Nightcrawler

There's something about walking home in the middle of the night thats oddly peaceful. Chicago beween 2 and 4 AM is like an entirely different place. People and busses are scarce, shops are closed up, and everything is quiet. Is almost shocking to encounter another person.

Last night, as I half stumbled up Pulaski Rd, in search of the blue line el, I was embarking on a new adventure when the night should have been ending. I had said goodnight to all the metal punks, and the crusties, and the goons as I slammed back a last PBR tall boy, my ears still ringing from Disrobe and Caustic Christ. I was craving a burrito.

As I walked, I grew more and more hungry. I imagined that every lit store front and neon sign was a taqueria, and each time was disappointed by a closed auto parts shop, or tattoo shop, and eventually a place called "Best Burrito", which was also closed. I eventually found the El stop at Irving Park, about 2 miles from Metal Shaker where I had started. I also found a Shell/ subway/ Dunkin donuts mega gas station, and gave up on my burrito craving for a bag of Doritos and some M&M's.

2:10 am, and I'm getting on the blue line with the sleeping homeless. I'm trying to drop the feeling of invading someones bedroom as I listen to Rancid on my iPod and eat my Dorito's. We pull into Western, and the 3rd leg of my adventure is ready to begin. I find my way down the stairs, through the turnstile, and out of the station to the bus stop, just in time to see the bus pulling away.

2:25 am, and there won't be another bus for about 30 min. Rancid ends, and I switch to the Ting-Tings to pass the time. I sit at North and Western, fighting to stay awake as I watch the people and traffic go by. I start to wonder why I had decided not to ride my bike tonight. I try not to think about how I could have been home already.

I finally get on the bus just before 3am. I get off at Cermak, and begin walking again. 1 mile to go. 1 mile till bed. 10 more minutes of walking, and my early morning public transportation adventure is over, at least till next weekend.