I have to say, last year was worse.
All the high school kids had to report to classes today.
They were all jammed on the bus...but last year, I barely was able to get on...This year, I blazed a trail to the back and sat down. Pretty good.
There was a woman standing in front of me. She was trying to open the emergency exit hatch at the top of the bus. I really don't know why she was doing that.
Maybe she was hot. No matter, I didn't think it was a good idea for her to play with AN EMERGENCY EXIT HATCH.
She was also yelling at the bus driver: "What are you stopping? You're not getting anybody to get on. Keep going!"
This is my second to last MBTA trip to work. The blog goes into Mach 3 starting next Tuesday.
------------------------------
Bus Departure Time: 7:11
Bus Arrival Time: 7:31
T Departure Time: 7:32
T Arrival Time: 7:53
Weather as I call it: Sunny and cool. Getting used to this...!
Level of commute annoyance (scale of 1 to 10): 3
Feared for my life: Nah
Showing posts with label MBTA Bus. Show all posts
Showing posts with label MBTA Bus. Show all posts
8/28/2008
8/25/2008
Choo Choo Charlie
"Choo-choo Charlie had a plenty good band but he couldn't understand why no one would go..."
There were freshman girls on the bus...giggling and talking on their cell phones.
I just looked up when the first day of class will be for the high schoolers.
Looks like all students are to report to school on Thursday.
I don't think the bus schedule goes back to normal time until after the holiday.
Thursday is going to be good.
------------------------------
Bus Departure Time: 7:10
Bus Arrival Time: 7:25
T Departure Time: 7:25
T Arrival Time: 7:48
Weather as I call it: Partly sunny. Warm
Level of commute annoyance (scale of 1 to 10): 2
Feared for my life: Nah
There were freshman girls on the bus...giggling and talking on their cell phones.
I just looked up when the first day of class will be for the high schoolers.
Looks like all students are to report to school on Thursday.
I don't think the bus schedule goes back to normal time until after the holiday.
Thursday is going to be good.
------------------------------
Bus Departure Time: 7:10
Bus Arrival Time: 7:25
T Departure Time: 7:25
T Arrival Time: 7:48
Weather as I call it: Partly sunny. Warm
Level of commute annoyance (scale of 1 to 10): 2
Feared for my life: Nah
5/13/2008
MBTA Bus Shouting Match
Today just wasn't a happy, friendly day. People were cranky. Not sure what to attribute it to...maybe the Celtics' lack of playoff wins on the road. I don't know.
There was a scary exchange of heated words on the bus. It got to the point that I thought some fists would fly...or other things flying. Let's start from the beginning.
The two people involved I will describe as "Old Guy" and "H.S. Kid" (You can probably guess where this is going). When I got on the bus, H.S. Kid was already sitting. I sat down in the seat in front of him. Old Guy got on at the next stop. He walked down the aisle and walked up the three steps that separates the back and the front of these new fangled buses. He asked the teenage girl across from me if the seat that she had her bag resting on was taken. She nodded, "No". and moved her bag. He sat down. Behind me, I heard H.S. Kid mumble something about, "You don't have to ask if the seat's taken...you just have to sit down." Apparently, he has his own opinions about MBTA Bus etiquette. I don't think Old Guy heard him because he didn't react to the kid's mumbles, but this incident is worth noting...a sort of preamble of what was to come. It seemed H.S. Kid already had an issue with Old Guy.
I guess it's also worth noting a few other things:
- The teenage girl promptly got up and moved to another seat 5 seconds after Old Guy sat down.
- Based on my own sense of smell, I caught a whiff of alcohol as Old Guy walked by.
- Based on my own eyesight, he was carrying a large black trash bag that was filled to half of its capacity.
As the bus ride continued, more and more people filed on until it seemed the bus could take no more. Old Guy noticed there was standing room in the back of the bus and shouted out, "There's plenty of room back here if you people weren't too lazy to move back!"
H.S. Kid took offense. "Why don't you shut up?" he retorted. "Picking on 15 year olds...you're probably pretty lazy yourself!"
A volley of "Shut ups" and "Screw Yous" took place...then comments related to their mothers and fathers were spoken. At that point, I started to tune out since it was getting to be very uncomfortable.
When the language got particularly ugly, a bystander yelled at the H.S. Kid and said, "Hey, there are kids on this bus!"...referring to the two baby carriages that were riding along with us.
H.S. Kid's response was, "I don't care!" He went on to explain he didn't care because he wasn't going to back down from Old Guy. Everyone, including myself, looked like they were trying to will themselves invisible.
