"Metro Physics" and other lessons I've learned...

It never ceases to amaze me how many generally common sense rules go out the window, when one rides the Metro. One such is that if you are going to be in public, you should oh I don't know....PUT ON DEODORANT. Now I certainly understand the blue collar worker at the end of his shift being a bit pungent (though he should still reasonably be able to control that). But for the white collar cats, like the one I had the displeasure of being trapped on the blue line with this morning, the scent of ass and corn chips is wholly unacceptable at 9:40am. Did you run a couple of games of hoops in your khakis and polo, before hopping on the train? Seriously, just....get it together. Furthermore, I KNOW you smell yourself. PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE have a seat. Must you grab the overhead grip,exposing your pits, and allowing your funk to waft through the train? I just don't understand it, but you get the point. Another key issue are a series of principles I like to call, "Metro Physics". As most people readily know, two objects cannot occupy the same space simultaneously. This is never more apparent than when, shall we say a plus-sized individual tries to cram into a space on the train that would barely accommodate an average-sized person. Why are you looking at me funny? You know damn well, you are not a Size 8. No I will not kiss the glass, just so all 350lbs of you can be comfortable. You shoulda waited for the next train! Another simple lesson is inertia, or the tendency of an object to remain in motion, unless acted on by an outside force. To wit, just because the train stops, unless you're holding onto something......doesn't mean you will too. I see it happen to young and old alike. Oh and please, believe elderly doesn't necessarily save you from my muffled laughter. I could go on with these all day, but you get the general idea. In the end, I think we can all enjoy our rides quite a bit more if we simply stick to the basics that all of us learned as kids. Oh, and the Golden Rule works on trains too....

Morning Madness-Why I don't try to go in early

So those of you that really know me, know that I've been blessed with an extremely flexible schedule. That said, unless I'm hitting an early morning workout (Shoutout to Results Gym- Cap Hill), I'm rarely at the office before 9:30 anymore. This morning however, I had a special project that necesitated me being in "early". So begins my morning madness....

Typically, 3-4 days out of the week, I do in fact, get to the gym before work and so I'm usually out the door by 6am. This morning however, I decided to sleep in. Normally waking up to a thunderstorm, would precipitate (no pun intended) me firing off an email about "coming in late". Having to take care of the special project today, I unfortunately did not have that luxury. So up I go to begin my day. As I get ready to step out the door, I see that this torrential downpour has caused the dang rainwater to literally rise up on my tires. So now I have to consider, "Is there anybody else that can do this project, cuz this some bullsh-t." No one comes to mind, so after an Olympic triple jump to my car, I'm off.

So I arrive at the Marc, catch an earlier train, and everything is fine. Right? Wrong. As we leave New Carrolton to head into Union Station, they announce that we have lost the "signaling system" and thus have to enter the station at a crawl. From New Carrolton to Union Station at I swear, no faster than 15MPH. UNBELIEVABLE! This is what I got out early and braved The Day After Tomorrow for?!?!?!? To get into the station maybe 10-15 mins ahead of the train I would have otherwise taken? Great....

Now I need to ride the Metro in, to get to my office. So as I'm entering the station, I see the board stating that due to various power outtages, some stations are shut down. Greeeeeat. But after listening to further announcements, I learn none are any of my stops! Happy dance. So I come up on a train that is getting ready to depart. People FLYING by me to catch this train, and packing into this s--t like sardines. This brings me to another point. It's rush hour. Trains come like every 4-5 mins. If it that's crucial that you be on THAT particular train, then it's one of 2 things. Either your boss is a dick and just has it out for you, or you've been warned many times before and you're on thin ice already. Either way, chances are better than average, that you will in fact be late again today, so you're already f-cked. Just walk and enjoy yourself. At least you won't be all sweaty when you get fired. But I digress.

After catching the next train, while simultaneously ignoring the woman whom has been screaming in the station for like 5 minutes nonstop (I think she had a panic attack on the previous sardine train, and had to get out) I get into the office, and head down to my desk to grab the necessary equipment. So what do I discover when I get to the conference room? Identical equipment is ALREADY IN THERE, from the last presentation. No one bothered to check the room before making the request! I can't even get mad at this point. I just silently reaffirm to myself why I never come in early anymore....