I love the EL

There is the expected budget deficit of over 200 million, the talk of new spikes in fairs despite the quarter bump last month, and the general dysfunction, delays and constant construction. There is plenty to bitch about the CTA. And everyone does…bitch…a lot. But coming from the geeb, where my one public transportation experience involved a man pulling a garbage bag out of his underwear, I am and will forever be in love with the CTA.

I love the little heated booths so crammed with people you almost feel like family.

I love how I can get everything I need handed out for free at the Belmont stop: The Printed Blog, condoms and bibles.

I love how pretty the color coded CTA maps look.

I love eavesdropping on inappropriate conversations on the EL.

I love having inappropriate conversations on the EL and then looking around to see who is embarrassed for me.

I love that I have learned when the lines curve and pitch so that I am prepared and don’t crash into neighbors. I love seeing newbies that haven’t bump so apologetically into chairs, poles and people.

I love the occasional amazing CTA conductors that say things like “may the force be with you” as you exit the train.

But most of all I love the EL at sunrise or sunset, when the city skyline seems to glow and I feel privileged to pay 2.25 to sit in that seat and see that calming beauty.

I know I am just as likely as my fellow CTA riders to throw a temper tantrum when the CTA inevitably hikes prices again but for now, in the days of ever plummeting stock prices and failed bailouts, let’s just remember how pretty the city can look at sunset from the train.