I don't know what it is about the VTA's Light Rail, but it's a sleep-inducing vehicle. One minute I'm typing away on my Palm V and the next minute I'm conked out (and typing considerably less). Minutes later, I'm awake, groggy and massaging my neck from dosing off in a highly uncomfortable seat. This proclivity for mass transit slumbering worries me for three reasons.

1. Safety. I'm sure everybody who rides the VTA is a nice and decent person who would never think of robbing, hurting or applying make up to a sleeping stranger, but do I really want to find out? I'd like to believe that those around me are mostly hard-working, law-abiding and environmentally-conscious citizens, but overhearing a few guys discussing parole or their latest stint in jail causes doubt to creep into my mind.

2. Comfort. The seats are very uncomfortable, but apparently, not enough to cause sleep deprivation. They are metal buckets with blue cloth coverings that provide little cushioning. The backs are low and to rest your neck, you must slide down until your butt is off the chair and your knees are pressed against the seat in front of you. If you choose not to slide, your head will fall forward and you'll be perfectly positioned to drool onto your own lap. It's not a pretty picture in either case.

3. Productivity. I like reading and writing during my commute. It is two hours out of the day set aside for relaxation and creativity, so it's disturbing to see sleep encroaching on it. While I have nothing against sleep, I prefer it to happen in a bed or on a couch where the likelihood of muscle cramps and lipstick applications are greatly reduced. How frustrating it is that the same rhythm and motion that invigorates the imagination also causes drowsiness.

As far as I can remember, the sleep effect has only ever struck on the ride home, but never on my way to work. It must have been the lack of coffee in my system or the down I was feeling after a three-day weekend high that caused my eyes to close this morning. I need to figure out how to fight the fatigue so that sleeping on the go becomes a habit of the past.