chuga chuga choo choo

Conductor from the Polar
Express movie. He isn't
real. It's a cartoon, silly.

Disclaimer: This may not seem super hilarious to you, but I assure you that after riding the same route five days a week and hearing the same announcements, this is really a special treat.  I ride two trains to (and from) work each and every day.  For the most part, the conductors on the trains are in good moods, or in “no mood at all”.  (I mostly fall into the “no mood at all” category in the morning because I am awake, but still sleeping, and am in a good mood on my way home – just for your reference.)  As of recently, the conductors have been in great moods in the morning.  One of them had us laughing today as he announced, “Next stop is Newark Penn Station, home of the 3-time World Cup Champions the NJ Devils”.  That may not be the correct stat, but you get the gist.  Another morning not too long ago, a conductor announced, “Next stop beautiful Newark, New Jersey, BEA-U-TI-FUL Newark, New Jersey” (which we all know is the biggest joke in the world because Newark is not very beautiful and smells funny).  One of the older conductors retired a few weeks ago and the following day the conductors all had life-size head shots of him taped to their backs.  I think the crew missed him.  I kind of did, too.  They really all seem like a bunch of wise guys, if you ask me.