My Always "Fantastic" Morning MTA Commute -NYC

Ok so. Zzzzzzz... Ok so. Zzzzzzzzzz... Sorry! Just...sooo...sleepyzzzzzzzz. Brb Ok so. I went to bed at 10 and was up at 6. Then I was up again at 6:30...and again at 6:48.  That time, I actually got up and rushed slowly to work.  I got on the train and sat down. It was then that I realized that it was day two of Rosh Hashanah and that there were many seats available as quite a few people had taken the day off to celebrate.  I actually fell somewhat asleep until we got to my stop and I got off the train.   I walk into my office building, dragging my will behind me. I smell the Buck's coffee brewing.  My nose forces me to heed to the call of the coffee.  I go into Starbuck's inside my building to order my favorite coffee.  There's some dude in line ahead of me who orders a bottle of the vanilla syrup they use to make the drinks.  It takes them (dude and the cashier) five minutes to complete his order and get him out of the way.  I'm late now... As I walk toward the el

Ok so. Have you ever had one of those days where you are so tired that you don't know if you are coming or going, and you find yourself walking into walls, only to realize that you are half asleep and you really don't know where you are? Well, I had that kind of morning. I honestly cannot tell you how I got to the train, on it, to work, and made it through the morning.  All I know is I stopped at this particular Burger King on the way in--something I never do--with the intention of getting a three piece french toast sticks and a coffee. The girl took almost 20 minutes to make it. I was 2nd in line and thought it would only take a couple of minutes.  Ha!!  Who said fast food had to be fast?  They should just called it "SomethinOrNuther" now.  It's not the healthiest choice, and the fact that it used to be something quick has now been negated by the irksome, sloth-like motion of the employees. Sigh.  I was honestly too tired to say anything.  I waited quietly, an

Ok so. Many different types of people rely on the subway as public transportation to and fro the very important and diverse destinations they must get to. Places such as work, play, and school to name a few.  So if you live in New York City and you have a day job, you get up at an obscene hour in the morning, drag yourself out of the house and to the train, and look around for a seat, usually finding none available.  You stand up and hold onto the pole, which in most cases is located over the heads of those holding the proverbial power and are seated on the proverbial thrones also known as subway seats. One such royal subject was the little boy seated in front of me today who seemed to be uncomfortable with all of my cute, sexy self hovering over him. It's pathetic and sort of funny all at the same time.  Let me be honest, there really isn't anything cute or sexy about me at 7:00 in the morning, especially while I am standing up and trying to hold on for dear life on a "m

Ok so. Let's face it. It takes all kinds of human beings to make up this eclectic universe of ours. It would just be boring to see one clone after another after another. We are diverse and interesting creatures. That's how God made us. And some of us take up a little less space than others, while some of us take up a lot more. That's neither here or there and frankly, I don't have an opinion about it...except for when you squeeze into the seat beside me and either sit on me or push me uncomfortably out of my seat. That's just not fair. Let's talk about it. I know this is a touchy subject for some people but I said i would tell about my morning commute and this is actually what happened. I'm a size 7/8. I work hard to maintain that. I hit a certain age and sugar and carbs became my enemy. It is what it is. I belong to Weight Watcher's and have been going for nearly two years now. I also work out 3-4 times a week. I'm not saying that heavier

Ok so.  It's bad enough that it's Monday.  Like many Americans, I had no intention of working a job that I can barely stand. I had dreams of having a fulfilling career and being someone important, happy, and well...for lack of a better word, fulfilled. I'm still on my path but never the less, it's Monday and I have to do what I have to do in the meanwhile.   So I'm on my way to my job :-) and everything is pretty normal (that's not necessarily good...)on the way.  I rush out of the house about 5 minutes late. Rush up the 4 blocks to the train.  Wait on the platform FOREVER for a train to come. Get on . Stand up and hold on for dear life.  Then, wait! What's this?! A seat has become available at the first train stop! And it's diagonally in front of me! I move toward it excited about closing my eyes for a few more minutes. I mean, I admit it, some of us should not be let loose on the world without 9 full hours of sleep or after 9:00 AM--whichever come

Ok so. It's one of those days when you get up knowing that it is the beginning of your weekend and you could care less about rushing to work, about the attitudes you know you will face once you arrive, or about the cranky, sleepy, "stingy with the seats" New Yorkers you will encounter on your commute. I can honestly tell you that it is all a blur. LOL I could care less about anything they said, did, or intended unless they touched me. (I admit I'm a self-proclaimed germaphobe .) I am so happy that it is Friday that I didn't even mind the large lady with the attitude who sat beside...or rather halfway on me, so much.  I just scooched (I'm southern. We make up words...) I scooched over as far as I could go and gave her more seat. I admit, I was like ewww, gross, ugh!! But only for a moment.  I made a mental note to use an alcohol wipe (I said I was a germaphobe , didn't I?) and move on toward the weekend. Lesson:  There's not many things, even an uninv

