My girlfriend, friend Jess and I all rode the 6 train and had an awesome time…the only downside was that those subway ‘strippers’ that got kinda sorta famous on the internet a month ago must have caught wind of the event, and they came onto our car, took their clothes off and started pole dancing…then they tried to sell their pants to us. It kinda took the event from being a fun thing and made it something sexual, which a lot of the pants-wearing riders on the car took offense to (understandably so) and took away from the event.

Overall though, it was very fun, and I had a ton of people asking me why I wasn’t wearing pants, including a group of French tourists who asked me if today was No Pants Day in America.

I said ‘why do you ask?’ and she said ‘you’re not wearing pants!’

I replied ‘Yeah, I know, it’s pretty warm out today so I didn’t wear em.’

She asked ‘Oh yeah? And EVERYBODY else decided not to wear pants too?’

I looked around and said ‘I don’t know why any of those weirdos aren’t wearing pants…sorry.’

After the ride back downtown was over, a bunch of us went pantsless to Hearland Brewery, where we had some food and beers and persuaded a bunch more people to take off their pants. See you next year!

My favorite comment was uttered when an Agent offered his seat to an elderly lady passenger, whose only response was, “You want me to sit there now? That’s fucked up!”

This was my second improveverywhere event but my first No Pants Day, which was pretty succesful. Alone and without any companions I soon met a number of extremely friendly, soon to be pantsless trainriders. I was on the 6 line, (Car 1) and it was hilarious once traffic picked up. Most of the people that participated were pretty silent and didn’t laugh, although we all smiled maliciously during the first few depants-ings at the first few stops. One man didnt realize that pants were missing until a few stops after he got on. I watched him look up for a moment and after being startled, immediately began to investigate other people’s legs for pants. A look of incredulity swept his face. But when he looked into my eyes I could only shrug back.

That was a great time. I was group zero on the R train. It was fun being the last set off on our zero group having people on the train catch up to what was going on and the N train passengers afterwards snapping pictures from inside the train at us.

The weirdest thing I experienced though was some old guy with a really, really weird pumpkin sculpture made out of foam core that had a creepy horror flick face carved into it. Halloween was over…and they called us pantless folks weird. The old pumpkin dude kept looking around for hidden cameras too.

Everything was all very matter a facty and then on the way back a group of us started a talk on Palaniuk stories, then bicycles, then I don’t know what.

No Pants Twister, wooo!!!

That. Was. Awesome! :) First year doing it, dragged my boyfriend along with me. We got the red line yay!! CAR #5 YEA! So yea. I was in the group that took off their pants at the 2nd stop (between Chambers and Franklin). There were these two girls sitting next to me, eyeballing me and muttering because I had started unlacing and unbuttoning. When I pulled off my pants, they started laughing really loudly, and kept pointing out the window even after we got off.

We got on the next 2 train, and one guy was trying to find out what was going on. “Oh just forgot my pants.” Another poor guy, sitting directly in front of where I was standing, refused to open his eyes. And when we were getting off at Times Square, he was too, and he shoved me away!

Walking through the Times Square station was very funny….so many people wondering what the hell was going on! Some of us were randomly dancing to the band playing there. And you can’t forget the guys calling out “hey beautiful!” and “theres a lotta pussy coming this way!”

The best part had to be when we were all at Union Square. We got more people to take off their pants! The people I was with decided to extend the No Pants 2K8 so we all ended up at Virgin. We went into Staples next, hoping to find some pants. One of the workers offered to give us his pants for money though.

Barnes & Noble was fun too…the poor people at the Starbucks register! They kept messing up the orders and stuttering. And then eventually one of the guys were like “so nobody’s wearing any sexy underwear…?” to which my boyfriend responded with “excuse me sir, I am offended, my underwear is sexy!”
LOL.
Anyways. We sat around where everyone was trying to study, eating our food and talking for a bit, getting to know each other. It was a good day!
And insanely fun.

P.S. Does anyone happen to know who that guy in the trench coat was….He followed us the whole time all the way to Union Square and never took off his pants…. o_O

I was group 1 on the 2/3. We had this elderly black lady get really uptight, when the first couple of girls started taking off their pants. She started yelling at them, shouting “What are you, crazy?!” Then after they got off the stop, she followed them, and started yelling stuff like “There’s children who can see this!”, etc, etc.

So, the next stop was my turn, so I got up, she graciously took my seat… and then I started depantsing in front of her. :)

I can proudly say, at 15 years old, I was the youngest participant. The fun started when I saw the only veteran in our group depantsed. I didn’t even see him undoing them! That’s how good he was. A bunch of people took off their pants and said “What is going on?” I just shrugged and waited for the doors to close. Then me and my friend Agent DeeDs took our pants off. “Oh my God!” “Only in New York…” I couldn’t believe they said it! The famous quote!

We left the train and I had a nice chat with a man with a pink DS. I showed my DS so he knew we were brethren in gaming. We got on a another subway and chatted the whole time about the R.O.B., Zelda, and Smash Bros. Brawl. Then we got off for another train. We waited a while until a train for coney island came. One of the agents went in and nobody else. He luckily got out before it left. That would’ve been awkward. We got on the next train to Union Square and there was a slow dispersing of people. Me and Agent DeeDs got our picture taken with tourists, we reviewed the day. It was pretty fun. Then we asked directions to go to Grand Central from the veteran of our group. We got on the 4 train with no pants. The man next to us asked what was going on. We said we didn’t know what he was talking about. Then he pointed out our lack of pants. We said we forgot our pants. He said “Wow. And I thought I was crazy.” He also commented that he had seen a couple of girls with no pants on too.

