucking places have a couch. And my couch is located near a reasonable stereo system with Bluetooth capability, a 32 inch LG flat screen TV and a kitchen that has the equipment necessary to cook popcorn. So have fun leaving your apartment for things like “friends” and “restaurants” and “travel”. I’ve got access to (most) streaming services and a remote that works if you bang it on the coffee table a few times. I’m good.
Free
I understand that the streaming services, music and popcorn that I mentioned come with a cost. But in my current situation, I didn’t purchase the couch on which I spend the majority of my time. Nor did I purchase the couch at my office where I spend the rest of my time. So yeah, if you want to go around and drop your hard earned money at Design Within Reach (ooooh, how fancy!), you’re more than welcome to do so. But I’m going to continue to enjoy this free activity.
There’s got to be one thing you don’t like about sitting on the couch.
It’s Not Going On A Run
Although I’ve tried, it’s impossible to do both at the same time. Sure, I can do similar things like zone out or listen to podcasts, but sitting on the couch contributes absolutely NOTHING towards improving my physical fitness. (Maybe I should quit writing this blog and focus all of my efforts on figuring out how to get ripped while sitting on the couch. But I can’t decide if that’s a better use of my time than writing 1,000 a week that are never read by anyone else. Open to suggestions.)
Do all of my subway ramblings ring hollow to the non-New York readers of highly recommended? I like to think that I’ve cultivated a robust readership chock-full of East Coast Media Elites, but I’m sure some of my old Midwestern friends still point their browser to nicholas holder dot com slash highly recommended every once in a while. Should I do a poll? Listen to the people? Determine once and for all whether I should continue writing about the subway?
Or should I trust the Squarespace analytics when they say that it doesn’t matter what you write about because nobody is reading it? Tough to say. Data can be incredibly decieving.
love,
nicholas