As the H.S. Kid got off the bus, he did comment about the Old Guy's intoxication at this early hour. After the door closed, Old Guy had some things to say about what he was going to do to H.S. kid...things that I would have to testify in a court of law if need be.
Once a year, there's a loud argument between strangers on the bus and you just pray it doesn't get violent...especially when logic and humanity is seemingly vacant from the proceedings.
Beyond that, the Orange Line ride was full of delays. Some based on the train just stopping in between stops...Some based on people in the way of the doors closing.
The conductor was shouting at people at State and Downtown Crossing.
Sometimes this town is a morass of negativity.
------------------------------
Bus Departure Time: 6:58
Bus Arrival Time: 7:15
T Departure Time: 7:16
T Arrival Time: 7:41
Weather as I call it: Partly sunny, cool, 47 degrees
Level of commute annoyance (scale of 1 to 10): 6
Feared for my life: Somewhat
There was a scary exchange of heated words on the bus. It got to the point that I thought some fists would fly...or other things flying. Let's start from the beginning.
The two people involved I will describe as "Old Guy" and "H.S. Kid" (You can probably guess where this is going). When I got on the bus, H.S. Kid was already sitting. I sat down in the seat in front of him. Old Guy got on at the next stop. He walked down the aisle and walked up the three steps that separates the back and the front of these new fangled buses. He asked the teenage girl across from me if the seat that she had her bag resting on was taken. She nodded, "No". and moved her bag. He sat down. Behind me, I heard H.S. Kid mumble something about, "You don't have to ask if the seat's taken...you just have to sit down." Apparently, he has his own opinions about MBTA Bus etiquette. I don't think Old Guy heard him because he didn't react to the kid's mumbles, but this incident is worth noting...a sort of preamble of what was to come. It seemed H.S. Kid already had an issue with Old Guy.
I guess it's also worth noting a few other things:
- The teenage girl promptly got up and moved to another seat 5 seconds after Old Guy sat down.
- Based on my own sense of smell, I caught a whiff of alcohol as Old Guy walked by.
- Based on my own eyesight, he was carrying a large black trash bag that was filled to half of its capacity.
As the bus ride continued, more and more people filed on until it seemed the bus could take no more. Old Guy noticed there was standing room in the back of the bus and shouted out, "There's plenty of room back here if you people weren't too lazy to move back!"
H.S. Kid took offense. "Why don't you shut up?" he retorted. "Picking on 15 year olds...you're probably pretty lazy yourself!"
A volley of "Shut ups" and "Screw Yous" took place...then comments related to their mothers and fathers were spoken. At that point, I started to tune out since it was getting to be very uncomfortable.
When the language got particularly ugly, a bystander yelled at the H.S. Kid and said, "Hey, there are kids on this bus!"...referring to the two baby carriages that were riding along with us.
H.S. Kid's response was, "I don't care!" He went on to explain he didn't care because he wasn't going to back down from Old Guy. Everyone, including myself, looked like they were trying to will themselves invisible.
As the H.S. Kid got off the bus, he did comment about the Old Guy's intoxication at this early hour. After the door closed, Old Guy had some things to say about what he was going to do to H.S. kid...things that I would have to testify in a court of law if need be.
Once a year, there's a loud argument between strangers on the bus and you just pray it doesn't get violent...especially when logic and humanity is seemingly vacant from the proceedings.
Beyond that, the Orange Line ride was full of delays. Some based on the train just stopping in between stops...Some based on people in the way of the doors closing.
The conductor was shouting at people at State and Downtown Crossing.
Sometimes this town is a morass of negativity.
------------------------------
Bus Departure Time: 6:58
Bus Arrival Time: 7:15
T Departure Time: 7:16
T Arrival Time: 7:41
Weather as I call it: Partly sunny, cool, 47 degrees
Level of commute annoyance (scale of 1 to 10): 6
Feared for my life: Somewhat
4/10/2008
Missing Bus Again
All right. Back to normal again.
But not so normal.
First, the bigger issue: There used to be two buses that ran the route around 7 o'clock. Now, there is only one. "They" took it away... Boo.
Today, the only one that runs around 7 o'clock didn't show up. So we had to wait until 7:09 to get the next one..which was filled to capacity two stops later...and started to pass crowded bus stops until we got to the high school.
Not fun. Plenty of "WTF" looks along the route.
------------------------------
Bus Departure Time: 7:09
Bus Arrival Time: 7:21
T Departure Time: 7:24
T Arrival Time: 7:45
Weather as I call it: Sunny, mild...near 50.
Level of commute annoyance (scale of 1 to 10): 4
Feared for my life: Nah
But not so normal.