We got to Grand Central and bought a mamba and sugar babies because we were starving. Then the veteran came in the shop (already changed back into pants) and congratulated us for staying in character. Also, the shopkeeper didn’t seem to notice that we had no pants on! We left and looked for a bathroom to change in. We asked directions and got a couple of stares, but no trouble. We checked for the bathroom at every turn because we got very vague directions. Then we saw a couple of soldiers through a hallway. We did a 180 and I said “Nope nope nope nope nope…” We found the bathroom in the food court downstairs and changed back. As one said a year or two ago, it felt weird to have pants on again…

Spidey, I found Improv Everywhere through Reallifecomics!

i wish i was nyc for this

I’ll just copy what I sent out on Facebook:

Okay, so today (Jan. 12) was the 7th annual No Pants NYC Subway Ride. Maybe 700-1000 people showed up in Foley Square, and those of you who didn’t go without good excuse, are in fact, corporate puffins.

It began with everyone I know chickening out. I went alone, armed with my iPod and bag (and pants) to Foley alone. After being lost and getting some directions on the phone from Mama (who did not know what I was doing), I noticed a lot of people with bags going one way, so I followed. I hoped to find Billy, who said he was going. I wore the orange sweatshirt of doom for that reason. Interestingly, Hanna, a senior I don’t think I’ve ever really talked to much before, called my name, recognizing the obnoxious sweatshirt. Her friend Debra came along too. Eventually Billy found us and we waited around in the crowd. All the people were nice, no perverts, no freaks. After a brief megaphone speech, the crowd was divided by which train we’d ride. Hanna, Billy, Debra and I were to ride the 2/3 train up to Times Square, then transfer to the N back to Union Square. Once we were convened, a guy said we now had to split up by designated train car. After deciding for no reason we were group five, others convened around us. We were the loudest, most spirited group in the 2/3 crowd, chanting “five” a lot. We met some nice people of various ages, one of which brought cookies. We were assigned a guy to lead us, who was then called Captain Dodd.

No here was the plan: We’d get on the train car with pants, then take of our pants at certain stops, get off, then get on the next train that came. Us fab four were sect 3, so we got depantsed third.

Then the fun: we massed jay walked through traffic, and got on the train, all acting non-chalant. One of the best things I’ve seen in a long time was the people all getting off all along the platform without pants. As a note, Debra was wearing skimpy pink, I had alligator boxers, Hanna had plain black and Billy had a pair that matched his shirt.

We got on the next train, were sects 1 and 2 were already established. I got on, acted normal. A father had to explain to his kids to ignore us all. Hanna later told me that a woman asked what happened, and when Hanna said she left them at home, the woman turned to another pantsless person and asked how they knew Hanna.

We got off at Times Square in order to switch, when the catcalls started. Guys hanging in the subway halls between the two platforms yelled things ranging from, “I like that girl,” to, “There be a lot of pussy coming down the stairs”. At one point there was a large band playing with a large crowd in a semicircle in front of them. Our little parade marched right in front of them.

Then I got separated, and got stuck with a guy named Matt and some others. We noticed no other pantsless people were on our train, so we got off and waited for the next one, which was stuffed.

We got off at Union Square, and as I stepped out of the stairwell, Hanna leapt at me, since we all got separated. We hung out briefly, met our fellow “Fivies”, then wwent to that wide space on the south end, were everyone was. Without Pants.

People chanted for others to take their pants off. Various people were forcibly depantsed. Many sang (including us). Many pictures were taken, and many people questioned us, and got no satisfactory answers. One large group when jogging. One creepy guy question Hanna and Debra a lot, and got annoyed, and just kinda followed us, but really couldn’t with all the people around. One man handed out pamphlets suggesting that pants were the answer to our problems (very religious style, too). He was depantsed. Then Debra and Billy had to go.

We kinda gathered our group five, and hit Virgin Records. On the way, one of our new friends said that pants made people corporate puffins. I said Hitler, Stalin and Bush all wore pants. After permeating that store, and taking pictures, we moved on to Staples. One of our group just got transfered from it, so he knew all the employees. We searched the place for pants, during which an intercom message came on saying, “Customers, please put on your pants. Thank you.”

During this, more people left, but we found more. Our entourage moved to Barnes and Nobles for coffee, where we hung out and creeped out studying people. In the end, we all parted.

I went home pantsless, much to my parents surprise.

i couldn’t find you… but yeah! car five!

other car fives: look for the facebook group called “no pants 08 group five” to get in touch with us!

Car number 1 on the 3 train!

First off, I got to Foley Square around 2pm (having given myself ample time for both the commute from outside of the city, as well as ample time for getting lost since I knew it was highly likely I would pull a Rob only with nobody telling me the right way to go). I sat down and started reading my book, and watched as the crowd grew from 10, to 30, to suddenly what looked like 4 or 500 people, maybe more. A couple of people approached me asking me if I knew what the crowd was all about, and I just told them I was trying to find out the same thing.

Once we were broken into groups, and then groups within groups, the anticipation really started to get to me – I had almost done No Pants 2k7 but had been out of town the weekend it happened, so I KNEW I had to be here this year. And I was in a fantastic group – car #1 led the way to the station where we would catch the 3.

Once we were all there and a train came and we boarded, I was in full “I don’t know these people” mode – which was easy enough since I actually didn’t know ANYONE. The first person to depants in our car was sitting right next to me, but I had my book so close to my face that had I not known it was happening, I probably would have missed it anyway, so it was easy to pretend this was a normal occurrence. HOWEVER, a non-participant in our car started freaking out as more and more people started depantsing and leaving the train. She went so far as to approach the conductor and go on about how “these people should be arrested, it’s indecent exposure”. This was maybe the only time I thought about bailing on the mission, as I was still with my pants. However, I overheard the conductor explaining to her that it was actually perfectly legal to be without pants. That brought a smile to my face AND it couldn’t have been better timed, as it was my turn to remove my pants. Game on!

I got off the train at 18th street with some of my fellow agents, but as far as I was concerned I was the only person there. When the next train came and we boarded, seeing people on the train with no pants on (even though I knew they were going to be there!) was a bit of a shock, but I think the people on the car were starting to get used to us getting on the train at that point. I sat down and continued to read my book.

