Keep On Keepin On

"Funny how the truth sounds so cliche."

Always liked that line from Jack Ingram's outlaw country-chic, Keep on Keepin On.

Some things ain't meant to be The best things in life are free And tomorrow is another day Funny how the truth sounds so cliche

Complete lyrics here.

The reason I bring this up today results from yesterdays agonizingly painful trip to Sea-Tac on the light rail train. I was escorting my nephew to Alaska Airlines so he could complete the return leg of his trip. There were problems with the downtown grid and the trains, normally quick, efficient and comfortable, were slow, laborious and maddening. Reminded me very much of Boston or New Your during peak usage. Worse, we were on a tight schedule.

We had little choice when the train finally showed up than to see if two additional sardines would fit. They did, barely. Then we would lurch for a mile, stop, wait, sweat, look at watches, move at snails pace, stop. On and on it went. I finally got some info from my iPhone that said the entire line was shut down. GREAT. Nice timing. Options: Get off at next stop and catch bus. Call a cab from iPhone. Or trust the operator in his last announcement that we, baring any additional disaster, would eventually make it to Sea-Tac, albeit a touch slower than usual.

My nephew looks at me with questioning eyes. I was the escort. I was the leader. I am the adult. I ride the rails and fly A LOT. I know what to do.

Don't I?

Asking 'What would Clooney do?' I try to listen to my inner guide to make a decision but all I can hear is his mother, my sister, screaming. "You missed the flight, how is that possible?"

Suddenly a twangy Telecaster guitar solo ends and Jack's gritty dirt road vocal comes front and center, stereo, Dolby 5.1.

Don't panic. Be patient. It will be OK. Relax. Tomorrow is another day.

Funny how the truth sounds so cliche.

Photo: Another reason to lose a few pounds: You can squeeze 10 skinny runners on a train in the same space that fits only 5 sumo wrestlers.