Beat the Heat

Somehow I missed it in March of this year, but that is indeed when Metro shared it's plan called "Operation Cool Breeze" in a press release, a maintenance plan to inspect and overhaul all the air conditioning in Metro's fleet.

Given the recent temps, "Operation Cool Breeze" and the "Hot Car"seem to be very heated topics lately, but I can't say I'm surprised. Did people really believe Metro would fix something just because they mentioned it in a press release? Maybe their public relations team deserves a raise because I'm pretty sure regular riders are not so easily fooled.

I actually don't always mind a hot car, but lately the brutal heat has been too much even for the most tolerant riders.* Which could be why I saw a gentleman pretty much dressed in this outfit yesterday:

{The guy I saw was in a similar outfit, but not a police uniform. He had his shades on,

which just intensified the impact. So awesome it almost made me forget how hot it was.}

*I believe there is such a thing as a tolerant Metro rider. I just don't know any of them.

xoxo -- stay cool!

WARNING: Escalator IN Service

I guess I'm pretty late to the party on this issue, as there is no shortage of video commentary on the subject out there, but it was a direct message I received from a fellow mom and Metro rider that brought the issue to my attention.

PARENT WARNING: if you are taking your child who is wearing Crocs onto the Metro and it happens to be a day when the escalators are actually working, be cautious!
The following excerpt is taken from my friend's email:

"Several of you have asked after her, so I thought I would send you all a note to let you know that my [precious daughter] is fine, and to let you know what amazing teachers and administrators we have.  

En route to [a field trip] today, [daughter's] left Croc got sucked in the escalator down to the Metro.  [Teacher #1] -- thinking and acting quickly -- got her out of harm's way, all the while holding on to another student, ensuring both of their safety.  [Teacher #2] swung into action with latex gloves and first aid kit, cleaned her wound, bandaged her up, and carried her back to school where they talked and read books until we arrived... At the doctor, [my daughter] received an elaborate bandage...her left toe nail is gone and ...she will be on antibiotics for several days.

But while [Teacher #2} was administering to [my daughter] at the Metro station, not one Metro employee stopped to ask if they could help. [Teacher #1] filed a complaint with Metro about their employees' lack of interest in a wounded rider...and...Metro informed her that injuries caused on escalators by Crocs-wearers is a huge issue..."

I feel the need to mention that Metro escalators aren't the only potentially dangerous ones, and Crocs are not the only shoe that could cause an injury. Ok, I mentioned it. Oh, and I also should mention that I believe any Metro worker that sees an injured child and does nothing, deserves to be puked on.

And with our first set of stitches for the summer already under our belt (Princess #1 is doing fine but her forehead lost the battle with the edge of a desk), wanted to pass this along to any other parents that may have missed the numerous reports of this phenomenon.

xoxo - stay safe!

The Metro Life Cycle

It’s always fun for me to do things for the first time with one of the princesses. Especially things that are ordinary to me. It rarely fails in bringing about some level of appreciation for things that I have not considered, or have become jaded to over time. Like riding the metro.

Princess #1 and #2 have now ridden the metro a number of times to take special trips with mommy, but Princess #3 has been impatiently waiting to be “big enough” for her own journey. (To be clear, she could have ridden the metro at any time, I just wasn’t prepared to handle a toddler and the metro at the same time. Not even the most precious observations are worth that kind of headache.)

This past Sunday it was finally her turn. We met up with some friends to wander the Eastern Market, and it really is simple* to get there via metro. Despite the added travel time of one-track running of Orange/Blue lines, it was a successful adventure for us.

[*Note: by simple I mean there is no changing of trains necessary. This is not to be confused with being either faster or easier than driving.]

Sassy Princess #3 -- ready to spend the morning searching for treasures at the market.

{still sporting her stylish, self-inflicted "cropped" bangs from Mother's Day}

I was struck by how her little 3 yo observations summed up the life cycle of most metro experiences: 

“I want to do the ticket! I like these stairs that are moving!”

“I like this train! I like these orange chairs! I want to sit by the window!”

“This train is moving fast! More people are getting on this train with us!”

“What is that smell? I don’t like it.”

