July 30, 2014

Hello dave A Simple Act of Decency On The Subway

Recently, I posted on social media about something I saw on the subway:

On the subway, standing next to an elderly man and a young man in a suit. Train stops and a seat opens. Young man sits down. 30 seconds later, he sees the elderly man and gives up his seat to him. 

Faith in humanity restored.

This post whittled it down to something simple, but there's more to it, for me anyway.  Let me explain.

The elderly man in this story was an Orthodox Jewish man.  He had a beard.  He wore a yarmulke (head covering that some Jewish men wear), white short sleeve dress shirt, and black pants.  I could see many bruises on his arm, an indicator that he had recently spent time in the hospital or had blood taken by a technician who was challenged to find a vein.

The young man in the suit was African American.  He was very tall, and broad shouldered.  About a head taller than me.  His suit was well tailored.  He was wearing headphones, and likely unaware of his surroundings.  I know that when I'm on the subway, I drown out everything around me with music.  It's a sanity and survival tactic.

After he sat, he looked up at the elderly man, and was nearly apologetic for having taken the seat.  As he asked the man if he'd like to sit, he was already standing up.  He had no intention of keeping the seat.

Why does race/nationality matter to this story?  It doesn't.  This is a story about human decency.  A young man gave up his seat to an elderly man who needed it more than he did.

Lately, vitriol has flooded social media.  I've read all kinds of simplified black and white views of good vs. evil, race-baiting, and threats.  To prove the other side is wrong, people have posted videos of unspeakable actions performed by vermin.  Mobs have taken to the streets in European cities and acted like Nazi thugs.  None of this makes anything better.

I don't have any answers for solving the world's problems.  But hate is destructive and tiring.  Practicing decency makes you feel better about yourself.

Happy commuting, and may you encounter uncommon sense.

The best compliment I can receive is a new follower who was referred by a friend! 

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Twitter: @davidrtrainguy
email: thetrain.invain.829@gmail.com

July 25, 2014

Hello dave Perspective

Today, I spent many hours in the hospital visiting someone very close to me.  He had surgery to remove a malignant growth.  Tonight he is home and well on the road to recovery.  I'm very grateful for the attention and good care he received from top quality doctors and nurses.

Why do I post this on TheTrainInVain, you ask?

It's to point out that the loud train talkers, smelly food eaters, subway dancing kids, and potential strikes don't matter when someone is in the hospital. You get a nice break from all of that. 

No no! I'm kidding of course. Well, sort of. No, I want to remind everyone that the stuff I write about is a diversion. It's an escape. Hopefully gives you a chuckle or two and then you get on with it.  People on cell phones talking about their medical issues, those eating smelly food, and other characters I've mentioned are like busboys in an Italian restaurant.  In and out of your life.  They don't matter.

Take care of those close to you. They're the reason you put yourself through the daily commuting grind.

Happy commuting, and may you encounter uncommon sense.

The best compliment I can receive is a new follower who was referred by a friend! 

Sign up for the blog mailing list by entering your email address in the "Follow By E-Mail box."  Or, if you're on Facebook, give TheTrainInVain page a "Like."  You can also follow me on Twitter.

Twitter: @davidrtrainguy
email: thetrain.invain.829@gmail.com

Hello dave Don't Let The Blog Bugs Bite II: A Better Solution for Safari Users

In my post, Don't Let The Blogbugs Bite, from July 24th, I talked about a mobile site bug where "pinch and zoom" refreshes the view to an earlier blog post.  Several readers have reported this problem to me.

I suggested a workaround in that post to avoid the issue.  However, if you use Safari on your iPhone, there's a much better option.  It's called "Reading View."

When you first load the blog post on your Safari browser, it will look like the image in the photo below.  Tap the icon to the left of the web address, as indicated by the arrow.


When you tap that icon, the view in Safari changes from mobile view to reading view, as in the image below.  The content will be much more readable, and no annoying "pinch and zoom" problems.



I don't know if other browsers have similar capability.  I checked Chrome but didn't find anything.

Hope that helps.  Thanks to the reader who pointed this out.

Happy commuting, and may you encounter uncommon sense.

The best compliment I can receive is a new follower who was referred by a friend! 

Sign up for the blog mailing list by entering your email address in the "Follow By E-Mail box."  Or, if you're on Facebook, give TheTrainInVain page a "Like."  You can also follow me on Twitter.

