Metro’s Christmas Gift to Me

Yesterday, Christmas Eve, was the only day I had to go into the office this week. Yesterday, for the first time ever, I was offloaded three times while riding Metro.

The hell? That’s 75% of my commute! Merry Christmas, WordNerd. From, Metro.

Once at Gallery Place; door problem, of course. The second time was right at Metro Center as I transferred to the Orange line; three women forced themselves onto my car at the last minute (throwing their combined body strengths into opening the doors) and afterward, that particular door would not close on our car even with people attempting to give it a final push. The women looked around to avoid eye contact, shifty as people glared at them, the alert that doors were closing playing over and over as the operator tried in vain to close the doors. After about five minutes, we were offloaded. I was one of the last ones off the train; like other passengers, I glared at the three women as I left the car. Christmas spirit? Bah humbug! Let me get to work to get the day over with, then we’ll talk about being in a generous mood.

For the first time in three Christmases, my bosses allowed me to go home with pay along with the federal employees (first working from home, then a bonus, now this? What the hell is going on with them?). I meet IP at Metro Center and we proceed home. Guess what?

Offloaded at Takoma, one stop from home.

It was obvious from the start the train was having problems. It smelled of burnt rubber, we were jerking our way towards each station, and by the time we were offloaded at Takoma, I was actually glad for the fresh air. IP remarked that I must now hold some kind of Metro record at this point. I concurred, though I’m sure at least one poor schlub out there has been offloaded at every transfer and has probably missed his or her bus on both ends, all in one day.

“Oh honey,” wrote IP after I emailed him regarding the second offloading, “are you sure you don’t want to stick around and attempt to ride the Metro downtown on Inauguration Day?”

I think I’ll stick to driving a rental car across Arizona on that weekend.