Thursday Traffic | 25 October

Imagine for a moment that you are sitting on a stopped Metro train in an underground tunnel. The train is holding momentarily, and you are minding your own business. Suddenly, an African-American man wearing a black-and-white striped polo shirt and jeans walks by. He is mostly clean, bespectacled and has the beginnings of a scruffy beard.

As he stalks up and down the full length of the train, he is yelling, "Can anybody help me, please? Can anybody help me, please? Can anybody help me with anything, please? Please, can anybody help me?"

How would you react? What would you do? The first time this happened to me, I felt sad for this man. I had nothing to give him and I was on a Metro train for about ten minutes with him screaming that over and over again. That was last month sometime. He was back again today.

This time, things were a little different. It was crowded on the train. This is the morning commute on Thursday, after all. When the man started his chant, a little girl was nervous. She looked to be about eight and she wore thin glasses and her hair was neatly braided with clips at the ends. Whenever the man yelled, she would flinch and try to be as far away from him as possible. Everyone hears the man screaming, and everyone sits still.

Then, the man changes up his chant. He approaches a woman and asks, "Can you help me, please?" This was different. It wasn't targeted at just anybody anymore. It was personal. She asks (stuttering, mind you) what he needs, and he says that he is homeless and hungry. His tone is not kind and the woman sounds scared. That little girl I mentioned before? She's nearly standing right on top of me, and she's even more afraid than the woman.

Enter the one person who is willing to confront this man. She is also African-American and she has natural hair and a rather smart mouth. She tells the man (in far softer words) to sit down and shut up before she lays him out on the train. They battle back and forth. He complains about needing food, she tells him that no one on the train is his parent and that he needs to grow up. She is the little girl's mother, and she is no joke. 

Throughout this entire debacle, the other commuters smile. They laugh at the mother's sharp comebacks. I'm actually surprised everyone didn't burst into applause when the train finally reached the next station and the homeless man left. Then, with a sort of reverence, everyone thanked the woman as they got off the train. They wished her a good day. They smiled at her (knowingly).

As one of the silent commuters, I have to say that I understand the reactions of both parties. The homeless man had a certain inflection to his voice that was reminiscent of a child with a learning disability. Given that most of the homeless people in DC came from asylums and such, I wouldn't be surprised if he had some kind of handicap. The mother, on the other hand, was protecting people from what that man could do—particularly her daughter. Yet it makes one wonder just why we react the way we do. Why didn't I stand up to that man? Why didn't the many people around me? What stopped us?

I can't speak for them, but I can speak for me. I think that there is a part of me that knows I had nothing to offer that man. I couldn't look at him and say, "Sir, I have food you can have. I have money. I can help you." I only had my lunch (which is a ham & cheese sandwich, chips, and applesauce). I had no cash, and I couldn't refer him to a shelter. In other words, I couldn't help him. That is a very painful and very humbling thing to realize. Yes, that mother could run him away with her comments, but she couldn't help him either.

Do any of you have any stories about encounters with homeless people? Any suggestions? Let me know with your comments.

Thursday Traffic | 12 April

Image by Andrew Bossi

It's funny how thinking about thinking can be a difficult act. While riding the Metro, I considered this fact. When you try not to think, all you do is think about not thinking. Other times, thoughts are lost in some expanse of the brain. I sometimes wonder if my thinking really happens in my brain or in some other part of the body that seems to put pressure onto the brain. Science will prove my imaginative mind wrong, but it's worth a thought, right?

Why think about thinking anyway? Well, mankind has consistently had an obsession with thinking and questioning the world around them. It happens on many levels. Thoughts about life and death and the purpose of our existence. There are times when I feel very much like a greater force is moving in my life. I attribute this to God. Others might chalk it up to evolution. A few might say it is destiny, but I do think about my life, and what I'm doing with it, often.


