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July 14, 2006
On time!
O joy of joys! Tri-Rail is on time on this merry day. After he had read last Friday's post, a friend of mine mentioned that I would probably serve my readers as well as derive my own benefits by pointing out the many advantages I've inherited by commuting by light rail rather than driving into the office on a daily basis.
First and foremost is hours of relaxed peace I spend riding each week, wherein I've been able to renew my romance with the quill and ink, otherwise known as my writing fancy. It is no secret how much I love crafting words from the whorls of chaos churning in my mind every day. There is a kind of "self-help" power in making entertaining or provocative commentary.
The Tri-Rail looks turned round when it's heading northbound.
This one is leaving the stationThere is also a mental muscle involved in writing, one that gets weak and flimsy when not in use—but when exercised on a daily basis, the muscle grows strong and dexterous, able to masterfully ignite effervescent prose from even the most desolate of environs.
Secondly is the stress relief of putting all my power on an immense, constantly moving locomotive when local traffic reports every morning provide an endless barrage of accidents, fender-benders, and roadway debris causing backups for miles and miles filled with psychotic rush hour drivers high on the carbon monoxide fumes of countless cars.
There is little to compare with the feeling one gets looking out the east window of the rapidly progressing train and seeing I-95 looking like a parking lot.
Next on the list is the daily exercise I have been getting from riding a bicycle between the station and work (and many mornings between home and the station). I sit in front of a computer screen all day at the office and much of my evenings at home. I need to have some sort of routine to prevent the onset of my impending forties, and bicycling happens to be the perfect daily aerobic workout.
Finally, the Tri-Rail provides a never-ending supply of entertainment from comedic announcers to sleeping security guards…and certainly not the least of which are the other passengers—a cross-section of South Florida society. Whether riding for convenience, economic necessity or ecological conservation, there is no end to the flow of personalities to be found on every Tri-Rail train.
I've recently become part of a subclass of Tri-Rail riders, the "rider-bicyclists". Out of necessity, we become familiar to one another. Bicycle storage stations on the trains come in pairs, and one often finds oneself doing a sort of dance with other bicyclists in order to insure that "next-one-off-the-train" is the bicycle on the outside.
There is one female rider-bicyclist, who, judging by her garb must work as a hygienist or nurse's assistant, that only rides for one train stop, but being the friendly and outgoing individual that she is, smiling and starting conversations, has become an easily recognized rider. Recently she asked what it was I was writing in my notebook every day.
In so many ways, the train is the better option by far. I wish they were more frequent and had a better on time ratio. Perhaps they'd attract more riders and be able to provide even better services.
But no more bicyclists…please. We need the space we get!
Posted by Bastique at July 14, 2006 4:53 PM
Comments
Hey sweet cheeks!
I'm home in one piece...but with an extra piece added.Now let me tell you... that took me by surprise(big time)when I was told what to expect.It's called a bargain donor.Someone that died donated their body parts.My first thought was so silly,it's embarrassing to tell.But I thought of a movie I seen a while back where a guy got a donated a hand from a killer that died,and it turned the guy into a killer useing that uncontrollable hand.Then after it sunk in,I decided how silly that movie was,and that I am truly grateful to that person that gave me the bone to hold my neck together.
I would say that I have my neck screwed on straight now (no pun intended)lol....but the medication has kept me so loopy I couldn't find my ass with both hands.
So I went from extreme pain and stiffness,to discomfort...so do you think discomfort can get an Oxy refill?(just kidding).lol...You know me...I have to watch these mind altering drugs...I tend to like them waaaay too much.Even when there is no extreme pain,I tend to lie to myself and say the pain is there so I can get that "high".Baaaaad girl.What can I say? I do have a refill,and will probably fill it,but maybe giving them to my roomie would keep me in line (or drive her nuts,one)(giggle)
A recovering addict can think of a million excuses to get that euphoria.
As soon as I'm able,I may try some bicycle riding.Sounds pretty cool.
Thanks for keeping me in your thoughts and just being the sweetheart that you are.
Lotsa hugs!!
T.
Posted by: tammi at July 15, 2006 9:01 PM