The "Pickled Liver"

I started riding the train to and from work at the beginning of the year. There are a half dozen things I have found to be enjoyable and for posterity I will annotate them here.

1. The relaxing ride in and out helps me ramp up and burn down from my job. I find that when I was driving in, I was worn out by the time I reached the office. The traffic in the Chicagoland area will drain all of your well-being out of you.
2. I have found community. Granted, it is a community that only lasts 2 hours per day, but I look forward to those 2 hours. It is such a tight knit and diverse group that we have made plans for a train outing. Most of us are going to a White Sox game together in June.
3. I have new friends. I consider the people I ride the train with my friends. Being more social and doing new things to make friends was actually one of my New Years resolutions. So to actually be able to follow up and follow through on that is fantastic.
4. I learn. I learn from the very diverse group that no matter what the job, no matter what the income bracket, no matter what the upbringing, people can be friends and get along. I wish the rest of the United States could take the train...or maybe the President...well, maybe not.
5. We are uninhibited. Politically correct is NOT a train requirement or option. Sometimes, it is just best if people just speak their mind in the words they want. Without speaking truthfully, we all appear to be hiding something. Without speaking truthfully, we never learn. The Midget Porn Star and the Banker are the most vocal and least politically correct people on the train. I admire their lack of boundaries.
6. I drink considerably more now that I ride the train. Before riding the train, I would have a drink about once every 4 to 5 months. Now, it is at least a weekly occurance. I have found that I am OK with that. Although yesterday, my intake was considerably more than usual. I managed to become totally fit shaced. Sully was nice enough to drive the Mexican and I home.

This brings me to my point (as I almost always have one). Go to the nearest train station and take a ride. Someone should make this a form of therapy. I know by riding the train, I personally have worked through a lot of my own issues (such as being a social introvert) and had fun doing so. I know that I have grown over the past few months. I am willing to get out and do things by myself again like bowl or attend a movie. I have the social self confidence to explore again.

Granted, I have managed to begin the liver pickling process, but I figure what better group to be laid up in a hospital with than this? Therfore, I hereby christen car 7475 "The Pickled Liver" in honor of all pickled livers the car has created. You only live once. Live to the highest potency...I mean potential.

Did you know...

Al Capone's business card said he was a used furniture dealer.