Ok so.  Ever have one of those subway rides, or any public transportation ride, where you don't own it so you can't say anything about the incessant chatter disturbing your peace?  If you own the car or plane or whatever, you can tell people what to do. I remember my mom going down the highway and my little brother and I would be in the backseat practicing our beat boxing.  I figure she stood as much tongue rolling brrrrrrr, puttering, wickedy wicky and spa-spa-spiggity-ing that she could because she  glared in her mirror and, having been quiet the entire road trip, shocked the mess out of us when she yelled something like, "I'm gonna slap the ish outta y'all in a minute!"  We stopped abruptly; shocked at this sudden threatening outburst.  Then we snickered hysterically.  As if she couldn't hear that . (Sidebar:  I'm wondering if I really want children. Little needy, but loving, antagonists who never go away...sigh. Yeah, I do.) Ok back to the story. 

Ok so.  Some days you just luck out.   I got up and got out of the house in time to be on time to work.  I step into the train car and there are seats.  I pause and glare at the seat before I sit because some New Yorkers leave all kinds of wet mess in the seats and once you sit in it, forgeddaboudit (the last definition in the video you just watched) ...you're contaminated.  So make sure you look before you sit!  My seat is empty so I sit in it.  I ride all the way to my train stop.  I exit the train.  I come in to work.   Now that's  when all the drama started. LOL But it's all good.  It's only a matter of time before I channel my inner David Allen Coe from his 1978  album, Family Album and email a you tube of him or Johnny Paycheck covering that famous song that inspired a film by the same name.  Hee hee Lesson:  Sometimes it actually all works out according to plan so don't give up yet! Remember days like this one when you have one full of rotten eggs. :-)

Ok so.  I know you New Yorkers have probably been trying to figure out which train I take.  Believe me, it's not the worst one, but still, I think I would like to keep that information private because some New Yorkers are crazy and I don't wanna be stalked. No offense to you crazy ones, I just want to stay safe and don't want you looking for me. I go through enough in the mornings! Now that I got that out of the way, let me tell you about the insensitive game of musical trains today's conductor played. So I get up, get myself to the train platform, get on the train when it comes, and eventually sit down.  At the 14th Street stop I close my eyes thinking I'll catch a rest for 15 minutes. The train moseyed along.  We got to 34th Street and we stopped moseying.  I sat with my eyes closed waiting for the "Stand clear of the closing doors" announcement followed by the "ding, ding."  Nothing happened.  I opened my eyes and met the eyes of other worry

Ok so.  It's Monday morning and my husband's brass, impertinent, and boisterous alarm clock goes off at 5:00 AM. (Long pause while you take that in...)  Now...here's the thing.  HE DOESN'T HAVE TO WORK TODAY!!! His alarm clock goes off and he makes a big to do about getting his 6'2" self out of bed, still asleep, groaning and talking incoherently in a deep, raspy voice that sounds like he's playing in a 20 inch box fan ; like you did when you were little.  And this whole dramatic episode wakes me up and annoys the crap outta me.  I'm laying there looking at him like he's an idiot. Seriously! And I love this man. So I say something like, "Just turn it off! I'm trying to sleep my last hour!" And he says something annoying about he's trying.  Now I have to try to force myself back to sleep.  Gee...thanks Honey.  What a way to start your Monday morning! ( I love you, Sweetheart. :-) ) I roll out of bed and get going when my alarm cloc

Ok so.  Friday is finally here and I am so happy to drag myself to work...by plane, train, or automobile (I've done it all!) Nothing beats commuting on that day when you feel you can finally rest your mind.  The common thought is that Friday doesn't count anyway.  Yet, you still want things to go a certain way, right? So we get on the train and I immediately get a seat. I like the way this Friday is starting out. :-) But woe, there are two men sitting across from me, speaking Spanish in a very loud, deep, nasally...did I mention loud, deep, and nasally voice? Now I know that people have freedom of speech and can talk as loud or as long as they want, saying whatever they want, no matter how much it annoys me.  But still. Do they have to practice their freedoms at 7:20 AM in the morning?  I mean, I believe it to be common consensus that all us early morning subway riders expect, no... demand (yeah, I said it!) peace and quiet.  We don't wanna hear your cell phone argument

Ok so.  Yesterday I was fit to be tied...or rather unfit because I was tired .  ...In nearly every sense of the word.  That night, I went to bed earlier than I had in months and woke up without the alarm for the first time in months, as well! I felt well rested and happy to be alive!  I got up, kissed the hubby, said my morning prayer, fed Winston (my beautiful Russian Blue cat), showered, got dressed, kissed the hubby goodbye as he prepared for work, and left early enough to stroll to the train instead of run. That felt amazing.  I could actually experience the sounds, the colors, the breeze... It was quite nice way to start my morning commute; on time and awake . :-) Leaving early and all I arrived at the platform early enough to be unconcerned that a train was pulling away as I approached.  The next one came and I boarded. It was overly crowded but for some reason I didn't care that much.  I stood up like the majority of commuters (because there just aren't enough seats

