02/09/2010 Day 2 post CTA cuts- are we having fun yet?

When we first moved to Chicago, there were so many aspects of the city that were so immensely appealing. The plethora of sundries within walking distance. The restaurants. The lakeshore. The ease of public transpor. . .Wait hold on, I just coughed up blood. Let me try that again. Ahem. The ease of public traaa. . . Sorry. I'm just having a hard time talking at the moment, following my GUT-WRENCHING-ARE-YOU-KIDDING-ME-THAT-THIS-TRAIN-IS-THIS-PACKED? -I-CAN'T-BREATHE! ! - trip home on the train.

You see, the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) initiated service cuts on Sunday, after they were unable to reach an agreement with labor officials. Eleven hundred workers were laid off, several bus routes were cut, and both trains and buses are now running less frequently. Which means, longer time between rides. Which means, more people aboard each train. Which means- a whole lotta bad. And while we're decreasing service, let's just whip up a snowstorm while we're at it! You're screwed no matter how you choose to get to work!

Tonight, I had to hold my bag down at my side, and with the Tokyo-style packing of the train, my arm and bag ended up 5 people away from my body. I was scared. And let's say you are battling a mild yet spontaneously-deploying head cold. Better pray to God that your nose doesn't start running from Fullerton to Paulina. There is no way your arm can navigate down to your pocket for your Kleenex, and then back up to your nose. It just ain't happening. You'd have better luck rubbing your nose on the arm of the stranger next to you, since his arm is only 3mm from your nose to begin with. He'll never know. . .