“We keep stopping, can we get off yet? Are we there?”

“This carpet is dirty. I can’t see out my window, I don’t like this tunnel.”

“Are we there yet?”

“I can still smell something. I don’t like it. This train is dirty.”

“Are we there yet?”

“This train is loud. Can I lay down?”

“I want to do the ticket! Why are these stairs not moving? Can you make them move?”

“Can we be done with the train now?”

Ahh, how quickly they learn.

 xoxo -- Enjoy the daily adventures!

Some Gifts Keep on Giving

That's how I'm feeling about the Kindle I finally received for Mother's Day. It has completely changed my commute, because now I am forever armed with great distractions. So far, this is all I can remember about the metro characters from the past few weeks:

{Although perhaps #3's square head could represent the man who was literally yelling to someone on the other end of his cell phone, during a call he placed while on the train, "Sir, I will be forced to sue."}

It's been kinda glorious.

xoxo -- Bookworm

Absence Did Not Make Me Grow Fonder.

{and who really says "fond" these days anyway? kind of an awkward word in my opinion}

April was a pretty glorious month, thanks to "Spring break" and some fabulous vacation time off with my family (and many metro-free days). As I contemplate life in between when my next break from commuting arrives, here's a list of 10 things I definitely did NOT miss about the metro:

1. Delays due to: "a situation at Metro Center" or  "smoke on the track" or "a train off-loading at Foggy Bottom" or "fill in the blank with any numerous and frequently occuring excuses for delays"
2. The stairmaster workout from continuously broken escalators
3. Depressing commuter fashions and inappropriate rain gear
4. Blue/Orange line trains operating on a single track
5. Being subjected to the public's personal hygiene issues
6. Treacherously slippery tiles in the entrance/exit and walkways
7. Nearly always inaccurate signs projecting "next train times"
8. "Customers, be advised, this train is out of service. This train is out.of.service."
9. The annoying woman's courtesy voice on loop repeating, "Excuse me, is that your bag?"
10. The $51/week in total fare charges for the experience of it all.

xoxo Happy Spring!

Disco Metro

Tonight's metro ride was a little trippy... the lights inside the car kept going completely off, and then suddenly fully back on with no real level of predictability. No *exactly* like a strobe light, but it was such a similar effect, I couldn't help thinking... what if I was on the Disco Metro?! Maybe some of you have had the glorious good fortune to ride in a disco cab but no such luck here. I thought for a minute maybe one of these would suddenly appear:

How cool would that have been?! And then we'd all start a big commuting dance party, kind of like this:

{unfortunately nobody was dressed like this on my metro today}

Unfortunately, it was just one more metro malfunction for the day... but it did inspire some disco tunes at dance party when I got home!

xoxo - Get Down Tonight

Spring Fever

So finally the sun came out today, and it's sparked a full-on Spring fever that cannot be stopped. Spring cleaning, planning for Spring break... anything Spring-related and it's on my list this week. Things that I hope are NOT on my list are more rain and bad fashion rain gear on the metro.

One of my favorite things about Spring/Easter time is the Washington Post's annual Peep Show. Someone told me about it before we moved here, and it instantly made me happy about the local news options. It is spectacular, I highly suggest blowing off any Spring productivity by checking out some of the past winners.

And, when @unsuckdcmetro posted their Peeps Preview for 2011 I really couldn't help but feel an extra bit of joy for this year's entries. Because if this one doesn't win, imagine how good the others will be!!

{image of "escalator collapse at peepy bottom" from  UNSUCKDCMETRO.}

And, I also came across the ABA's version of a similar contest -- which isn't as elaborate, and the humor may only be funny to fellow law students/grads -- but peeps are pretty hilarious no matter what the context!

xoxo -- Peepy Springtime!

Dude, Where's My Train Car?

Some serious Monday mayhem on the metro today. For those interested in the details, I am not in the least shocked by the photos and stories posted today at UNSUCKDCMETRO. When there's a one-track cluster already in progress as rush hour begins and then trains start off-loading on already crowded platforms... well, it is almost more shocking that there weren't resulting casualties.

