My Baby Takes the Morning Train
Actually, my baby doesn’t take a train at all, but I do!
Like I said earlier, I started a new job [some of you may be thinking, "Wait a minute...you just started a new job in December..." It's true, I did, but it turned out to be a bad fit for me in a number of ways and since my mantra has always been that life's too short to be miserable, I ske-dattled].
My new job is in a location that finally allows me to take advantage of the biggest advantage about my home’s location: the lightrail. And since my last job’s commute resulted in at least one near-heart attack every day, I concluded that a commute with next to no thought required on my part would be a good thing. I can read my fashion mags or Kindle; I can listen to music; I can zone out. I don’t have to worry about what other drivers might do: driving slow in the fast lane, tailgating, weaving in and out of traffic, etc. I don’t have to contemplate whether I should take backroads or the main road, 494 or 62, right lane/center lane/left lane.
My biggest concern now is at what time can I get onto the elevator in my condo and make it to the ticket machine in time to catch the train.
I also get to feel more “one” with the people, especially when I’m grazing up against them, falling into them or standing close enough to smell them. OK, that aspect of public transit isn’t overly glamorous [is any part of public transit glamorous?]. I do enjoy my morning commute (since I’m one of the first on the train, ensuring that I get a seat for the next 27 minutes). I can sit comfortably and watch as other public-transportation-riders get onto the train — then judge their outfits, hairstyles and accessories. I like guessing where people work and what they might do.
I also enjoy eavesdropping, then judging people based on those conversations. One woman recently had a particularly annoying voice, so it was almost painful to listen to her talk. I cringed every time she spoke. Two other women were talking smack about their coworkers, which was great. I mostly overhear teenage girls on their way to the mall, or disgruntled corporate types who like to complain about everything from their office cafeteria food to how slow their Microsoft Outlook was for the day.
I’ve never been concerned for my safety while on the train. I have, however, been concerned for the future of humanity.