Twitter: @davidrtrainguy
email: thetrain.invain.829@gmail.com

July 24, 2014

Hello dave Don't Let The Blog Bugs Bite

Some folks have told me about a technical glitch they've seen on this blog site.  It happens when you use an iPhone to open a blog entry from a browser like Safari or Chrome.  When the post appears it will be small and hard to read, requiring "pinch and zoom" to see the text.  When you pinch and zoom, the site refreshes the screen with the second most recent blog post.


1.  Most recent blog post (NFW - Non Functional Walk)
Hard to read, right?  Try pinch and zoom. 
2.  On pinch and zoom, it refreshes and shows the second most recent blog post (LIRR Strike Averted)

I don't know why it does this. When you create a blog site, you choose a template, which establishes the site style, including look and feel, colors, columns, headers, etc. The template includes a mobile version.  Once you've chosen and organized your template, you focus on content.   You have little control over the template unless you know a lot about building web sites.

As someone who wrote custom software for the Financial Services industry for many years, I felt qualified to look under the hood and figure out what's going on.

After a careful and painstaking analysis of the code, I concluded that I am no longer a member of the order of humans who could make sense of this jumbled mess of numbers, letters, and special characters.

The code looked a bit like hieroglyphics, but less pleasing to the eye
Clearly, my days of engineering software are long past.  I tried to contact the template designer, but received no response. 

It seems my only option is to change to a new template, unless there's a reader out there who is 1) a software engineer, and 2) interested in spending time helping me to figure out what is going on.

I will update to a new template as soon as I can. In the meantime, there is a workaround.  When the browser does this, tap the browser "back" button to return to the latest post.  Pinching and scrolling works on the 2nd or 3rd attempt. 

Thanks to those of you who reported this to me.  It is nice to know that people read this.

Happy commuting, and may you encounter uncommon sense.

The best compliment I can receive is a new follower who was referred by a friend! 

Sign up for the blog mailing list by entering your email address in the "Follow By E-Mail box."  Or, if you're on Facebook, give TheTrainInVain page a "Like."  You can also follow me on Twitter.

Twitter: @davidrtrainguy
email: thetrain.invain.829@gmail.com

July 20, 2014

Hello dave There Are RULES! The Non-Functional Walk

As I got off the subway and made my way to the LIRR one recent evening, I walked down a crowded hallway at my usual breakneck pace.  I have tunnel vision when trying to make a train, and will pretty much step over anything and everything, like OJ Simpson (without the murder rap) in the Hertz commercials.  Catching my train and not waiting another 15-20 minutes at the Penn Station rat hole for the next train is important.  When anyone who is able-bodied gets in my way, I get angry.  In other words, someone perfectly capable of following the RULES who does not follow the RULES is a RULES VIOLATOR.

So you can imagine how irritated I was when I came upon a couple performing the NFW, or "non-functional walk."  "What's the NFW," you ask?  The NFW is a walk performed by two or more people that maximizes how aggravating they can be to railroad warriors.

I can't explain the NFW properly without a crude drawing, so see the image below.  On the left are eight smiling, bald, skinny people without feet or hands making their way in one direction.  On the right you see a couple.  A happy couple.  A smiling, happy, shiny couple strolling through Penn Station during rush hour.  The man is pulling a bag on wheels,  They're holding hands, singing a happy song, not a care in the world.  Completely oblivious to the traffic jam forming behind them.

I'm agitated by the NFW just looking at my crude drawing.  They are taking up three times the space of the non-NFW people, as shown by the pink brackets.

The NFW in action, nearly causing me to miss my train

That evening, I was unable to pass the NFW on the left, because of the throng of skinny, smiling, bald people without hands or feet.  I couldn't pass them on the right, because of a wall.  So, I stewed and walked slowly.  I had a train to catch, and I was stuck behind the ever-happy Cliff and Claire Huxtable.

For the youngsters:

Cliff and Claire Huxtable were the mom and dad on "The Cosby Show," which dominated TV ratings in the 1980s.  Cliff and Claire had five kids, demanding jobs, a large budget for Chess King sweaters, and lots of time to spend at home giving great advice to Theo and Cockroach.

