Love and the Metro

This is actually a part two of the previous blog. Monday was very, very busy. Which, again, is so surprising. Anyone who knows me, knows that I would much rather hide away when I'm lonely than go out and get not lonely anymore. I was determined.

So, after our long, muddy hike during the day, I really wanted to catch up with Phoebe, the book author at her official launch party. Two reasons. A launch party? With a British author? Could this BE any more "Bridget Jone's Diary"?!?!?! *ahem* Sorry, got a little bit carried away there. What I meant to say was that book launch parties are very distinguished and high society. And they were serving pastries.

Really, I wanted to go to buy the other two Moscow Walks books and also Phoebe's husband's book. Yes, her husband is an author, too, and has written a fascinating book about his experience as a British reporter in Moscow while he covered Russian politics. That kind of intro is just enough to capture your attention, right? Well, here's the thing. His experience was mainly a lot of very strange events like windows open in their apartment that they didn't leave open. Random items moved around that they wouldn't move around. And a bunch of other things that would point to the KGB invading their house and using these crazy intimidation tactics to people they want out. So, surrounded by my friends in the comfort of a real cute coffee shop, this sounds like such a good read, right?

I didn't even need to read it to start losing sleep in our lonely apartment immediately.

The worst part is that I misplace things all the time. And things end up in places not because the KGB broke into our home, but because I'm a dingbat and forget where I leave them. But now. Now, there may be other reasons my sunglasses are on my head instead of where I usually leave them on the counter.

But, first, I had to go get the book. I've mentioned before at how awesome I am with the subway, now right? I can switch lines, pick the best route, you name it, I got it. This is what I was thinking in my head as I switched off the brown line to the light blue line. Not to be confused with the dark blue line which is right next to it. I'm jammin to "The Head and The Heart" one of my favorite bands, setting the best soundtrack for my evening out with the Moscow Monday Night Social Club that I'm certain is waiting for me. I get on the train, following the arrows to my stop, but it's a weird one because it forks from the normal route. No. Big. Deal. I'm a pro.

I make it all the way to the end of the blue line, about eight stops and the whole thing empties. My album has just restarted. And I start to get a little nervous. But, not to worry, we'll hit my stop on the way back. Still, I'm gonna need some "Needtobreathe" half rock-out and half-calm yourself music. It's the perfect soundtrack for my "I'm starting to worry, but I'm sure there's nothing to worry about" attitude.

We pass the stop again and now we're going to the end of the line the opposite way and, again, everyone gets off. Nothing to worry about. I've been on the same train for an hour, it HAS to go to my stop sometime. Still, we're focusing solely on "Needtobreathe" save your soul tunes and visualizing myself, a lonely passenger on the Moscow subway, as the main character of that music video.

I finally give up. After an hour and a half on the same train that still shows no indication that they're going to my stop (other than the signs with arrows that lie, of course.) I'm ready to be home. And even though the train has cleared out twice or three times completely, no chance of anyone following me, it's dark out now and I can only think of that book and the KGB. Which is where the melancholy Ingrid Michaelson comes in to save the day with her slow, sweet songs.

I made it home and luckily for me, I couldn't remember if I left any windows open or closed, so if the KGB is in fact trying to bully me, it will be to no avail. My horrible short term memory turns out to be good for something. Jokes on you guys.

Cheers to the soundtracks that we create, that create us and help us get home.