CTA stop at Wrigley

This weekend, I flew to Chicago with my roommate and longtime friend for her birthday. She played soccer at an out of state Big 12 School, so most of her friends are dispersed throughout the Midwest. Four of her college friends met us in Chicago for the Dave Matthews Band concert at Wrigley. She’s a HUGE DMB fan and has been for as long as I can remember, so it was the perfect way to celebrate her 25th birthday. We took a cab most of the time, but I did have a chance to ride the train a few times while we were in the city. The first ride was to Wrigley field on Saturday for the concert. This ride was pretty boring. I was kind of disappointed and already missed my Houston randos.

The concert was incredible, but the line for the red line after was just incredibly long. After pushing through crowds of people, we made our way to the platform upstairs. I have issues with standing too close to people so I moved down the platform a ways. I thought Erin and crew were following. They didn’t so I figured once the train arrived, I could just walk to where they were inside the train.

Unfortunately, this was not the case…We were in two separate cars. The train was super packed so I decided to stay in place and meet them at our destination. I was standing next to a group of what looked like Justin Bieber look alikes. I’m not even kidding you…all different shapes and sizes- dudes in skinny jeans with Bieber fever…with the exception they just came from a Dave concert. I’m old, so standing forever listening to music wears you out..especially while consuming a little booze in the process. So normally, I would find these kids conversation entertaining, but not tonight. They begin to have a conversation about their favorite youtube videos. The “hide ya kids, hide ya wife” video came up. Now, I think the video is hilarious, but when a group of 10 high school aged kids start singing the song really loud word for word, it gets annoying.

Yes, THIS is the song they were singing over and over again. I don’t know if high school kids just like to beat a horse until it’s dead, but I’m already tired of this video and ready to move on to the next viral video. Fortunately they DO move on to the next video..

Now, this next song the kids decided to sing made me a little uncomfortable. They were singing this song really really loud and I was next to this old lady (well, relative). This song is a few years old, and you may have missed it back in the day….warning, this is DEFINITELY NSFW.

By this point, I remembered I had NO idea which stop to exit the train once we hit downtown Chicago. I started to freak out…phone was dead and I could no longer see Erin and crew through the door to the next car. I was tired of listening to Youtube and decided at one of the next stops I would hop off and into the car that Erin was hopefully still in. This stop happened to be the same spot these high schoolers decided to exit the train, allthewhile singing “What what in the butt”…yes, another NSFW, if you have not seen it.

I was so happy to see Erin in the next car, needless to say. Her’s was quiet and calmm thankfully.

Moral of the story: Chicago, you were alright…just too cold for my liking and too obsessed w/ youtube. Where were all my crazy homeless folks and people doing dances like on the subways in NYC? Maybe next trip…

Today on the way to the light rail, a bird crapped on my shoulder.

I almost don’t want to tell you the rest of the story because I can’t seem to think any other way it would be a more ridiculous start to the morning. Supposedly a bird pooping on your shoulder is “good luck”. I’ll let you know how that pans out today…and yes, Adam, this is the 2nd time in a year this has happened to me.

Today ON the light rail, it was a hodge-podge of ridiculousness to add to the bird taking a load off on me. It was really crowded, so getting on the rail to even find a spot to stand was difficult, so it was no surprise when a lady’s shirt became stuck in the door as she squeezed on the train.

Dying Whale: “I’M STUCKKK!!!!!!!!! I’M STUCK!!!!!!!!!!AAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHH!!!!!! MY SHIRRRRTTTT!!!!!!!! OPEN THE DOOR!!!!!!!!! AHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!”

Obviously, the driver cannot hear the woman. Nor does he care. So I just continue laughing as the woman screams until the doors open at the next stop.

The next event occurring on the light rail is why I sometimes wish this train was more like a NY subway. Cell phones- they don’t work underground. It’s ok to text/tweet on the rail…but for the love of all things holy, please don’t talk on your cell phone…especially if you’re old and loud and are hard of hearing.

Woman: “HELLO?!?!”
(pause)
Woman: “THIS IS SHE, ME………….YEEAHHHH GIRL HOW’S IT GOIN??…….NAW I’M JUST ON THE RAIL….I GOT A DOCTOR’S APPOINTMENT………..YEAH…….OH NO IT’S JUST FOR MY ALLERGIES……YEAH I’M ON MY WAY RIGHT NOW……………OH I KNOW…..DID YOU HEAR ABOUT PASTOR  ……OOOOOOOO GIRL LET ME TELL YOU…..MMMMMMMMHHHHHHHHHHHMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM…….MMMMMHHMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM…..”

This goes on for about 2 minutes of the woman nodding. I would’ve been OK with her cell phone talking if a) she wasn’t so loud and b) she wasn’t putting make up on while on the phone while sitting next to me, therefore spilling her make-up on my pants.

Woman: “AIGHT GIRL LEMME CALL YOU BACK CUS IMMABOUT TO BE AT THE DOCTOR. ALRIGHT. ALRIGHT. ALRIGHT..MMMmBYE”

I could’ve done without hearing about the woman’s pastor who is cheating on his wife this morning.

Moral of the story: A bird pooping on your shoulder = you should’ve forked over the $10 to pay for parking today.