Train of Thought: What does not destroy me, makes me stronger. (Friedrich
Nietzsche 1844-1900).
Now, I have heard this quote a billion times before, but seeing it on the back of a Metro*Card (or as I like to call it, my train ticket to Hell) reeked of pure irony. My daily commute to and from the office on the subway is filled with enough things that's probably making me stronger. Or at the very least, a more tougher, jaded commuter. I present you a list of said things in bullet format:
· Every day, at this one station where I transfer to another train, hoards of people REFUSE to step aside and let the passengers off the train. Instead, these hoards of people try to squeeze their way onto the train before letting anyone out. A huge pet peeve of mine and a subway rider no-no. You basically have to sharpen your elbows if you want to make it out alive. What does not destroy me, makes me stronger.
· If you time it just right, you can be the only person trying to make your way down the stairs while throngs of people are stampeding up the stairs. What does not destroy me, makes me stronger.
· Things are always frenetic in and around subway stations - especially high traffic stations. Stations are filled with people whizzing by; tourists scratching their heads; and people beating on drums; playing pan flutes and break dancing all for some loose change or a dollar if they’re lucky. It's always noisy no matter what time of day. What does not destroy me, makes me stronger.
· Subway doors are unforgiving. They will close on you whether or not you, your limbs, or your personal property are on the other side of the doors. The Husband and I have been separated many times because he is able to jam himself inside while the doors snap shut in my face. The rule is, if one makes it on without the other, they get to feed Manny his Fancy Feast. What does not destroy me, makes me stronger.
· The 7 train is notorious for too small seats. Unless you’re built like a pipe cleaner, if you want a seat, you’ll have to wedge yourself in between two people. One of which is probably a guy who has to sit with his legs wide open. What does not destroy me, makes me stronger.
OK, that’s enough for now, I don’t want to scare my out-of-state readers from ever coming to the Big Apple or deter anyone from using our transit system. The MTA is already in a budget crisis, so we need all the dollars we can get. I just love how poetic my Metro*Card is this month.
I can’t wait to see what other quotes land on my $89 a month unlimited Metro*Card. . .
