Underground activities

I spend a lot of time on the subway, probably about 50 minutes a day, sometimes more. And I've noticed there are about a million ways to spend your time on the underground love train.

The very industrious read things such as The Wall Street Journal and the New York Times. But let's face it, a broadsheet is difficult to manage; it's just so ... broad. And sheety. That is why the Post and the freebie tabloids around the subway station are big faves. Also, the Post and the tabs are just more hard-hitting. For instance, I bet the NYT story about the coyote in Central Park lacked any reference to Wile E. Coyote, a journalistic transgression the Post would never, ever commit. (http://www.nypost.com/news/regionalnews/65817.htm) [Sadly, Hal the Coyote died in captivity. Now he is a martyr. For more extremely reliable breaking news you absolutely need to know about Hal, Google "coyote Central Park New York Post."]

In short, the folding factor plays a big part in reading choices. I see more magazines jammed in people's bags and in people's hands here than I ever saw in a doctor's office. Also popular: used paperbacks (usually fantasy or action/intrigue/adventure) and the Bible. (Minus the Book of Judas ... http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/nationworld/2002916272_judas07.html ... a tip from Dad.)

But not everyone reads. Some sleep. Some sing to themselves, oblivious we can hear them over their MP3 players. And they are out of tune. Some meditate, which I have tried while sitting, but it is hard to focus with someone's bum in your face.

Mostly, we all just sit there, gazing off into the ether in a pre- or post-work daze. I spent a whole ride home one night trying to remember the last name of Maggie on Northern Exposure (O'Connell). I spent another trying to remember all of the main characters from King of the Hill. (I was stuck on Dale's last name -- Gribble -- and Bill's -- Dauterive.) So you can see I'm really making good use of my time.

Speaking of Time, G often gets a copy of that magazine from his place of employ for me. And here is what I learned last week while actually reading on the subway: Alaska and the British Isles are on the same longitude, so if the Gulf Stream shifts, it's going to be mighty cold in the motherland. Also, the polar ice caps are melting at such an astonishing rate, polar bears are turning up drowned because they have no place to swim to. Extinction is on the horizon. (If you are interested, I recommend the Time with the sad polar bear on the cover. And if you are spurred to act or learn more, I recommend undoit.org. If you buy Silk, Clif, Odwalla or Stonyfield Farm products, you're already supporting the cause.)

So now you've learned just about everything I've learned on the subway in the past month or so, plus a little more. Feel educated? :)

Until Tuesday, I'll be taking reading recommendations.

P.S. The bugs appear to still be here. Something is biting me at night. I'll assume it is bugs. Grrr, bugs. Grrrr.