A woman sat down next to me but sort of scooted away so as not to get too close. I saw she was with a friend who wouldn’t sit down, so I turned to them and said “Do you want to sit down? There’s plenty of room, I can scoot over, really it’s no problem!” But she refused, and seemed a little weirded out about the idea of sitting next to someone with no pants on.

I tried to keep interacting with random passengers whenever possible. At 34th street I asked a man sitting next to me on the other side of me if this train stopped at 42nd street, and he told me that he was pretty sure it was the next stop. I thanked him, packed up my book, and prepared to get off the train. Before getting off the train though, the woman who had refused to sit next to me turned to me and asked “I just have to know, why are you all not wearing pants?” I calmly responded “I don’t know about those people, I just have to do laundry”, smiled, and headed on to the platform.

One of the most awesome things about this mission for me was actually the transfer from the red line (2/3) to the yellow line (N/R). Walking through the station at Times Square was a blast, almost hard to keep a straight face about it though. I just handled it like my normal commute, completely forgetting for a moment that I wasn’t wearing any pants. But it’s hard to miss 20, 30, 50, 100 (actually probably more) people walking through the station with no pants on. And walking down the ENTIRE platform of the N/R to get to the first car was quite an adventure!

There were only 3 or four of us that made it all the way down to the first car when the train came, and we got right on. I sat down and resumed reading my book, but I saw a father with two children get on the train and I felt bad for taking up a seat so I offered him the seat and the empty one next to me, which he very happily accepted – and THEN when I stood up he realized I had no pants on. But he didn’t really seem to mind and neither did his kids. I held on to a center pole and tried to keep reading my book. I could hear people reacting to us pantsless folk, but I didn’t catch much of what they were saying. At one point I asked a few people if the train stopped at 14th street, because I wasn’t sure, but they weren’t sure either and wished me luck.

At 14th street, we disembarked and headed up to Union Square. I tried to avoid the mass of pantsless people at Union Square and instead stuck to the edges of the group, randomly asking people who came by if they knew why all these people were gathering with no pants on. Some at first didn’t notice I wasn’t wearing pants either. Whenever I was asked why I wasn’t wearing pants, I stuck to the story I had planned on telling from the beginning – that I didn’t have any clean pants, and I didn’t have any quarters for the laundry machines so I was on my way to my parents house. When people asked me why I wasn’t wearing the dirty pants, I just emphasized that they were REALLY dirty, and that’s kind of gross. I went so far as to say at one point that I had just run into these other pantsless people on the subway and I wanted to see why they weren’t wearing pants, but nobody would tell me, and now I was late getting to my parents house, and I was going to be late for work, the story kind of snowballed and the greatest part was, everybody that I told it to actually seemed to believe me. And if they didn’t believe me they did a great job of making me feel like they did, which was just as good for me.

After a while some of us headed (still pantsless) down to Beauty Bar, which was closed (and had a note that started “dear pantsless” taped to the window), then down to Crocodile Lounge, where cheers erupted every time more pantsless folk wandered in. I talked with some other agents for a little while, then sadly donned my pants and headed home.

This was one of the bravest, craziest, and most amazing things I have ever been a part of. I didn’t realize I had so much self confidence until I started to take my pants off. All in all an AWESOME day that I will be talking about for a VERY long time!

So I was on the R train group 2 (woooo!!!) and it was pretty much awesome.

We were one of the smaller groups with something around 15 or 20ish. I was in a group with my friends of 6 people, but we had stragglers who were alone.

So we get onto the train, and the first brave guy takes off his pants, and leaves. Then the next brave girl. Then a group of 5, and then us. I was (shockingly) fine with taking my pants off, it was just that I started smiling a lot and sort of broke cover by almost laughing. Oh well!

I was asked by one guy why I wasn’t wearing pants to which I responding “Oh shit! I knew I forgot something!” and he continued to ask me if that happened often :P

So we had to a transfer at 59th, but our group got a bit separated (although we apparently managed to get on and off at the same place, just without knowing). Me and 2 friends followed a guy from group 2 who was separated with his group of friends. We got on, looked funny, and got some funny looks.

We ended up getting off at Union Square (like everyone else) and we got the best looks from people. Well, there WERE hundred of people leaving one subway station in a constant flow without pants on. I’d give them a funny look too…

Afterwards, the twos from R went and got some food, or tried to. We went into a bar and we were kicked out because we didn’t have pants (resevoir, we don’t like them, at least it was temperary warmth). Oh well. We kept getting great looks as we got further from Union square.

One guy was drinking something in a shop and was facing us through a window, he took up his drink, saw us, and stopped, cup midair, staring. He had absolutely no idea what to do. It was pretty great.

Overall, awesome time, doing it next year. GO R TWOS!

What can I say? My first No Pants Subway Ride was an absolute thrill. Prior to disembarking, I was able to share my rationale for participating in the event (“I want to make people lives that much more interesting”) with a reporter from the Daily News (who alas, did not join us in our pants-shedding fun). I then boarded the 6th car on the 6 train — Our fearless leader Chris (he of knee-length sock fame) got us started off on the right foot, stepping up to the plate after our original ‘firster’ disappeared somewhere on the platform (I saw him in Union Square afterwards, sans pants, so it was nice to know he made it through okay). I was second to go, and still not a word from the normal, pants-wearing people in our original car that they even noticed. Oh well. Stepped onto the platform at Spring St. and waited for the next train. On the platform I informed a gentleman with a videocamera that I had in fact forgot my pants that morning. This was actually a lie, as I would later admit to not forgetting them, but actually getting to the dry cleaners too late last night to pick them up. Chris has made a great impression in our car boarding at the previous stop with a small cadre of teenagers, and they were already making loud comments ranging from snark to disbelief as myself and people at subsequent stops boarded their car without pants. By Union Square we had a good 20-25 people in our car sans pants, and the teenagers were just going on and on with their reactions and asking each other what was happening and whether or not to get off and wait for another train. I took a seat and read my newspaper undisturbed until 96th Street, overhearing many curious comments passed back and forth between various bewildered transit riders. Exiting en masse from every car of the train, we were confronted with numerous shouts asking what was going on from various onlookers, I went to the newsstand and bought a Coke — I can only imagine with the two Chinese-speaking gentlemen working there must have thought of the vision of hundreds of pants-less people walking in front of their shop. Boarding a downtown train, to the continuing disbelieving looks and comments from assorted passers-by, pants-deficient riders by now outnumber normal riders in the car. The ride passed rather uneventfully until we all exited at Union Square where one lady loudly expressed her high-and-mighty opinion that “…it would be alright if you guys were doing this for a reason, but no one seems to be able to tell me why this is going on!” Once I exited the station, I milled about looking for a former co-worker I had run into on the platform before separating into our individual cars, but alas, could not find her. (I didn’t know anyone who was coming to the event, but I was sure I would run into someone I knew. This always happens to me.) In the meantime though I felt privileged to witness several conversions to the anti-pants side, including many of the usual Union Square punk crowd, and a Dennis Kucinich supporter. Also the pants-free twister was a treat to watch. After a while though, it did begin to get a little too cold, even in my boots, so I resumed my normal pants-wearing and headed to the F train to go home.

