I realize what I love reading the most on the train is specialized stuff -- people studying for a nursing test, or reading financial reports from their job, or whatever. It's the glimpse into other people's worlds that I love about living in the city.

I try and sneak reads in airplanes. But with the understanding that I'm smackable if caught. It's like Jesse said -- their work is alien and fascinating.

right. no need for twice.

I only try to sneak reads of magazines. anything else is too much of a commitment.

obsessively not doing work. I tried to give the work that I completed to others, but they were out of their offices.

I try and sneak reads in airplanes. But with the understanding that I'm smackable if caught. It's like Jesse said -- their work is alien and fascinating.

Does that include laptops? What you try to sneak read, I mean, not what you're smackable with.

Bwah. I'm listening to a seven minute voicemail left in error by someone who was transferred (again in error) to my extension and is pissed that no one can take her call. She thinks she's hung up -- so I heard her cursing, and now her and husband are yelling at the kid.

I'll get these kind of messages only the person doesn't know that their cell phone (most likely in a pocket) dialed the number without knowing it and I get to hear lengthy messages about two adults fighting and cussing at each other. Those get deleted immediately, I don't wait for it to finish.

On trains, I sneak-watch movies on other people's laptops all the time. (Since it's usually something I've seen, and don't need sound to appreciate.)

On the subway, I live far enough from the city that I generally get a seat, and then I'm reading my own stuff, or playing Bejeweled on my Clie.

I have a horrible time when someone has a laptop on a plane. It's like the tv on at a bar. My eyes are just drawn to it. It's distracting and I really try not to read what's on the screen.

OTOH, last time I did, the guy was someone giving a presentation to headquarters about something Really Important to my workplace, and I was able to tell him where to find some useful public information to plump up his argument.

Those get deleted immediately, I don't wait for it to finish.

When it's a stranger, it's even better than reading someone's book over their shoulder. It's like reading their life.

Does that include laptops?

Impossible to avoid trying. Usually it's really boring (like that kid who spent an entire flight rolling and re-rolling his character in some D&Dlike game -- he really didn't value intelligence or charisma), but still.

I have been in situations where my T-neighbor realizes I am reading along, and moves how he holds the book so that I can read more easily. Rarely, they will pause and wait for a nod before turning the page. I think it's cool! Symbiotic, like.

Something like this gives me hope in humanity.