Here comes Santa Claus,
Here comes Santa Claus,
Right down Santa Claus lane!
That's what was playing when I stepped aboard the Santa Express Holiday Train! Yep, that's right, people, #22 on my 30 for 30, CHECK!!! I know, I really surprised myself, too. Anyone who knows me knows that I am the biggest, fattest procrastinator ever in my personal life (oddly enough, am the complete opposite at work, where I'm pretty darn good at keeping everyone in line and managing deadlines. In fact, my business card even says Dictator. Okay, no it doesn't, but I sure would like that!).
Things weren't looking good for checking this one off, as multiple opportunities flew by me this busy holiday season and I suddenly realized over the weekend that my last chance to ride the Holiday Train would be Tuesday on the Purple Express line near my work. Even as the nth hour approached I was doubtful I could get things done after having been out two full days on press checks and then leaving the next to FL for a week-long vaca. But somehow, managed to wrap things up at 5:18 pm on the nose as planned (so I had to skip out on the office holiday happy hour and race past the intern who tried to start up a Big Convo with me), leaving me with exactly five minutes to dart over to the nearby CTA station and greet the Holiday Train!
The first time I rode it, it was by accident. A happy accident, let's call it. I had happened upon the train on an underground line my first winter in Chicago. There was a real Santa (you mean Santa is real?) perched on a sleigh in between cars. I haven't ridden it since, and I'm glad I made the effort this year because the train really puts you in the holiday spirit. I merrily rode the Holiday Train home, humming to the old-time Christmas tunes broadcast overhead and gripping onto the poles wrapped like candy canes. There was a slightly eerie red and green glow inside the dimmed cars and lights twinkling outside the fake-frosted windows. Little elves bedecked each car, handing candy canes to good little boys and girls. (No joking.) I did not get one, in case you're wondering.
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