And I don't say this lightly, because honestly, people go crazy when their commutes are wreaked with such havoc. We're talking look for the purple banana crazy. The shoving and general lack of consideration for others makes my top five most offensive commuter etiquette issues list. It's painful for all of us, nobody was hoping to be (more than 40 minutes!) late to where they were going, most people feel the demands of a work schedule increasing as the delays get longer. But fighting and shoving and general douche-y behavior does not make the process better. It makes it worse.

For example, it is very frustrating to be waiting for a train car, only to have to shuffle forward to an already crowded open door and be surpassed by swarms of other just arriving commuters getting the edge on your patience by claiming a spot that, by violating the non-existent laws of metro timing should have been yours. So then you decide that when the next car arrives, you are NOT. BUDGING. FOR. ANYONE. Which is when things get ridiculous.

Yes, people who cut in line in the normal course of life suck and should not be rewarded with timeliness and seating. However, as is more often the case on the metro, it is the train causing the problem, not the other commuters. Or, maybe it's the track. Or the conductors. Or really WMATA in general. The point is, it's not your fellow commuters (I realize this statement should have a long list of caveats... but generally) and taking out your frustrations with the metro on your fellow commuters doesn't help. It just means that you're focusing on the wrong problem and that doesn't help any of us get to work faster.

So tone down the drama and rudeness, step to the side, back up if necessary, and let people on and off the train to the best of your ability, because in the end, we're all going to be late and complaining about the metro -- we don't need to be complaining about each other too.

XOXO - Manic Monday

March Metro Madness

This month has been packed with travel NOT involving the metro (hooray!), but leaves little time for posting. I will be catching up soon I'm sure as Spring fever is in the air. The Cherry Blossom Festival begins next weekend, and while St. Pat's was a bit disappointing, I suspect I'll see plenty of characters as the wool jackets, rain coats and other cold weather cover ups are left behind. My first glimpse was earlier in the week when this fellow got a very annoying song stuck in my head for the day...

{he wasn't technically in head-to-toe red spandex, but he was wearing red pants

and had that signature hair which I recall as a bit more unruly than shown here.}

Something very patriotic about the Greatest American Hero commuting via metro. And, here's a bit of '80s TV trivia you may not have known (thanks Wikipedia) -- the main character's name was originally Ralph Hinkley, but after the assassination attempt of Ronald Reagan by John Hinckley, Jr. on March 30, 1981 (only 12 days after the pilot episode aired), the character's last name was changed to "Hanley" and for the rest of the 1st season, he was either "Ralph" or "Mister H."

Look for more useless information this month and let me know what Spring fever does for your commute!

xoxo -- on a wing and a prayer

CTA v. WMATA Throwdown

I always say hands down that the CTA kicks Metro's ass. So I decided to do a side-by-side to see how easily I could substantiate my claims -- not because anyone would question my judgment of course! Turns out there is a lot more that I attribute to the "intangibles" that ultimately make up my decision, and perhaps I am romanticizing the CTA just a bit...

Ultimately, it gets down to reliability for me. I'm also annoyed by what I perceive to be unfair stereotypes on both sides of the public transportation coin. Moving out to the DC area, people (many of whom do not actually regularly take public transport) rave about the Metro. "It's so clean!" I say whatever, it's still public transportation and in general, the public can be kinda gross. So it doesn't usually smell like a toilet -- big whoop. On the flip side, the "L" gets a pretty bad rap for cleanliness. In general I will concede it seems to smell worse. But otherwise, it's the same kind of well-travelled germfest as the Metro. And you're allowed to drink coffee whenever you want! (Not that it seems as appealing when things smell like a toilet...)

The rider tools and mobile access updates seem more accurate and reliable from the CTA site. However, part of my issue with WMATA's site may just be that there is almost always a delay! So, even when it's accurate, it's not really accurate. Highly frustrating.

I know when I was riding the CTA daily I was not this enamored, clearly absence has had a "grow fonder" impact. But overall, the reliability, affordability and speed (and working escalators!!) have me voting CTA as the winner this round. Even the characters I see on the Metro don't push it over the edge! Maybe when Super Grover is joined by Oscar, Big Bird and the Count, I'll do a re-match.

