All Aboard

"Instruct a wise man and he will be wiser still; teach a righteous man and he will add to his learning." Proverbs 9:9

"Oh...Come and go with me

There's so much new to see
Get high with me
Come fly with me...."JL

Is it a sorry sign when my writing finds the inspiration from the ride to and fro versus the work itself?

My escape hatch from the incredible force of Subway prime time:

Headphones and John Legend Get Lifted transcended New York's rush hour from drudgery to sheer delight set to a soundtrack with a smile and not even the name misnomer (no one is in a hurried flow and it lasts 4-7, that's 3 hours) and the bottleneck staircase breakneck race to the next Brooklyn bound L train tripping over bikes on trains? could break my satisfied stride.

There are tens of articles on the all mighty Internet instructing the common man how to ride a subway during rush hour in Manhattan. After I rode eight trains today and practically crawled on hands and knees through tight rolled jeans legs to make it to the platform before the doors hastily closed, to catch yet another, it dawned on me....This is indeed an art form I will master.

The following are excerpts from Wikihow, Ehow, and other helpful recipe websites with minor enhancements:

Position yourself in station where the doors open and slowly turn so that your back is to the open door, this will prevent aggressive behavior aimed at your face.

Hook your feet over the threshold of the subway door and bend over slightly, back up and stand upright pushing ever so slightly with your rear.

Find an anchor and guard it. Once you step onto the subway train, immediately find something to either lean against or hold onto. Do not surf freely.

Compact yourself. While still guarding your anchor, make yourself as compact as possible. This means removing your backpack and putting bags and parcels between your legs on the floor. Stand up as straight and thin as possible sucking in and holding your breath if it helps.

Guard your belongings. Even though your parcels are on the floor between your feet, keep them secure. One way is to wrap the strap of your bags around your legs or bring a rope and tie them all around your waist providing more weight to pull for any anxious pickpocket.

Above all else, do not make eye contact....and WASH AND REPEAT.

These tried and true steps will provide a pleasant ride.

**Warning** if a train pulls up during rush hour with an empty car, don't get on that car,

because there will be a very good reason (usually having to do with bodily fluids and/or odors)

Crazy, but that's how it goes
Millions of people living as foes
Maybe its not to late
To learn how to love
And forget how to hate
Mental wounds not healing
Lifes a bitter shame
Im going off the rails on a crazy train....Ozzy

Furthering my education, cause it's all about the ride, right?