What's Good in the Hood - The Soul Train Chronicles (September 11, 2008)

In light of my recent employment status, and in light of the economic struggle this country is facing, I've come to cut back on some costs such as fast food and car washes...all things to which a convenience fee is added, in addition to the one monthly expense that was just ridiculously out of control. GAS! So I decided that outside of driving to church, and to my parents house occasionally, my car will very rarely leave my zip code. It's amazing how much money I save that way. Whereas I use to fill my tank every 3-4 days, I've been driving on the same tank of gas for a week now and I still have half a tank left! SO excited about that.

***Side note: Cars get much better mileage when the tank stays full. Therefore it is my goal to keep my tank above the half way mark***

Anyway, to continue perserving my overpriced fuel, I've been "Red Lining" it to school. For those of you who don't know, the Red Line is the subway/elevated public train line that runs north/south through the heart of Chicago. The train effectionately know as the Soul Train.

I missed the train on my way home, and instead of standing at the platform and waiting for the next one, I decided to take a seat on a beach...the seat on the very farthest end, opposite this homeless man whose stinch was beyond nauseating. After sitting for maybe 30 seconds, he turns to me and says, "You don't smoke do you." Take special note of the period at the end of that sentance, because the statement wasn't phrased in the form of a question, but in the form of a declaration, implying that he already knew I didn't smoke (Maybe I just LOOK like I don't smoke. Maybe he saw my Light shining. IDK). Once I confirmed that I don't smoke, he sat for about 10 seconds, and began to jiggle the loose change in his hand. He then turned back to me and said, "I'm tryna get something to eat, you got some change I could have?"

Hmmm...

I closed my eyes, cocked my neck, turned my head to the side, and gave him a look that spoke louder than the roar of the approaching northbound train to Howard. I couldn't help but believe that he would have only requested loose change for food after a failed attempt to get a loose square or a light. And I certainly wasn't gonna contribute to his nicotine addiction (assumed). The nerve!