The DC subway looks much the same as my high school days from 1978-82, although a touch grittier to the eye and much grindier to the ear. Back then, the Red Line went only as far as Dupont Circle, necessitating a transfer to the northbound L4 or L8 bus for my journey. It was a long and boring ride in those days without smart phones, iTunes, audiobooks, podcasts, TikTok videos, Instagram, Facebook, etcetera. But maybe it’s best to just sit back and let the mind wander. I’ve read several recent articles proclaiming the creative benefits of boredom and the steady decline of our attention spans.
Last week I rode the subway and met five old high school era buddies at The Capital Grille in the, aptly named, Friendship Heights area. It’s mostly a comfort to know that the people in your life really don’t change much over the decades — particularly so if you’ve chosen your friends well. And what a blessing that you simply cannot put in airs with those who’ve known you since puberty. They serve as a ballast against your own ego. In the end, it feels wonderful to be known.
Great Exudations 