Yes, sketchy beginning I know. The fact that it was almost 3am only adds to the oddness of the entire situation.

I was thoroughly enjoying a little bit of Malcolm Gladwell's "The Tipping Point", strategically sitting in a position so that I could keep an eye on the entire train just in case any of the homeless or drunk made any sudden moves.

Then this guy got on...

Ladies, you know when you feel the staring blazing into you like some X-Men eye laser? I could feel it. What he did that was different from most men, is he approached. Now at almost 3am this can go either really good or severely bad. As when I'm tired or PMSing, I'm like that "walking down the street" scene of the film "I'm Going To Get You Sucka". If you don't know what I mean, look it up. Classic.

Anyhow, this wasn't an attempt to get a number, or to pitch game. In fact he said, "You look like you're into art. When I feel moved to talk to someone, I do." He had my attention.

Yonas Shiferaw was born in Ethiopia, raised in Ohio, and is now located in NYC. He's an artist with influences that range from my past object of obsession, Jean-Michel Basquiat to Salvador Dali, Frida Kahlo, all the way to my more recent obsession, Bansky. He's been painting since a child, so the idea of calling him a budding artist seems to belittle his talent. I will conclude with saying. So, I met this guy on the train, and he happens to be a great artist living in New York City.

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