Travel to/from airport during weekday

*unless available through wmata.com or chicagotransit.com; observations are based on personal experience.

xoxo -- not Bobby Flay

The Falafel Album

This musical gem was brought to my attention by a dear friend, fellow metro rider and the fabulous food and wine blogger that I believe may be helping drive better trade agreements with Colombia. Thanks Sindhu!

Of course I am particularly fond of this special track, and the video makes it simply priceless. Click on the link below to enjoy it too!

Metro Song

Turns out this is only one of the tracks from "The Falafel Album" by (Go)Remy! According to his website he's from VA, "Remy grew up on the rough streets of McLean" -- so it's no wonder he nails the metro's issues so perfectly. This is a solid gold hit if I've ever heard one. Now I'll have my eye out for him around Fairfax County filming his next big hit...

xoxo -- y'all never rode on the metro?

You can't metro to the Oscars

"The Hollywood & Highland Metro station will also be closed all day on March 7, with Red Line trains traveling through, but not stopping. Normal service will resume Monday Morning, March 8. The nearest open Metro stop in the area on Sunday will be at Hollywood and Vine, 8 blocks (0.8 mile) away. For more information on Metro route changes visit Metro.net."

It's not surprising, arriving via public transportation is pretty much the opposite of red carpet. Not to mention who could walk 8+ blocks in shoes like this?

xoxo -- coveting oscar jewelry

Screech!

I really thought this guy on my metro looked exactly like Screech from Saved by tthe Bell, until I pulled up this image:

{If for some reason you totally missed out on the '90s pop culture,

Screech is the nerd on the ladder with the Ms. Roper shirt and awesome hair.
But really, they all have awesome hair now that I see it! So fabulous.}

Then I realized the guy I saw had even bigger hair than Screech circa 1990. It was glorious. And, in my opinion, much more worthy of discussion than the current mania:

XO -- Don't even get me started on Jennifer Aniston's stupid new "bob"

Personal space

This is a concept that is pretty much non-existent on mass transit commutes. Let's face it, if you're going to have personal space issues, the metro or any other similarly crowded form of transportation can cause some discomfort. I'm prepared to deal with some personal space concessions in order to speed up my overall commute time and maybe even in the name of "reducing climate change" or whatever environmentally friendly concept you want to embrace. After 15+ years living in metropolitan areas, I'm fairly over my anxieties in this area.

What I am not over -- and will never be over -- is people who choose to take this lack of personal space aspect to an extreme. I.E.: PLEASE DO NOT GROOM YOURSELF ON THE METRO. It is astonishing to me how often I encounter someone that doesn't embrace this concept:

- Woman clipping world-record-breaking longest nails ever

- Man dry brushing dander from his head into his hand. INTO HIS HAND

- Woman with small suitcase of cosmetics carefully applying her "face"

- Man with toothpick and floss. Yes, FLOSS

- Woman replacing bandages over blistered feet

This phenomenon is beyond outrageous and it needs to STOP. So please spread the word that this behavior should be reserved for somewhere far more private than public transportation.

And for the woman's whose perfume was invading my personal space all on its own today: maybe try stopping after the initial spritz. Because my nose really does need its personal space.

XOXO -- might have to start commuting in a bubble

Time for Twitter

So my friend Andrew shared this article on FB, and I cannot resist sharing it here as well because the sample tweets and the "categories" they created cracked me up. One of my favs, " we seem to be running on apocalypse schedule again at Foggy Bottom #wmata" -- making fun of the slow/bad train timing AND incorporating Foggy Bottom, you know that makes me laugh.

I already knew I wasn't that original or alone in my hatred of the metro, but this did provide an odd sense of validation. This might even motivate me to finally understand how twitter works!

Enjoy!

#WMATA #FAIL: A guide to Metro's rough life on Twitter

Please Turn It Off

It started earlier this week on one evening commute. First, I should provide some background reference, lest you be left believing I was just crabby or particularly easily irritated this week. (I wasn't!) Generally on the metro, the conductors just announce the stations as you arrive (sometimes as you depart), and they do that very incoherently most of the time. And typically very quietly.  "Next stop, Foggy Bottom." [Side note: whenevener I hear that one I still fight the urge to snicker inexplicably in a Beavis and Butthead type way (uh.huh.huh.huh…he said bottom).] But typically it just comes across "Wahwahwahwahwaa" like the voice of Charlie Brown's teacher.  

