The sound of an alarm clock wakes me from a peaceful slumber. I open my eyes and see a rectangle of early morning light on the bedroom wall. What day is it?
[[Monday.]]
After contemplating my life choices for 7 minutes, I rise out of bed and begin my morning routine. I wash my face and then go to the kitchen to make my morning coffee. I should eat something.
[[Cereal]]
[[Smoothie]]
[[Muffin]]
I open the cupboard. Shoot, I ate the last of the cereal two days ago. Forget that.
[[Muffin]]
[[Smoothie]]Let's see. I've got some frozen fruit, spinach, protein powder... Oh yeah, my blender broke last week. Maybe Costco has a cheap one. I should check next time I go.
[[Muffin]]
[[Cereal]]I grab a blueberry muffin and eat it with my coffee. Next time I think I'll try the cranberry ones.
I should [[get ready]]. I don't want to be late.I put on my work clothes. While I finish getting ready, I glance at my phone. There’s a [[text message]] from a random number.“Canada Post: your parcel could not be delivered. Please text back to set up a new delivery.”
A scam. I didn’t order anything.
[[Delete it.|Delete.]]
I grab my lunch box. [[Leftovers]] from last night. Next is my apartment key. I lock the door and head out.I made a big batch of pasta last night. This will be tomorrow's lunch too. I should probably eat more vegetables. [[Exercise too.]]
I walk to the train station and through the gate. Arriving at the platform, I see the next train comes in [[3 minutes.]] Not bad.I look up at the sky. Is it going to rain later? Maybe I should have taken my umbrella. Oh well, too late to go back.
[[2 minutes.]]
My phone vibrates in my pocket from a new message. It might be my boss. Do I want to deal with it now?
[[Look at the message.]]
[[Ignore it.]]
"Are you still coming to my party next weekend?"
Oh, I forgot about that. I'd rather just stay home next weekend. What kind of excuse can I give? I'll have to think about it.
[[1 minute.|Ignore it.]]The train arrives and I get on. It’s not as crowded as usual, so I grab an empty seat. Almost instinctively I take out my phone and start scrolling [[Instagram.]] Beach picture. Food. Ad. Video of a puppy. Ad. Political meme. I’m not even remembering what I’m seeing.
I keep saying I should delete my social media. Maybe I should do it this time. Maybe tonight. I can’t do it now, I won’t have anything to do on the train.
[[Ding.]]The train door opens. I sit up and look around. What stop is this?
[[Commercial-Broadway station.]]
A few more stops to go. I put away my phone and look around at the people on the train. To my right there’s a [[middle-aged woman]] seated and staring out the window. To my left stands a [[young man]] with eyes locked on his phone.She looks tired. How many years has she been taking this train? Ten? Maybe she’s new to the city.
It’s funny how the train brings hundreds of strangers together from all walks of life. Everyone is on a different path with different experiences and different goals. They’re only traveling in the same direction for a brief moment.
I wonder where she got that bag. Do I look tired, too?
[[Ding.|Arrival]]
He’s wearing headphones and completely oblivious to those around him. Is that how I normally look? On the train, a vibrant city rushes by and people bustle on and off, zipping off to their destinations and living their lives. Yet, most of us retreat into our own heads, unaware and mindless.
His backpack zipper is partially open. Should I tell him?
[[Ding.|Arrival]]
This is my stop. I shuffle off the train along with a dozen others. Crossing several streets, I arrive at my building. Going inside, the [[receptionist]] smiles and says good morning. I’ve never seen this person before, so I just nod awkwardly and continue walking. I should be more friendly.
I arrive at my office and turn on my computer. [[Time to work.]]
I need more coffee.