fter years of trying to figure out the reverse commute, I finally feel like I’m comfortable enough to say that … well, I’ve figured it out. We have our system down pat:
Morning:
Wake up at 5:15 – allows me to get ready for work and spend about 20 minutes playing with London after a quick diaper change. I’m on the train at 6:43 and at work with Starbucks in hand – and email in-box cleared out – by 8:15.
Evening:
I’m out of the office right at 4:50 to allow time for traffic and the boys pick me up at 6:24. By then I’ve had a chance to read through most – if not all – of what I couldn’t get to during the day.
While I still have to figure out how to work in a run at least a few days during the week, I’ve noticed the following benefits:
• I’m not so wiped out when I get to work or when I get home. I actually have more energy.
• Although I was worried about missing breakfast with London, I feel like we’ve made up for the time by playing more at night. And breakfast on the weekends is more fun.
• I’m getting way more work done during the day because I don’t have to chase my emails as much.
• I can actually read my personal email. “Hi friends and family!”
• I even read a newspaper now and then.
• I don’t grind my teeth in the train – like I used to in my car.
• I haven’t filled up my gas tank in weeks.
So, thanks Metra. You’d make things easier if you could swing a Pace commuter shuttle, but I’ll take what I can get. I still don't know how Chicago expects to host the Olympics with such a messed up transit system -- but I'm very hopeful.