cleaning windows.

unior year in high school, i had one of my favorite teachers ever, mr. farbstein, for pyschology. he was a lean, middle-aged bald man, with one of those gaunt faces that seems to indicate that the mind behind it is shrewd and wise. he was part of the rerouted generation of men who became teachers to avoid the vietnam draft; it seemed like we had a disproportionate number of them at stuy. farbstein was one of the crusty ones who told it like it was, and it was usually bitter. although ill never forget something uplifting he told us one day. first he asked us where we were. he pointed to his eyes, and said, 'some people are stationed right behind here, looking out.' then he pointed to his stomach, and said, 'some people are in here.' then he pointed to his heart, and said, 'this is where i am.'

i decided i was there too, although i knew i was capable of slipping partially into my stomach at any given time.

anyway, one day farbstein was pontificating about life in general, as he was wont to do, and he brought up the van morrison song cleaning windows.

he said it was a perfect example of a balanced, zen life: getting joy out of the little things. (great live version of the song here; lyrics here)

i was reminded of farbstein and the song last week, when these two guys came in to our office to clean our windows.

after washing them on the inside, without hesitation, nor harness of any sort, orlando and richard climbed outside the eighth story windows, stood and squatted on the ledge, and washed the outside like it was the most natural thing to do. then they just climbed back in as if they hadnt done anything extraordinary, despite our gaping mouths.

then i knew the song was true. b/c these were clearly the most well-balanced men id ever met:

richard

orlando

Whats my line?
Im happy cleaning windows
Take my time
Ill see you when my love grows
Baby dont let it slide
Im a working man in my prime
Cleaning windows...