going transit

I was so close to losing my shit on the train today. Like, seriously.

The train is generally fullish, but there's space when I ride because it's a bit early. Today a few people ahead of me decided to get on and stand in the doorway, even though there was room further into the train car. And it wasn't like it was a surprise that people wanted to get on because people kept saying, "Excuse me, excuse me, can you let me on?" So I managed to squeeze by the clump and stood beside a guy with an enormous backpack on his back. And he kept swinging it without noticing that he was hitting me and dangerously close to the heads of the people sitting. Then, as I held onto the pole, a guy decided he was too tired to stand and leaned on the pole where my hand was. Fine. I moved my hand up farther. Then he leaned his head back, right onto my hand. So I kindly asked him if he could not lean on the pole because I had nowhere to put my hand. People glared at me, like I did something wrong. My ride to work takes about seven minutes. Seven minutes of hell.

And I'm not sure why these things annoyed me extra today, but they did. When I got off the train after work it was the same story. The guy in front of me had to say "excuse me" four times before people would move out of the way so we could get off. And then a couple of them crowded the doorway so they wouldn't lose their choice spots. I "accidentally" bumped into them like a pinball... uh... ball. I realise I'm adding to the problem, but I was feeling extra intolerant today.

Maybe it's time to take another trip. Any suggestions? One thing to consider: I don't like hot places/sun very much. Or at all. It's my naturally pastey white skin that lacks melanin, making me unable to sit in the sun for more than a few minutes. Which is why I like the fall. And the spring.

Oh, the plum blossoms are coming out. It's just a matter of time until the cherry blossoms are out, and then it will be time to ohanami (flower viewing party), consisting of concealed alcohol and random food items consumed while sitting under cherry blossoms. Can't wait.

Currently reading :
Drugs Are Nice : A Post-Punk Memoir
By Lisa Crystal Carver
Release date: 12 October, 2005