Red Line (2/3), Car 8!

I’m the guy with the really long goatee from Charlotte.

This was the most fun thing I’ve done all year! I had a blast meeting all of you, and I loved the instant connection we had, simply by being adventurous and non-conformist.

I was the second person in my car to remove my pants, so people were just starting to talk about the first person who got off the train without pants. As soon as the car started moving again, I started undoing my belt, and this thug dude right behind me, was like “whoa! oh no… what are you doin’ man?” I simply looked at him, and said “it’s getting a little stuffy in here”. GREAT FUN!

Through the adventure, at least 5 people stopped me and asked “what is all this about”?

I replied: “what is WHAT about”

They would say something like: “why are all these people wearing underwear”?

I’d reply: “Oh, so you mean YOU don’t wear underwear?”

They’d say: “Well, of course I do”!

Then I’d say: “Awesome! Me too!”

I’d try to give them a high-five…then walk away.

So much fun! =)

Walking around The Virgin Megastore was fun after prancing around Union Square, but the best part was finishing out the evening with all the other pantless at Crocodile Lounge. (There was only one bartender… that poor guy!)

It was hilarious chanting “NO PANTS” to everyone who walked in the door, and watching some of them get embarrassed and walk out (we’d call them back inside), or cheering whenever someone new walked in without any pants on.

A group of ladies celebrating a bachelorette party came in and decided to hang out with us. It’s fitting that all of us guys didn’t have any pants on, though they didn’t know before coming inside. =)

Anyway, I had a fantastic time. It was certainly worth the flight up from Charlotte, NC, and I plan to to it again in 2009!

Again, I loved meeting so many of you! Feel free to contact me on my Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/metachimp

Red Line, Car 8 represent! =)

This was my first mission and I had a blast! R line car 6! Had a blast with all of you guys, feel free to send me an email! Aside from the usual fun associated with taking your pants off in public I really enjoyed getting off at Union Square to find lobbyists handing out pro-pants propaganda (not to mention the guy canvassing for Kucinich who dropped his pants several times for the cameras!)

Will definitely be back for more, keep it up Charlie!

I rode the R train in the last car (group 0). Once my pants came off another participant complimented my socks. The comments and confusion of the train passengers were hilarious. A pantsless rider said to me on the way back that we seemed to outnumber the “normal” people. At Union square I heard a little girl screaming out “that’s disgusting” to everyone around her. The most awkward part of my day was putting my pants back on at Union Square.

By the way, I was on the R train, group 6.

R train 0 group…

Has so many looks and so many people crack up, at on point a lady was like ” DONT BE GETT’IN NAKED IN MY CAR… MM MMMMMM…”

I was asked what happen to my pants
i replayed
“they got stolen in a club last night – on my way home now…”

Has fun great time

my photos are going to my flickr
randycphoto

-randy

6 train car 6

Today was really awesome, my first noPants ride and i cant believe it was this fun. It was really funny when we got on the train at Union Sq a bunch of people were laughing. it was funny when, Chris Scott, i believe was doing lunges on the train, and the trip back was even better, while on the train i was listening to my ipod and i actually forgot that i didnt have any pants then when we got back to Union Sq, i was like “where are my pants…oh” then when we got out we took a jog around the park, and convinced other people to take off there pants. i was planning to go back home pantsless but i started to get cold.
I really liked it and i hope i can do it again next year

“TAKE THEM OFF, TAKE THEM OFF!!!”

ZOMG lolololol myspace me or facebook me…

myspace.com/shelichan

http://raritanval.facebook.com/profile.php?id=215301636

r train cart 0

that was one crazy…iono wat u wana call it but ill never look the same way while riding that R train again, mind u i ride it everyday…in the same cart. i was the long hair guy with weed boxers btw i bought those specifically for the event
its was great at some point it was akward for the people who where wearing pants because we out numbered them
ya it was my first improve and i cant wait 4 the next one

ALICIA IS AWSOME !!!!!

Transfer Group – Car 6!

Rock on with our 900 bad, pantsless selves.

From slightly worrying to the good bits: My one awkward moment – exiting the train at my assigned stop of 28th Street and glancing left and right to see the other pantsless riders who would of course be on the platform with me in their respective cars.

But they weren’t there.

I inhaled, closed my coat flaps a bit, and wondered if there was any chance that I had somehow screwed up the VERY straightforward directions we had received. “They all jumped the gun and got off at 14th street” I chanted to myself. The next train arrived. Because the trains have waist-high windows and I couldn’t tell whether all the slightly blurry people I was watching pass had pants on or not. The doors opened.

I have never been more relieved to see a bunch of partially-dressed people in my life.

The fun began. The only pants-wearing woman attached to the central pole by the doors scooted over and her face unquestionably read “Oh boy. Here’s another one.” But she was very nice and I will commend everyone in my car for remaining completely in character.

