R and I did the NYC commute test today to check out the Madison Ave. trek. We left our house at 9:35, arrived at the dirt patch that is called our "station" at 9:50, bought tickets (receiving those cool gold dollar coins as change), took the 10:04 to the transfer station, and arrived at Penn Station at 10:55. We took 7th to 34th and walked (oh, I mean speed-walked in the bitter, 5-degree-wind-chill autumn wind) to Madison, then headed over to 39th and got there around 11:15. R headed up to the 4th floor and I headed back to my 34th street shopping destinations!

First I hit my favorite, Ann Taylor Loft, and bought the much-needed interview suit. (One less thing to worry about when the time comes!) Then I checked out the Macy's holiday windows and headed in. Perhaps it was because I had just watched Miracle on 34th Street the other night, but I felt very happy among the incredible throng. There was a definite holiday energy, and it felt rather less commercial than I am used to in our horrible malls. Everywhere I turned I could spot a Macy's employee ready to point to the needed department or appropriate floor. I heard someone ask where Santa was, and I made a mental note to avoid that area entirely! (Only because I needed to move quickly and had limited time. Else I would have liked to have gotten on line, sat on his lap, and asked for a cool job as a production manager!!) I ended up in purses (imagine!) and cosmetics and the Met Museum section, then bought some holiday gifts, then met R downstairs.

We grabbed lunch at the Heartland Brewery (very good, if you're looking for a casual lunch!), then hit a pet store (kitties need holiday cheer too), plunked some of the dollar coins in a Salvation Army red kettle, then stopped in Borders (where I ended up buying among other things a copy of a book I edited so I can add it to my "I edited these" shelf), then headed back to Penn Station. We got to the station at 3:30, grabbed the 4:02 train to the transfer station, got the 4:27 to our town, and ended up at home at 5:10.

So what did we gain from this? Well, I engaged in quality shopping (and I'll enjoy it now, because starting next year, that stops for however long is necessary), but aside from that:

1. The total commute will be 3 hr a day. Quality of life issues come into play.
2. Getting to that office (or any around there) is pretty direct. Not so bad.
3. Most everyone was helpful and friendly. There are just too many people in general.
4. Despite what has been said, little of my freelance "work" could be done on the trains, so the time would not be productive in that sense. We could work a bit on our writing perhaps, but not much. And that is if we can sit down.

Some things to think about. After going through some tough things like death and health scares this year, we know that having our own time to spend in meaningful ways is much more important than it used to be. Oh the reality of money and work.