“Take the Train to the Game” they say, Many listen, Übercrowding

So as transit agencies have declared for a while, “Take the Train to the Game,” so I did. Having received tickets to the USA vs. Brazil soccer game at New Meadowlands Stadium, I arranged to meet a friend (who was driving) at the stadium and I would take the train in. Coming in from the 7th Avenue subway and LIRR concourse, the first thing I noticed as I reached the top of the escalator was a REALLY long queue. I followed it to see where it leads, and as you may expect, it leads around a corner and to a bank of four New Jersey Transit ticket vending machines. Near those vending machines was another queue for a more distant bank of vending machines, and near those was another queue for a third bank of vending machines.

Someone Wants Me to Defect?!?

The other day, I received this e-mail.

****Calling on all LDS Soccer fans in New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Connecticut!!! Come and see Real Salt Lake take on Red Bull-NY
When: Saturday September 29, 2007
Where: Giants Stadium
Times: Gather at the stadium at 5:30pm to meet, tailgate, and practice songs and chants.
We will all march as a large group into the stadium by 6:30pm Our Goal is to bring 50 to 100 Real Salt Lake supporters from all over the Tri-State area to Giants Stadium. One important benefit for this game is: -Reduced price in tickets ($18 per ticket for groups of 15 people or more) But you must Act Now!!! Time is Running Short!!! And the Day will be here before we know it!!! We Need a word of commitment and $18 up front by (8/12) in order to participate.

Now, I'm not a big soccer fan. Tell you the truth, I'm not much of a soccer fan at all. But when I saw this e-mail, I was surprised. They want New York people to support a visiting soccer team? What's up with that? It's like telling a bunch of New York Yankees fans to root for the Boston Red Sox!

GO RED BULLS!