First, the bigger issue: There used to be two buses that ran the route around 7 o'clock. Now, there is only one. "They" took it away... Boo.
Today, the only one that runs around 7 o'clock didn't show up. So we had to wait until 7:09 to get the next one..which was filled to capacity two stops later...and started to pass crowded bus stops until we got to the high school.
Not fun. Plenty of "WTF" looks along the route.
------------------------------
Bus Departure Time: 7:09
Bus Arrival Time: 7:21
T Departure Time: 7:24
T Arrival Time: 7:45
Weather as I call it: Sunny, mild...near 50.
Level of commute annoyance (scale of 1 to 10): 4
Feared for my life: Nah
4/03/2008
Herky Jerky
The bus was braking for all sorts of things today. Not sure if there were a lot of bumper stickers around stating "I Brake For such and such" and the driver wanted to support the causes....but it was a herky jerky ride today.
------------------------------
Bus Departure Time: 6:58
Bus Arrival Time: 7:14
T Departure Time: 7:16
T Arrival Time: 7:37
Weather as I call it: Sunny less windy...high 30s
Level of commute annoyance (scale of 1 to 10): 2
Feared for my life: Nah
------------------------------
Bus Departure Time: 6:58
Bus Arrival Time: 7:14
T Departure Time: 7:16
T Arrival Time: 7:37
Weather as I call it: Sunny less windy...high 30s
Level of commute annoyance (scale of 1 to 10): 2
Feared for my life: Nah
4/02/2008
Red Light Running
Amazing! This morning the bus ran a red light...and I'm not talking the aw-it-was-yellow-just-a-second-ago-and-we-are-halfway-through-the-intersection running of a red light.
More like: It's-been-red-for-a-while-and-the-driver-just-spaced-it running of a red light.
There were looks of horror! There were horn blasts! There were exclamations of "WTF?"
Nothing more than that though, thankfully. No injuries or damages happened.
------------------------------
Bus Departure Time: 7:00
Bus Arrival Time: 7:15
T Departure Time: 7:16
T Arrival Time: 7:37
Weather as I call it: Sunny...but colder, more windy. High 30s
Level of commute annoyance (scale of 1 to 10): 2
Feared for my life: A bit.
More like: It's-been-red-for-a-while-and-the-driver-just-spaced-it running of a red light.
There were looks of horror! There were horn blasts! There were exclamations of "WTF?"
Nothing more than that though, thankfully. No injuries or damages happened.
------------------------------
Bus Departure Time: 7:00
Bus Arrival Time: 7:15
T Departure Time: 7:16
T Arrival Time: 7:37
Weather as I call it: Sunny...but colder, more windy. High 30s
Level of commute annoyance (scale of 1 to 10): 2
Feared for my life: A bit.
3/19/2008
Sure We Can Stop For You
One stop away from Malden Center, a guy "flagged" the bus down. He explained his whole story as he got on...saying he usually walks but it started to rain and he had the pass on him so he thought 'what the hey' and he decided to take the bus because why should he walk in the rain when he has a pass and the bus was right there.
Ok guy. Now just sit down so we can get going.
------------------------------
Bus Departure Time: 7:02
Bus Arrival Time: 7:15
T Departure Time: 7:18
T Arrival Time: 7:38
Weather as I call it: Freezing rain began to come down. Crappy.
Level of commute annoyance (scale of 1 to 10): 2
Feared for my life: Nah
Ok guy. Now just sit down so we can get going.
------------------------------
Bus Departure Time: 7:02
Bus Arrival Time: 7:15
T Departure Time: 7:18
T Arrival Time: 7:38
Weather as I call it: Freezing rain began to come down. Crappy.
Level of commute annoyance (scale of 1 to 10): 2
Feared for my life: Nah
3/18/2008
Earphone Sharing
I looked back at my earlier posts and I saw that I did write something about sharing music on the T, but that was more in line with involuntary sharing; i.e. people listening to their iPod so loudly that you had no choice but to listen along.
Today, I witnessed two instances of voluntary music sharing. On the bus and on the T, there were two people who would take one ear piece each and listen along to whatever was playing on the iPod.
It brought a smile to my face. Something about sharing. It's a good thing.
------------------------------
Bus Departure Time: 7:00
Bus Arrival Time: 7:16
T Departure Time: 7:16
T Arrival Time: 7:337
Weather as I call it: Sunny but still chilly.
Level of commute annoyance (scale of 1 to 10): 1
Feared for my life: Nope.