Meanwhile, the AP cameraman filming us apparently saw a friend waiting for a different train at 34th Street. The man ran up to shake his hand, and must have worked for the same company because he said: “Oh, you’re filming THIS today? Why don’t you have your pants off?” His reply was that their boss told him not to. I think we should’ve had the other guy. He would’ve been more in the spirit. Like the IE Agent who joined us part way through the return trip and was asked by the couple loudly discussing all of us if he was there to film. “Film who?” he asked in completely believeable deadpan. “All these people with no pants!” they replied. “What?! Oh – Look at that!” So he did.

The return walking through the band’s pan-pipe laden performance circle was the closest I came to busting outright. The hoola-hoopers and unknowing pants-droppers at Union Square were classic. There were cameras everywhere, so I hope IE got fantaasic press for this.

The Mission was a blast. My first, and it’s this one. My brother did MP3 Experiment Four (shout out to Agent Flooey) and I’ve been itching to jump in ever since.

Thanks to agents Alicia, Tina, Brady, and all the funny folks who made a first time agent feel at home.

I was pretty impressed with the pre-game. I’m not sure what next year will look like. maybe there will be t-shirt stands, lemonade stands, and other stands, maybe some tail-gating (or tail-bating).

I got on car 0 on the red line with my bike. as the first person took their pants off, she did so in front of a small child. the child didn’t seem bothered, but his father was definitely encouraging his child to go back to sleep.

I actually got off the train early, as i had a 5pm meeting. as i got off, I didn’t know what to do. i couldn’t quite put my pants back on – yet – but I also could not show up to my meeting pantsless (or could i???) – after standing on the 34th street platform for a few minutes, i had a tourist approach me and ask, “Where do i catch the express train?” I actually had a normal conversation with her. I guess she either did not notice, or she just wanted to catch her express train. I began thinking, “Is there a joke being played on ME ???”

Another glorious day of leg-hair revealing mayhem, but sans the 125th street anger from last year. The transfer at Times Square was like a catwalk parade of poker-faced brilliance.

Flickr set here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/sgoralnick/sets/72157603702637589/
(will put more in there tomorrow)

My first IE event! My friend A & I had fun. Subtle fun becuase the joke’s on the public! I loved seeing the faces of people who were confused as to whether it was the second Halloween or what. Rock on subway car 3 on the R!!!!! I had the most fun when we joined the union sq. crowd. Great event- see y’all next time for sure!

R line, car 0

I spent my time on the subway composing music, or at least trying to. I had a good phrase in my head that I was about to write down when suddenly some guy comes in and starts playing a guitar and singing some classic rock songs. I sat there unhappily as the phrase slipped away from me and was replaced by this guy’s horrible singing. When the guy got off I had to express my frustration by sparking conversation with the nearest person, both of us not wearing pants. I said, “Geeze what a weirdo! So random! Who would just start singing with a guitar in the middle of a subway ride? Only in New York, right?” She replied, “Yeah I know, right? Some people are so strange.”

This was my first mission with IE and I was very happy that I decided to be a part of it! I came all the way from NJ just for that. I absolutely loved the whole “I <3 Pants” movement going on afterward, by the way. See you all next year!

Well the Daily News covered it already. I saw them interviewing some people.

http://www.nydailynews.com/news/2008/01/13/2008-01-13_riders_take_a_no_pants_subway_ride.html

My second mission, My first no pants ride. Always fun.

FIrst no shirts, now no pants. Next we should go naked. IE goes streaking.

My, how times have changed. In 2003, we actually did the mission on one train car.

This year, I sat next to a homeless man. He was older, a robust and smelly gentleman. Appropriately, he was reading a copy of “Weird New York”. He was holding an oversized paper mache pumpkin with a demented face carved into it. He said he’d made it himself. I was reminded of our Halloween subway prank a few years back. He asked me why I wasn’t wearing pants. I told him I’d forgotten them. This man was the most persistent interrigator I’ve seen in my 4 no pants missions. He was asking everyone without pants what was going on. Everyone stuck to their story that they didn’t know anyone else on the train. He was confused, but he was really trying to get to the bottom of it.
“Oh well, I’ll just read about it Sunday’s New York Times,” he finally decided.

At 34th St., a woman got on the R train with her 4 year old son. The 4 year old was confused. He looked around, aware that this subway was different than other subways. Bare legs at eye level in every direction. After a minute of this, he was driven to tears.

This event was so large, I actually had fans at the mission. One guy came up to me in Union Square, and tapped me on the shoulder. Expecting to see Agent Shafeek or somebody I knew, I turned to see a bearded man without pants.
“Dude, you’re the man!” he said.
This guy really was a big fan of improv everywhere, and he was genuinely excited to see an old school IE guy. Surprised, I froze up, and said nothing in return. I just nodded my head in confusion. The bearded man slumped away in disappointment and embarrassment. I think I shattered my only true fan’s moment of glory. Dude with the beard, if you’re out there, YOU are the man!!!

Mp3 Experiment 4 was my first IE event and I had the same glowing, natural adreneline high at my first No Pants Subway ride yesterday. Have been wanting to do this for a few years now, but have always been out of town. SO psyched I got to do it yesterday! Here’s my recount…

Went to a bloody mary brunch beforehand for some liquid courage with a few friends that were participating before we headed over to Foley Square. On the subway ride down, we’re giggling and wondering who else on the subway was going to be taking their pants off within the next hour! We pegged one guy and we were right! Ended up hanging out with him and other new friends the whole time! (Had a blast with you Raffie!)

So my group was the 1st to depants on the 4th car of the 6 train. When the doors started to close after the 1st stop, we all began depantsing much to the dismay of an older woman sitting next to me, clearly wondering why everyone was removing their pants.

I was standing on the Spring St. stop bopping my head and jamming to my iPod while the laughter started from non-participants. “Is that girl seriously wearing no pants? What is she doing?” Surprisingly, I held it together and didn’t laugh while pretending to get frustrated the train was taking so long, looking at my watch and down the track to see if it was coming yet!

