Daily Dilemma: Leaners

Have you ever been leaned on while riding the train? You know the sitch. The train is packed. You've once again had a rough day because your boss just wouldn't back up off you. And to top it off, you end up next to a Leaner. Whether sitting or standing, Leaners are wreaking havoc on the daily ride.

Let me tell you a story. Daylight Savings had begun and I was super psyched to get home during daylight. I rushed to the 33rd street PATH station, and was lucky enough to get a spot where I could lean on the wall of the train while standing. This is the most highly coveted spot aside from the ultra coveted and hardly-achievable seat. Imagine my surprise when a trio of British chicks comes and crowds my space. I will interject here by saying that crowding of personal space is accepted and expected...when there is no other space to stand. On this particular train car and on this particular night, there was plenty of standing room. One of the said Brits then proceeds to lean on me, obstructing any space that I had to hold the handrail. And anyone who's rode the PATH knows that one must always have a clear view to a handrail because of the spontaneous jerking that this particular train tends to do.

Despite my best efforts of rebuttal with a polite 'excuse me' and eye roll behind her back, she refused to give me space. What's a polite, experienced NYC traveling gal to do? My suggestion is that when said British girl leans on you, push her. And then push her again when she and pals diss American sayings whilst riding American transportation.

April Showers

It's only 3 days into April, and already the gods have unleashed their fury in the form of a downpour. Just last week I gleefully praised the happy spring Friday, and here I am today with frizzy hair and wet feet. Don't get me wrong, there is something comforting about a good storm...just not when I have to leave my apartment and venture out into it. Am I alone in thinking that the only thing worse than riding the train in general is when riding it whilst soaked in dirty rain water? Not to mention the day when you forgot your rain armor?

Defense Against the Storm Tips:
1) Beware of the slippery subway steps and sloping street corners where the puddles run deep and cabs don't slow down, causing a veritable tidal wave of infested water. (A word to the wise...keep your mouth closed).
2) Best defense against the storm? A super strength (and chic) umbrella and super cute, recession friendly rain boots. Just be sure to get the tall ones for the most coverage.
3) It's Friday so treat yourself to lunch! Just remember to order in today, but don't wait till you tum is growling - delayed delivery service in downpours!

Kindling

Say goodbye to hard copies of books and make way for the electronic reader in the form of the Kindle, a synergetic reader that seems like such an obvious idea, it makes me mad that I didn't think of it first.

How it Works:
-Set up your Amazon.com account with credit card info and automatically link to Kindle
-With a few clicks and scrolls, you have thousands of books, newspapers, and blogs at your immediate disposal (Not only do you buy the reader from Amazon - but then all of your books are purchased via Amazon.com).
-Books/newspapers/magazines/etc can be archived and basically kept forever
Why it Rocks:
-Keeping you sane on any claustrophobic PATH or Subway ride
-Ease of transport - no more being weighed down by Breaking Dawn, hard cover edition!
-Can access the Internet (via super cool Amazon Whispernet) for free!
-Not only can you download books, but daily New York Times, Journal, Post editions delivered before you're even awake each morning
-Automatically bookmarks your pages so no more tattered pages or slips of paper holding your place
-You just look cool having one
Gripes:
-Having to pay for each book, albeit at a discounted price.
-No more passing around books with friends, so before you recommend something, be sure to alert your fellow reader that one does not share via Kindle.
-The free leather case leaves much to be desired from a functionality standpoint (remember balancing coffee, Kindle, handbags...)
-Getting the first edition for Christmas, only for Amazon to follow it up with Kindle 2 one month later.
Bottom Line:
Fab for commuting and general travel, but beware that your monthly book expenses could go through the roof.

Anyone else out there using this nifty device?