If we never thought about our lives, what would the point be? In that case, we would be just like animals—simply surviving. Instead, we are probing the world around us and solving problems that we encounter (and sometimes create). It's truly magnificent if you think about it. So much depends upon our thought process and how we decipher the words we hear. Misunderstandings are common with spoken and written conversation. Why? Well, you thought it had a different meaning. Other times, things just click—like gears falling properly into place in our minds and spinning diligently as they should.

My musings are those of a person absorbed in thought. It makes me wonder. Have you ever thought about the act of thinking?

Thursday Traffic | 5 April

Image via Flickr/Yaniv Golan

Even after my long disappearance from my blog, my Thursday Traffic posts were starting to dwindle. Don't worry though, I have not forgotten them. While I'm not braving the interstate at a steady crawl on an express bus, I am still using my easier commute to think and ponder about the world around me. For a variety of unrelated reasons, I thought a great deal about moving today. It's not that I am planning to move, but it's more the fact that we move all of the time. 

Some of you readers might not know that I've moved to a new place. I'm relatively in the same area, but the difference is that I've moved out on my own. Moving really makes you consider a lot about yourself. During the process, you find several parts of yourself—for example, the part of yourself that wanted to learn the keyboard, and the part of yourself that collected stickers, and the part of yourself that keeps movie ticket stubs.Then, you must decide if you are still that person. In the end, you move without parts of yourself. You give away things that used to define you, and they begin to define someone else.

It's not that things that we own make us into who we are, but it is that things that we own say so much about who we are. Some people own very little, their belongings are essential and minimal. Others hoard things like squirrels before winter, boxes piled up in storage and items tucked into every drawer and corner. During a move though, you must face all of the things in which you have invested. Not just monetary investments like purchases, but time investments (like learning the keyboard) and relationships. Gifts are usually prized, but sometimes you realize that what you have to leave behind even the things that you were given.

Not only is moving a moment to purge bad things and habits from your routine, it also forces you to address everything you call yours. The things that usually remain at the end of a busy move are piles of odds and ends—bits of string, a stray sponge, random little tools that have no home in any set. In many ways, a move is like a partial death. You remove the you of that location to be reborn in the you of the new location. It's the new-location-you that unpacks those memories and treasures and replaces them. Slowly, but certainly, you will begin to redefine who you are. Things that had been left behind during your move might return to the shelves. Things that you were determined to keep with you might be discarded.

Living life and moving are quite the same thing. The only difference is that life has a finite end. At some point, whether you like it or not, your life will be over. Moving can be your decision though. You can choose to end your occupancy of one place at any given time (circumstances permitting). You can redo things that cannot be redone with life. If you decide that you want to be the person that surfs and wakes up early in the morning to do yoga, you can become that person if you make the appropriate moves. Now the only question is, what moves your life? Or should it be, what moves do you want to make with your life?

Thursday Traffic | 10 November

It is Thursday and let me tell you what—traffic was moving today. The usual "parking lot" that we have to drive through to get to work was more like an expressway. When things move, everyone is happy. Speaking of moving, I'm taking a big step and moving out on my own. It's a nerve-wracking, yet exciting thing to do. There are some pros and cons to living alone:

Pros

• A space to call your own—some people never get a chance to experience this. This will actually be my first time experiencing it myself. You can choose your "look" for your place and do whatever you want whenever you want.
• Less energy usage—the more people you live with, the more electricity/water you will use. Trust me. 
• Controlling the strings—sometimes, it's nice not to worry about upsetting someone else, or dealing with other guests. With your own place, you don't have to ask if it's okay to invite a few friends over, and you don't have to have any awkward moments where you try to find something in common with a roommate's friends.

Cons

• Expensive—sharing a space certainly does lower the cost of renting.
• Lonely—having someone else to talk to can be nice. It's also good if you can split up chores like cooking and cleaning and such.
• No extra key—living with someone can guarantee that someone else will have a key to the house. Alone, you have to be more careful. That includes other things too, like did you leave the oven on?

