The party's over...

Today it was back to the office. Nothing helps reality set in about returning to work then an early ride on the 7 train with a thousand other happy straphangers all bundled up, ready to brace the wintry weather. New Yorkers really know how to layer it on, like they are getting ready to summit a mountain. Perhaps my fellow commuters were just excited about wearing all their pretty new gifts because every bit of outerwear one could think of was on display this morning. Unfortunately the subway car I jumped into felt like the inside of furnace. Trying to remove any garment in a jam-packed subway car is no simple feat, it would be easier to play a game of twister. The guy directly in front of me had a backpack on the size of a steamer trunk. But since it’s behind him, he can’t see it, so it’s not really there. Noooo, it’s not there taking up precious space. The girl next to me was traveling with bags of varying sizes. Three bags to be precise - immense, bulky, and the where-the-hell-are-you-going-with-that-huge sized bag - flung over her shoulders. Excuse me there darling sherpa girl, those overstuffed bags aren’t holograms, they actually are knocking me in the back every time the subway lurches. At least there wasn’t a full set of golf clubs swinging around that 7 train. (True story) It’s impossible to try to even loosen a coat button or unfurl a scarf when things have reached the sardine can factor. I did manage to yank my $5 Elmer Fudd hat off. What a find! Those fake fur nylon hats that you buy off the street corner are surprisingly warm. I was sweating by the time I spilled out and headed to the office. Fortunately, my day went by fairly quickly and without too much drama. I tried my best to cheerfully answer the phone and wish my co-workers a Happy New Year. Of course, there were the self importants who didn’t think it necessary to reciprocate my pleasant salutation but I am not going to let them bother me. The first cut is the deepest…tomorrow, it’s already Tuesday! Tonight I am going to start on my list in earnest. Take the stairs, not the escalator on my commute home, make a few phone calls, cook a healthy dinner and decide which book to read. I am on my way!