Once I got on the train, I had some conversations with fellow participants (Shout out to Red Boots Girl!), as well as asking non-participants the time or what the next stop was etc. When asked what was going on from those wearing pants, I’d say, “I don’t know. I was trying to figure that out too. There’s so many people on the train for a Saturday afternoon!” They’d be like, No I mean you don’t have any pants on. My response would be Oh! That–The tag on the back was really bothering me so I just took them off. Pants Person: Then why does everyone else have them off too? Me: Their tags were probably itching them too…

One of my friends had on a button down shirt, blazer and heels with her hair tied back and holding a portfolio that she was reviewing. She quickly found a male business attire-adorned particpant to review the notes she was making. I literally had to walk away for fear I’d start hysterically laughing. (You were AWESOME, Alyssa!)

Union Square and Crocodile Lounge afterwards was FAB! Between bopping around Union Square in the cold with no pants on and chanting TAKE THEM OFF! and getting to Beauty Bar to find a sign that says, Dear Pantsless. We’re going to Crocodile Lounge!, the night couldn’t have been any better. It was just so natural to not have pants on that I was actually really upset when I had to put them on. One guy actually took my pants when I was trying to put them on and he threw them outside! Hilarious! Did notice that people tended to be much more friendlier and outgoing at bars when they’re not wearing pants.

All in all, I met some AMAZING people and had an incredible day. Can’t wait for No Pants 2k9!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :)

Howdyo-ho!

I was Agent Pixi’s right hand man there. This was my first No Pants 2k8 (will return for 2k9) and it was tres fun!

Thanks to all of those who came into my soon-to-be-former Staples location (props to Pixi, Jono, and Nadi).

Nadi if it was a black trench, that was me, but I did have my pants off and I led the charge into Staples.

PS- You can fins me on myspace and facebook via Pixi. ^_^

My 2nd No Pants and 5th Improv Everywhere mission was as usual a great time. I was the first one to de-pants on the 6th car of the Yellow-R line. Since I was the first person to depants, this guy I was sitting next to started to get a little panicked “Yo, what’s this dude doing?” I just nonchalantly continued to take my pants off, stood up and waited for the Canal St. stop.

The wait between trains was a little long, and our 6th car happened to be right at the main entrance where people would come in, so a lot of people walked in and were staring at me. Noone actually came up and said anything though.

When I got on to the next R train, there were a bunch of people trying to guess what was going on. One of them said “It must be a sorority thing”, which was kind of confusing to me since I’m a guy. In any case, I paid them no attention. However, one unfortunate spoilsport said, “No it’s this Improv Everywhere thing, and it was funny like the first 5 times, now it’s old and boring, everyone knows about it”. I didn’t respond to him, but comeon man, if you know what’s going on, don’t spoil it and rag on it, just stay quiet.

Anyway, the rest of the mission was a great success. And props to the 2 or 3 young highschool guys from our car who maintained the spirit, when I ran into them at Grand Central going back home, they were still pant-less.

A bunch of us from Connecticut made the trip up for our first No Pants mission.

With our pants on, we boarded our assigned train car – Go R! The train was near silent…everyone minding his own business. As we approached the 14th street stop, I almost peed myself. This was when we were told to de-pants. I had to keep telling myself not to piss.

My friend knew the exact feeling I was experiencing. She said, “You know when you’re a little kid playing Hide & Seek…and you’re the one hiding… and you can see your friend’s feet going by…” YES – THAT WAS FEELING.

The train car was pretty packed… I kicked off my red high heels, took my pants off as gracefully as possible, stuffed ’em in my bag, and put my shoes back on…all without cracking a smile. There I stood, donning my green girlie boxers with white stars and my red pumps. The expressions of the clueless passengers were priceless. They were slightly confused… they wanted to get a good look, but were trying to be discreet about it – peeking out of the corner of their eyes. It was hysterical. I was surprised that no one asked what was going on, but the expressions alone made the entire trip!

Definitely will be there next year!

This was my first no pants ride, but certainly will not be my last. By far one of the best things I’ve done in my two years of living in New York City.

Three of my friends and I met at Foley Square. I was amazed at the size of the crowd and how well organized the logistics of the event were. We were quickly divided into three groups for each subway line, then further broken down into cars (6 train, 8th car!!!)

We headed to the subway and got ready to board the train. Our car had a smaller group of participants than some of the other cars. We spread out upon boarding the train (even amoung our group of 4, we tried to split up). When the first guy took off his pants, I couldn’t help but start laughing, especially upon seeing the reaction of the woman standing near him with a look of sheer disbelief on her face. I figured at this point, I was just your every day unsuspecting citizen reacting to someone without their pants on. When it was our turn, I quickly shed my pants, biting my lip to keep from smiling. We got of the train and waited on the platform at union square for the next train. There was a guy who was quite amused by the four girls standing on their in their undies, but we ignored him and acted like nothing was out of the ordinary.

We reboarded the next 6 train, and did my best to act nonchalant and ignore the other pantsless riders. At some point, a guy tapped me on my shoulder,and as I turned around he asked me “why is everyone in their underwears?” With a confused look on my face,I simply replied, “I’m the most forgetful person you’ll ever meet, I was in such a hurry this morning, I just forgot my pants. I’m always forgetting something.” This seemed to satisfy him, but a woman standing next too him, sounding annoyed, replyed, “you mean to tell me ALL these people forgot their pants” I just shrugged my shoulders, “beats me” and turned away. I was proud of myself for keeping character, and would have been wildly disappointed had I not been approached. I loved how all the agents on our train kept their cool, from our car leader innocently checking the map, to the guy slouched in his seat sipping his coffee like it was no big deal.

On the switch to the downtown train at 96th street, the cars were so packed I got separated from my friends. I almost didn’t make the train, and literally had to squeeze in a door as it was closing. I found myself standing next to a creepy guy (in his pants, and not one of us) swaying his hips in my general direction. Thanks to my fellow agents for making room for me, and putting some males between me and creepo! The highlight of the trip back was the really loud gentleman who was clearly not happy with all the pantsless people and made his opinions known. And the pants preacher. Priceless.

