Ridin' that train...

OK, so it's been 6 weeks or more since I took the commute into the city (100 miles round trip)... Did it today to meet up with my son and my barber and kill some time. Took an off-peak (non rush hour) train -- cheaper and less crowded, however, there's more to it. With the rush hour trains, 99% of the passengers know the rules and how to behave in a sardine can. Keep your elbows tucked, your reading material close to the vest, your cell phone calls quiet and short and overall keep your conversations toned down. In the event these guidelines are not followed, one must aways, always have an iPod or some kind of noise-drowning device. On the non rush hour train you have the free-for-all crowd. Just when I thought things would be ok a group of three teen-age girls got on the train and behaved like they were at the Mardi Gras..Not sure if they realized that there were 30 or so other people who may, just may, be bothered with their volume and content. The last resort for me is to say something for fear you'd be thought of as an old fart.. I always hope somebody else will step in. PLUS, this was a one-shot deal today.. Hell, I could live through this.

Besides the volume it was the content, the syntax and for some reason their apparent quest to have everyone hear their conversation. Recently I've noticed that the "go-to" word for teen-age girls (mainly) is "LIKE".. some examples. "So, he said I was like artsy" "I don't think I am artsy, do you? It's like a knock, isn't it" "he was so like opinionated I told him whatever"..I think these girls were music majors at some NYC school and one of the two was talking about how much she liked the guitar style of Jimmy Page (of Led Zepplin).. My GOD, she knew all about him and the types of guitars he used for different songs.. I felt like quizzing her since this guy came right out of my generation..As much as I tried to listen I was completely distracted and tense (my usual state)..I got through the ride obviously ..

Whatever I choose to do going forward (what other way is there to go??) it will NOT involve the train. Those days are over. Once you get away from it you realize there are more fulfilling ways to like kill that time!!