Lord have mercy

Thursday, March 30, 2006 - 5 p.m.

Upon entering the turnstiles for the station, a woman stopped up the line of 9-5ers rushing to get on the train and exclaimed "Lord have mercy, here I am thinking I am a lady thinking she does not have to pay for her train ride."

There was a man who blocked my path many times. Very nervous man who needed to be on the train. When he got on the train, he rushed to his seat and placed his iPod buds in his ear and lost himself in the music. He looked in a meditative state and obblivious to the world around him.

I screwed up my soduku puzzle and was embarassed by the man across the aisle who had a full soduku puzzle book he was very serious about.

When I was leaving the station I almost fell down the stairway. I missed a step and started to fall forward and had to jump three steps to get my balance back. I was rushing. Not a smart thing to do while going down steep stairs. Thankfully it was not the second level at U.S. Cellular Field.

Thursday, March 30, 2006 - 8:11 a.m.

First train ride in a week. What I realized is that I was not in the same place as the other train riders. The debilitating thing about the morning commute is that pervailing feeling that everyone is not happy to be going to work. It is really sad to have that dread when going somewhere you are spending 40+ hours a week.

Wednesday, March 29, 2006 - 8:47 a.m.

Sorry to my many fans. I have been in a loop of driving every day due to post day job activities that I must be at by 6. This is day 4. That is $52 in four days for parking vs. $14 of el riding. My friend Maura previously worked for the public transportation association does not like it when I drive - she is still a champion for her former cause.

Getting out of the parking lot today, I was behind this short, brunette woman with a real hideous lavendar coat. On the Chicago river bridge was the homeless man I see every day I drive, panhandling. He is a pleasant looking man and is completely harmless. I never give him money but we do always exchange pleasantries. The woman must of sensed a force field to which I am impervious. She went around this man like people side step a dog on a rope. The man is not going to jump at you ... especially if you see this man every day. He does not even verbally ask for money, he takes a passive approach by holding a cup. This woman must not be the only person who does this to him all day.

After seeing this I noticed my placement on the bridge and obsessively walked a straight line wondering if on previous days I had sensed an -- albeit not as large but still present -- force field.

If only I was at the beach

Thursday, March 23, 2006 - 8:25 a.m.

There was a woman wearing a fuzzy outfit - matching hat and coat seems to be black cashmere. Even though she was on the train, I bet she was luxuriating in it.

The woman across the aisle from me was engrossed in a thick book titled "Beginning Hindi" - I might take that to the beach with me.

I spent most of the ride daydreaming about my vacation in three months to Fire Island. Lying on the beach, doing nothing but eating good food and hanging out with friends (ok, yes there are cocktails involved). I had the Vanity Fair open to an article about Time Warner but was paying little attention to it.

As I was leaving the station, in the hallway before the staircase was a lone red leather glove with a red fur cuff. It looked very eerie laying there on the floor and everyone seeming to ignore it.

Wednesday, March 24, 2006 - 5:02 p.m.

A woman sat next to me in the parallel seats by the door. She was with a male co-worker from some international company. She was leaving the next day for China - so they were comparing notes about traveling there. He suggested buying many cheap trinkets like silk fans and if you ever need a quick gifts, just grab one. She did not seem to be engaged with him as much as he was, since he came across a little know-it-all-like. She did say she was bringing an empty suitcase to fill with Chinese goods.

So if a tall man with glasses gives you a painted silk fan, the gift was sitting in his desk drawer since his last business trip.

With the touch of a finger

Wednesday, March 22, 2006 - 8:05 a.m.

I cannot remember for the life of me who sat next to me. Was it a man? woman? tall? short? ... no idea.

There were two articles of particular note in the RedEye. One was about fingertouching your purchases at the Jewel (not fingerprinting as the inventor needed to point out many times). Part of me thought "how easy", part of me thought "no ID for wine ... great" and the other part was "how scary". I am still unsure about how I feel about that technology or if I will use it but I assume in ten years, there will not be an option. Think about not having to lug around a wallet at all.

The other article was about a web site that detailed the parking garages downtown. Handy tool.

There was one woman wearing a beautiful black fur coat on the train. Seemed very fancy for the red line. She had a matching fur hat too. Funny that nobody offered her a seat.

Tuesday, March 21, 2006 - 9:15 p.m.

I went out to dinner at the Atwood Cafe post work where I had baby spinach salad, pork tenderloin and bread pudding. So this made for a very late train ride. Because of my rich meal and tired body ... I had gas on the train. Very loud and very stinky gas. I focused on my crossword puzzle.

There was a family. One adult woman with what seemed to be her parents. Her dad had a very thick cockney accent and crazy long gray hair (think Einstein). Obviously, an indecisive bunch. First, the dad moved seats. Then the woman moved to sit by the dad. Then, the mom moved to sit by the two of them when a seat opened up. The daughter switched but realized that she could give her seat to her dad so he could ride forward.