Today, I witnessed two instances of voluntary music sharing. On the bus and on the T, there were two people who would take one ear piece each and listen along to whatever was playing on the iPod.
It brought a smile to my face. Something about sharing. It's a good thing.
------------------------------
Bus Departure Time: 7:00
Bus Arrival Time: 7:16
T Departure Time: 7:16
T Arrival Time: 7:337
Weather as I call it: Sunny but still chilly.
Level of commute annoyance (scale of 1 to 10): 1
Feared for my life: Nope.
3/06/2008
Comedy on the T
I didn't post yesterday but I will talk about both trips (today and yesterday) in this post. The stats will be for this day, though.
Yesterday, two guys got on the bus and they had a comedy routine going. One guy was just shouting out things...to the point where you ask yourself, "Is this really happening?" It got off to a rough start because he was complaining out loud about the woman in front of him not having her money ready when the bus pulled up.
He was commenting loudly about her lack of common sense and wondering what this world was coming to with people who weren't prepared "for anything".
He then started to rant about the 12 step program and how he would rewrite it. With shouts like, "The first step is to take a toke!", I was hoping this ride would never end.
Today, the bus went over a big pot hole on Centre St in Malden. There was a big 'whoop!' from the ladies who were sitting in the back of the bus. One of the ladies exclaimed, "That's probably going to be the biggest excitement we have all day!"
Potholes are pretty exciting but I wish these ladies something pleasant and more exciting today.
------------------------------
Bus Departure Time: 6:58
Bus Arrival Time: 7:12
T Departure Time: 7:16
T Arrival Time: 7:37
Weather as I call it: Sunny, cooler, 30s
Level of commute annoyance (scale of 1 to 10): 2
Feared for my life: Nah
Yesterday, two guys got on the bus and they had a comedy routine going. One guy was just shouting out things...to the point where you ask yourself, "Is this really happening?" It got off to a rough start because he was complaining out loud about the woman in front of him not having her money ready when the bus pulled up.
He was commenting loudly about her lack of common sense and wondering what this world was coming to with people who weren't prepared "for anything".
He then started to rant about the 12 step program and how he would rewrite it. With shouts like, "The first step is to take a toke!", I was hoping this ride would never end.
Today, the bus went over a big pot hole on Centre St in Malden. There was a big 'whoop!' from the ladies who were sitting in the back of the bus. One of the ladies exclaimed, "That's probably going to be the biggest excitement we have all day!"
Potholes are pretty exciting but I wish these ladies something pleasant and more exciting today.
------------------------------
Bus Departure Time: 6:58
Bus Arrival Time: 7:12
T Departure Time: 7:16
T Arrival Time: 7:37
Weather as I call it: Sunny, cooler, 30s
Level of commute annoyance (scale of 1 to 10): 2
Feared for my life: Nah
2/08/2008
You Need To Signal
There was (another) new bus driver today and he almost drove by our stop. His explanation was that we needed to signal him if we wanted him to stop.
Huh?
Dude. It's 7 o'clock in the morning. There's 5 of us standing around waiting. There's only one bus route that drives by this stop. I don't think there is a need to signal.
Usually when other bus drivers see our crowd, they understand our unspoken message of: "We would like to board and ride your bus after paying the fare."
------------------------------
Bus Departure Time: 6:59
Bus Arrival Time: 7:14
T Departure Time: 7:15
T Arrival Time: 7:37
Weather as I call it: Cloudy and cold
Level of commute annoyance (scale of 1 to 10): 2
Feared for my life: Nope
Huh?
Dude. It's 7 o'clock in the morning. There's 5 of us standing around waiting. There's only one bus route that drives by this stop. I don't think there is a need to signal.
Usually when other bus drivers see our crowd, they understand our unspoken message of: "We would like to board and ride your bus after paying the fare."
------------------------------
Bus Departure Time: 6:59
Bus Arrival Time: 7:14
T Departure Time: 7:15
T Arrival Time: 7:37
Weather as I call it: Cloudy and cold
Level of commute annoyance (scale of 1 to 10): 2
Feared for my life: Nope
2/07/2008
The Bus Driver Means Business
Ok, for the past few weeks (I think) the bus drivers in the morning have been no nonsense. You get on the bus, they close the door before you pay, they are hitting the accelerator once they hear the beep of your CharlieCard being accepted. Good stuff.
The bus driver guy today was pretty intense. He was all about braking at the very last second. When he came to our stop, his speedy entry made for a nice splash of water, slush, and snow that my fellow travelers and I had to avoid.
By the next stop, he almost hit somebody crossing the street.