Back in union square the scene was pure madness. I felt like a celebrity with people snapping our photos everywhere and asking what was going on. Out in the square we reunited with some of the new people we met, and headed over to Heartland Brewery, where about half of the people there were pantsless. We were able to convince several people that walked through our “pantsless tunnel” (you had to walk through us to get to the bathrooms!) to drop their pants. Hilarous. “Save the whales… Take off your pants!”

Having previous plans to go see a play in the East Village around 10, we convinced some of our new pantsless friends to join us, and headed down to the Kraine Theater. Our friends that we were meeting looked at us in shock as about 7 of us walked up in our underwear. Standing in the lobby, a guy in a suit took one look at us and said “Welcome Improv Everywhere! Friends of Charlie Todd?” I told him I had no idea what he was talking about. He laughed and told us he hoped we were there to see his improv show. I told him we were there to see something else, but if he took his pants off, we’d come see his show. He laughed, but when I insisted I was serious he dropped his pants. We proceeded to go see his show, which was a blast. We even got one of the other improvers to drop his pants before the show. As we were putting our pants back on, one of my friends discovered that she had actually lost her pants! (She thinks she left them at heartland brewery). This was ironic AND hilarious, especially when upon getting into a cab, she turned to our driver and said, “I lost my pants, upper east side please”.

All in all it was a great day/night. I agree with the others who said that putting my pants back on was bitter sweet. And the ease of making new friends while in your underwear was amazing! I must say, you haven’t truly lived until you’ve experienced NYC without pants on. The experience and the new friends that we made were awesome. It’s not something I will soon forget.

Favorite quotes of the event:
Pantsed man leans over to the woman he was with, “Do you feel like you’re in the twilight zone?”
Me, to my mom when she called while at heartland brewery, “Mom, I’ll have to call you back, I’m at a bar without my pants on”
Two girls, while at the bar in the Kraine Theater, “Hey! You were at heartland brewery! We recognize your underwear!”
The pants preacher: “Re-Pant! accept pants into your life”
Pantsless friend @ Heartland Brewerey: “If I wake up tomorrow morning wearing pants, I’m seriously going to be confused”

I was on the R train in the 8th car where a woman was calling every one sick fucks but trying to censor herself. There was a agent video taping it and He told me he had the scene on tape! It would be amazing to see it or even just hear the audio. So guy in the blue jacket with the video camera Pleaseee Post that video somewhere!!!

Yesterday January 12th 2008, I took part in Improve everywhere No Pants Subway ride 2008. I had the best time, total Highlight for this year so far, and it will most likely be in my mind for years to come. 3:00 I arrived at Foley Park near city hall in NYC. I went alone cause everyone either had something going on or they are just Lame. After some time they separated us in to thirds, and then further split us up based on what the last digit in our phone number is. I was with the ZERO’s riding the red line up to Times square..where my zero’s at?
we then proceeded to walk to the subway station…at this point people on the street began to ask what we were marching for. we got on the train and this is where the fun started.
I was with the red line group in the first car!
This is where the fun started. Picture if you will about 300 people walking around the times square terminal with no pants on, like it was a normal thing..oh don’t forget it’s January. it was a sight man. The Highlight of this part of the day was as we walk a guy, not with our group decided he wanted to join the fun and he took his pants off right then and there. (I did hit one snag on the train ride back I happened to remove my eyes from my copy of Watchmen and there was a delightful young lady with no pants..but she had stockings and garters it was a little bit sexy, I had to really pay attention to what Dr. Manhattan was saying other wise I may have has a pant problem, and it would have been a big problem since I was sans Pants.) we then got on the N train down to Hamilton Square park where the most fun was had.
when people have no pants on they are all so very nice. we chanted “down with Pants.” I got complimented on my style of Boxers…”dude that’s awesome I was hoping to see one person with heart boxers on.” we even brought a little church up in that piece! we had an old school revival converting people to the pant-less. I jumped into a circle did my best southern Healer voice and help some young Punk rock girl to “be free! be free of your pants and the lord will love you forever.” when she did that’s when I knew all was right in the world!
A few of us decided to run around the Park, then we went shopping in the Virgin mega store..pant less. we went to Staples after but they did not want us there we died try to buy pants..but ya know what Staples does not sell Pants. at this point I bid my pant less compatriots a hearty goodbye, and proceeded to walk a block before I put my pants back on.
I have to make some shout out to some people who stick out in my mind.. my first pant pal, forgot your name you hail from Michigan and you wore 2 pairs of undies to be sure, you where awesome thanks for the photo op. Bike guy, huge thanks he hooked me up when my metro card had insufficient funds..your the best. Mike Weiss, yes Watchmen rocks. and the virgin/staples crew you guys are all so nice and amazing..if ya want to find me I can be found on http://www.myspace.com/RS3. I will be back for as many Missions I can make it to what an amazing time!

no pants was stellar yesterday! especially wandering union square afterwards, getting passerbys to depants in support of us, and then comandeering a local bar pantsless. i was wondering if anyone had a link to the facebook group so i could meet up with other team 9 members from the Red line group, or if other team 9 members want to drop me a line. i look forward to joining future missions.

and the facebook group has been created… let all 2/3 Car 9 people join :)

REDLINE CAR 9 FACEBOOK GROUP:
http://buffalo.facebook.com/group.php?gid=10468516354

I wrote my main report over here: http://www.miketheman.net/blog/2008/01/13/feeling-a-little-cold/ – so feel free to read it.
Had a great time, both being pantsless and being converted at Union Square.
See you all at the next one!

Yahoo News report from AP:

http://www.yahoo.com/s/782266

i didn’t put my pants back on until 10pm.