So the fact that I could hear the conductor so clearly is what got my attention. And not just mine -- when you can suddenly hear a loud announcement, everyone's headphones (earphones?) come out for a second to see what kind of delay we're in for this time. Only there was no delay.

The conductor seemed to be attempting some type of comedy related to the slow speed we were travelling, "I think it was last week when I was on this same stretch of track travelling 15 mph" and then kind of heckling the people standing on the platforms, "customers, there is no smoking on the platform, even when outside, please extinguish your tobacco product immediately."

Nothing was per se funny, but at this last one, all I could think was what the person smoking on the platform might have been thinking:

"Right, no smoking, I got it man. What you gonna do if I don't put this out? You gonna hop off that train and make me? Like this train needs another excuse to be late. I don't think so man. You trying to embarrass me in front of the other passengers? I know none of them are looking at me, they're all just wondering why you don't just shut the heck up and move that train faster."

Which simply highlighted what a tough crowd the conductor was dealing with, so I decided maybe he was being *kind of* funny, and I noticed a few other passengers giving half smiles for the effort too.

But then, three other commutes THIS WEEK were intruded upon by these jabbermouth conductors! There is really no room for that much added commentary between stations. It would seem like the easy solution is to just ignore it, but then it will be some legit information about a fire on the tracks or something to explain while I'll be DELAYED FOR THE NEXT 40 MINUTES. And I would miss it, because I'm thinking it's just some bored conductor testing his latest stand up routine.

Which is why it's NOT funny.

XOXO - do not like the jabber

Metro is Not for Date Night

After all my horror stories, it would seem this little statement would be self-explanatory. As in, why would I even have a date night story that involves the metro because WHY would anyone take the metro on a date night?! Fair point. Here's pretty much the list of reasons:

- one of us will never agree to be the "designated driver"

- we like our cocktails on date night

- a taxi to downtown runs around $50 one way

- it's not a date night if you stay in the suburbs

-  the metro is $2.70 one way (on weekends)

So, we compromised and decided that we'd take the metro TO our date night, and then cab home later. (Frugality really doesn't have that much room on a official date night I realize, but by the time we pay a babysitter to entertain and tuck in the Princesses, support previously mentioned love of cocktails with dinner and then add in the cost of transportation -- well, it just seemed like a good idea at the time.)

Note that there was a prior awareness that the metro was undergoing construction that would keep us from getting off at the most conveniently located stop. When all factored in, the shorter cab ride still seemed worth it. Boarding metro = zero issues. [husband reminded me after reading that I forgot to mention the only other riders were two seemingly drunk college guys all gussied up for a frat boy night on the town. I did blame them for the later decision to get on the shuttle as they were also aboard.] Getting to last stop = very timely. Exiting at a new station = similar to trekking up Everest. Seriously, it was NUTS how far and long the escalator ride was at Rosslyn (supposedly the third longest continuous escalator in the world, for real). [again reminded by husband that he made a witty "sherpa" reference as I huffed my way to the top. my purse is not THAT big.] Somehow we made it without the assistance of an oxygen tank.

{Side note: the escalators in metro stations are very frequently out of order.

I feel for those people stuck tredging up this daily!}

But the trek must have left us lacking in judgment because it was then that we saw the "shuttle" (read that as metro bus) that was ready to depart to our final destination. Like, really ready, just hop in and go. So, we did. This is where the brilliance of the cheaper commute started to lose its luster.

Standing room only, which left me attempting to hold onto an overhead bar to steady myself, but despite my big girls shoes, looked more like one of the Princesses hanging from monkey bars (this was husband's exact description between giggles and attempts to offer me assistance).

