Transit Etiquette

A few things to keep in mind when using public transit:

The train conductor really is there to help you. Listen to them. When they tell you to move to the center of the car, it's because they want everyone to be able to board. It's not because they want to annoy you. If the platform is full, you cannot simply enter into the car and stop in the doorway.

The purpose of wearing headphones on public transport is to save _other people_ from having to listen to whatever you're deafening yourself with. If we can still hear it, what's the point?

Maybe it's different in your city, but in DC you walk to the left on escalators and stand to the right. It's a nice system, but only if everyone participates. First-timers may be excused, but just pay attention to your environment...it's pretty obvious.

When people bump into you on a crowded train, chances are it's because the train is...crowded. No malice intended. Conversely, yelling and shoving people in front of you into an already overcrowded traincar = very bad idea. Don't.

Just a few thoughts on my morning commute today. Have a good one, people!

posted from Bloggeroid

Civility

It's so hard for me to have a civil conversation about something I feel passionately about, especially with someone who disagress with me.

It's hard to communicate reasoned thought when overcome by emotion.

This doesn't mean that emotion is bad, or less valid than reason. It just leaves me ill-equipped to communicate when clear communication is most necessary.

When you feel threatened, it's fight or flight. No time to find the right words. Little opportunity for civility.

Mostly, the meat of such conversations remains unexpressed, indigestible.

posted from Bloggeroid

American Black Man

It's so hard to be a Black Man in the United States of America.

My friends, you just don't know. You just don't know.

posted from Bloggeroid

Sunrise

I love a beautiful sunrise. One of the perks of having a long commute to and from work each day is that, for much of the year, I get to see some of the most beautiful sunrises (and occasional sunsets). There's nothing like the wakening of a new day to snap me to attention and fill me we awe and with gratitude. Life on Earth...it's a beautiful thing.

Sunrise 11/20/2014, as seen from the MARC train, West Baltimore Station.

Pants

Everyone knows that pants are amazing.

Pants are worn day in and day out. It takes a lot to make pants "dirty". How many times do you wear a pair of pants before you throw them in the wash?

As soon as I take off a shirt, it goes in the dirty laundry basket. Sometimes, even trying on a t-shirt, no matter how briefly, is enough to make it "dirty" for me.

But pants...they have staying power. Pants defy dirt. Pants are amazing.

And by pants, I mean slacks/trousers. Not underwear. Underwear are very dirty indeed.

Gouging

I remember a time when you checked into a hotel, and they advertised "Free Cable!" You could get coffee, an iron and board, a hair dryer, a microwave, a fridge, internet access, and more in your room. It was a part of your expected accommodations.

Now it seems there's an extra charge for everything! There's a bottle of water in my room right now that is marked "$5.00 - A fee will be added to your room bill if consumed". What?

Also, the remote control turns the TV on, to the internal "buy this movie for $6.99" channel...and does nothing else. I had to get up and manually change the channel. Yay.

First world problem, I guess.

Loki

Loki is my cat. He is 8 years old and thinks I'm his mama. He was such an ornery kitten, I'm glad he's grown up! He needs lots of attention...like me, I suppose.

Lessons from the Fast Lane

I always wonder why there are people who get in the fast lane and drive exactly the speed limit - or slower. What is the point of that? Are they trying to teach us speed demons a lesson? Isn't slower traffic supposed to stay to the right, so that the rest of us can pass on the left?

Or should I just take a deep breath and slow down? Hrm...

Why?

Of all the questions one can possibly ask, 'why' is probably the hardest. Even 'how' is easier to answer most of the time. I ask 'why', a lot.