Yeah, so maybe I am exaggerating on a few points, but I'm super pumped to be living on my own. I think it'll be a fun experience. Any of you have your own place? Any tips and pointers for me?

Image procured from the internet

Thursday Traffic | 10 February

It's been a while, hasn't it? I haven't been blogging about traffic for some reason. I mean, it's there every week. Anyway, I had a particular point of talking about the traffic today. You see, people go on and on about how humans have destroyed forests and such. I must say that when you see a deer walking along the interstate, it might just be a fact. 

However, I like to imagine that these animals prefer the suburbs. Of course they don't, but they are masters of adaptation. Other animals that you might just spot during a morning commute? Check out my great list below:

• Foxes—They might be cute on cartoons, but good gosh, not so much in real life.
• Skunks—Hold the tomato juice please. No, I'm kidding. You can get rid of skunk smell with specialized products. 
• Rats—Unfortunately, this is a fact in most major cities.
• Neighborhood "pets"—Random dogs and cats might roam your neighborhood. Don't expect them to clean up after themselves either.
• Rabbits—Cute and fluffy, but only if they aren't flattened by a car.

Thursday Traffic | 9 December

I know there have been many a missed Thursday for the past few weeks (since October!), but life has been busy, readers. I've been working tediously to prepare for Christmas. Although I am more into the Biblical reason behind Christmas, my family does engage in gift-giving. Though we always "say" we are going to give small, I have a hard time choosing that path. Gift-giving is just something that I love from start to finish. 

First, finding the right gift. There is a magical moment about realizing that you have found an item that the recipient will cherish. Deciding upon what to buy or make for a gift is difficult at times, so I often start making my lists early in the year.

From a designer's aspect, packaging the gift is just as much fun as finding it. Choosing wrapping papers, tissue papers, ribbons, bows, tags, strings, stickers, bags, boxes, and more is like a gift to myself. I try to be consistent with my choices so that gifts from me are obvious when viewed beneath the tree. 


Despite everything that leads up to it, the opening of the present is the most exciting. Watching the recipient either tear through or slowly salvage the packaging is a tense moment. Then, seeing their face light up when they realize that you've paid attention to things they prefer and like is enough to give me a warm, fuzzy feeling inside. 

Because it is Christmas season, there has been a variable amount of traffic lately. This rush of shopping paired with ordinary work schedules clogs up the interstate like nobody's business. However, because it is the Christmas season, I am much more forgiving of time wasting than I normally am. So as you go about your daily errands, take time out to breathe. It will keep your stress levels down and help you be more alert for mistakes others might make. For some stress relieving tips, check out this hunch:

Ways to De-stress - get personalized recommendations at Hunch.com

Image via flickr/excalipoor

Thursday Traffic | 14 October

I've been a bit busy these past couple weeks working on some things. That explains my lack of blogging and my sudden interest in "busy-ness". See, many people today lead very busy lives. Some are busy in five hour meetings that would have served better as a ten-minute pow-wow around a water cooler. A few others are busy complaining about how busy they are. Others are busy looking busy so that no one suspects that they aren't busy. In fact, being busy is something that is almost expected of us.

Have you heard that saying, "An idle mind is the devil's workshop"? I must disagree. First of all, what most of us are busy doing does not matter in the long run. The things that people nearly kill themselves to accomplish could be completed at a normal pace and still yield the same results. Secondly, while it is excellent to be engaged in projects for the health of your mind, being too busy causes stress and can result in more harm than good. Third, there is no need to be so busy that we are not able to spend time with our friends, family and other people that matter to us.

So are you too busy to take a moment and breathe? If so, don't pat yourself on the back and do a victory dance. Instead, reflect on where your time went and how it was spent. We live in a fast-paced society nowadays. We no longer have to wait two weeks or more for a letter to reach a friend overseas (then, an additional amount of time to receive a response). The convenience of cell phones, modern agriculture and packaging, the internet and transportation have revolutionized our way of life. Because of this, I believe that we shouldn't be as busy—if anything, we should have more time to spend doing things that we like instead of busy work.

