There are a series of unfortunate events that can literally ruin your entire day and commuting makes them all the more likely. If you commute, anywhere, at any time, you know #thestruggle.
Introducing the anxiety-ensuing and the tear-inducing:
1. The traffic game.
Oh were you already running late, trying to make it on time? I-95 has other plans for you, big exam at 9am? Oops, too bad you're going to be late. The moment you realize you're destined for tardiness, shit gets real. Traffic is a game and we've all played it. If you're lucky enough to catch a gap between the traffic jams, you're likely to A) Swerve around cars like a mad-man trying to get to the front, or B) Stay there in solitude behind the slowest car in America. But no matter your game-strategy we all have the same goal, get there, and get there as fast as you can.
2. Wardrobe malfunctions.
Whether it's ripped pants, spilled coffee, or a mystery stain, as a commuter a wardrobe malfunction can—and will—ruin your whole day. I'm not even gonna lie, one time my pants ripped and I found myself roaming downtown looking for a replacement. I found one. But nonetheless, I got miserably lost and wound up missing a few classes. Don't underestimate the power of ripped pants, they don't discriminate. You laugh now but one day, when you least expect it, it will happen to you. Haha.
3. The notorious "car trouble."
This is a phrase you have used to explain to your Professor, or boss, why you're considerably late. You've said it, don't lie. And unfortunately it was true. My first car, got me through the first two-years of my college career—and I couldn't be more thankful for that. RIP Kate.
You had a good run. JK. Your engine was failing since before I bought you and I got severely ripped off. But I'm still thankful I had someway to get to school each day, couldn't have done it with out you. Having a junky car while commuting, is probably the worst nightmare of them all. I can't even begin to describe the anxiety this vehicle ensued. Every. Single. Day. I cautiously left my driveway praying I'd get to school without an engine combustion. It was always either red-lining or creeping and don't get me started about the anti-freeze. I spent two years dumping money into that car, until finally I cut my ties—sometimes you just really have to learn to let go. To anyone who has a junky first-car as your main source for commuting, I feel for you, believe me.4. Should I stay or should I go?
SO your 4pm class was cancelled, great right? No. Because you've probably got another at seven, which means you'll have to occupy yourself around campus for the next THREE hours. So the question creeps into your mind like a devil on your shoulder: should I stay or should I go? Oh, the temptation. But then you realize that leaving at four o'clock will have you stuck in rush-hour traffic and the temptations subside.
5. The parking wars.
We all know it, we've all cursed it and possibly cheated at it. Finding a parking spot, especially when arriving late, is literally a needle to haystack ratio—if you wanna find one close to the building, that is. We've all had to walk the ten minute "I'm late" walk of shame from the end of the lot all the way to class. It's not fun, and it will never be fun- avoid it all costs. But, once in a while the parking angels smile down on you and you get that spot next to the entrance.
6. The in-between season adversity.
With the chaotic weather patterns these days, you can never really tell how you should dress for the whole day. Commuting is committing. No running back home for a quick "freshen-up." No, that's not how this works, that's not how any of this works. You pick an outfit, which may be fine in the Morning's thirty degree weather. But just know, that at any moment, those clouds can turn on you. It could've been sunny and bright this morning but two o'clock rolls around and somehow the monsoon that is your life has found you in crossing the street—you must have angered the Gods, right?
Beware.7. Train.
Don't even get me started about taking the train. Does that damn thing ever run on schedule? No but seriously, who writes those schedules the weatherman? Whether you take the train or not, just understand a few things about it: It can smell fear. I'm not kidding, it knows. It see's you when you're rushing and it will make you late. It runs on it's own time, not the MTA time. If you're running late, it's running early. Oh but if you're running early, best believe it's running late. I swear, the thing has a mind of its own. But once you get on the train, if you've reined it's schedule and actually don't miss it, there will be no guarantee you'll find a seat or even a pole to occupy you. But the seat's always open next to the guy with the six-foot baguettes—you decide. My suggestion? When encountering the train, any train, pray. Seriously, pray.
8. Bad weather.
There were several occasions that, I could swear to you, I think I almost died. Too poor for snow tires or even a fully-function-able vehicle, and chances are your bad-weather commutes will be FULL of anxiety. The snow is ruthless and the weather man either over-predicts or significantly under-predicts the amount of it. Rain, rain will blind you, make everything foggy, and perhaps even run you off the road. But, I can say, I think commuters become better more secure drives by enduring these conditions.
