Those of us who are part of the commuting subculture always feel like the underdog that can’t catch a break. Every day, two times, we are at the mercy of the highways, public transportation systems and the countless thousands of other drones who are all trying to keep us down. Drivers, walkers, train passengers…you name it. I’ve spent many of days jealous of those who didn’t have to deal with the dastardly commute. We all have. Day in and day out, I hear the comments:
“You are crazy to do this every day?”
“Why don’t you move?”
“Why don’t you get a job closer to home?”
And the list goes on and on (Much like the Electronica song of the same title by Mannix Lee).
For the better part of 10 years, with the exception of a little stint on the PATH train from Jersey City, I’ve been subject to having to be at the mercy of NJ Transit. My current commute over the past 6.5 years has taken me 2 hours commuting from Jersey Avenue to NY Penn Station and back. 4 action packed hours a day. 20 hours a week. A voluntary part time job that I pay $263 a month for. Those of you who have read my posts certainly know all the things that I have complained about since I started the website in 2004. The primary focus started with a way to vent about commuting. Not so much about the transit system itself, but the other humans that make our daily commutes more miserable then they really need to be. Of course, it’s hard to overlook the fact that NJ Transit continues to suck more and more each day and that’s always a very popular subject on the website. I haven’t been shy in talking about the people who smell, the fat people who take up too much space, the ass-water that NJ Transit dumps on the tracks. The delays that plague NJ Transit. The rude people who insist on screaming into their cell phones as if it’s 1997 when you had to do that.
Again, the list goes on and on.
I was thinking about the 2 hours each way and the theme of the great underdog. Of course, movies are about that length and don’t we always root for the great underdog? A few titles pop into my mind when I think of the great underdog in theatrical storytelling. I’d like to take a look at a few of them and summarize them in commuting terms. Yes, I swear there is a reason for this…keep with me.
The Karate Kid—Young Daniel-san has trouble commuting with his bike and tumbles down a
giant hill (with the help of his ‘friends’). While tossing his bike around, he has a meltdown to his Mommy….”I just wanna go home,” he sobs (back to Newark?!?). Of course, this is the turning point of the movie and Mr. Miyagi then takes Daniel-san under his broken English wing and within an hour, he gives him - courage, respect, the chick…everything. Did you notice how nobody questioned when Mr. Miyagi warms his hands up and fondles a teen age boy? I guess it’s ok when the teenage boy was really like 24.
Rocky 4—In this 4th installment, Rocky, after his longtime friend Apollo Creed dies in his arms, decides to fight the Russian stud - Ivan Drago (he had the coolest hair of 1985). His own wife screams that he can’t win. After flying to Russia to train, he’s assigned Russian security detail to follow him anywhere he goes. One training session, with the Training Montage by Vince Dicola playing, Rocky outruns his security detail who aren’t able to keep up on the snowy roads in their car. You knew then, and only then, that Rocky was going to win (no, you really didn’t believe it before this point).
The Shawshank Redemption—Let’s focus here at the end of the movie. Red’s friend Andy was long gone, having escaped from prison. He’s given up on ever being freed then he surprisingly is granted parole. It’s hard for him on the outside and you really think he’s going to do what Brooks did and end his life. Instead, he buys a bus ticket to Fort Hancock, Texas, breaks parole and he takes that journey. He travels far enough to meet up with his old friend, Andy. All because he had hope … and public transportation.
Police Academy—Mahoney never wanted to be a police officer. He was doing everything possible to be thrown out of the police academy. As a matter of fact, he was thrown out. However, because of a carelessly thrown apple, a citywide riot breaks out (Free TV’s!!). 100% believable. Mahoney of course, saves the day and becomes a police officer. This really doesn’t have a commuter plot other than the patrol car Cadet Fackler was in while tossing the apple. but I just had to include it. Besides, it was quite hysterical to see Punky Brewster’s foster dad get a blow job at a podium from a hooker.
So what have we reflected on here? The underdog can and does, in fact, win.
I, my friends, have won, too.
After putting up with my commute for all these years, I’ve transferred my office to a new location we own through an acquisition. My once was 2 hour commute to NYC will become an 11 mile drive on 2 roads - not even highways. No more NJ Transit. No more MTA. No more NYC. I’m still in complete shock since it fully hasn’t set in yet. My January monthly will expire and I’ll be finished, much like the careers of Dolph Lundgren and Ralph Macchio.
I’ll certainly be shifting my rage from the rails to the roads so I’ll definitely still be active in the website but in another capacity. For all of you who have tried to find me, looks like your days of spotting me on the train are down to a few more.
Who knew that our planned gathering (which we will still have) will turn into a quasi-going away party. I certainly wish everyone as much luck in their future to not have to carry the burden of commuting via NJ Transit (or any public transportation).
Halle- fucking - luiah
Ripper
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