A Little Happy Music
I'm away from L.A. in San Francisco on business and I've decided, for various reasons, not to treat this like a typical business trip and instead travel in a way that makes sense -- no first class, no car and driver, no taxis.
Its been Southwest Airlines, self parking and The BART subway. Waiting for room service has been replaced by standing in line at the Coffee Bean.
Sitting on the subway platform this morning, sipping my coffee and listening to some music, I was reminded of my college days living in New York City and taking the train 30 minutes northwest to Sarah Lawrence College. All around me, people on their way to work, and me, not quite in with the masses, and yet feeling a bit like one of them.
There's something infinetely sad about Los Angeles not having a viable subway system. Unlike buses, a subway is the great equalizer. You don't necessarily take it because you can't afford a car -- you take it because its easier --unbound from traffic and stupid drivers and hassle -- something sensical amidst a city of chaos and uncertainty.
So why doesn't the BART system have more character? From walking into the station, waiting for a train and even sitting in your seat, the first thing you notice is the silence, punctuated only by the computer generated stop announcements. No music, no hum, no nothing. And so people sit quietly, almost glumly, isolated in their common experience.
Las vegas hotel designers discovered something a long time ago that makes a lot of sense. You know how if you get into a crowded elevator everyone gets very quiet and you stand staring dumbly at the digital floor counter? A real mood killer. It has something to do with a violation of your personal boundaries. Well, at places like the Wynn, they've eliminated this awkward silence and simultaneously taken elevator music to a new dimension -- matching music to the mood they want you to feel - going down you get rocking, sultry music that gets you pumped up and itching to spend some money, like the warm-up song just before a concert. On the way up, you get inspirational, comforting music that somehow makes you want to order room service and watch a pay per view movie.
So come on San Francisco BART officials, get happy. You've got something I can never have in L.A. Make it sing.
Its been Southwest Airlines, self parking and The BART subway. Waiting for room service has been replaced by standing in line at the Coffee Bean.
Sitting on the subway platform this morning, sipping my coffee and listening to some music, I was reminded of my college days living in New York City and taking the train 30 minutes northwest to Sarah Lawrence College. All around me, people on their way to work, and me, not quite in with the masses, and yet feeling a bit like one of them.
There's something infinetely sad about Los Angeles not having a viable subway system. Unlike buses, a subway is the great equalizer. You don't necessarily take it because you can't afford a car -- you take it because its easier --unbound from traffic and stupid drivers and hassle -- something sensical amidst a city of chaos and uncertainty.
So why doesn't the BART system have more character? From walking into the station, waiting for a train and even sitting in your seat, the first thing you notice is the silence, punctuated only by the computer generated stop announcements. No music, no hum, no nothing. And so people sit quietly, almost glumly, isolated in their common experience.
Las vegas hotel designers discovered something a long time ago that makes a lot of sense. You know how if you get into a crowded elevator everyone gets very quiet and you stand staring dumbly at the digital floor counter? A real mood killer. It has something to do with a violation of your personal boundaries. Well, at places like the Wynn, they've eliminated this awkward silence and simultaneously taken elevator music to a new dimension -- matching music to the mood they want you to feel - going down you get rocking, sultry music that gets you pumped up and itching to spend some money, like the warm-up song just before a concert. On the way up, you get inspirational, comforting music that somehow makes you want to order room service and watch a pay per view movie.
So come on San Francisco BART officials, get happy. You've got something I can never have in L.A. Make it sing.
posted by Lou at 3:04 PM
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