Awesome time today!!! I’m glad I did it despite my friends woosing out.
Quick Story: I was on the 6 train, 6th car team and while I waited at Astor Place to get back on the train, I bumped into a girl I work with. She was shocked. She immediately noticed all the naked legs waiting for the train and began hounding me,
“What is going on?? Why is everyone not wearing pants???”
I gave her the prescribed lingo:
“What do you mean?”, “Well its hot on the train.”, and “Pants can be so uncomfortable!”
As I rode the subway with her and her boyfriend, she continued to bug out every few seconds. Then, as she was getting off at Union Square, she looks down and says,
“Wait a minute? Josh!!! YOU’RE not wearing pants!!!! You’re in on this too?????!!!!”
Apparently the whole time we waited and then traveled uptown together, she had no idea I wasn’t wearing pants!! That made the whole day for me.
Ok fine, I’m a short guy (5’4), and she’s pretty tall (5’8), so either I’m a great improviser or next year I need to wear stilts.
This was my first Improv Everywhere event and it was unbelievably fun. I can’t wait to be an Agent again, including No Pants 2K9!

i had an excellent time. very glad i made it out this year (after chickening out last year). i had a cool moment of ‘OH HOLY CRAP I AM TAKING MY PANTS OFF ON THE SUBWAY FUNK YEAH THIS IS AWESOME!’ on the R train. it got a little confused on our line, the first three trains of agents got on the FIRST R instead of waiting, so i was taking my pants off in front of some currently pantsless riders. a couple people also got on the N trains when they came to our stop at 23rd street, instead of sticking with the R. at 59th street i actually ran into some friends of mine from college. one performs improv in the city as well, and STILL didn’t notice my particularly pants-less state. nor did he question my explanation that i had forgotten my pants that morning. however, after 5 minutes of chatting about finding apartments in harlem, he suddenly saw two more pants-less people and started loudly asking if they were doing the no-pants subway ride; and then jabbed a finger in my direction, accusing me of also being involved–to which i replied ‘no, DUDE… I JUST FORGOT MY PANTS.’ so hard to keep a straight face after that, but i think i did pretty well. keeping up the ‘i just forgot pants’ and improvising straight replies to stranger’s inquiries in union square was really fun as well. i had a blast at no pants 2k8. thanks so much to charlie and the rest of the crew/team leaders this time around!

New boxers, with Martini glass pattern…
–$15–

Metrocard
–$10–

Finding a note left at the Beauty Bar saying, “Dear Pantless… ” ;
Knowing it was left for you and a hundred pantsless strangers;
Everyone in Crocodile Lounge changing from pantsless strangers into pantsless friends…
–PRICELESS–

To:
Agent BlueLeopard
Agent (long goatee) Aaron
The beautiful Rachel, Alyssa, Lindsey and Sarah Silverman
The staff and everyone else at Crocodile Lounge…
…thanks for the all of the comments, and for being the greatest bar crowd ever; I think we won the best-after-party award!!

Thanks to business man #2 for leaving his Speedo hanging above the Skeeball game.

Did anyone notice how odd it seemed that at the beginning of the evening we were all half naked and SOBER… and as the evening went on we all became DRUNK and got DRESSED?!?

Does anyone know where I can find Kate’s photo set from the R train?

Thanks

Thanks to everyone for the amazing memories. Everything was great!
Key moments:
Gathering on the subway prior to de-pantsing and meeting friends (Raffy, Jed)who continued to stay-pantless w/me for the rest of the night.
Having a women rant to us about how the “MTA and the government were behind this atrocity”
Seeing a pantless peer pretending to sleep on the subway.
Random foreigners take pictures of us with their cellphone cameras.
Having a cop ask my friend why she had no pants on.
To almost causing an accident when a cabby saw 6 pantless people crossing the street
To getting random people take off their pants at Union Square and Crocodile Lounge.
To having pizza grease all over me and my undies at Crocodile Lounge.
Thanks for all the new friends( you know who you are-Jason, Eric,Lindsey, etc!)
See you next year.

Just wanted to add a little bit to my tale.
Saturday night after the event I ended up doing a very brief phone-in interview about participating in No Pants 2k8 on The Hooter & Greenway Show (an internet radio show out of Buffalo, NY). I wanted to link to the audio archive of it, but they haven’t uploaded it yet…

This was my first task as an agent for Improv Everywhere and I had a blast! I only learned of it the night before and late that night I tried on multiple half-outfits to see which looked the most ridiculous sans pants. I settled on a business-woman look with a blazer and collared blue shirt. I also brought a binder to use as a report or portfolio. After exiting the subway pantless and waiting for the next train, I pretended to take notes in the binder. They read like, “I can’t believe I’m not wearing pants, I’m crazy, what the f*%K am I doing?” Ah but it was totally worth it. The people I met during No Pants 2k8 were fabulous, and it’s unfortunate to hear comments from those who didn’t appreciate the joke, or that some pantless participants alienated others by being too aggressive.

If anyone is interested, my photos are here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/assila/

Right when I got off the subway the first time, there was a professional camera and a video camera and I can’t find those images anywhere. I’ll keep looking because as fun as my pictures are, I want to see photos from those first nervous moments! But, if anyone sees them, let me know!

Shout out to all of my pantless budies! You know who you are!

will be adding more photos from the day here!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/glc315/

RW Car 7 – Leather Jacket, Black Boxers, White T-Shirt that read “I’m sorry, I can’t read you over the sound of my own awesome.”

Shouts to Beth Ann, James, Ryan, Katie, and Alex – feel free to look me up on Facebook or Couchsurfing.

On the way down, after the first group of 8 gets off, I’m still pretending not to notice. A guy is visiting from England with his friend, I’m sitting next to him. He tells his friend this is so surreal. I ask what’s going on – he informs me “Everyone is taking their trousers off!” I respond that, well, if they’re getting away with it, I’m going for it. Pantless, I get off the train, leaving a very baffled Englishman in my wake.

An uneventful ride up and down and then to Union Square. Sidecar was a disaster, they had no idea what they were getting themselves into. I got in right before they closed the door, and immediately left. Went across the street to Shades of Green – great fun, hanging out with the calf contest, group photo, and completely random pantless band that assembled.

All in all, tremendous fun; however it was crowded, and soo many pantless people it became less strange almost. I would recommend expanding to double the number of subway lines.