Chess King was a mall store that sold hip clothing to kids who wanted to wear Chams de Baron, Z Cavaracci, and other apparel often seen in a Culture Club.

I'm off topic.  Back to the story, I had to walk slowly behind these people until I could find a small opening, and I wiggled my way through.  I made my train, but it was close.

To summarize the RULE: If you're in Penn Station, Grand Central, Amtrak, or the Des Moines Central Rail System, and it is rush hour, be aware of your surroundings.  Let others pass.  And I like your Members Only jacket.

Happy and safe commuting, and may you encounter uncommon sense.

The best compliment I can receive is a new follower who was referred by a friend! 

Sign up for the blog mailing list by entering your email address in the "Follow By E-Mail box."  Or, if you're on Facebook, give TheTrainInVain page a "Like."  You can also follow me on Twitter.

Twitter: @davidrtrainguy
email: thetrain.invain.829@gmail.com


July 17, 2014

Hello dave LIRR Strike Averted!

After my rant the other day about Andrew Cuomo living in an ivory tower, I'm going to give the New York Governor his due in averting a workers' strike.  He realized he made a misstatement, got involved, and led both sides to a solution.  With his leadership, the job got done.  Well done, Governor.

I don't have any idea what the terms of the new deal are, as they haven't been publicized.  From the news reports, it sounds like some kind of compromise was struck.  I hope the rail workers get their raises, as most everyone deserves a raise for working hard and let's face it, the cost of living in the New York area is pretty high.  I do hope though, that the demands for benefits from a bygone era were refused.  I wish no malice on these men and women, they work hard and are always courteous, pleasant, and friendly.  I just don't want to pay for benefits that I don't receive myself.  Fair is fair.

I'll bet the train workers are pretty relieved too that they won't go on strike.  Who wants to deal with a loss of income?  A strike would be no good for them, either.

On Monday, people will talk on phones, chew and pop gum, perform nasty habits, and yell at each other for being rude on trains coming to and from New York City.  People will eat smelly food.  Women will apply makeup.  And I'll be right there with them, observing and reporting back to you.

Happy commuting, and may you encounter uncommon sense.

The best compliment I can receive is a new follower who was referred by a friend! 

Sign up for the blog mailing list by entering your email address in the "Follow By E-Mail box."  Or, if you're on Facebook, give TheTrainInVain page a "Like."  You can also follow me on Twitter.

Twitter: @davidrtrainguy
email: thetrain.invain.829@gmail.com


July 15, 2014

Hello dave Another Strike Rant - Cuomo And His Ivory Tower

As I've watched these MTA and union pinheads prance around like spoiled children, I have been thinking about my own options.  Perhaps I, too, would go on strike and not write my blog.

But then I realized that I'm a private sector guy.  We don't strike.  Instead, I will write about what commuting is like during a strike, should it come to that.

Our governor, from his perch in Albany 175 miles north of my train station in Nassau County, made the brilliant comment that "the strike will be a pain, but not a disaster." Oh really?

I want to introduce him to the lady who sells me coffee each day from her shop near the station.  I want to show him the newspaper stand in Penn Station with the guy who is up at 4 AM to make a living every day.  I want to introduce him to friends of mine who are independent workers, making daily rates, who are out of luck to make it to their jobs.  None of these people will get paid.

It won't matter to him.  No big deal.  If tax revenues go down because of a strike, just raise taxes later.  On top of the tax hike we'll all face to fund the strike settlement.

Yes, I will continue to blog.  I will write about how unpleasant it is to get from A to B when the economic bloodline that drives the Long Island economy is squeezed off.  And for what?  People who want to make overtime, have their medical insurance paid in full, and receive pensions.  Very few receive such benefits in the private sector.  It's a thing of the past, for better or for worse.  Why should we pay for theirs?

No strike for me.

Happy commuting, and may you encounter uncommon sense.

The best compliment I can receive is a new follower who was referred by a friend! 

Sign up for the blog mailing list by entering your email address in the "Follow By E-Mail box."  Or, if you're on Facebook, give TheTrainInVain page a "Like."  You can also follow me on Twitter.

Twitter: @davidrtrainguy
email: thetrain.invain.829@gmail.com

July 14, 2014

Hello dave How The Heck Am I Going To Get To Work?

