Riding On The Metro

When Randy and I lived in Mt. Washington, which is a neighborhood in Baltimore City, it ws only a 15 minute drive to our respective offices, even when there was light traffic.  Before we had Skyler, and there was no major rush for me to get home, I used to drive to the bus stop in Roland Park, leave my car parked on the street, and take the number 61 bus into the city.  When I was about 7 months pregnant with Skyler, it became very uncomfortable to ride the bus -- it took a while to get to my car, it was a bumpy ride, and there was no restroom, a very bad combination of factors when you're pregnant.  I started driving to work and paying for parking.  I used to park in the "Gucci Lot", so named because the daily rate was pretty high:  $12/day in 2004, but $13/day as of today's date.  Then, after Skyler was born, I had to get home by a certain time so the nanny could get home.  I was spoiled for a long time by the convenience of driving to work, and after a while I got used to the extra expense of parking.

Then we moved to Finksburg.  With traffic, it would take me around and hour to commute to work.  But, no problem, because Finksburg is just a few miles from the metro, Baltimore's subway system.  Riding the subway was such a foreign experience for this California Girl.  In West Covina and L.A., no one took public transportation.  Everyone had a car -- when my sister, brother and I started driving we each had our own car, so our house had 5 cars in front of it when we were all home.  Now, I drive to the subway station, take the metro to the city, which takes all of 25 minutes, and get off at the stop that is across the street from my office building.  From door to door, it takes about 45 minutes, but without the hassle of driving or paying for parking. 

TOP TEN THINGS I LOVE ABOUT THE METRO
10.  It's air-conditioned.
9.    Parking at the subway station's covered garage is free.
8.    There is an Au Bon Pain at my exit in Baltimore, and they have great pastries.
7.    Where else can I be preached to from time to time by a passenger with obvious mental health issues?
6.     I ride for free if I show my state employee id card.
5.     I can wear super high heels to work without having to change into walking shoes, because the metro stop is so close to my office.
4.     The people watching is unbeatable.
3.     With the money I save on parking and gas, I can buy new shoes guilt-free!
2.     I can listen to my iPod uninterrupted for at least 20 minutes each way everyday.
1.     I get to take naps to and from work.

TOP TEN THINGS I HATE ABOUT THE METRO

10.   Germs and communicable diseases.
9.     If you miss a train you're stuck until the next one comes.
8.     Smelly smokers (is there any other kind?) who sit near me.
7.     Where else can I be preached to from time to time by a passenger with obvious mental health issues?
6.     I am reminded regularly that chivalry is dead:  most men won't give up their seats on a crowded train.
5.     If someone who wants to chit chat sit down next to me and prevent me from listening to my iPod, I'm trapped.
4.     Rude and obnoxious passengers who think I want to listen to their foul-language-laden, repetitive sounding rap music at full blast while I am trying to nap.
3.     Seeing people who have no business having children being really cruel to their children and being close enough to smack those parents upside their heads, but not being able to run away afterwards. 
2.     Being underground in the event of a terrorist attack.
1.     It's not a chauffer-driven limo.