What do you think?

Photo via flickr/Techne

Thursday Traffic | 26 August

Not all traffic is on the road. The largest amount of traffic some of us face is found in the workplace. Projects flying onto your desk so rapidly that you feel like someone just cut in front of you when you were on a roll. Summertime is busy at my job. When you experience lulls in the rush, you start to get a bit used to the relaxed pace. That is until you find yourself on a clogged highway and realize that you are behind schedule. However, that's not the point.

Today, people worldwide woke up (mostly to the sound of some alarm), got dressed, maybe ate breakfast and went on their merrily way to work. It's a never-ending cycle. As you read those last two sentences, approximately eighteen babies were born and they will be ready to do the same thing eighteen years from now. As many other twenty-somethings have mused, what is the point of it all? Why work? Is having a job the only way to live in society?

We work because it is the easiest and most common way to make a profit. You could probably make the same amount of money doing some illegal dealings if you don't like the job market. Yet there are the fortunate few that make a living doing something other than working a normal 9-to-5. However, I think the reason why people work (other than making money) is because working is a way to make something of yourself. Your hard work—or the lack thereof—is a way for you to leave a legacy. So even though working might not be your forte or your favorite thing to do, it has its benefits. Oh, that's another reason some people work, those benefits can be better than your pay.

Hopefully my random musings have given you a few thoughts to mull over. Come back next Thursday for more traffic.

Image via dc.streetsblog.org

Thursday Traffic | 12 August

I know, it's been a while since I posted about Thursday traffic, but don't dismay—it's back! I was caught in two storms during the traffic today, once on the way to work and once on the way home. It was the kind of storm that catches you off guard and makes you feel out of place. The sky darkened and a sheet of rain seemed to fall from the sky in an instant. It was during this moment that I thought about how much can change in the blink of an eye.

It seems that when we turn 10 or so, we begin reminiscing and thinking about how our lives have been and start to consider what our lives could be in the future. (wait, was that just me thinking that?) Then, when we become teenagers and start to compare ourselves to whatever else is in the world, we begin to imagine what our lives would have been like "if." We think, what if I had been like this person or what if I knew about that then. It's then that I feel we begin to decide who we really are—our personality becomes more defined and we start to take "control" of our lives.

I put control in quotes because I feel that though we have our own thoughts and preferences, we have very little control over the things outside of them. For example, though someone may hate cigarette smoke, a person can still be smoking near them. In the end, we can decide that we want something, but we might not always have the means or the method to achieve it.

Yet despite storms and other obstacles, I feel that we all have certain dreams that we cannot deny ourselves. Thing we want to accomplish more than anything—a purpose to achieve. So though for a moment today, I looked out of the window of the bus wondering how the weather might affect me. But I still knew that I had a destination I needed to reach and as we live our lives, we are all heading for our places, our destinies.

Thursday Traffic | 15 July

It's payday, readers! Traffic hardly matters on a day like today. So, what will I be spending my cash on, you ask? Hey, we are still in a recession, I'm being stingy with my money nowadays. Anyways, during my stint in the traffic, I was thinking about the dentist. My sisters have been recently and tomorrow, I will be sitting in the old dentist's chair. I haven't had a dental appointment in a while, so I'm a bit nervous. However, I wanted to say a few things about the dentist.

First of all, being a dentist is not like being a doctor. You are a dentist. You spend your days fixing people's teeth and gums. Your clients will spit and drool all over you and when you ask them questions, they won't be able to answer without slobbering everywhere. No one will applaud when you say you are a dentist like they do if you say you are a doctor.

Second, dentists are expensive and many procedures are not covered by insurance (if you are lucky enough to have it). Also, it's like reconstructive surgery with dentists. They may decide that you should break your jaw and this and that to account for what they think will happen with your teeth. I've seen some people with some pretty crazy headgear.

