Mixed messages

On the first day back at work after Bush's second inauguration, riding on the Metro, written on the back of the seat in front of me in black marker: "expect resistance."

Days later, a young woman sat on a plastic milk crate at the top of the Metro escalator holding a sign that said, "I love you."

According to a note floridly scrawled in three colors on the shelter at the commuter train station, Rachel and Tim will be together 4-ever. I wish them the best.

For the duration of the trip to Washington, the digital sign on the train says, UNIT OK 663901.