Guide to Walking (or Not) on Metro

It has come to my attention, that there are people, be they tourists or others, who are a little confused about how to travel on and about the metro.
Within the US, we drive on the right side of the road. In multi-lane roads, the expectation is that the right most lane is where the slower (or more law-abiding) drivers are, and the left lane is for passing.
Following this logic, on escalators or moving walkways, the expectation is that you (and your stuff) will stand to the right or walk on the left.
If you are motion-challenged - due to number of bags, weight of bags, height of heels, general tiredness or any other reason, please either stand on the right, allowing the motion unimpeded to continue on.
If you are motion-challenged but wish to move forward partially on your own power, see if you can find an open space on the right so that you are out of the way of people moving at standard speed.
The same applies in the hallways and platforms, but there is also the addition of two way traffic and the need to be courteous of folks attempting to walk at normal speed in both directions. No one is saying you have to move at the highest pace, just be aware that others wish to do so, and try to allow space for them to do so.
I understand it is much easier to talk to people when you stand side by side on the escalator, but particularly on some of the very long metro escalators, there are people who need to move. Sure they may seem rushed, but since you don't know where they are going, just leave them space to do their thing and you can enjoy the ride safely on the right.

Dear Folks #8

Dear Bus Driver,
I understand that the bus is packed making things difficult for you as well as the passengers. I think suggesting that there is still space back there may be silly. It may look like there are inches between some of us, but let me assure you most of these inches are filled, with bags, newspapers and arms and legs.
I appreciate your sharing with us that another bus is just five minutes behind. However, the buses are theoretically fifteen minutes apart, and yet we waited forty five minutes for this one, so you can appreciate that some of us are going to go with the bus in hand if you will. It would also help if you would factor in the numbers of us standing when you made you braking and turning decisions. Thanks so much.
Your Passenger.

My Phone Lost Weight

This is so silly. When I bought my phone, it came with a little phone case - just a vinyl jobbie that offered some protective covering for the keys and screen and had a clip attached. I feel silly clipping my phone to my person, but sometimes, it didn't fit in my pocket or my outfit didn't have pockets, so I would clip it on. Generally my phone lives in my purse, so the clip got used maybe four times. And - particularly in warmer weather, I want to move to a smaller purse. And yet, my phone took up so much space. I started looking covetously at other people's phones. The skinny ones. One friend has a wristlet purse she can fit her ID, keys and phone into. My phone wouldn't fit. (My keys wouldn't either, but I am working on that.)
My last phone had a case where the clip came off. This one - no. And so, I started looking at phone deals. And then I decided to take the case off. (I know - radical.) And - I love my phone again. It has honestly lost about two thirds of its depth. I feel a little silly for not having tried this sooner. Yeah, now I risky mint dust or whatever in the phone. But it fits in my little purse. With keys and wallet. Oh - it's so cool.

Perceptions

One of the easiest ways to discover that not everyone views the world the way that you do is to talk about distance. Growing up in a large country and in an area with more than it's share of traffic, fifteen miles can easily take an hour. Going to meet someone who lives on the other side of town can take a bit, and yet, it's not considered a big thing. (There is of course the Virginia/Maryland divide wherein folks who live on one side often act as if huge effort is require to cross the river, but that's a whole other entry.)
I met a woman from Australia who lived in London for a bit. A guy she dated broke up with her because the forty minute (with traffic) distance for them to meet up was too much for him. (We scoffed.)
I talked with a woman in New Jersey who worked early hours (6:30am -3:30pm) because her commute was thirty miles. In reviewing someone's request to change networks (insurance stuff) she was shocked that the person indicated this change would put them thirty minutes from the nearest doctor - to her thirty minutes was thirty miles and that seemed way too long for a doctor.
More recently a new restaurant has opened up near work (finally) and several people who knew I had been to check it out asked if I drove and if so where did I park. This restaurant is two blocks away. They are long blocks, but there are only two. It is a ten minute walk.
Now, since inclusivity is a primary theme in my life these days, I recognize I have to allow for all sorts of walking preferences in life. I am not telling anyone they have to walk, although I have suggested it seems that getting the car out of our parking lot would take at least five minutes, and then finding parking another five, such that all gained time would be lost. (It would make sense on an icky day, but all the days these conversations have occurred were beautiful.) But to each their own.
Of course in my current car use reduced life, it is easier for me to opt for walking since my car is typically not at work with me. And since all told, I get close to a mile of walking in just getting myself to work, two blocks seems even less.
Of course, I was confronted with a contrasting example myself when in Bethesda recently. Being the downtown area that it is, there are multiple Starbucks to choose from. My friend and I had met in the vicinity of one, but opted to go to the other since it had outdoor seating. I had assumed one of us would drive until my friend started walking. And then I realized that really we are talking about six, maybe seven, blocks each way. Nothing really. And so walk we did. (Although upon our return my friend did comment she thought she had done her walking for the day.)

KTE Questionnaire

Knitters Treat Exchange Questionnaire

1. What's your favourite type of yarn?
I like soft yarns. I'm a big fan of cotton but also love non-scratchy wools, blends, silks and lots of other fibers.

2. What's your least favourite type of yarn?
I don't like scratchy yarn (although I still like Noro, so I am fickle).

3. What's the first thing you do when you visit a new yarn shop?
Walk around and touch yarn balls.

4. What other crafts do you do / would like to do?
I have made jewelry wire and beads, but I haven't done that much lately.

5. What magazines do you currently subscribe to?
Entertainment Weekly. (No crafty ones, I pick them up when the mood strikes.)

6. Put this type of magazine in order of preference:
Knitting
Fashion
Celebrity Gossip
Other Craft
Food
Crochet
Home
Garden

7. What items do you like to knit / crochet?
Pretty stuff. I started with scarves and bags and dishcloths. But now I have broken away from the square and have made some clothing items.

8. Are you allergic to anything?
Feathers.

9. What do you like to* smell of?
(*This is not a typo. The question is: What do you like to smell of)
Me. Or light vanilla or fruity scents - nothing overpowering or flowery.

10. What's your favourite way to relax?
Curl up with tea, a book, some knitting, and my cat. Or go to the beach (with knitting and a book.)

11. You're stood in front of a Victorian style sweetshop, an Italian cafe, an old fashioned bakery and a dainty tea room. Where do you go first?
Tea room.

12. What do you come out with?
A full stomach! I love going to afternoon or high tea and eating scones, and cookies, and sandwiches.

13. Where do you go next?
For a walk. And then to the sweetshop because I can get some stuff to eat when my stomach recovers.

14. Any other words of wisdom for your pal?
I'm very excited!

Edited because I realized I totally misunderstood #13.