That blog I did the other day on public transport got my memory banks firing in all directions about all of the weird and wonderful experiences I've had on trains commuting over the years. One sticks out in my mind more than others, so much so, I can no longer look at your average banana the same.
Back in 2008, when I was lowly public servant for Australia's most despised agency, train travel was a 5-day a week ritual of broken sleep, late trains and standing room only. The monotony of it all is utterly depressing if you dont go armed with some form of entertainment. Some choose Sudoku, while others prepare spreadsheets on shiny notebooks. Most have the obligatory iPod and if worst comes to worst, you empty your texts ... anything to get you home quicker !
So if you're forgetful like me, often you'll leave said items at home by accident and be forced to go without. If you attempt this with a lack of sleep, I can guarantee without a doubt your tired eyes will wander towards other people and their mannerisms for amusement.
For me, it's not intentional. The last thing I want is to be caught gawking at someone, but I do wonder what they're up to, where they're off to, and where their days might take them. It generally lasts about 30 seconds before something out the window grabs my eye. I probably do it about 100 times and don't realise. I imagine lots of others are the same.
One fateful morning, while sitting in chairs nearest to the doors, my peripheral vision was distracted by movement as a young lady reached into a bag between her feet to grab an item. I glanced over and saw her with a banana, and she sat back in an upright position.
By the time I got to think "Mmm, banana ... where can I buy one of those before work ?", she was un-peeling it, paying close attention to each strip being unfurled. I had enough time to have a second thought along the lines of "she certainly takes her peeling seriously", and next thing I knew she'd eaten off the top ..... at which point we made eye-contact !!!
She then giggled, reeled back in her seat with her hand over her mouth, and blushed.
I was confused. My thought process at this point went like so ...
" ... Why is she embarrassed I saw her eat ? .... it's only a banana ... I wasn't staring for 'that' long was I ? .... oh ... hang on ! .... NO !! WAIT !!!! ..... I WASN'T THINKING THAT !!!!!"
I stared at my shoes for the remainder of the trip, and got off 4 stops later.
Back in 2008, when I was lowly public servant for Australia's most despised agency, train travel was a 5-day a week ritual of broken sleep, late trains and standing room only. The monotony of it all is utterly depressing if you dont go armed with some form of entertainment. Some choose Sudoku, while others prepare spreadsheets on shiny notebooks. Most have the obligatory iPod and if worst comes to worst, you empty your texts ... anything to get you home quicker !
So if you're forgetful like me, often you'll leave said items at home by accident and be forced to go without. If you attempt this with a lack of sleep, I can guarantee without a doubt your tired eyes will wander towards other people and their mannerisms for amusement.
For me, it's not intentional. The last thing I want is to be caught gawking at someone, but I do wonder what they're up to, where they're off to, and where their days might take them. It generally lasts about 30 seconds before something out the window grabs my eye. I probably do it about 100 times and don't realise. I imagine lots of others are the same.
One fateful morning, while sitting in chairs nearest to the doors, my peripheral vision was distracted by movement as a young lady reached into a bag between her feet to grab an item. I glanced over and saw her with a banana, and she sat back in an upright position.
By the time I got to think "Mmm, banana ... where can I buy one of those before work ?", she was un-peeling it, paying close attention to each strip being unfurled. I had enough time to have a second thought along the lines of "she certainly takes her peeling seriously", and next thing I knew she'd eaten off the top ..... at which point we made eye-contact !!!
She then giggled, reeled back in her seat with her hand over her mouth, and blushed.
I was confused. My thought process at this point went like so ...
" ... Why is she embarrassed I saw her eat ? .... it's only a banana ... I wasn't staring for 'that' long was I ? .... oh ... hang on ! .... NO !! WAIT !!!! ..... I WASN'T THINKING THAT !!!!!"
I stared at my shoes for the remainder of the trip, and got off 4 stops later.