Is there a word for the Study of Commuting? I’d probably have my doctorate by now since I’ve been studying this subject now three hours every day for the last nine months. Ok, I realize that’s not nearly as long as a seasoned commuter, but for me, that’s longer than I would have expected.
The first leg of my commute is a 30 minute drive to West Falls Church metro station. That is if the traffic is relatively light. I have a routine music schedule as soon as I jump in my jeep. 1. Check the radio for either a Christmas song (‘tis the season) or a song I can sing along with, if there’s nothing then 2. Listen to numbers 1, 6, sometimes 7, and 8 on my mixed CD that’s currently playing. Once that cycle finishes, it’s back to the radio.
Arriving at West Falls, I wind up the ramp four times, usually behind someone putting on their turn signal at every corner. There is no other option other than turning left up the ramp, so you don’t have to tell me by turning on your blinker. Thanks for being so thoughtful though.
After touching my SmartTrip metro pass to the touch pad and going through the little blockade, I walk down the escalator (you think watching TV is a waste of time? Try standing on the escalator) take a quick turn to the right and walk to the end of the platform. It’s such a treat to get a seat on the train, but if none are available, I snatch up the coveted (coveted in my mind) standing room against the metro map right next to the door. This way 1. You don’t have to touch the germy poles in the center that smell weird, 2. You’re not in anyone’s’ way, 3. And you can slip out when it’s your stop.
This (should be) 20 minute ride is my study time. I have tried to make categories for all the people I see.
There’s the perpetually perturbed female big wig who is wearing a kaki trench coat, stands at about 5’3’’ with a scowl on her face. Don’t even think about accidentally bumping her with your bag…just don’t.
Next are the “ipod people.” They’re both sitting and standing, with Bose earbuds muffling the metro, and their fingers scroll like crazy through songs the entire commute. What exactly are they looking for? That perfect song to get them started?
Next are the couples who don’t talk, but just stare at each other, lean heads, hold hands, stroke legs, share whispers, and giggle together. Gross.
there are those creepy men that you catch staring at you…the entire ride.
And finally, there’s me. I change my personalities. I’m either the brooding mysterious woman or the “can’t-read-enough-want-to-be-nerdy” girl.
Well, it’s 5:30. Time to make the trek home…and that’s a whole different story.
The first leg of my commute is a 30 minute drive to West Falls Church metro station. That is if the traffic is relatively light. I have a routine music schedule as soon as I jump in my jeep. 1. Check the radio for either a Christmas song (‘tis the season) or a song I can sing along with, if there’s nothing then 2. Listen to numbers 1, 6, sometimes 7, and 8 on my mixed CD that’s currently playing. Once that cycle finishes, it’s back to the radio.
Arriving at West Falls, I wind up the ramp four times, usually behind someone putting on their turn signal at every corner. There is no other option other than turning left up the ramp, so you don’t have to tell me by turning on your blinker. Thanks for being so thoughtful though.
After touching my SmartTrip metro pass to the touch pad and going through the little blockade, I walk down the escalator (you think watching TV is a waste of time? Try standing on the escalator) take a quick turn to the right and walk to the end of the platform. It’s such a treat to get a seat on the train, but if none are available, I snatch up the coveted (coveted in my mind) standing room against the metro map right next to the door. This way 1. You don’t have to touch the germy poles in the center that smell weird, 2. You’re not in anyone’s’ way, 3. And you can slip out when it’s your stop.
This (should be) 20 minute ride is my study time. I have tried to make categories for all the people I see.
There’s the perpetually perturbed female big wig who is wearing a kaki trench coat, stands at about 5’3’’ with a scowl on her face. Don’t even think about accidentally bumping her with your bag…just don’t.
Next are the “ipod people.” They’re both sitting and standing, with Bose earbuds muffling the metro, and their fingers scroll like crazy through songs the entire commute. What exactly are they looking for? That perfect song to get them started?
Next are the couples who don’t talk, but just stare at each other, lean heads, hold hands, stroke legs, share whispers, and giggle together. Gross.
there are those creepy men that you catch staring at you…the entire ride.
And finally, there’s me. I change my personalities. I’m either the brooding mysterious woman or the “can’t-read-enough-want-to-be-nerdy” girl.
Well, it’s 5:30. Time to make the trek home…and that’s a whole different story.