He was all about using the hydraulic lowering mechanism that all the new buses have. Usually it used only when an elderly passenger is getting on, but he was using it for every stop...no matter who was getting on.
When the bus got too full, he stood up (while the bus was stopped), turned around to face the passengers, and pleaded with everyone to please move back so that he could continue to drive because he could not proceed with people standing in front on the yellow line.
People moved back, but his methods were out of character of the typical MBTA bus driver.
------------------------------
Bus Departure Time: 6:57
Bus Arrival Time: 7:13
T Departure Time: 7:15
T Arrival Time: 7:37
Weather as I call it: Light snow
Level of commute annoyance (scale of 1 to 10): 2
Feared for my life: No
The bus driver guy today was pretty intense. He was all about braking at the very last second. When he came to our stop, his speedy entry made for a nice splash of water, slush, and snow that my fellow travelers and I had to avoid.
By the next stop, he almost hit somebody crossing the street.
He was all about using the hydraulic lowering mechanism that all the new buses have. Usually it used only when an elderly passenger is getting on, but he was using it for every stop...no matter who was getting on.
When the bus got too full, he stood up (while the bus was stopped), turned around to face the passengers, and pleaded with everyone to please move back so that he could continue to drive because he could not proceed with people standing in front on the yellow line.
People moved back, but his methods were out of character of the typical MBTA bus driver.
------------------------------
Bus Departure Time: 6:57
Bus Arrival Time: 7:13
T Departure Time: 7:15
T Arrival Time: 7:37
Weather as I call it: Light snow
Level of commute annoyance (scale of 1 to 10): 2
Feared for my life: No
1/30/2008
Why Aren't We All Sick?
Germ warfare is a part of riding the MBTA. I am not sure everyone is a conscious participant in the germ war, but I am. It is a full-on fight not to catch the ugly virus that is making the person next to you hack and cough in the most disgusting ways.
People...please cover your mouth when you cough. I don't want to be sick. I don't want what you have. Even though my immune system has evolved and has been fortified due to my ridership on the T, I am still human. My body cannot fight off every flu or cold virus out there...especially when I am exposed to it in the cold confines of the bus and/or Orange Line.
I might need to start wearing rubber gloves and a surgical mask.
------------------------------
Bus Departure Time: 7:02
Bus Arrival Time: 7:16
T Departure Time: 7:16
T Arrival Time: 7:38
Weather as I call it: Mild for a January morning. 40s. Cloudy
Level of commute annoyance (scale of 1 to 10): 4 Please STOP COUGHING ON ME!
Feared for my life: Depends.
People...please cover your mouth when you cough. I don't want to be sick. I don't want what you have. Even though my immune system has evolved and has been fortified due to my ridership on the T, I am still human. My body cannot fight off every flu or cold virus out there...especially when I am exposed to it in the cold confines of the bus and/or Orange Line.
I might need to start wearing rubber gloves and a surgical mask.
------------------------------
Bus Departure Time: 7:02
Bus Arrival Time: 7:16
T Departure Time: 7:16
T Arrival Time: 7:38
Weather as I call it: Mild for a January morning. 40s. Cloudy
Level of commute annoyance (scale of 1 to 10): 4 Please STOP COUGHING ON ME!
Feared for my life: Depends.
1/10/2008
They Need The Space
Bus came right on time today...but so did all the passengers. I ended up standing in the back. I hate the guys that take up three seats in the back of the bus.
These are the seats that do not face forward, they face the side of the bus.
It's not because they are large, they just feel like they have to spread their limbs and their stuff across all three seats. No need to make room for anybody else.
They need the space.
------------------------------
Bus Departure Time: 6:57
Bus Arrival Time: 7:13
T Departure Time: 7:17
T Arrival Time: 7:38
Weather as I call it: Partial sun..a little cooler...around 40 degrees
Level of commute annoyance (scale of 1 to 10): 2
Feared for my life: No
These are the seats that do not face forward, they face the side of the bus.
It's not because they are large, they just feel like they have to spread their limbs and their stuff across all three seats. No need to make room for anybody else.
They need the space.
------------------------------
Bus Departure Time: 6:57
Bus Arrival Time: 7:13
T Departure Time: 7:17
T Arrival Time: 7:38
Weather as I call it: Partial sun..a little cooler...around 40 degrees
Level of commute annoyance (scale of 1 to 10): 2
Feared for my life: No
1/07/2008
Plenty of Room in Back
Bus Departure Time: 7:01
Bus Arrival Time: 7:18
T Departure Time: 7:22
T Arrival Time: 7:43
Weather as I call it: 40s and cloudy
Level of commute annoyance (scale of 1 to 10): 1
Feared for my life: No
------------------------------
Bus was pretty full today. I had the fortune of being able to sit. A woman who stood beside me had her duffle bag placed on my lap. I didn't mind.
