Can't Ignore the Train

No, you can't ignore the train.  Especially when you're dragged invited to the Shaker Historical Society who was having a seminar on the Rapid Through the Years.

The Rapid transit is basically our heavier than light rail, but not quite a full-blown train. 

710 and our neighbor, Tom, really wanted to go and I was happy to.  .....until..........

First, let me go back 20 years (?). A few of us attended our friend Daphne's graduation from nursing school.  

There, the guest speaker's entire speech consisted of:  "you have choices......you can work first shift.....you can work night shift.....you can work weekends.....you can work evening shift....." ...and so it went on for 35 minutes.  Horrid. 

Or so I thought - until I encountered the speaker for the Rapid.  OMG - I wanted to stick needles in my ears.  An hour seemed like four. 

The Rapid was not just transportation, but there were socio-economic implications to implementing such a rail system - some of it was intended to bring the 'help' out to the Shaker area, and yes, the express business cars were all 'white'. 

None of these things were touched on.  The subject matter 'expert' knew about the trains. The cars. The types of cars. The color of cars. The number of stripes on the cars. Where the doors on the cars were placed. The width of the wheels   ....the.......you get it. 

Of the 50 or so folks there, I was the fourth youngest......well, I estimated. If some of the others were younger, they've had harder lives. But I felt for the octogenarians, as those folding metal chairs were hell on my back, I can only image what it felt on their arthritic and osteoporotic bones.

Next week's lecture is on Paul Newman - who was from Shaker. I won't be springing $5 for that discussion.

Ruckiry (not Jon's boss), after this talk it was off for tequila Mexican food. So the day wasn't a total loss.