This potential strike is looming heavily.  As the two sides continue to pout and stand on opposite sides like 5th grade boys and girls at a dance, I realize just how royally screwed 299,999 fellow commuters and I will be when these selfish jerks strangle the entire region.  I wonder if they've even given a moment's thought to how much damage this strike is going to cause.  It's not just the commuters.  It's the ancillary businesses.  The taxi stands, coffee shops, newspaper and sundry shops.  Everyone loses.

Many people have got to get to work.  If they don't get to work, they don't get paid.  Is it even possible for these two sides to get together and fundamentally agree that a deal MUST be made and postpone the strike deadline?  Do they recognize the mess they will leave in their wake?  I suppose my thoughts are irrelevant.  They think of themselves, so I have no choice but to think of myself, and my commuting options.

I can work from home.  This will work fine for a few days.  However, my work requires that I see my team, clients, and ensure our projects are moving well and on track.  If this strike drags on, I'll need to find a way into the city.

I can drive.  Rumor has it there will be no cars allowed into Manhattan without at least three people in the vehicle.  I should be able to find a couple of fellow commuters who also need to get into Manhattan.  I could try to park in Queens, and take a subway with the thousands of others.  I shudder just thinking about it.  I'm going to have to get more creative.

I can build a catapult.  All I really need is a strong but flexible rubber band, two tree trunks, and a parachute.  FLING!  I'm in the city in no time.  Hell, even without a strike, I may try this.

I can walk.  It's about 35 miles from my house to the office.  What's 2+ marathons per day?  Think of the shape I'll be in when I walk 70 miles per day.  Take THAT, LIRR.

I can build a teleporter.  How awesome would life be if we had teleporter technology?  Highways would be a thing of the past.  I could tell the LIRR to kiss my astronomical technology.

Next week, if you happen to see something fly through the sky shaped like a man, that would be me trying out my catapult.  More likely though, you'll find me walking on the side of the highway.  Feel free to stop and give me a ride.

Happy commuting, and may you encounter uncommon sense.

The best compliment I can receive is a new follower who was referred by a friend! 

Sign up for the blog mailing list by entering your email address in the "Follow By E-Mail box."  Or, if you're on Facebook, give TheTrainInVain page a "Like."  You can also follow me on Twitter.

Twitter: @davidrtrainguy
email: thetrain.invain.829@gmail.com

July 11, 2014

July 10, 2014

Hello dave Sometimes The Shoe Is On The Other Foot

On the train, writing a new blog post.  For some reason, my computer keyboard makes a lot of noise as I tap the keys.  I'm not tapping very hard.  The guy in the seat in front of me keeps repeatedly turns his head 90 degrees.  I'm obviously irritating him.  It's nice to be on the other side.

July 9, 2014

Hello dave The Secret Stash

Earlier today, I took the subway from downtown Manhattan to 34th Street to connect with the LIRR and make my way home.  The 8th Avenue side is currently a dungeon, as they’re doing a lot of construction for the build out of the new Moynihan Station at the former Farley Post Office site.  The new Moynihan Station will likely be the most beautiful train station that I’ll never use.  It has a majestic staircase on 8th Avenue that will cause endless inconvenience and frustration for travelers with bags, but I’m deviating from topic.

The Farley Post Office, One Day To Be Amtrak's Moynihan Station
Due to the construction, Penn Station's 8th Avenue concourse is filled with floor-to-ceiling wooden boards blocking walkways and staircases, and there are many low false ceilings.  These boards and false ceilings are in place to protect the public from injury (read: satisfy insurance requirements).

As I walked from the subway to Penn through the construction labyrinth, a man who appeared homeless walked in my direction.  He stopped about 30 feet in front of me, and looked up at the ceiling.  In that spot, the false ceiling was pretty low, about 7-8 feet.  He pushed up on the false ceiling, moving a large square-shaped wood section.  The faux ceiling aside, he reached in with both hands, and pulled out a milk crate of his things.  He put the milk crate down, put the ceiling tile back in place, picked up his crate, and was on his way.

Whoa.  I have questions.

Why was he so confident that his stuff wouldn’t be disturbed?  There's a lot of construction going on.  Maybe his stuff wasn't there very long.

For how long did he scout out that spot?  Maybe he hung out in Penn Station and watched the space.  If no one was doing any work, maybe he figured it was a safe spot.

Did the construction workers know that stuff was there?  My money's on no.