Tuesday, March 21, 2006 - 8:24 a.m

It was a long ride with the many announcements "We delayed waiting for signals ahead. We expect to be moving shortly" mixed with the someone is fixing the train you are riding on announcement. At one point I was disoriented in my paper and thought, CRAP, we have only gone 5 stops.

Besides that, it was uneventful. Until the large man sat down. I must have some odor where the large people (and I really don't mean fat, I mean big men) are attracted to sitting next to me. Today had the added bonus of large and fidgetty. This man spent a lengthy period of time searching his bag for some specific belonging. Flipping pages of his RedEye was an effort even though he was just flipping back and forth between the sports pages.

Happy Monday!

Monday, March 20, 2006 - 7:45 a.m.

Went into the office earlier because I woke up early and could not fall back to sleep. The mod of the trin is much more serene and peaceful than the later rush hour trains.

I decided to read some work documents on the train. I don't do this well. You see many people doing this during their ride but I find that the 35 minute train ride is my time when nobody is hassling me, calling me, emailing me. I get to have 35 uninterrupted minutes to read whatever the hell I want.

There was a man sitting right in front of me with the perfect blond feathered hair. I wondered if he was a blow dryer user like when I tried to perfectly blow dry my hair in the 80s in junior high. He uttered to his girlfriend, "I wish I was heading to a completely different task" which I found an odd choice of words.

When I got off the train, I ran into my friend Tim who wished me "Happy Monday!" which made me giggle. I find those day-of-the-week reference phrases funny like "T.G.I.F" or "Happy Hump Day!(Wednesday)".

Hot Daddy

Wednesday, March 15, 2006 - 8:24 a.m.

The stop after me entered on the train the cute little girl about 4 years old and the daddy. He was an ordinary looking man but with the kid, he was elevated in attractiveness. The little girl got on the train and exclaimed "Here's two seats Daddy!" which he responded "Good Girl!". They spent the ride drawing pictures and chatting all the way downtown looking very cute.

A large man sat next to me. I had the window seat and he had the aisle. My stop was first and when I needed to get out he turned so his legs were in the aisle but remained seated. He was a large man and as I looked at the small space I had to get through to get out, I was a little nervous. I knew that my ass cheeks were going to graze his shoulder and my bag was going to be an issue. Why did he not stand up knowing he was that large? And wow - that was a wide man without being corpulent.

My friend Halley was on the train in the front of the car and she asked me what the hot topic for my blog would be which we then pursued to have a conversation about hot daddys and her friend's obsession with a DILF (think male MILF) in her neighborhood.

Tuesday, March 14, 2006 - 5:02 p.m.

There was a weird delay yet the trains kept coming and they were packed. I had to stand for most of the ride but my co-riders were not effectively utilizing the space. We could have got more riders in the train but there was a luggage and large package contingency which made spacing a problem. Everyone with large items appeared to be carrying large items for the first time.

The Berwyn stop was old friends week as many people seemed to know each other on the platform. Not me, I pushed through them to get home.

Where's my seat?

Tuesday, March 14, 2006 - 8:13 a.m.

There was a mad door shuffle by my fellow station-mates before getting on the train. I guess you really want the right car because if you get the wrong car, it can ruin your day. I not throwing stones here, I do it too thinking I might get a seat in one car over another. This morning, I assumed we would all get a seat (which we did) and was not in as much of a panic as the others.

Sitting in front of me were two men. The man by the aisle had great, hip spiky thick hair. Everything about his hairstyle was perfect except for the fact he had bad dandruff. I guess it all evens out - I have thin, ok hair but no dandruff.

The other man was reading a book in a language I was not familiar. The text was in the Latin or Roman alphabet like English (as opposed to Cyrillic or Greek). I tried to look for any clue but I could not pick out one familiar word.

One woman got on at Addison in a garish coat with a pattern that mainly was rust colored. She looked around the train with her big hair, let out a exasperating breath and rolled her eyes. Sorry there was not a seat. Sorry you wore your ridiculous heels and have to stand. And NO, I am not giving you my seat. (To be fair, if she was older or pregnant I would happily give my seat to her but she was virile enough to stand all the way downtown).

The point every day I hate about the train is in the morning once you get off the train. When you are climbing the stairs with every other person going to work. Everyone is a little sour and half awake. This is when I truly feel like a cog in some loop system just churning out emails and memos. This morning, everyone seemed particularly not happy to be going to work.

Saturday, March 11, 2006 - 10:40 a.m.
Special Saturday Edition - I had to ride the train downtown to meet my theatre company to pass out flyers in the St. Patrick's Day parade. It is such an odd holiday to me that a good deal of the masses celebrate whether of the heritage or not. Plus, it really is the only holiday with strong connections to drinking besides New Years Eve.