{This is likely mental image the husband had but instead of cute Princess on playground it was wife hanging on metrobus. Exactly the look I was going for: monkey.}

I said it was a good thing we were going to have extra cash for cocktails because immediately upon my ability to exit the "shuttle" I was prepared to do a shot. Or three. At this point we could also not help but overhear random flamboyant rider talking on his iPhone say, multiple times (ala Rachel Zoe) -- "That's bananas!" Which, added to the monkey bar visual for the husband must have really just been too much. [and one final, yet brilliant reminder from husband was that reason we even noticed this guy on his phone in the first place was from the WHAM! Wake me up before you go-go ringtone. really, it was bananas.] He was practically in tears, which is the only thing that was keeping me from hyperventilating.

Taking the metro on date night IS bananas.

But we are still laughing about it, and putting Wham! back into the dance party rotation.

XOXO - Happy date night!

Les is more.

Sitting in front of me tonight was Les Nesman -- awkward spectacles, bad hair, bow-tie and anti-communist griping about current events in full glory. If he had made people walk around an imaginary private space before taking a seat, it would have been an outstanding Friday evening commute.

Now Les alone,  I could spot at least once a week, but since I could actually hear this guy too, it was truly uncanny. I was left hoping a Herb Tarlek, Venus Flytrap or Johnny Fever look alike would  sit down next to him and start up some dialogue -- but unfortunately all I got was the theme song stuck on replay in my head. Maybe next week!
XOXO -- living on the air in Cincinatti

2009 Flashback?

While recently it has seemed a bit more like an '80s flashback when it comes to the metro (or maybe I'm just more familiar with bad fashions, movie and tv sitcom characters from the 80s?) with the snow coming down tonight, I'm beginning to think there may be another December 2009 flashback heading my way.

Yes, that means not only will most of the activity in our nation's capital come to a halt due to weather, but commuting anywhere above ground will pretty much be non-existent. For those of you in the midwest or taking more reliable forms of public transit (yes, I mean the CTA) you might be shocked to know that it takes a scant 5" of snow (sometimes less) to cripple public transporation around here. But that's nothing compared to watching them trying to clear roadways:

{I don't know this cute kid, but he is riding pretty much the same form/size front loader I saw outside in the street earlier.}


xoxo - unpacking the snowshoes

The "Bikram" Car

Inevitably it happens about once a month, a bikram metro car arrives, luring me in for the commute home. I think many of you get the analogy I'm making to bikram yoga here, but just in case: bikram is typically practiced in a hot/humid room to help achieve deeper stretching/strengthening and stress relief. Or so I've been told.

As you can imagine, this also creates a glorious environment for commuting.

Oddly enough, the way to tell which car is the bikram car is because it appears like a bit of a mirage after multiple, sardine-packed, not-even-standing-room-only, completely filled cars whiz by. Suddenly, there it is, a car that appears open, appears to have somewhere to sit down for the next 40+ minutes. It really does seem too good to be true. This is why the first time I stepped onto one, I was curious as to why others weren't rushing forward to nab this coveted space, this room to breathe and read and relax when WHAM! hit with the 100 degrees and 50% humidity.

It was then I realized why people were avoiding these cars like the plague. Sitting in one for too long can kinda make you feel like you are coming down with the plague.

Only, I have actually come to enjoy these quiet rides in an overheated metro.

Here's why: there are no high maintenance commuters in the bikram car. Which means nobody is yapping away on their cell phone or vigorously shooting things on their PSP2. Nobody is complaining about their boss or their jobs or their annoying co-workers. Nobody is combing their hair or applying make-up or flinging their backpack/purse/suitcase into your face/knees/feet.

It's typically a small group of brave people who, I would like to think, have decided the discomfort of a little heat and humidity far outweighs the typical commuting experience. I like to think we have a shared appreciation for a commute where silence is golden and personal space is appreciated.

Until someone faints or pukes.

XO - embracing bikram where I can

Metro-free Mondays

Most Mondays I won't be lucky enough to avoid commuting. But in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King and his belief that equality on public transportation was a civil right, I'm thinking on ways to keep things interesting. You can read more about MLK and public transportation here see a photo of the historic bus on which Rosa Parks refused to give up her seat.

Does it mean we've come a long way when it seems pretty much nobody is willing to give up a seat on public transportation these days?

Cup of Ambition

I adore this movie, and I adore that on my way to work on a Friday morning, I was surrounded by look-alikes for this cast of working ladies. Really. The fashions are back and they are on the metro. Enjoy!

