i didn't know i liked trains until i had to start taking them all the time - they're not really a common mode of transportation in the high plains; the rocky mountain menu offers you a selection of a long car trip or an expensive flight.

i've taken a train to someplace no less than 10 times in the last five months, and while i don't think they'll be booming out west again any time soon, i have been working on a list of why trains are the next airplanes (so meta!):

1. there's no seatbelt. there's also no corresponding interlude from the flight attendant heckling you to fasten it. in fact, there's no attendant that heckles you at all, except to show your ticket. then you pretty much get to do whatever you want. trains allow you to live on the edge (like slash did in the LIVIN' ON THE EDGE VIDEO where he had to get out of the way of the what? THE TRAIN.).

2. you're usually connected - trains have the added bonus of wi-fi. not only that, but they have power outlets right there at your seat. iPod battery dead? charge it! cell phone low? charge it! laptop? plug it in! electric shaver? turn it on! food processor? set it to chop! need to plug in your reading lamp? no problem!

3. they're dependable. trains are on time, usually never delayed, and very, very rarely cancelled.

4. SNACK CAR.

5. i saw jeffrey sebelia at 30th street station yesterday. he was standing in line with everybody else to get to the platform, and i told him i'd be remiss if i didn't say hello and that i was a fan, and he said oh thank you! and then i left him alone. this has nothing to do with why trains are better than airplanes, but i didn't know how else to fit in the anecdote, so merry christmas.

trains, i choo-choo-choose you.