“They say to smile and the world will smile with you. For some strange reason, it never seems to work for me, though.

“Take today, on this humid summer morning here in NYC. I walked out of my apartment heeling all sticky and sweaty, but with a cheery perspective, smiling at everyone on the street, waving to passersby, even attempting to crack jokes with the cop at the intersection directing traffic. I was in such a jolly mood, I even recited verses from the works of Milton and Shakespeare as I tumbled along.

“No one reciprocated my warmth and cheeriness. I did see a senior lady whip out her cell and a few moments later a van pulled up, and a man in a white coat followed by another with a net, dashed after me. I darted into the subway and am sitting here typing this status update, still trying to figure what that was all about.

“What a weird world we live in. Oh well, not to worry, though. My day is still off to a decent start. Even as I keep on smiling and reciting my verses, I am thankful that I somehow always end up getting a whole subway car to myself! Now if that isn’t getting off to a great start of the week here in NYC, then I sure don’t know what is!

“Happy Weekend, folks!…”Escapades of Miles Alex”