blogged from my iPhone

Wow, you never actually realize the things we take for granted until it’s taken away from us. Sure our subway system SUCKS; we often criticize how filthy and unclean it is, or it’s needless heavy security, aggravating delays and it’s constant construction, or it’s uncontrollable overcrowdedness. But despite of all that, we forget that without our “sucky” MTA (sorry for the lack of a better word), we are surely helpless and paralyzed.

Today is Day 2 of the strike and we find ourselves in apathy of going to work or school.. In my case, I had no choice but to go since I had already called out 3 consecutive days and I could’t afford to miss one more (besides, I need some serious $$$). So with the contingency plan in effect, I had to leave the house at 5:30 in the morning just to catch the Long Island Rail Road, the only train in Queens unaffected by the strike.

It was still dark while I was waiting an hour in line for tickets. There were multiple delays as angry, frustrated commuters wait for the train to arrive in the crowded platform. Then, as the door opened, everyone would rush in carelessly, pushin’ and ramming themselves inward to grab the nearest empty seat. People have no patience. I was this close to shoving this elderly woman for thrusting her whole body to me, but I thank God for giving me patience.

And speaking of being thankful, I thank the Lord for giving me strength and perseverance to get to work. It was a grueling hour and a half walk from Penn Station to the Financial District, where I work. Dawn was breaking over me as I prayed while walking in a blissful morning of this historic event.

His voice was utterly familiar. As a matter of fact, I am guilty as one of the faceless crowd who ridiculed him in the past, thinking he was some crazy lunatic. Only this time, with an open mind for God’s Words, I was attentively listening to what this dood had to say. He was reading aloud from one of the Gospels. At first I did not know which chapter and verse he was referring from, until I took out my bible from my bag and prayed to Jesus to help me find the Word…

⁴ Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, ⁵ to be registered with Mary, his betrothed wife, who was with child. ⁶ So it was, that while they were there, the days were completed for her to be delivered. ⁷ And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

Luke 2:4-7

This "crazy lunatic" that I once thought was sharing an important gospel. The message reveals the truth about how people these days had forgotten the true meaning of Christmas. How we have no room for Jesus in our hearts, just like how there was no room for the birth of the future Savior in the inn.

Instead, people are too busy preparing & shopping for presents, parties, decorations and Santa Claus. Somehow the jolly fat man and his sleigh became a pop-icon that replaced Jesus and his birthday. How would you feel if you were the birthday celebrant and people had forgotten to invite you and celebrated your day for someone else?

And on top of that… every time she does it intentionally, the brunette would smile innocently followed by a perky promiscuously giggle while speaking to her friend in their native tongue. So what did I do while all these crazy things were happening? Absolutely Nothing! (I’m NOT into flirty-flirty girls) So, I just smiled and enjoyed the freaky ride while listening to Akon’s "Bananza (Belly Dancer)" through my earphones Hehe… what a coinkeedink!

I was in between these two passengers and I gave ‘em quite a scare from my sudden reaction… specifically this horrified lady infront of me, who frightfully cried out "Oh my dear Lord!"

Hehe! It was humiliating yet funny, and I was too embarassed to look around the subway car. I could see people laughing & smiling from the corner of my eye. I’m such a dork!

Then it gets worse arriving at the next stops as more straphangers cram themselves in in the already crowded subway car. You then find yourself grasping for the pole or handles as you are pushed out of your leaning spot and forced to stand in the middle.

Sound a bit familiar? Ahhh yes… the aggravation of morning rush hour commute. Don’t you just hate it when you can’t find a seat in the train every morning on your way to work or school? Especially if it takes you more than an hour travel to your destination?

Well, I created a helpful guide on how to get a seat in a crowded car. All it takes is a li’l patience and attentiveness. It’s just like scouting. You need to observe & figure out the seated passengers, which I’ll refer to as "prospects." These prospects will give you hints to your next probable seat.

What to look for in "prospects?"

1. Position. Once a passenger gets off from those "comfortable seats" (corner, side & window seats), the person next to them will most likely move and take their spot. If you’re close or lucky, this gives you the opportunity to take the deserted seat. So just take it and don’t be picky.
2. Movement. Forget about passengers with their eyes closed. These sleepers will not get up because they know they have a long journey ahead. Instead, watch out for those who are constantly looking out the window or the ones sitting on the edge of their seats. They’ll be getting off soon… or probably have a bad case of diarrhea.
3. Clothing. It’s a weekday (business day) and you can easily tell who’s on their way to work or not by how they are dressed. Stay away from people with business attires because they are city-bound just like you. Focus on people wearing jeans, t-shirts, sneakers and other non-office apparels. They usually exit just before the city.
4. Accesories. Be aware of passengers with heavy bags or luggages. Excluding the homeless and their black garbage bags and shopping carts, these commuters carrying accessories are probably on their way to the airports or ferries. They usually exit out to major transportaion hubs and transfer to other trains/buses.

Follow these simple tips and I guarantee you will be watching the standing passengers from your own seat. If not, I’ll give you a refund of your time wasted reading this guide.  Now what about on the way home? Well, tough luck soldier! The guide is only for a one way trip. Evening commute is completely different and your on your own on that one. Good luck finding a seat.

“Dollar batteries… Duracell AA, AAA batteries, I got ‘em!” cried the man, warily peeking & walking around to see if anyone in the car (specifically passengers with headphones on) is in need of his merchandise. Then, when an implicit apathy is apparent, which is likely in most cases, he silently waits to exit at the next stop hoping for a better luck in the next car.

Some job right? I have an incredibly great respect for the guy despite of his demeaning profession. Imagine yourself in his shoes (which was also literally worn out probably from walking all day), exhausted & possibly overworked just to put food on the table and yet people (of diverse classes) are insolently amused with his misfortune.

Coming home from work one time, I saw him holding the closing doors (with his hands full) for people trying to beat the rush hour traffic. So, I don’t know who’s a better person. Sometimes, it’s just the other way around: The less educated can sometimes be the “better” person.