Grief Griefing!

That was one of the worst commuting experiences of recent memory. The ride back home earlier tonight was an absolute disaster. While waiting for the E train on the 34th Street platform, there was the usual rush-hour infestation of people piling into the station. The problem is that the E wasn’t coming. People kept coming, like a freaking swarm of insects at twilight, but there was no relief. There wasn’t even an E train within sight. Then they announced over the loudspeaker that there was a stalled E, and trains were “running at slower speeds.” The ever-growing crowd became unbearable. I switched to the A (express) track, then back to the local. Eventually I got onto a packed C train (just when I was about to head back for the A) and took it one stop to 42nd Street. From there I could be seen darting past others, weaving and slicing my way through the crowd, through the underpass to Times Square, where I boarded a 7 express train. That train, too, had delays, but at least those were tolerable. Then when we arrived in Flushing and I walked to the Q44 bus stop, I saw that I wasn’t the only one with that brilliant idea. There were far too many people there, and I had to wait for the next bus. If it was good weather, this whole ordeal would have been horrible. But it was raining; the weather [stunk]. I’m still upset about it now, many hours after the nightmare ended. Overall grade: F

For all those unfamiliar with Zevie’s Law (which, by the way, kicks Murphy’s Law), I’ll explain it. Reality, what actually exists in the world (“metzius” in Yeshivish), depends on what you do.

Here’s a classic example: It’s overcast, and you’re going to spend the day outdoors. If you take an umbrella with you, it will clear up, the sun will shine, and it will turn out to be a glorious day. Everyone else will, of course, have sunglasses instead of umbrellas. You will look – and feel – like a total fool. But if you leave the umbrella at home, it will storm. Everyone else, of course, will be prepared for the rain; you will be the only idiot. For another example, please refer to the post of 12/29/08.

Today, Zevie’s Law manifested itself on the subway. After arriving at 42^nd Street (just 1 stop from where I get off), the train doors remained open for several minutes. Then they announced over the loudspeaker that there was some kind of “equipment trouble” with the train. Come on, I thought, it was fine until now…just one more stop – give me one more lousy stop and then break down all you want! After 3 minutes or so, an A train (which also goes to 34^th Street) pulled into the station. I didn’t care that it was jam-packed, nor that the trek from the A platform is longer and more difficult (involving an additional 2 staircases) than from the E&C platform. I just wanted to get there already. Much of my E train emptied onto the already full A, making the overcrowding unbearable. Ha, I thought, those losers still on the E train will be waiting for a long time. Of course, at that very moment the doors of the E closed and the train departed. The A, naturally, didn’t leave until a bit later. My point is this: If I hadn’t switched trains, the E would still be waiting there, disabled, broken. It was only able to keep going because I got off the train.

And the worst part is that there’s nothing anyone can do about it.