If the construction workers knew the stuff was there, but didn’t know whose it was, did they alert authorities?  If the construction workers knew about the crate but not its owner, didn't they have an obligation  to report it?  If you see something, you’re supposed to say something.  That's the MTA safety motto.

The last thing I have to say on this topic is that I’m awfully glad that crate contained a man’s (hopefully) mundane possessions and not something more sinister.  Sad to say, we’re all one lunatic away from a drastic, ugly, life altering experience.

Happy and safe commuting, and may you encounter uncommon sense.

The best compliment I can receive is a new follower who was referred by a friend! 

Sign up for the blog mailing list by entering your email address in the "Follow By E-Mail box."  Or, if you're on Facebook, give TheTrainInVain page a "Like."  You can also follow me on Twitter.

Twitter: @davidrtrainguy
email: thetrain.invain.829@gmail.com

July 8, 2014

Hello dave How Can LIRR Workers Stay Busy During a Strike?

Some of you may be aware, the Long Island Rail Road unions are planning to  strike the week of July 20th, leaving thousands of commuters out of luck, if they don’t get everything they want in a new contract.  The strike appears to be an inevitable reality, as both sides of the negotiation are acting like blues singers whose “woman done them wrong.”  

I don’t claim to have all the facts.  Quite frankly, when I review the newspaper reports I'm instantly bored by the whining.  From what I have read, it sounds as though the workers want:

* A hefty raise
* Fully paid healthcare (this is a rare benefit these days)
* Better looking uniforms (they SHOULD want this, even if they don’t)
* A pony for every employee, upgraded to a better pony every 6 months

The pony is a slight exaggeration.  They only want a pony every 9 months.  They’re reasonable people, for goodness sake.

If the strike drags on, I suppose the conductors, rail workers, and engineers will have free time.  I've never been a member of a striking union, but assume you can't picket all day.  They will need to fill this time, and I have some ideas.  A couple of jobs and one hobby. 

Job 1: Shopping Cart Track Installation at Grocery Stores.  Have you ever been in a supermarket on a crowded day?  Why do people find it so hard to move their carts to the side of the aisle while choosing between Cheerios and the store brand, “Shop Rite Oaties?”

I have a solution that will make everyone happy, AND create jobs.  The answer is.... Rails!  Yes rails.   And what a difference it would make.  You move down the aisle with your cart on a rail, and if you want to stop and admire the Warhol-like soup display, you navigate your cart onto one of those side "service" rails.  Other shoppers can pass.  Food shopping Nirvana achieved.

Job 2: Library Shushers.  Opportunity calls for the conductors who service quiet cars.  There are numerous open jobs for them as greeters.  They can welcome patrons with a friendly “SHHHH!” as they enter the building.  Or, they can choose to say nothing.  After all, quiet in the library is a customer-enforced policy.  It isn't up to them to ensure the rule is followed.

Hobby: Take up a musical instrument.  If the jobs above don't pan out.  There's always hobbies.  They could take up model trains!  But that may be a bit too close to home.  If Grandpa's old accordion needs repair, and a guitar is too much of a commitment, there's songwriting.  You just need paper and pen.  To help them get started, I offer up the following lyrics.  The rest is up to them.

Oh my baby
She done hold back my raise
Oh my baby
Wants me to make co-pays
Oh my baby
Won't buy me a pony that neighs
Oh no, oh no
I guess I’ve got them
Gone on strike blues

Happy commuting, and may you encounter uncommon sense.

The best compliment I can receive is a new follower who was referred by a friend! 

Sign up for the blog mailing list by entering your email address in the "Follow By E-Mail box."  Or, if you're on Facebook, give TheTrainInVain page a "Like."  You can also follow me on Twitter.

Twitter: @davidrtrainguy
email: thetrain.invain.829@gmail.com

July 3, 2014

Hello dave When a Scam May Not Be a Scam

In an earlier post, Another Fare Evasion Story, I explored some train scams that riders pull to avoid paying fares. One of those scams was relayed to me by a colleague who I gave the moniker, "Yahska."

Yahska told me that he'd seen a passenger get on the train, whip out a seat check card that indicated his ticket was already taken, and put it in the little slot in front of him.  It seemed a pretty effective and clever scam.

Now I'm not so sure it was underhanded.


