Brandon Stanton's Blog, page 431

"What was the happiest moment of your life?""When I married...

"What was the happiest moment of your life?"
"When I married Joe."
"What was the saddest moment of your life?"
"When Joe died."
"What was your favorite thing about Joe?"
"He was oh-so-romantic."
"What’s the most romantic thing Joe ever did?"
"Let’s just say that he was good with his loving."

He didn’t know much English beyond: “I’m from...

He didn’t know much English beyond: “I’m from China.” But he did pull out his iPad and showed me his brother, his toys, his drum set, and a picture of his class.

"I have a Tanzanian friend who is a little embarrassed to wear...

"I have a Tanzanian friend who is a little embarrassed to wear her native clothing. I was looking in her closet one day and I said: ‘Whoa! Can I have these?’"

Today in microfashion…

Today in microfashion…

"Back in Guyana, my father captained a ship with forty men....

"Back in Guyana, my father captained a ship with forty men. Here, he drives a bus for the MTA. It’s been a tough adjustment, but he did it for his family."
"How many siblings do you have?"
"A lot. My dad was captain of the ship."

"It was hard to watch because I always saw my Dad as Superman....

"It was hard to watch because I always saw my Dad as Superman. He eventually forgot he had Alzheimer’s even. So he walked around knowing he was fucked up, but not knowing why. So it made him angry. He was an old school Irish guy, so he used to get angry when he was scared."

"I’m trying to stay calm while watching all my friends get...

"I’m trying to stay calm while watching all my friends get accepted to Ivy League schools."

"Is she your only child?""I have an eight year old son.""How are...

"Is she your only child?"
"I have an eight year old son."
"How are you going to raise your daughter differently than your son?"
"I’m going to be there more."
"Why weren’t you there more for your son?"
"I was really young, and he had autism. I blamed myself for it. I thought maybe it was a result of my lifestyle. I just didn’t know how to handle it so I ran away from it. So I wasn’t there for him when he was younger, and I didn’t pick him up every time he fell. He knows I’m his dad but he doesn’t feel close to me. And I don’t want that to happen again."

"You want to hear what just happened to me? I was in the subway...

"You want to hear what just happened to me? I was in the subway station, and this man came walking by me. He seemed really angry and was talking gibberish and screaming about how he was going to kill anyone who talked to him. So I thought: ‘That guy’s crazy, I’m gonna keep away from him.’ Then two minutes later, another young man walked by and collapsed right in front of me, and started having a seizure. I bent down to help him, and you know what happened? The crazy guy bent down and said: ‘He’s having a seizure! Turn him on his side!’ 

I thought: ‘Wait a second! Weren’t you just crazy?’”

"She cheated on me.""Did you know the guy?""I introduced them. I...

"She cheated on me."
"Did you know the guy?"
"I introduced them. I invested in the guy’s business. He lost my life savings, then he took my wife."