Tube Drama

This is Beth - I'd like to say a few things about my commute this morning.

Let's start with - I hit snooze 3 times instead of only once; this delayed me 20 minutes. 20 minutes in tube time can be the difference between an easy or a hard commute. Anywhoo - I pour myself out of bed and leisurely eat my cereal, shower, dress, etc. Around 8:15 I put my ipod in and head to the station. I normally hit the platform around 7:55/8:00 - today about 20 minutes later. When I finished my 3 flights of stairs to the platform, there was a train sitting there with an unusually large number of people ready to get on. I normally try to get on the last carriage, but there was no time to walk down the platform I had to try the nearest door. I felt a wave of hopelessness come over me, feeling as if I'd have to wait for the next train (which wouldn't bother me at all). As I stood at the door watching people cram in, this short woman looked at me and generously created a spot with my name on it. This does not normally happen, so I smiled at her and gladly stepped onto the train. Of course the even shorter woman who had to stare at my chest for the next 4 stops may not have been so happy with my tube hero... It was either my chest or the 6' tall guy that kept her from drinking her coffee - either way, she was not happy.

At each stop, a few people would get off and another bunch would cram on. This wasn't a problem until the WB stop - this woman felt the need to push everyone in so she could get on. Again, this wouldn't normally bother me except her huge, expensive purse was pushing my leg so hard that I had to balance basically on one leg for the next two stops. I now have an even greater hatred for designer purses. Luckily - she was to get off at the next stop. I felt freedom! A lot of people got off to transfer at this stop, so I jumped into an open air section (where there are mostly seats). At the same time another woman had the same bright idea, only she thought it would be nice to lean her body up against the seat I was holding on to. She moved into my hand so hard that it actually went into her coat pocket! I pulled my (empty) hand out and tried nudging her a bit. She had room to move one (or 12) inches away from me, but never did. Finally, a couple stops later, more transferees jump ship; this includes the 3 sitters next to me with luggage! I snag a seat along with a few other people and enjoy total bliss. My next 5 stops were all in the comfort of a plush, tube seat.

My normal commute is not this crowded and much more pleasant; Ipod in tow and a blackberry full of games normally make my commute go very quick! Today was an exception and a lesson learned......wake up after just one snooze.

To end this lovely note, I'd like to give a shout out to the woman who created a spot specially for me this morning....it "made my day". And I'd like to give a warning to the designer purse woman - don't ever get on my carriage or your purse will be thrown out on the tracks!