Annoucement: The Bonnaroo Photos have landed. Enjoy. Relive the glory of our trip to Tennessee.
Ok, I promise that unless I end up in Brooklyn, Coney Island or some other unlikely place this will be my last commuting gripe, I hope. But at least this is a positive one. Let me rephrase. At least everything that went awry today in my commute had nothing to do with me.
Yup that’s right, I beat the system today. But don’t get overly excited for me, alas in the end the system also beat me.
Today on the way in, I noticed a low balance (50 cents) on my Metro card. Rather than having a repeat embarassment of swiping the Metro card only to have it read insufficient funds (causing a traffic jam at the turnstile and having to back out of a crammed line), tonight I immediately went to the Metro card machine. This time I didn’t want to lose out on my 50 cents, so I decided to try the “recharge” your card feature. Everything appeared successful, but the machine screamed out at me that it had an error in writing to my card. Please call 201-555-5555. And ps. thanks for your $10.
Screw that. I immediately marched over to the Info Booth. Let’s just say that the woman behind the booth looked put out by the fact that I wanted to chat. How dare I ask a question!?! I tried to explain my dilemma through the small microphone and 12-inch thick bullet-proof glass. And she’s like please swipe your card. Well, apparently the card has the amount its supposed to on it. So the machine lied to me. There was no error. Ugh. By this time, I have caused another traffic jam, further propelling the domino effect of exasperated commuters. Lucky me.
But no, it’s not over yet. Mind you, this is just Grand Central Station; I haven’t even gotten to Port Authority yet.
I’m sure most people have walked up an escalator when it’s not running. It always gives me the most peculiar feeling, like my center of balance is off with a yummy nagging, nauseous feeling and dizziness.
The entrance to the #126 is an escalator that goes right out to the bus. When I got there the escalator wasn’t moving and there was a line of people half way up it. So now, I’m standing on the not moving escalator and I’ve got that queasy, seasick sort of feeling, when they announce that there is major traffic inbound and outbound and all buses are delayed. Did I mention that this tiny escalator tunnel feels like 110 degrees — the muggy, gasping for air type of heat? Finally, the bus came and I made it home in one piece.
But I have to say, just when you think you’ve got the system licked — know the way to go, the fastest steps to take, including stairs and escalators and turns and all — it comes back and bites you in the arse.
You should try to find a job in Journal Square.. The commute's a breeze.