"It is a jungle out there"



XOXO - Happy Friday

Rainbow Brite

When I found this image I was stunned really, it was kind of shocking how much the woman I saw on the metro was channelling this peppy rainbow-adorned little sprite. Ok, this particular woman wasn't exactly spritely, but she was pretty spot-on with the outfit, except it was pants and the boots might have been a tad more in the style of "moon" boots circa 1980. And she wasn't actually emitting rainbow stars. But the funny thing about someone so colorful in a sea of cranky black- and gray-jacketed commuters is that she managed to give off an aura of rainbow stars. Enough that it made me smile, and I'm pretty sure it was the cause of the smiles of at least a few others seated around me.

I couldn't help equate it to the adult version of Princess #2's desire to layer flowered leggings with a sparkly skirt and pair that with a contrasting-color shirt covered in butterflies. And then add a sweatshirt or sweater with more sparkles and flowers or polka dots; paired with some striped socks and a scarf and light up shoes; and topped off with a ponytail and five barrettes; and a headband. It's more about being pretty because each individual item is pretty and so the rainbow sum total makes it more pretty. (I am not one to argue with the fashion logic of a 5 yo. -- or a 3 yo or 7 yo for that matter.)

Unfortunately the adult real-life version isn't quite as charming, and is definitely a questionable choice for business attire. But maybe her job was at a daycare or hosting kids parties or cheering up sick little ones in the hospital? Whatever her destination, I'm certain she continued to spark smiles all along the way.

XOXO - Not quite a double rainbow, but still awesome

NO FOOD ALLOWED.

Or drinks for that matter. Seems fairly harsh at 7 a.m. when I cannot be sipping on some much needed coffee, but in general I get it. Keep the metro clean so it can maintain its rep. Frankly, if I were public transportation I think I'd rather my rep be "speedy" or "timely" or "convenient" but, you know, I guess the metro has chosen "clean," and so there we go with the fairly strict adherence to the no food/drink rule. So, on those rare occasions when my nostrils are assaulted by the strong scents of food, I can't help but wonder what has caused someone to have such an utter disregard of the rules. One morning I saw a gentleman surreptitiously trying to eat hot oatmeal. Steaming. I actually saw him after I caught a strong wiff of that tell-tale aroma. Perhaps he wasn't going for surreptitious as it seems a granola bar might have achieved a similar breakfast nutritional requirement yet be more easily concealed. But that's the mystery of commuting with strangers.

Early this week my senses were accosted by the smell of a fresh orange. Not offensive, but it struck me as a very bold move: peeling and eating a juicy piece of fruit on the metro is downright audacious! So when I checked out who might be so brave as to cast aside this rather strictly enforced rule, I was a little defeated to realize it was simply a mother feeding her young daughter. Perhaps it wasn't even a mother and daughter, maybe she was a nanny or maybe an aunt or very young grandmother. Just because they had matching white fur jackets and hats does not mean they were related. Regardless, as a mother, I empathize with the struggles of travel that requires a child to remain both relatively quiet and still. I fully understand and appreciate the use of food as an incentive to achieve a modest level of cooperation. When I saw the orange being given to this adorable child sitting so quietly and politely, I couldn't help but smile. Even when the (mother) next pulled out a ziplock baggy of cheerios, I maintained my empathy.

It was the subsequent banana followed by yet ANOTHER ziplock of something that looked like chex cereal that caused me to lose my cool a bit.

To be fair, maybe I lost my cool because it was now 20 minutes into a commute that does not include caffeine before 8 a.m.…but either way I couldn't help it, my judgemental mommy side took over and I started thinking just a bit of planning could have avoided all of this eating on the metro business. Packing some crayons and paper? A few small toys? A book? Heck, some lipgloss and a pack of tic tacs could work in a pinch! I was willing to forgive the orange, but beyond that it was just blatant rule-breaking for no good reason in my mind. If my need for coffee isn't a good enough reason to break rules, then the calming effects of food snacks on small children shouldn't be either. Particularly when the small children are able to occupy their own seat, have all their teeth and can talk in full sentences.