I started my train ride talking on my cell phone to my friend, Heather. I was the annoying loud talker on the train. One man on the parallel seats actually rolled his eyes at me. Nice way to start a Saturday morning.

Sitting across from me was a man that I assumed to be homeless. He was dirty, his clothes had many holes and his shoes had een worn down. He was sleeping when I got on the train. When he woke up mid-ride, he pulled out a brand new, top of the line GameBoy and quickly played a game.

Many people wearing green were on the train. There were two young men from St. Louis who struck up a conversation with a couple from Seattle (which made me wonder if anyone going to the parade was actually from Chicago). One of the young men was wearing an Ireland warm-up jacket yet was of Indian descent. The other man stated that he had been drinking all night until 7 a.m. where he took a quick nap before this train ride. He had proceeded to start drinking once he woke up. The warm-up jacket man told the couple that he was drinking his favorite drink which happened to be green: Hynoptic (energy drink) and Hennessey. The two combined made a green color and he was drinking this out of a McDonalds glass with straw. He stated he drinks this every weekend.

Thursday, March 9, 2006 - 9:05 a.m.

Even though I am driving the past couple of days, I thought I would give you an odd story from the parking garage.

The elevators were not working and after waiting too long (5 minutes) i headed for the stairs. As I reached the ground level this exasperated man comes up and asks me if that is the way out. He is wearing a trench coat and standard lawyer suit.

The door enters into a hallway which leads to the street level. The man panics and I tell him to continue forward knowing he is about to see daylight. We get to the street and he rushes off to his office in the same panicked state as being trapped in the stairwell of a parking garage.

Must be heaven to be his assistant.

Wednesday, March 8, 2006 - 8:31 a.m.

I sat in the single seat at the front of the back car facing this man. He was very busy into his Franklin Planner goign over pages and vigorously writing things into it. I miss my Franklin Planner.

I used my Franklin Planner from 1996 - 2000 before I switched to a PalmPilot. Everything was in one book - yes it was clunky and heavy, and GOD FORBID if you lost it (no backup) but something about it made/makes sense. A full calendar time and month. There was even a place to jot ideas, plans, things for your "tickler" file. Your contacts were all right there and I also had a pocket for cards and extras. Someone gave me the hole punch so I could add flyers, pamphlets. Plus, I do not think there are many places left where you get to really appreciate your own handwriting.

There were two jolting stops this morning that both almost flung me from my seat. I am perplexed why that happens and sometimes it doesn't. This does not seem to be a speed dependent issue. My reaction is always fear where some people's is violent anger.

This man was on there with the brightest gold jewelry. His wedding band was very large and shiny gold. His wife obviously wants to make a statement that he is married and hands off. He also had a class ring - again gold - with a bright green stone. He must love his college equally as much as his wife. (yes, he could have a partner but sorry to stereotype that with that kind of jewelry, I am assuming he is straight).

Tuesday, March 7, 2006 - 5:08 p.m.

I had to wait for another train because the car I first chose seemed to be the car everyone chose. His car filled up and I would have had to stand by the door, even though the other cars were not full.

In the station was this man staring at me whose facial features matched Flavor Flav's. He had the same coloring and eyes as well.

I stood for a while until Fullerton where I was able to sit down. Sitting in front of me in the parallel seats were what I would guess to be two classical music grad students. Here are some of the quotes from their conversation:

• "The scenery during the performance was getting in the way of the singer projecting her voice to the audience"
• "I wrote that piece in A-minor. I am doing a lot in A-Minor these days."
• "I am really excited for next season for Solomon."
• "You might have to bring it down a key for the congregation."
• "Is there a song for me? Hope it isn't too high"
• "I am going to see the symphony" "oh, is there a chorale piece to it?"
• "Patrick and I really have to get tickets for that" (I only assume Patrick is his boyfriend and probably does not really want to get tickets for whatever that is).

Wednesday, March 7, 2006 - 8:04 a.m.

The train is strangely empty today. I checked my watch twice because I really thought I was really late or it must have been the crack of dawn. The upside is a got a single seat in the back.

There was an article about where people like to sit on the CTA in the RedEye. As a writer on matters of the CTA, I thought it was a rather pedestrian effort on the part of the writer (I just wanted to say pedestrian ... the article was fine but not scintillating).

One girl got on the train at Belmont. She was not paying attention and rammed into this woman. She was wearing earphones so when she apologized to the woman, she did not realize she was screaming "Sorry about that"

The RedEye and Tribune were very thin today. I finished reading them both and finished most of one crossword puzzle.

Tuesday, March 6, 2006 - 5:02 p.m.

