My love, Mademoiselle Metro

By Jacob Fullmer

November 20, 2007 | WASHINGTON -- I want to set something straight before I come back to Logan. Keep it a secret, but I've been seeing someone here in D.C.

She's great. She's extra dependable. When something comes up she tries to let me know so I can change my schedule around.

I'm sorry to tell everyone at the same time but this needs to happen. It's mostly a healthy relationship. I'll admit -- I think I'm a bit obsessed with this one. I'm not sure how I'm going to cope without her when I get back to Utah. I love her so much.

But she needs to stay here and I need to move on with my life.

The only negative aspect of this relationship is things are starting to add up. She's an expensive habit to keep. But, she leaves me alone when I need my space and is completely OK if I hang out with other people. In fact, she encourages it. There's literally no group of people she doesn't like.

I love how she's so versatile but at the same time can have a one way track mind. At times, being alone with her is all I need to think through my problems. I know it's going to be hard getting along without her. She treats me right.

Her name is Metrorail. And I love her.

Yes, that's right. I have a bit of an obsession with the Metro here. I realized soon after moving here I would need to get to know her and all her habits. I spend more time consistently riding the metro than doing any thing else. I even keep her "card" in my wallet all day, every day of the week.

The metro here is a necessary addiction. As such, she's like a bad relationship you just can't seem to get out of. I know this may be strange for any of you who I've ever dated but she keeps me coming back for more attention. Just when it feels like I'm through with all the struggle, my ride falls through and I've got to turn back to the one I love to hate. I affectionately refer to her as "M."

I'll put my feelings aside for a small moment in an attempt to explain where we first met.

I rode the metro here for the first time as a missionary finishing up my two years. I needed be released from service before she and I could really start what we now share. Since coming back, we're dependant on one another.

What is great about M is she's fairly predictable. Her schedule dominates mine but I'm OK with that because she's always going "my way." She likes to stay out late on weekends but is always up and running whenever I need a ride to work in the mornings. I don't even need to ask her to. She just knows.

She completes me.

M has a distinct effect on people. Everyone behaves a certain way when their around her. For those of you unfamiliar with public transit, imagine getting stuck in an elevator with a stranger for 800 socially awkward floors. You face forward and never say a word until you get off. As a last reach to maintain your humanity you take a breath of fresh air as the doors open and nod your head as you step out into the world you love. However, on the Metro, the "moment" could last for 40 minutes.

There must an unspoken code of conduct we adopt when forced to be isolated with someone in what is almost mistaken for a public place. Everyone seems to think, "Be polite if I bump into someone but don't make eye contact with them, ever." Maybe it stems back to when our parents told us not to talk to strangers.

I'm not sure I've ever heeded that warning from my parents. On a rare occasion will I ignore everyone around me. Maybe I'm that stranger my parents warned me about. Weird…

There must be a misunderstanding somewhere but nobody wants to address it. Everyone wants to feel connected but can't because they are either so pleased to be finished with work or so annoyed they're on their way to work.

When I talk to someone, sometimes I mischievously think, "I wonder how long you'll let me keep this up before you plug into your iPod or dive back into your book." It's a fun game. I'm not sure how my sweet and tender M feels about it but we haven't fought over other people, yet.

Maybe public transit is the reason West Coast people and East Coast people don't get along at first. I don't know for sure but this much I know: Metro - I may leave you now but you'll never leave my heart.

Jacob is a junior in print journalism and political science exploring the lifestyle of Washington D.C. while working as an intern.

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