Usually it’s faster to take the A Train to and from work. Most days I do but I think I will have to resist the urge to do so because I am tired of this commute. Instead I will have to take the L Train into Manhattan to 6th Ave. and then take the F Train back into Brooklyn.

I think Hopstop says it’s only a few minutes difference so really, it’s not worth it at all. From Jefferson Ave. there is rarely a seat and then by the time I get to Bedford Ave., we are packed in like sardines. So needless to say, when I get to the platform and the next train is headed deeper into Brooklyn (Broadway Junction) it is very tempting to jump on it.

But then I need to remind myself that I’ve nearly been in two fights. One guy was playing his portable DVD player and I couldn’t concentrate on my magazine. So I started watching. He didn’t like it, words were said, he moved around so I couldn’t watch.

“You better get your priorities straight.”
“How do you know what my priorities are?”
“Well, 1, 2, 3, 4 they sure ain’t over here … the should be in your magazine.”

I laughed and said something about headphones and something else but can’t recall how it ended. I was happy he didn’t decide to come at me cause he was a big dude.

Another guy was listening to music from his phone. I stepped into the train and grabbed the bar over the seats. I was close to him but the train wasn’t too crowded. The train abruptly stopped (another reason not to take the A) and I stumbled back a bit and hit his (new, Nike?) white sneaker. He looked up and in a very thug-like voice said, “Yo … excuse *YOU*.”

I think I looked a little surprised and then down at his foot and then said simply, “What?” He repeated, as I watched the girl next to him chuckle slightly, and I said very slowly, “Oh … excuse *me*.”

He continued listening to his music, the girl smiled some more and I continued reading. The train moved on. At the next stop he grabbed the bar and brushed against me.

I looked at him and said quite loudly (maybe slightly too boldly), “EXCUSE YOU!”

And the final straw came tonight as I stood in a very crowded train and a seemingly nice old lady kept putting her elbow in my back despite my twisting and turning to avoid it. At one point there was an open seat during the mad scramble off the train. Of course I was going to allow her to sit. She didn’t think so and pushed into me to get it. I couldn’t do much but laugh and then other people couldn’t get into the train because of her actions to get the seat.

Ugh.

These are the reasons I can’t take the A Train train anymore. Not to work. Not from work.

Just no more.