I very rarely overhear interesting conversations on the MBTA commuter rail. When you are on a commuter’s schedule (i.e. on the train between 6 and 9 in the morning and 4 and 7 in the evening), you will usually hear miscellaneous and very BORING work-related cell phone conversations or the occasional commuter buddy chats to the tune of “how was your day” or “what’s going on this weekend.” Nothing worth listening to.
Today, however, the 112th Boston Marathon took place. My office (and Back Bay station) is conveniently located a couple blocks from the finish line. So, there were a bunch of runners sporting reflective silver plastic wrap (they get these to keep warm after they finish the race) on the train ride home. Among them was a unique fellah sporting an all pink jump suit sitting next to a pile of pink clunky plastic and cardboard. I didn’t ask questions and took my seat.
After a few minutes, he starts talking with some other runners and tells his story. He just started a charity dedicated to raising money for cancer research and he ran the marathon today in a huge pink hairdryer costume! Wouldn’t you listen in too? His charity, My Hairdryer for Cancer, gets celebrities to sign hairdryers which are then sold to auction with all proceeds going to cancer research. He was also on the Matty in the Morning radio show this week to help spread the word (photo below).
I didn’t get to see the costume in full effect, but I hope someone cheering him and the other runners on took some photos today and will post them online.
To the guy on the train (blonde one in the photo below) - best of luck with your charity! You have a great story. Continue to tell it in crowded places, so people can eaves drop.
