I had the most awesome compliment from a stranger today.
As most of you know (I hope), I ride a train to and from work every day. I take the 7:02 am for my ride in, and the 5:10 pm back home.
One thing that one does when riding the train, is to pay attention to your surroundings. People who ride trains are creatures of habit. They try to sit in the same seats, or the same car. So one learns the familiar faces. And when there's a change, one notices that too.
I sat on the bench on the platform reading my current book, as is my pattern. As I read, I watched the other trains go by. As the train before mine arrived, I rose to walk to the spot were I usually do, and hoped to catch the door of the train.
As I did so, I noticed the face of the woman already standing there. It was one of the recognizable ones. She rides to the end of line, as I do, and drives a Mini cooper. (She park in the same spot in the parking lot every day. Which I pass as I walk to the spot I park in every day. So, no, I'm not a stalker.)
I gave her a friendly smile and nod, acknowledging I recognized her as a 'regular'. She smiled back, and said to unto me:
"You read more than anyone I know."
I thanked her, and thought how awesome that was.
(Also I might have a bit of a problem. I think I tell stories too much.)