The driver kept telling people to move back, but people were trying to stand their ground..trying to avoid the three steps.
You see, these new buses have rear sections that are set above the rest of the seating. There are three steps that lead to this elevated section and act as an invisible barrier...keeping the majority of the passengers out.
Finally, the bus driver had to point out that there was plenty of room in the back...and other passengers help spread his message. Eventually, people walked up the stairs to stand in the back.
Bus Arrival Time: 7:18
T Departure Time: 7:22
T Arrival Time: 7:43
Weather as I call it: 40s and cloudy
Level of commute annoyance (scale of 1 to 10): 1
Feared for my life: No
------------------------------
Bus was pretty full today. I had the fortune of being able to sit. A woman who stood beside me had her duffle bag placed on my lap. I didn't mind.
The driver kept telling people to move back, but people were trying to stand their ground..trying to avoid the three steps.
You see, these new buses have rear sections that are set above the rest of the seating. There are three steps that lead to this elevated section and act as an invisible barrier...keeping the majority of the passengers out.
Finally, the bus driver had to point out that there was plenty of room in the back...and other passengers help spread his message. Eventually, people walked up the stairs to stand in the back.
1/04/2008
A Little Warmer Today
Bus Departure Time: 6:58
Bus Arrival Time: 7:12
T Departure Time: 7:14
T Arrival Time: 7:34
Weather as I call it: 10 degrees out, but that's warmer than yesterday.
Level of commute annoyance (scale of 1 to 10): 1
Feared for my life: Nope
------------------------------
Everything was running on time again...which made the cold temps bearable.
The bus driver did not have a good time with brakes. He made jerky stops the whole way. It was disconcerting.
Not sure what's up with the bus route, but we have not gone done Pleasant St. at all this week. I overheard the bus driver telling a passenger that the city of Malden is behind the route change. Not sure. Maybe I will investigate.
Bus Arrival Time: 7:12
T Departure Time: 7:14
T Arrival Time: 7:34
Weather as I call it: 10 degrees out, but that's warmer than yesterday.
Level of commute annoyance (scale of 1 to 10): 1
Feared for my life: Nope
------------------------------
Everything was running on time again...which made the cold temps bearable.
The bus driver did not have a good time with brakes. He made jerky stops the whole way. It was disconcerting.
Not sure what's up with the bus route, but we have not gone done Pleasant St. at all this week. I overheard the bus driver telling a passenger that the city of Malden is behind the route change. Not sure. Maybe I will investigate.
10/18/2007
Hot Bus
I was on "Faint Watch" this morning. The bus had the heat cranking this morning. I didn't think it was that cold. It seemed kinda steamy out there, and the fog sorta reinforced the feeling.
Nobody opened a window. The bus was not filled to capacity, so that may have help us to get through the ride without anyone passing out.
In February, when we really need that level of heat, we won't have it. Save it, my fine bus driver. Conserve the heat until the dead of winter.
Don't waste it on a mild October day.
Nobody opened a window. The bus was not filled to capacity, so that may have help us to get through the ride without anyone passing out.
In February, when we really need that level of heat, we won't have it. Save it, my fine bus driver. Conserve the heat until the dead of winter.
Don't waste it on a mild October day.
9/12/2007
Water Bottle Situation
Bus Departure Time: 7:05
Bus Arrival Time: 7:20
T Departure Time: 7:21
T Arrival Time: 7:42
Weather as I call it: Sunny and pleasant.
Level of commute annoyance (scale of 1 to 10): 2
Feared for my life: Not today.
------------------------------
I had a pretty good commute this morning. The sun was out. I got a seat on the bus. It wasn't too crowded. Life is good.
Close to the end of the bus trip, there was a peculiar situation where an older woman put an unopened, half liter Poland Spring bottle on the seat next to me. I wasn't paying attention; I was looking out the window watching the world go by (remember, life is good?). Then there was a thumping sound made on the empty seat next to me. I turned to look and the nice lady who was sitting across the aisle from me held up her hand and smiled at me a bit. I looked down at the seat and saw the water bottle. I half smiled and turned back to the window.
I am not sure if she thought it was mine; I don't remember bringing a water bottle onto the bus. I think it was left behind and it was rolling on the floor. She must have picked it up and put it on the seat to stop it from knocking into her every time the bus took a turn.
