I got confused

I get on the train at the beginning of the line. In other words, there is only one way the train can go.

So, riddle me this... sometimes when I get to the platform, there will be a guy waiting for the train. The train comes, we all get on. The train isn't full... but he remains on the platform where he appears to be waiting for the next train. Where exactly does he want to go? He appears to be a perfectly lucid businessman, so I'm really kerfluffled by the whole situation.

Just another unsolved mystery of Metro? Or an alien from the planet Mercury. You decide.

Tickets and Trains

After working out at the downtown gym, I headed to the train station for my final trek home. When I arrived, there was an unusual amount of people standing at the top of the stairs overlooking the train platform. As I approached, I found out why: The platform was FULL. Like NYC in rush hour full. I don't think so many people have ever been at an LA Metro train station ever.

The train at the platform was FULL of people--so full that some were halfway hanging out the door (that couldn't close) like they were in a third world country where people just grab on to the backs of busses and sit in each others laps (this is LA--get off my couture. sniff.).

When they finally got the people contained so the train could close its doors and make way for an empty train to pick up the overflowing throngs of Californians.... it inched. inched. inched away from the platform. Then inched. inched. inched its way back.

It was broke. "mechanical issues" ... Are we sure we can't just take our chances?? :)

So back it came and emptied off the people onto our shoulders, because clearly that's the only place they would fit. I ran upstairs to the other train platform when I found out it was secretly allowing people to board and ... For the first time ever, I stood in the aisle half way home on the train (until I was lucky enough that the girl I was hovering over finally got off. PS to her--maybe wear a bra that matches your shirt if you are going to show off your tickets to the entire train. I'm just saying.).

All and all I only got home about 30 minutes late, so I was thankful that it didn't turn out worse than I originally thought. Nevertheless (the band), it was definitely a Good Day for me to work from home today... I was really thankful to take a break from All That.

Choo choo!

I'm pretty sure some of the train operator's take the Metro job for one reason--so they can say ALL ABOARD approximately 187 times per day. At each and every stop. They probably played with trains as kids, and this in some way is fulfilling a childhood fantasy, so who can blame them for taking advantage of what little joy they have in saying ALL ABOARD--it has to be a pretty boring and thankless job to drive those trains up and down a very limited track.

But there is now a Red Line driver that takes it to a new level. The black man has no interest in childhood train fantasies, oh no--he is an aspiring preacher in the charismatic movement I think. TD Jakes, eat your heart out.

"alright, alright ... yes yes yes. Welcome aboard the red line train. that's right, that's right. you all are looking GOOD today. Oh yes. It's going to be a Beeeautiful day, you Beeautiful people yes yes, that's right. Red hair, yellow black OR white ... I'm like a kid in a candy store, more candy, more candy, more candy, MORE candy. Our next stop is PERshing Square. that's right yes yes YES. Watch your step and have a JOYOUS day that is RIGHT."

Then he sometimes sings. Or continues to ramble/mumble until we get to the next stop. I keep expecting him to take up an offering.

But here's the funny thing--he's very quiet while people are getting on the train. Very quiet until he closes the doors and he has a captive audience. then BAM. the preaching begins.

I look around to my fellow passengers, expecting to see the amusement on their faces as well... but they all have completely blank expressions. Nothing. Nada. Hardened from the years of Metro travel I suppose.

I seem to be the only one laughing every morning, but that's okay. Yes yes, that's right. I WILL have a joyous day. alright. yes.

The ride of my life

Today I got on the bus at work to head home ... and it was completely empty. This is absolutely unprecedented--I stopped and literally thought I must have got on the wrong bus. Usually I ride with a bus full of 12 year olds on a 7-11 Slurpee buzz and have to stand for two or three stops until they all unload.

But today... no one. And no one was at ANY of the stops to be picked up. I got to the train station in under 10 minutes--usually it's a 15- 20 minute ride.

Aah yeah. I love the VIP life.
Booyah.

See you on the 2

"He's probably out trying to catch a F***ing bus out on Sunset right now!"
-Chef Ramsey after suddenly kicking Josh out of the kitchen and off of Hell's Kitchen.

Save me a seat, Josh.

Do the hustle

What kind of job (personality type?) does one have that require them to carry a Hustler Lingerie duffle bag as one's carry-on at a busy train station? hmm...

Model? Salesperson? Office on a street corner?

Curse & Blessing

Well the curse of declaring publicly that something happens every single day is of course that it stops happening. This is both a blessing and a curse I suppose--a blessing that I haven't had too much mayhem this week, but a curse in that no mayhem makes for a rather uneventful blog atmosphere.

I did, however, learn recently that the train is a great place for fitness! That's right, one guy demonstrated for us all how you can do squats and calf raises in the aisle while you are commuting. Yep. Might I suggest not getting too close to a train-riding fitness guru? You might get kicked. Or worse.