Third, all depictions of dentists in cartoons are normally as evil villains. In film, they are unappreciated losers. What about being a dentist is attractive–or sexy? Nothing, but at least you make good money, right?

Lastly, dentists can prevent you from getting other deadly diseases. They can tell a lot about your body from your teeth. Although you don't have to jump on the bandwagon with everything your dentist recommends, they are looking out for your smile and body, so that's a win-win situation to me.

So, if you are a dentist, congratulations, you've taken a job that many people probably would not. If you have some dentist stories, let me know about them in the comments. Well, please keep your fingers crossed for my dentist visit. I'll need that for morale. I'm not a big fan of the dentist. I think my sweet tooth explains that reason.

Image via quick internet search

Thursday Traffic | 8 July

The highlight of my morning was checking the forecast and seeing that there is a possibility of rain today. You know, the weather is so interesting. As I was on the bus reading a recent book purchase—Boneshaker—I thought about the strange weather that we have been having this year. That made me think of things to note about the weather:

The weather is one of the most common starting points for a conversation. How many times do you remember a comment about the weather getting you talking—or getting someone else to talk to you.

The weather can affect people's moods greatly. If it is a mild day with the occasional clouds and cool breezes, people are probably more likely to give you a break and be amiable. You might become more productive so you can enjoy the day—or less productive. Too hot and people can become irritable. Too cold and people might become curt with you.

The weather stops for no (wo)man. Nothing you say or do will change the weather. It is entirely out of human control. Even if you have been planning a gorgeous outdoor event for more than two years, the weather can sporadically rain on your parade. Even if you want summer to last forever, it will change to fall and so on and so forth.
The weather can be tough on your hair and skin. Hot, humid weather can ruin your perfect hairdo or cause you to sweat and break out. Cold, bitter weather can dry out your skin and kill your hair. Make certain that you are always dressed appropriately.
The weather can be deadly. Extreme temperatures (both hot and cold) can affect your body. Breathing can become shallow and difficult during times of humidity. Your limbs can rot in freezing temperatures. So even though we have advances for dealing with the weather (like heat and air-conditioning), always be mindful of how you feel.

That was just a quick little note about the weather. Hopefully, you have a favorable breeze and reasonable temperature to allow you to enjoy this weekend to the fullest.

Photo by Mark Wilson/Getty Images 2002

Thursday Traffic | 24 June

Reader, I apologize for skipping last week's Thursday traffic. If it makes you feel better, there was a lot of traffic last Thursday. Anyway, this Thursday wasn't too much better and the tourists have started to invade public transportation. But if it weren't for the tourists, DC would be so boring. Here are a few funny things that tourists do when traveling to the nation's capital. Maybe you can learn from their mistakes?

Directions: Oh me, oh my! Whenever tourists come to DC, they always need directions. First of all, know the name of the landmark/museum/location you are trying to reach. Descriptions will only get you so far. If you are looking for the White House, then being on the National Mall won't help you. (Yeah, I know that the Capitol Building might look like it should be the White House, but it isn't.)

Segway tours: Nothing quite like a good old-fashioned tour of the capitol while riding a Segway. Be careful there.

Metro: No, this is not the subway. This is the Metro—it's run by the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority. It has five lines—red, orange, yellow, green and blue (apparently, a purple line might be in the works in the future)—and each line goes in two directions and ends. Try asking where you should go before getting on a train. It'll save you time and wasted effort.

Attire: The matching colors are helpful for many tourists traveling with kids. So if one child is lost, you have another child to compare with. If you only have one child, bring a picture. I'm joking, I don't want people losing their children. Keep your eye on your kids. Dress weather appropriate and the weather has been weird lately. You never know what you should bring. It gets hot and humid in DC though, so stay hydrated.

