It's the most wonderful?!?!?! time of the year.

All the heat lamps are on at each train platform. The appearance of down parkas has become the norm. The forecast mentions a chance of snow...and we're all reminded just how depressing it is to head to work in the dark.

Tis the season where I take the bus four blocks to the train because I'm too cold to walk the extra seven minutes.

It's the time of year where I sit much closer than is socially accepted no matter how crowded the train is, just to steal a little bit of warmth from my neighbor. Creepy, I know, but I seek to present you with an honest account of my CTA dealings at all times.

Pretty soon, we'll all be huddled around a heat lamp on the platform trying to avoid the cold, dark morning and remember winter doesn't last forever...just through March. Sometimes April. It's Chicago.