When I got on the train this morning, the number of travelers was pretty light.  It is the Thursday before July 4th weekend, and many people take an extra few days around the holiday.  I had my choice of seats.

As I got comfortable, I realized I'd sat near a small group of older folks who were very chatty.  At first I thought nothing of it.  A few minutes later, the conductor checked tickets and put a seat check card in front of me.

Soon though, their conversation became annoying.  They complained loudly about everything.  I had to move.  Quiet is golden in the morning.

I collected my stuff and instinctively grabbed the seat check card.  When I got to my new seat, I put the seat card in the slot in front of me.

Is it possible that Yahska saw something similar?  Did he see a man relocate when he couldn't take his previous seat accommodations anymore?  We'll never know.  But if this were a trial, my scenario would create reasonable doubt in the prosecution's story.  This juror finds Yahska's defendant innocent.

Happy commuting, and may you encounter uncommon sense.

The best compliment I can receive is a new follower who was referred by a friend! 

Sign up for the blog mailing list by entering your email address in the "Follow By E-Mail box."  Or, if you're on Facebook, give TheTrainInVain page a "Like."  You can also follow me on Twitter.

Twitter: @davidrtrainguy
email: thetrain.invain.829@gmail.com

July 1, 2014

Hello dave The Chatty Subway Conductor

Anyone who regularly takes commuter or subway trains knows that conductor announcements vary.  Sometimes, a conductor is just going through the motions and you can barely understand a word he says.  Sometimes, a conductor makes funny comments.  Sometimes, a conductor is hostile and yells at passengers.

And then, sometimes you get a conductor who is super chatty.  Recently, I was making my way from the LIRR Atlantic Terminal in Brooklyn to Downtown Manhattan on the subway.  The conductor was so chatty that I took notes on my iPhone to remember his comments.  In a span of about 6-7 stops, he said a lot.  Perhaps he had a script in front of him.

"If you see suspicious packages, do not keep it to yourself.  Tell a police officer or MTA representative."
It's the subway.  Everything and everyone is suspicious.

"Subway tracks are dangerous.  If you drop something, contact a qualified person to retrieve it."
Who is qualified to retrieve it?  Have you ever seen someone working on the platform who might be helpful?  That dropped mobile phone is toast.

"The next stop is the last stop in Brooklyn.  We will enter Manhattan after this stop."
Thanks for the geography lesson.  I thought we would enter Canton, Ohio next.

"This is the first stop in Manhattan."  
I can only assume the borough departure and entrance announcements were repeated as the train left Manhattan and entered the Bronx.

"The time is 8:14 AM."
He forgot to mention whether it was EDT or EST.

"Enjoy the rest of your day."
Thanks for the encouragement.  I'll do the best I can.

"Please put litter in proper receptacles."
Of course.  We live in a society with RULES.  You don't have to tell ME that.

"There is a wheelchair accessible elevator at the next stop."
That's helpful information for disabled commuter warriors.  I have nothing snide to say here.  Try not to look so surprised.

"Be aware of pickpockets, and do not display electronic devices."
How would I have written this blog post if I didn't take a chance?

"This train is northbound."
Usually this type of statement is accompanied by the train we're on, next stop, etc.  But not in this case.  Just a directional check-in.   He had a compass, and wanted to use it.

"Inappropriate touching is not tolerated on the train."
Damned straight.  Do your inappropriate touching on the platform, where it's encouraged.

By the time I got off the train at Chambers Street, I realized I was ready to take another safety precaution.  I'm going to buy myself a pair of noise canceling headphones.  That's to protect the well-being of everyone around me should I ride a train managed by Mr. Coffee again.

Happy commuting, and may you encounter uncommon sense.

The best compliment I can receive is a new follower who was referred by a friend! 

Sign up for the blog mailing list by entering your email address in the "Follow By E-Mail box."  Or, if you're on Facebook, give TheTrainInVain page a "Like."  You can also follow me on Twitter.

Twitter: @davidrtrainguy
email: thetrain.invain.829@gmail.com

Hello dave And Now, Deep Thoughts

Earlier today, I was on the train, seated near the center where people sit in seats that face each other. There were several hearing impaired folks, and they were having a lengthy conversation in sign language.  

If they were in the quiet car, I wonder if another person would have walked over and "SHHed" them in sign language.