Walking: Even if you have no idea where you are going, walk with purpose. Don't wander aimlessly down sidewalks. Keep your eye on those street signs. You'll probably run into numbers, states or words like "constitution" and "independence". Backtracking doesn't hurt and you can ask for directions if all else fails. I recommend having a GPS device—then you'll always have an idea of where you need to go. Many phones support GPS now, so see if yours does.

I'm not going to talk about driving in DC. Do you not get the whole meaning of the traffic posts, reader? Seriously, I would avoid it because of the hassles and cost of parking. If you must drive, I recommend that you do a bit of research about the location so you are prepared. Valet parking helps out as does Metro parking. Look forward to more tourist antics throughout the summer.

Image via quick internet search

Thursday Traffic | 10 June

Today marks yet another Thursday filled with its usual traffic. As the bus crawled through traffic and I was packed like a sardine on the Metro, I wondered about a commercial I watched yesterday. According to match.com, approximately 1 of every 5 relationships begins online. This made me think about "virtual friends"—you know, people you've never met before, but you get along with really well on screen.

The idea of meeting someone "virtually" is actually not new. Back in the olden days, this occurred often through a dying form—written letters. A traveling family member or friend would send word of a contact in excruciating detail—clothing worn, eye color, hair color, shoes, fabrics, height, etc. When the receivers of these letters went into a new town in search of this person, they would meet someone they had never seen before, but heard about through another person. In other cultures, many brides and grooms would meet the day of their wedding.

Even better than those options was the invention of the pen pal. The idea of the pen pal system was to increase the literacy of foreign students. However, many pen pals met one another in later life after having written each other for years. You see, there is something instinctively fun about speaking with a person you have never seen before. Without any photos or illustrations of the person to cloud judgment, being able to just talk to someone is satisfying, and you can speak freely without worries of looks, biases or apprehension.

For some, connection alone is enough. Hence the growth of messages in bottles. They can be used to get information to the world or to find someone—or be found. It is fairly obvious that humans require interaction with other life. Some people go mad on their own. Other people will shirk human interaction in favor of a life in the wild with nature. Either way, I have to say that it is not crazy that people have resorted to meeting others online. It's something that has been occurring for many centuries, just in a different form.

Image via a very quick internet search

Thursday Traffic | 3 June

This is the first Thursday Traffic entry of June, and I must say that I am starting to see vacation traffic. That's right, readers. It is tourist season in the city. Cue family trips, foreign visitors, screaming babies, sweaty people and completely clueless venturers—voila! you have DC in the summer. However, that's not the point of my post for today.

When you go out in your own car, you can carry as much as you'd like. You could bring the kitchen sink with you if you really needed to do so. When you ride the bus or metro, the same isn't necessarily true. Carrying items on your commute can be annoying, but here are a few tips to help you out:

Backpacks/book bags: As helpful as they are, you need to keep your eye on book bags. When metros get busy, your bag can be in the way (or get stuck in the train doors). Try not to over-stuff it. Don't put important items in there—they might be stolen on a crowded train.

Laptop bags (non-rolling): Most of these have a handle that you can carry your laptop with comfortably or a strap that goes over your shoulder. This is a great way to keep your important items nearby without taking up much space. You can find some really stylish ones in stores and online.

Rolling bags: The epitome of evil. These helpful items cause users to forget that there is a distance between themselves and others. When using these, remember that it does not turn the moment you do.

Messenger bags: One of my favorite materials to carry around. These stay close to the body and are space savers.

Tote bags: Compact when out of use. Good to have handy in case you stop into a store or something. You can store your materials in it, and it can be stylish and sustainable.

Purses: Women, be certain that you keep your purse near you. Larger purses could be a hazard to other guests if you are running and allow it to slap everyone along the path. Keep your eye on it—nothing sucks more than a lost purse.

Fanny packs: An absolute fashion faux pas. Don't even think about it. Leave them in the 80s where they belong!

