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Location: Blogs Doog Becker's Blog |
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| Posted by: Doog Becker |
5/13/2008 |
I ride the train to work every day. Yes, it’s good for the environment but that’s not why I’m doing it. It’s not because I can’t afford gas to drive either. I’ve been doing this for 3 years because I am sick of driving in this city.
The traffic is terrible in ATL. Yes I’ve been on the 5, 405, and 10 in Cali and on all of the east coast DOT messes too. They do not compare to the mess in Atlanta. The person who decided to converge to major highways (75 & 85) in the heart of a major city should be flogged.
When I did drive it would take me 30min to get to work. That’s not good considering I live just 10 miles from work. That pace is not bad when it is compared to the 1 hour plus commute home. In a few weeks the kids will be out school and the traffic will be worse. So bad that I was clocking 3 hour trips home!
That’s when I decided to sell my Jeep and committed myself to the transit system. Now I skate to and from the train on Sunny days. On rainy days I wear a rain suit and just deal with the weather.
Life all of a sudden became less stressful. My commute takes 30 to 45 minutes depending on what train I catch. I sit and talk to people. I read. I people watch. I became happier about my commute. I can do almost everything I want to do. That idea has brought me to this little rant.
I have been in my bliss for sometime now. But today someone stole my rose-colored glasses. There have been a few things I disliked about experiences on the MARTA trains. I just dealt with them, like I deal with bad weather. Sometimes there are things you can’t change. Most were situations with other people. Some people are just jerks or inconsiderate. MARTA has “rules” and recently I’ve noticed that they have been enforcing them by means of a police officer. The police have been telling unruly riders to turn there headphones and music down, stop eating, save the front seats for the elderly, and a few other standard rules.
So what happened to me this morning that changed my outlook? I was grossed out by a very inconsiderate rider. The idea that the train is a good place to groom yourself is beyond me. I sat across from a guy who decided to clip his nails on the train. I was thinking WTF while he trimmed his finger nails. Then he took of his shoes & socks and proceeded to cut his toe nails!
I could no longer just think to myself how disgusting his act was. I told him so. I am not a confrontational person. But sometimes enough is enough. After I said what I said I started thinking, “Oh great, what am I getting into?” luckily several other riders agreed with me and they voiced their opinions too. The guy quickly dressed and got off at the next stop.
The situation did not escalate. I left the train feeling proud. I left the station with a reassurance that there are good people on that train. Most just never voice their opinions. They just ride along and deal with most situations like I do too. That is until someone goes too far. I’m pretty sure I will see those people again. They are the people that give up there seats to the elderly, injured or women. They are the ones that greet me when I sit next to them. I’m pretty sure everything will go back to normal for me when I ride the train home. I’m pretty sure I can find another pair of rose-colored glasses.
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Comments (3)
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Re: Riding the train to work |
By VV on
5/13/2008 |
| that's the first time you've seen toenail clipping? i used to take the commuter train every day. i've seen it all-- cell-phone shouting (and the ensuing fist-fighting), nose-picking, toenail-clipping (and eating), hair-brushing, sniffling, sneezing, snoring, etc. every day. it made me look forward to being in my own car, in traffic or not. the day it takes me three hours, though, i'm with you every day instead of once in a while! |
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Re: Riding the train to work |
By Jane Preston on
5/19/2008 |
| Now, I always take MARTA when coming to Atanta I have always just plugged into my ipod and enjoyed the ride. I prefer it to renting a car and trying to drive around Atlanta. I too would speak up with the nail clipping! |
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Re: Riding the train to work |
By SillyGirl on
5/22/2008 |
| Aahhhh...the joys I have to look forward to now that I'm enjoying Atlanta's public transportation :-) |
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