I was standing until Fullerton where it seemed everyone got off. I was able to sit down at that point. This couple sitting across the aisle were having a conversation through my crotch the entire time I was standing.

There was a man sitting in the parellel seats who then switched to seat next to me.
He was huge and needed a lot more room that he was allotted. It made me agitated and uncomfortable for the reminder of the ride. He finally moved and looked at me with disdain. What could I do? Sorry I fidgeted. Sorry I did not want to be brushed up against you.

Monday, March 8, 2006 - 9:50 a.m.

I was late. I felt the need to drink wine to get over the fact that Brokeback did not win bset picture. I went to bed without turning on my alarm. Yikes.

Taking the train at an off time is always so nice. People are less rushed and not as crabby as morning commuters. The one thing abotut he ride this morning is that it felt really slow - like the conductor is not rushed either. The stretch between North/Clybourn and Clark/Division felt like hours.

I am almost finished with my book club book. It is disturbing me that these people are basically raised to then become organ donors (yes, I know the book is fiction). I dont know why this concept plagues me. Then I was looking on the train and deciding who would be the best organ donors.

In my own little world

Thursday, March 2, 2006 - 6:55 p.m.

I sat down on an aisle seat. It was after the gym so I was a little foggy and focused on my crossword puzzle (which I finished). Then I moved onto the soduku -- which I messed up.

The only people I noticed were two large men in CTA uniforms. I could not tell if they were off work or were the train bouncers.

As I approached Addison, the woman sitting next to me asked to get out. I looked at her and realized she is a regular at Davenport's, Rachel. We spent the whole ride not knowing the other person was there. How often am I on the train complete unaware of my surroudings? Even now, with this blog.

A little scary in retrospect ...

Thursday, March 3, 2006 - 8:11 a.m.

I saw a friend walking a block ahead of me to the train. I did not try to get his attention since I wanted to read my book on the train. I felt bad thinking that I should not be so selfish and that I should want to spend some quality train time with my friend (more an acquaintance I am getting to know better -- more reason to make an effort). I did not. He had headphones on so he was in his own world. Plus he is a front of the train rider.

I do not know why I ride the back of the train. Is it a leftover school bus thing where I wanted to be like the cool kids and ride in the back. I was not a cool kid and did not see why the back was so appealing since it bounced around like ice in a martini shaker.

One man was reading a book called Cold Sassy Tree. Now, I am sure it is not about this but I amused myself thinking of a tree giving me shade as a Barney's clerk or being rude to me as a customer at Davenport's. Here is the official description of the book by Olive Anne Barnes from amazon.com:

Cold Sassy Tree, a novel full of warm humor and honesty, is told by Willy
Tweedy, a fourteen-year-old boy living in a small, turn-of-the-century Georgia
town. Will's hero is his Grandpa Rucker, who runs the town's general store,
carrying all the power and privilege thereof. When Grandpa Rucker suddenly
marries his store's young milliner barely three weeks after his wife's death,
the town is set on its ear. Will Tweedy matures as he watches his family's
reaction and adjustment to the news. He is trapped in the awkward phase of
rising to adult expectations - driving the first cars in town - while still
orchestrating wild pranks and starting scandalous gossip through his childish
bragging. He seeks the wisdom of his grandpa and has his eyes opened to southern
"ways" under the tutelage of Grandpa's new Yankee wife, Miss Love.

I'm awake

Wednesday, March 1, 2006 - 8:17 a.m

I have a new bag that is a little more upscale than the backpack I normally use (well not new, my fashion-forward friend Jason bought then used maybe twice and deemed it yesterday's news, then gave to me instead of doing the Craig's List sale). I also felt the need to be a little more dressier for an event post work so was wearing something other than the normal grungy office wear including my nicer Banana Republic coat. It must have all worked because on the train I was eyed up by three people. Always, a good start to the day.

There was a coworker conversation that occured where the woman asked "how are you doing" and the man answered "I'm awake". I always wonder what intention that person has by responding like that. I assume you are awake since it is rare that people get dressed, grab a briefcase, get on the train and head downtown while sleepwalking. Am I suppose to feel sorry for this person because they seem to rather be sleeping? Or is this person wanting me to probe further like "What's wrong kitten? What will turn that frown upside down?"

In the seat in front of me was a woman with over-gelled long hair. The hair was so long, it kept touching my book. I wish I was not so twitchy and anal-retentive that this would not bother me ... but it did. Whereever I moved the book, her hair seemed to move and continue to touch it. I barely got through 6 pages trying to not have gel all over my book club selection of Never Let Me Go.

Tuesday, February 28, 2006 - 6:25 p.m.

This is the first time I went on the train post-gym without a shower. I hope I did not offend. I know that others do not always have the same courtesy as this but lead by example.

I finished both the crossword and soduku by the Sheridan stop.