How Much Is Too Much?

Really. How much is too much information to share on public transportation? And whatever happened to inside voices? I've had to hear stories about health problems, disputes in every language, cuss-words in any and every language, teary eyed conversations... often happening via cell phone. It's not that I don't have one or like to use it, but...sometimes it's just TMI for a public conversation where onlookers think you're the only crazy one yelling...

One day, on a packed Orange line train bound for work, gripping onto poles and handles to stay upright, there was a guy sitting down next to me, who sounded and looked like a teenage boy. More importantly, he was sharing way too much information over the cell phone. I couldn't tell if he was being intentionally ridiculous, or if that was his personality. Either way I was laughing along with the woman standing next to me..

"They're taking medicaid out of my check. Isn't that health insurance? ... We're in a recession. People don't need health insurance they need jobs. When I get sick, I take my ass to CVS. Some cough drops fix me better than any doctor. We're in Massachusetts, we're supposed to have some of the best doctors. That shit's expensive though."

Health insurance is expensive, Sir. But my guess is you'd need fewer cough drops if you could take your voice down a notch. Just a suggestion. Although, that would mean less comedy for all. Nevermind, stay loud.

Werewolf on the T

Do you remember when Michael J. Fox played the Teen Werewolf?(Maybe I'm dating myself, but I really was only a year old when this move came out...)

A while back, I boarded the bus on my way home (probably the crazy 86 again), and noticed that the man sitting across the aisle had werewolf hands. (Deep breath.) You know, long-haired, furry, extra long, beast-like hands. As I sat shocked, debating the whole "fight or flight" thing, I realized they were just gloves. At least that's what I keep telling myself. And I just kept wondering WHY? Sitting across from the beast, I think I managed to keep a straight face, but couldn't stop staring at his "gloves". It was past Halloween, and not close to the coldest day of winter, so I'm still left wondering, was all that really necessary?

Flossin'

Today, there was a man on the 86 bus flossing his teeth. Sir... really, there's just GOT to be a better way.

Rockin' Out

This morning, in 15 degree weather, there was a guy sitting next to me on the train in a hoodie. First violation. I thought he was alert to the rest of the world, and then I saw that he had an mp3 player plugged into both ears. Maybe that would explain why he was rocking out without a care in the world.

It started slowly, but in a couple of minutes, I could feel the motion of his head rocking back and forth as he leaned forward and really got into whatever was playing in his ears. I couldn't help but laugh, because he seemed so confident that no one was watching him. Really? I thought for a second, maybe he's crazy... You know, maybe he dropped his guard for a minute, but he'll have a quick recovery when he sees that people are watching, and then he'll play it off like his head was bobbing by accident. Nope. The concert next to me continued. I was laughing, I mean, it just wasn't worth getting upset even if he was bumping into me.

Public Transportation is Underrated

Not that I am or always have been the biggest fan of taking public transportation, but it if must be done, then I’m going to find a way to enjoy it. The idea really came to me one night many months ago while on a seriously long bus ride.

“Thanks, Greyhound, for providing leather seats, AC, and electrical outlets on a 4-hour bus journey from Boston to New Haven. We both know it doesn’t need to take this long, so I appreciate your efforts to give back and keep me as a greyhound customer. I will be back. Despite the fact that it’s easier and cheaper to bus it to New York, CT seems to be my destination of choice. Apparently, even in adulthood, the only destination that still matters is home…”

I think I recognize the man behind me. He's been on this bus before, bound for the casinos. Tonight, he asked if I had a rabbit's foot (let me see...mm, no). I'm not sure if he wanted one, or if he was implying that I, myself, was a good luck charm. Like an older gentleman, he eventually let the topic die and wished me safe travels. I still don't know what he meant...”

Commuting or traveling anywhere with strangers can be uncomfortable, but it can also be hilarious. To be fair, I like to laugh, so it doesn’t take much. But, there is so much that happens on the journey to the destination, and I realized I was probably taking a lot of it for granted. I don’t mean just the fact that the driver stayed awake or that we arrived on time, I’m talking about the fact that your neighbor asks you for a rabbit’s foot, the lady across from you sounds like she has tuberculosis (and you do not contract it), or the fact that the guy behind you has decided to leave all of his luggage in the middle of the aisle. Are you kidding me??

Still, with this idea for appreciating the whole experience of getting where I was going and being a lot more observant about my surroundings, I learned to expect the unexpected while traveling, and I think it has seriously lightened the mood on my commutes. I’m living every second of my life whether or not I take advantage of it, so if it takes 4 hours to get from Boston to CT on a bus, I might as well live the experience and not just wait for it to be over.