Muse

noun
(in Greek and Roman mythology) each of nine goddesses, the daughters of Zeus and Mnemosyne, who preside over the arts and sciences.
(muse) a woman, or a force personified as a woman, who is the source of inspiration for a creative artist.

As the week stumbles to a close, I’m about ready to collapse into a heap from exhaustion. Even with the killer hours at work, the first week’s return to the life of a Subway Jockey agrees with me so far, what with the relaxing ride into work in the late-morning/early-afternoon, and the quiet ride home after the rush hour’s end.

I’d forgotten the joy it was, mind flooding with words as I bop along the rails running raggedly to and fro (oops-I’ve been writing for the Cavalcade again, where alliteration is a rule rather than the exception). You always hear about creators and their muses, the impetus and inspiration behind such creations as the Sistine Chapel, Mona Lisa, and A Streetcar Named Desire. Do I think examinations on Nazi-exploitation films and shapeshifting anti-heroes compare to those great earth-shaking creations? Of course not. But the subway is my muse, nonetheless.

In the two years since I departed these dark tunnels, I’ve written nothing deeper than light journalism. In the 4 days I’ve been back on the train, I’m already halfway through my second essay. It may be nothing deeper than a simple blog post, but at least I’m exercising that atrophied creative writing muscle again! If I keep this up, something-something will come of it, that I’m sure.

A few have asked me to get around to telling why I’m back on the train in the first place, and seeing as how I’m 296 words in, I suppose I should get to it, being that it’s a rather short tale: My job changed locations, and it’s now far simpler for me to get to work via the metro. Good for the environment, good for me. Of course, until some things get sorted out at the office, I’m now working 6-day-weeks. Still, I have it on good authority that not only is that going to be sorted out soon, my paycheck is about to get a nice bump as well. Besides, I love my job as the Dark IT God of Express™. Not only is it pure geek fun to do, it opened doors for my career as a professional writer to boot!

One final thing: Writing journalism has taught me is to get in and get out, telling my story as succinctly as possible. Granted, it robs my writing of most of its personality, but it’s still effective-especially when you don’t have much to say to begin with. So with that in mind I’ll close this little missive, and bid you a good night.