The H"el"l Train Chronicles

Living in Chicago tests a person's ability to cope with human contact.

Every inch of space is either occupied by a human body or will be within two seconds. 

Those of us who have cars will consider murder in order to obtain a parking spot while 

the rest of the population is forced to use public transportation.

 

I ride the "El" Train.

 A trip on the "El" Train is the equivalent of receiving an education in humanity. 

It is known that people modify the customary actions of their personal lives to conform with what they believe will be acceptable when conducting their public lives. 

The minute people step on the "El" Train they neglect to censor their actions and tend to reveal their true nature. This revealing can be attributed to the idea that the train is filled with bodies that a person will never come into contact with again. A ride on the "El" is merely a moment in between life. There is no need to impress and the minute the ride is over, the individual can move on with the show. 

In the following blog entries titled "The H"el"l Train Chronicles," I will illustrate my observations of humanity through the use of various "characters" that I encounter while riding the train.

Please let me know if you have had similar experiences or have come into contact with these "Characters."

So Cal to Chi Town

I was surprised to find that the City of Chicago has a skateboard scene that is both welcoming and burgeoning. Chicago has a ton of undiscovered spots to offer along with people that are willing to show them to you. The skateboarders that inhabit the city streets can sense one of their own. There is no need to demolish the barriers that exist between a local crew and an outsider in order to provoke a session. A display of mutual devotion to skateboarding and its culture is enough for acceptance. I am invigorated by skating in Chicago and the locals have shown me that the exclusion of real skateboarders only detracts from the overall skateboard experience.

Real skateboarders embrace individuality yet band together in order to further fuel their own ideas of originality. 

If you are not a true skateboarder you cant even feign an understanding our intricacies.

In the end, we can only relate to each other, as COMPADRES.