Ok so. Some work days are better left undiscussed.  You go through the motions and you move on.  It's not that one is that much different from the next...it's more a case of how you feel about the daily activities.  I awoke very tired.  I had not been getting much sleep.  It's really that simple.  But it's funny that when you try to talk about your feelings with most people they never quite understand the magnitude of how you feel because they are not experiencing the same thing as you at the moment.  However, have you ever noticed that when they do go through something they lose it, freak out, shut down, etc.? With all that being said, I was feeling in such a way that my morning commute didn't even matter. I was tired.  My body hurt. My eyes were heavy and wanted to close. I had to press my way through the day even though all I wanted was to go back to bed and get some good sleep! All I can tell you is that I got to the train, got on the train, got to work, got th

Ok so.  One thing I learned when studying public relations at NYU was that you shouldn't lie, or "spin" the truth to get the reaction you want.  I actually don't want a reaction, but wish to enlighten you.  In light of that, this morning's blog post is going to be straight from the heart, whether it is what you are expecting or not.  Seriously, it has to get better than this. Whether or not people will admit it, most of us are over worked, underpaid, ignored, berated, and/or exploited every single day on our jobs.  As a result, I would not be surprised if more than half of people working are fighting some form of depression.  As late as February 2011, it is recorded that there are over 45 million Americans with some form of mental illness including anxiety and depression. If you read the article attached to the link, you will see that is almost 20 percent of Americans who just "ain't right."  How did we get this way? As of May 2011, depression alone

Ok so.  Why is it that with so many things to be grateful for in the world, life, air, hope, job, family, food, pets, clothes, opportunity, etc, that all I wanted today was a seat on the train?  Is something wrong with me? Am I an ingrate because I wanted to sit down more than anything else in the world this morning? I mean, don't get me wrong.  When I woke up, I thanked God for everything.  I am happy to be alive.  I am happy to have the opportunity to change my mind, my destiny, and the world. ;-) But I also wanted the opportunity to sit down on the train and ride to work.   It is not my fault that the train makes 25 stops before it gets to mine.  It is not my fault that everybody and his mama has to ride the same train at the same exact time.  It is not my fault that MTA doesn't see fit to institute more trains during rush hour.  It's not your fault if you got there and got a seat before me.  So I blame no one individual (except maybe the head of MTA, Jay Walder who cam

Ok so. Today I actually had a coveted commute.  I left on time. It wasn't raining. I strolled happily (well...NY happy) along the four blocks to the train. One of those blocks is about a half mile long... But nothing bothered me much, save for the lady walking directly behind me right on my heels. I wondered why she didn't just go around or at least step to the side, but whatever. As I walked gingerly along, strangers smiled at me. I smiled back. (Yeah! Me!!) They smiled at me so much that I wondered why and felt around my hat and face to see if I had left some unwanted object there. I did rub in that acne cream, right? As soon as possible, I checked my reflection in a store window.  My whole world was beautiful. I get to the platform. A train comes within five minutes.  I look at my iPhone (watch...same difference) and it is exactly 8:31.  Great! I'll be on time and I don't have to silently stress. There isn't anywhere to sit once I step into the subway car, but t

Ok so. We're all packed on the train. It's still raining.  You know how it is when the earth is super dirty and you start growing gills because you swim instead of walk.  Well, it's been raining like that . This is like day 400 of grey, cloudy, rainy mess and people are over it.  It's enough to be packed shoulder to face to butt to backpack with strangers, but wet strangers is even worse.  We all want the train to hurry up and let us off! But no.  Why would it do that?  After all, it is the New York City subway system.  Life is supposed to be a challenge...an adventure, even, when you ride the train.  I mean, think about it, if nothing ever happened, you'd be quite bored.  Or is the word, content? Hmmm...there's a fine line.  I digress. The sigher. (Sigh) So we're packed into our car on the train, dripping wet, and trying to maneuver our backpacks, pocketbooks, tote bags, and umbrellas so they are not poking or nudging, or dripping on anyone.  Hahahahah.

Ok so. It's my first day back after taking a week long vacation. I needed it!! I went down south and thoroughly enjoyed driving and not taking the train! Sorry New Yorkers! It is what it is.  So now, I am back to work and I have to schlep uphill to the train, wait for it...wait for it... get on and stand up and hold on, just like before, only today was worse for two reasons. One, the students are back in school. Booh hissss! I'll never get a seat on the train now. And two, it's been raining for 40 days and 40 nights! So I am completely unprepared that it's only 60 degrees when I step out of the house. Really? Just cause it's September now, Summer just picked up and left? Ughhh.  So I grab a jean jacket and rush out the door only to find that there are puddles everywhere. I have on cute little ballerina flats...you know fall shoes!!  And I need to have on rubber wellies or boots. I cannot believe Summer's gone. Just like that.  So the rain wets me and my crappy