When we got to Malden Center, I picked it up off the seat and threw it out. I mean, I wasn't going to drink it. Even though it appeared to be unopened, I wasn't 100% sure. Plus, it had dirt all over it...and even though that dirt hadn't appeared to contaminate the bottle's contents, I wasn't 100% sure.
I was thinking that eventually someone would have to throw it away, probably an MBTA staff member, so I did it before the bottle caused any more problems. I did what I thought was right.
Bus Arrival Time: 7:20
T Departure Time: 7:21
T Arrival Time: 7:42
Weather as I call it: Sunny and pleasant.
Level of commute annoyance (scale of 1 to 10): 2
Feared for my life: Not today.
------------------------------
I had a pretty good commute this morning. The sun was out. I got a seat on the bus. It wasn't too crowded. Life is good.
Close to the end of the bus trip, there was a peculiar situation where an older woman put an unopened, half liter Poland Spring bottle on the seat next to me. I wasn't paying attention; I was looking out the window watching the world go by (remember, life is good?). Then there was a thumping sound made on the empty seat next to me. I turned to look and the nice lady who was sitting across the aisle from me held up her hand and smiled at me a bit. I looked down at the seat and saw the water bottle. I half smiled and turned back to the window.
I am not sure if she thought it was mine; I don't remember bringing a water bottle onto the bus. I think it was left behind and it was rolling on the floor. She must have picked it up and put it on the seat to stop it from knocking into her every time the bus took a turn.
When we got to Malden Center, I picked it up off the seat and threw it out. I mean, I wasn't going to drink it. Even though it appeared to be unopened, I wasn't 100% sure. Plus, it had dirt all over it...and even though that dirt hadn't appeared to contaminate the bottle's contents, I wasn't 100% sure.
I was thinking that eventually someone would have to throw it away, probably an MBTA staff member, so I did it before the bottle caused any more problems. I did what I thought was right.
8/31/2007
Time Stands Still
Bus Departure Time: 7:06 I guess
Bus Arrival Time: 7:21 ish
T Departure Time: 7:25 probably
T Arrival Time: 7:46 meh
Weather as I call it: Sunny and 60s - man, it's like CA out there.
Level of commute annoyance (scale of 1 to 10): 2
Feared for my life: No
------------------------------
Dude, my watch died. Time of death: 2:50 AM. I looked down to see what time the bus arrived at my stop, and I saw the second hand frozen at 21 seconds.
I guess I gotta get the battery replaced.
I kept time using my cell phone but it just wasn't the same.
No school today for some reason...so the bus was tolerable. I had all these "the bus was soooo packed" jokes lined up for today's post, but I really shouldn't use them.
Oh all right.
The bus was so packed today, we ended up on the baggage conveyor belt at Logan.
The bus was so packed today, not only could I tell what the guy next to me had for breakfast but also what he had dinner the past two weeks.
The bus was so packed today, I think I'm carrying some woman's baby.
I have more...but I think that's a good place to stop.
Have a good long weekend.
Bus Arrival Time: 7:21 ish
T Departure Time: 7:25 probably
T Arrival Time: 7:46 meh
Weather as I call it: Sunny and 60s - man, it's like CA out there.
Level of commute annoyance (scale of 1 to 10): 2
Feared for my life: No
------------------------------
Dude, my watch died. Time of death: 2:50 AM. I looked down to see what time the bus arrived at my stop, and I saw the second hand frozen at 21 seconds.
I guess I gotta get the battery replaced.
I kept time using my cell phone but it just wasn't the same.
No school today for some reason...so the bus was tolerable. I had all these "the bus was soooo packed" jokes lined up for today's post, but I really shouldn't use them.
Oh all right.
The bus was so packed today, we ended up on the baggage conveyor belt at Logan.
The bus was so packed today, not only could I tell what the guy next to me had for breakfast but also what he had dinner the past two weeks.
The bus was so packed today, I think I'm carrying some woman's baby.
I have more...but I think that's a good place to stop.
Have a good long weekend.
8/29/2007
Plea to the MBTA
Bus Departure Time: 7:10
Bus Arrival Time: 7:27
T Departure Time: 7:31
T Arrival Time: 7:52
Weather as I call it: Sunny and in the 60s
Level of commute annoyance (scale of 1 to 10): 6
Feared for my life: Not really
------------------------------
Dear MBTA,
I know you plan to add more buses next week, but we really need them now. Yes, yes...I think it's weird too that Malden's schools are back in session before Labor Day. It never was like that when I was a kid. I am sure it was the same for you. The reality is the kids are back in school and they are using the MBTA bus to get there. Man, it was packed today. I had to stand at the front of the bus with one foot slightly over the yellow line. That's against the rules! If there is any way you could send another bus to head down Salem St. around 7 o'clock, that would really help everyone out. We passed so many stops today...they all had 10+ people waiting at them...some of them many more.
