Monday, September 25, 2006 - 8:05 a.m.

There was a man gathering petitions to run for alderman. Now, I am a Mary Ann Smith fan and really had no desire to help this nobody run against her. He had this full schpiel that he said to everyone "I am xxx Parsons running to be your alderman and need your signature on a petition." I politely replied "No, thank you."

I got on the train and took the only seat available. There was a tiny woman who scowled at me but she was not old or pregnant. A vibrant girl wearing black ballet slippers. I promptly sat on the seat covered by the Best Buy circular (I was scared to see what was underneath).

The book I am reading, The Glass Castle becomes more fascinating with each chapter.