SAT 8th MAY : SPRING CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHT

One of the lesser known constitutional rights, it seems, can be seen fervently exercised during sunny Spring Days in New York City.

You'll first notice the act when you hear a flurry of words and mumbles from behind; often repeated - altho some may be dropped. It is unlikely you will make any sense of them.

The next thing you notice is a rather proud guy (rarely a woman) strolling past you head cocked from left to right to left with a pair of white earphones.

Yes: New Yorkers right to sing along badly to their personal stereo or iPod with no shame.

You'll find these fellows on bikes on the Riverside Park, waiting for the lights to change on the Hudson and even on West Broadway circling in the street on rollerblades. It seems a particular occupation of vested gay men too.

Do not make any attempt to try to decipher the code and identify the tune. This is impossible. Ignore, shake head side to side, mutter. Then continue humming that tune you've had in your head all day.