If you can't send another bus, I guess that's just the way it is. I will make other arrangements if need be, but the city's school schedule isn't jiving with the bus schedule this year. Could you help us out?
Bus Arrival Time: 7:27
T Departure Time: 7:31
T Arrival Time: 7:52
Weather as I call it: Sunny and in the 60s
Level of commute annoyance (scale of 1 to 10): 6
Feared for my life: Not really
------------------------------
Dear MBTA,
I know you plan to add more buses next week, but we really need them now. Yes, yes...I think it's weird too that Malden's schools are back in session before Labor Day. It never was like that when I was a kid. I am sure it was the same for you. The reality is the kids are back in school and they are using the MBTA bus to get there. Man, it was packed today. I had to stand at the front of the bus with one foot slightly over the yellow line. That's against the rules! If there is any way you could send another bus to head down Salem St. around 7 o'clock, that would really help everyone out. We passed so many stops today...they all had 10+ people waiting at them...some of them many more.
If you can't send another bus, I guess that's just the way it is. I will make other arrangements if need be, but the city's school schedule isn't jiving with the bus schedule this year. Could you help us out?
7/26/2007
MBTA Rule #5,347
Bus Departure Time: 7:03
Bus Arrival Time: 7:17
T Departure Time: 7:18
T Arrival Time: 7:45
Weather as I call it: Hazy sun, warm, around 70
Level of commute annoyance (scale of 1 to 10): 3
Feared for my life: No
------------------------------
The bus was a-rockin' this morning. Not sure why people in the back we having such a good time, but they were laughing and singing the Boston Now song (he's back!) and calling out to the driver to open the back door when a passenger needed to be let out.
The pinnacle of their exuberance was shouting out to the driver to hit a bike rider who crossed in front of the bus as it was taking a right turn onto Pleasant St. I believe the quote was, "Hit him, the bastard!" Ahh, summer mornings...they allow people to let loose. Must be the result of too much heat...it effects the brain. :)
Ok, again I'm not preaching, I'm just teaching (somehow by typing this phrase I can be absolved of any accusation of being an "old fuddy duddy").
If you are wearing a backpack and riding the T, do one of two things. Be very careful when you are turning or leaning back or take it off and place it front of you so you can have more control. I can't tell you how many times I have been almost been knocked over big bloated backpack by people not aware of their extended personal space.
I was guilty of inadvertent backpack bludgeoning until my wife pointed it out to me. I guess I almost knocked down a few people while turning around on the Red Line. When my wife tried to tell me about what I had just did, I didn't hear her...and in true scripted, physical comedy style I turned back to face her and knocked the people over in the opposite direction! They didn't laugh much.
Anyway, be careful with your backpacks. You may not know who you are knocking over.
I will be out until next Tuesday. So, enjoy the ride until then.
Bus Arrival Time: 7:17
T Departure Time: 7:18
T Arrival Time: 7:45
Weather as I call it: Hazy sun, warm, around 70
Level of commute annoyance (scale of 1 to 10): 3
Feared for my life: No
------------------------------
The bus was a-rockin' this morning. Not sure why people in the back we having such a good time, but they were laughing and singing the Boston Now song (he's back!) and calling out to the driver to open the back door when a passenger needed to be let out.
The pinnacle of their exuberance was shouting out to the driver to hit a bike rider who crossed in front of the bus as it was taking a right turn onto Pleasant St. I believe the quote was, "Hit him, the bastard!" Ahh, summer mornings...they allow people to let loose. Must be the result of too much heat...it effects the brain. :)
Ok, again I'm not preaching, I'm just teaching (somehow by typing this phrase I can be absolved of any accusation of being an "old fuddy duddy").
If you are wearing a backpack and riding the T, do one of two things. Be very careful when you are turning or leaning back or take it off and place it front of you so you can have more control. I can't tell you how many times I have been almost been knocked over big bloated backpack by people not aware of their extended personal space.
I was guilty of inadvertent backpack bludgeoning until my wife pointed it out to me. I guess I almost knocked down a few people while turning around on the Red Line. When my wife tried to tell me about what I had just did, I didn't hear her...and in true scripted, physical comedy style I turned back to face her and knocked the people over in the opposite direction! They didn't laugh much.
Anyway, be careful with your backpacks. You may not know who you are knocking over.
I will be out until next Tuesday. So, enjoy the ride until then.
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