Strollers: No matter how cute your kid is, strollers are bulky and dangerous. Always be mindful of other passengers and remember to set your breaks on the metro. You might be able to collapse it for bus rides.

Luggage: Since it takes up a lot of space, try to avoid overcrowding doors with your luggage. Attempt to stand near the center of train cars or sit at a completely empty seat to remove your materials from the walkways.

Cake trays and containers: Since you've put some work into making your confection, hold it carefully. Try to find a seat so you can minimize the chances of dropping said sweet (or savory treat).

Loose items: Books, newspapers, jackets and other objects should be held close to the body. You don't want it to be knocked away or damaged during a crowded ride.

Instruments: Best carried in a case. Try to keep your instrument close to you. Avoid playing music on metro trains in DC as it is not allowed. Do so in NY or Paris or something instead.

Image via Wikimedia Commons

Thursday Traffic | 27 May

Today's traffic was worse than ever. Not only the clogged streets, but an equally packed metro. Luckily, even when I'm late to work, I arrive earlier than my company actually opens. On the bright side, it's my Friday. Unlike the rest of the world, I work 4 day weeks. No, I'm not bragging or anything, I am part-time. So, even though traffic sucks, it's "Friday."

Lately, the weather has been unpredictable. It switches from sunny to sweltering to torrential rains at the drop of a hat. That makes it difficult to decide what to carry with you, and what one should wear. I have a few tips that I've picked up over the past couple years. How to be prepared for summer weather:

• Check the weather: Even though the weather is often wrong, it's better than going at this blind. People in the past predicted the weather based upon the wind, sun and dew on the ground. It's good to understand what you are up against.
• It's better to be safe than sorry: I know that it's a hassle, but if there is a percentage of rain, bring a light jacket or a mini umbrella. It's a little something for you to carry, but you don't have to worry about being caught without it—like a driver's license.
• Good hygiene is a must: That summer sun will heat things up and the last thing you want is to be the smelly person. Use soap, wear deodorant, apply a conservative amount of perfume/cologne. Be careful about using sweet smelling products as you will attract insects (especially bees).
  

If you have some additional ideas, please add them in the comments.

Image via Photo Moto Blog

Thursday Traffic | 20 May

A large part of my daily commute is spent chilling out in a seat reading or playing a game. However, the bus does not drive itself. As much as people belittle them, bus drivers and other vehicle operators do a lot of work—work that most people wouldn't want to do.

Sitting down driving people around is not the most exciting of jobs. Also, whenever there is a single problem with the commute, these drivers are blamed. Bad weather? It's their fault. Traffic? Their fault. General unhappiness? Darn, bus driver! Yet these men and women still do their job. They get you to your destination. For that, I always say "thank you," or something along the lines of "have a nice day/evening."

By public transportation being open and easy, fewer people will have to drive. This means that there will be fewer cars on the road. That results in less traffic—and that makes me happy! So, here is a public shout-out to all the people driving me to work amidst Thursday traffic and every other day of the week.

Image via welovedc.com

Thursday Traffic | 13 May

Nothing puts a damper on your morning like a grey sky. However, despite the chill and the dreary weather, I was in excellent spirits this morning. I got to work really early and was surprised that not one light was on. It was a very unsettling feeling. Anyway, that's not why you read these posts.

Every so often, as I exit McPherson Square metro station, musicians are playing. Music is not something that requires translation, so it is something that anyone could enjoy. Some performers bring keyboards, guitars or saxophones and others use their vocal talents. A few do it simply for their own enjoyment. Others would like to receive a monetary donation. Either way, there is something nice about music on an otherwise depressingly grey day in the city.

I won't lie to you and make it seem as if I stop and listen to the music. The sounds usually drifts quite far, so I hear it when I walk up the escalator and continue down the street. Ordinarily, I am already listening to some music on my iPod, but I still must applaud these musicians for their hard work and talent. If I weren't on the way to work, I would probably stop and listen to the music.