Where were these two going that she needed to fortify her (daughter) with a three+ course breakfast before they arrived? Were they running so late she wasn't able to feed her before they left the house so instead she had time to pack up this multi-course breakfast for eating on the road? Why did she pack two different types of cereal and fruits? Was she some kind of food pyramid freak? Maybe there were medical issues to consider that I have no idea about?  

So I mentally reminded myself that I had no true idea of their situation and should just STOP jumping to conclusions. But JUST THEN, they got off the train, and not even at a transfer station which means it was likely their FINAL DESTINATION. When I looked over at the stray cheerios lining the empty metro seat left behind, I had a new appreciation for following the no food/drink rule.

I mean, if I wanted to commute to work in seats covered with cheerios, I'd just drive my minivan. Which brings us back to why coffee is probably not the greatest idea either:

{not an actual image from my minvan, but I do fully appreciate it}

XOXO - Rule follower

Johnny Rotten is alive and well

At least, he is if he's commuting by metro these days. I'm not sure what business he might have in downtown DC around 8:00 in the morning, but he was standing next to the doors on my metro this morning so I really should have asked him. It's good to know that he retains he sense of personal style no matter how formal his business. Because if he hadn't kept that signature hairstyle and ratty rocker attire I might have mistaken him for just another one of the completely interchangeable bodies travelling to our nation's capital city. I also felt a little bit guilty that there weren't any Sex Pistols songs on my iPod, so I switched to a Billy Idol tune and felt somewhat better. I mean, you just have to work with what you have, right?

In some ways I should have seen it coming. On our way to pre-school, Princess #3 yelled, "stop talking to me! I can't hear the music!"

XOXO - Keep rockin'

2011 the year of the metro blog?

I'm not sure it's really possible for me to comprehend an entire blog devoted to my experiences on the metro. I mean the Colonel Sanders, Stay-Puft Marshmallow man and sorority girl takeovers are all amusing, they just aren't that blog-worthy. Maybe worth a photo, but I am not a person that can snap photos of random people and think it's okay to post them online, regardless of how funny they are or how likely it is someone else right next to me is using the same funny person to create an awkward YouTube video. Mainly because I'm just not that good with my blackberry camera and nobody would be able to discern the blurry photos and then the comedy of my descriptions would be diminished. That or while commuting I'd have to be all, "excuse me, can you please stand that awkward way against the pole again because my last shot was too blurry and people might not get how much you look like Kim Kardashian going to work on a new reality series lobbying show?" which could lead to me getting punched in the face. So no real photos. Maybe just analogous images I find off the internet, but this already sounds like too much work.

For everyone that has been so lovely and encouraging about a potential metro blog, I'm trying to accommodate you, but it's going to take more than the crazies on the metro to sustain this.... I need to find a voice.  So I'm thinking on appropriate topics that seem to flow in line with my commuting woes in general and the random people we don't know anything about other than their outward appearance and their commuting etiquette. Like the shove-y Mrs. Claus that kicked off 2011. I mean how can you really be in a BIGGER hurry than anyone else to cram onto a boxcar commuter train and sit for who knows how long until your next destination? But what can I tell simply from looking at a white-haired woman wearing round wire specs, a fur-lined red jacket with matching pants and black boots? Maybe she really was Mrs. Claus and she's just used to VIP treatment. These are very subjective judgments.  

I've resolved a number of things for 2011 and have high hopes for accomplishing a long list of goals. So this is where we begin, thinking on how to make the horrific metro commute MORE interesting, or at least into a less painful and more fun distraction for my weekdays. But first I must wave the white flag in a battle over whether Princess #3 can put on her own underpants (she can, and does frequently). Tonight, however, she insists on help or going naked. No middle ground. So she's been walking around with a naked butt for about an hour now. I don’t think this will bode well for the goal of getting back to the preschool routine. Pretty certain the school would frown upon underpants-less girls in attendance; or at least upon their mothers sending them that way out of some stubborness battle of wills with a 3 yr old. Here's to hoping I'm not so easily defeated in my other goals this year, and that I don't see anyone's naked butt on the metro tomorrow.

XOXO - Living the dream