Lifestyles of the poor and nameless

I never thought I'd say it, but I miss the anonymity of NYC. I miss getting on the train and nobody knows who you are. NYC transit riders will step on you, look at you as though YOU did something wrong and then suck their teeth and keep it moving. Perfect for the anti-social.

When I get on the "Rail" in PA, it's like when Norm used to walk into the bar on "Cheers"--- ok, maybe not that extreme, but still...same faces, same time, same conductor, Monday-Friday. And you really can't get around them. There's this one older guy who takes the 7:13 train every morning. He gets there very early and then stands around watching people at the station. And, since I come in at roughly the same time everyday and try to park in the same spot, he has taken notice of the fact that my license plates say "New York". So every morning---no matter how I try to avoid him--- he makes it a point to make eye contact and say something about the fact that I've "brought the cold NY wind" with me. Monday he asked if I watched the super bowl, and who was I rooting for. Ugh. In NYC, we notice these things, but don't make comments unless there's an absolute need for it. We don't stare at people and try to make eye contact--- that could start a fight. We mind our business and get lost amidst the throngs of passengers. I miss that.

Getting off the train is another small soap opera. That same guy gets off the train at the stop before I do, and has a parting word before he gets out. Geez. (On a side note, isn't it amazing that people who SHOULD be acknowledging you when they see you....like your boss, for instance...ignore you; but then you'll have some random guy on the train trying to talk to you all the time?!) Anyway...Trenton is the last stop on the PA rail line. The seats in the rail cars face forward and each car has one exit. There's about 8 minutes between Trenton and the previous stop. Inevitably, about 4 minutes into it, the same asian guy will come all the way from the back of the car and park himself in front the exit. Then the blonde lady in the front row will stand behind him. So I'll stand up 'cause I don't want to get stuck behind everyone else. But if I move too slowly, this black guy from the middle of the car will walk down the aisle and stand right beside my row until the train stops. Then he'll have a conversation with the blonde lady about how cold it is outside.

I get tired of seeing their faces everyday...and even more tired of that guy who always has something to say to me. As Billy Joel said "I'm in a New York State of mind". I've started taking the train at 6:30 instead, just because I need a change of scenery.