This style of entertainment is often referred to as busking. It has been used worldwide by people with both good and bad intentions. Some conned the audience or stole their wallets; others simply provided a good show. While what I have seen in DC is nothing like the really crazy ideas people come up with in California, New Orleans or New York, I will always have a soft spot for street performers. Do you have any stories to tell? Sound off in the comments.

Image via Daily Mail

Thursday Traffic | 6 May

You know what I like most about the traffic on Thursdays? Getting out of it. Now that the weather has become nicer, more and more people are using public transportation. This requires buses to make more frequent stops, it crowds vehicles and it leaves you with an interesting dilemma. Should I sit down or stand? One the one hand, you might be more comfortable seated. However, you might also have a hart time getting off or be stuck next to someone that makes you feel uncomfortable.

Hit the jump for my rule of thumb about deciding whether to sit or stand.

Image © 2008 David Pirman

Thursday Traffic | 29 April

It is Thursday again, readers, and I like my traffic shaken, not stirred. However, today was surprisingly smooth sailing. Have you ever experienced a day when you are suddenly ahead of schedule? It's a wonderful feeling. Not only was traffic moving faster than other days this week, I got to work early enough to get a head start on today's tasks.

You might wonder what I was pondering while zooming through the unclogged streets. Well, I have realized that although the computer is a great tool for creating materials, I miss the more manual side of design. Something about cranking a press and seeing that tiny impression from the plate feels good. Printmaking helped me understand the entire printing process better and I feel that I benefited from it. I was never able to try letterpress, but I do want to set type at least once so I have a greater appreciation and understanding of the digital tools available now. Why do that? you might ask. Well, in the same way that people pursue manual photography over digital photography, I pursue "manual" graphic design. Drawing by hand, measuring with a ruler, printing materials myself—this is something that I value. In the words of A. J. Liebling, "Freedom of the press is only guaranteed to those who own one."

Image via TheCity Fix DC

Thursday Traffic | 22 April Earth Day Edition

What better time to discuss pollution than on Earth Day? The environment is the source of water, food and the air we breathe. It is only fitting that we should work to keep those resources clean and free of danger. However, transportation, chemicals and energy use put a lot of stress on nature. Population growth taxes the land due to the growth of cities and waste. We have to produce to consume and we consume a lot of materials. Most of what we buy does not work in a cradle-to-cradle scenario but cradle-to-grave instead. Our packaging is unsustainable and we throw away a great deal of items that cannot be broken down for reuse.

That is why efforts being made now are so important. Puma has introduced new shoe boxes that use one piece of cleverly folded cardboard and a reusable tote bag to package their shoes. This is a smart way of changing the way people consume products from the beginning. P&G has changed their approach towards creating products so that they use less water and energy. These are important steps that many other companies are making—and some should be making. In all honesty, consumers and can only purchase products. If the products we purchase are "green" then already we have made strides in helping our environment.

Yet, consumers are a big part of the product. Even if all products became "green" and used resources responsibly, it would all be a waste if people did not recycle and reuse materials. In many foreign countries like Germany and Japan, recycling is not only separated into sections, but it is also mandatory. Glass, paper, and plastic are reused and recycled. Many consumers use old materials for art projects or as something other than what they were intended for. Here's an example: When ordering Chinese food, the dish that it comes in is plastic with a lid; you can reheat the dish as many times as possible meaning that you don't throw it away, but hold onto it until you want/need to recycle it later. Small things like that become a big deal when everyone does it.

So what would I say is the best way to be eco-friendly? First, don't freak out and make it seem like everything is evil. It isn't. I would say that the best way to be eco-friendly or "green" is to only use what is necessary. It was true back in the olden days and it is true now. Remember learning about supply and demand? If there is low demand for an item, it will not be produced as much/as often. We can do our part by being smart in what we consume.

Image via UNC Asheville