There were some tourists on the bus today. You have to respect the courage of strangers trying to navigate their way on the MBTA. There were lots of printed out maps and schedules being passed back and forth. Many shaky questions from some of the tourists too.
"Are they going to announce when we get to Malden Center?"
Don't worry, just follow the rest of us.
------------------------------
Bus Departure Time: 7:10
Bus Arrival Time: 7:24
T Departure Time: 7:25
T Arrival Time: 7:46
Weather as I call it: Cloudy...it's looking like the sun may peek out.
Level of commute annoyance (scale of 1 to 10): 3 (tourists pay with bills/change)
Feared for my life: No. I am no xenophobe.
Showing posts with label Orange Line. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Orange Line. Show all posts
7/31/2008
7/30/2008
Mystery Liquid On T Seat
How do I describe it? It was just gross. Nobody want to sit on this seat. It was only when I looked to see what was on the seat did I understand.
There was a clear liquid on it...it had things floating in it. It swayed back and forth with the motions of the train.
My first thought was that it was vomit.
I stopped looking at it because I thought was going to add to it.
Sorry about that, folks. Sometimes you have to report the ugly side too.
Maybe it was some kind of brew.
------------------------------
Bus Departure Time: 7:10
Bus Arrival Time: 7:22
T Departure Time: 7:25
T Arrival Time: 7:46
Weather as I call it: Sunny again. A bit less humid.
Level of commute annoyance (scale of 1 to 10): 2 (not annoyed - just grossed out.)
Feared for my life: Nope. Just feared tossing my cookies. Yes, I ate cookies for breakfast.
There was a clear liquid on it...it had things floating in it. It swayed back and forth with the motions of the train.
My first thought was that it was vomit.
I stopped looking at it because I thought was going to add to it.
Sorry about that, folks. Sometimes you have to report the ugly side too.
Maybe it was some kind of brew.
------------------------------
Bus Departure Time: 7:10
Bus Arrival Time: 7:22
T Departure Time: 7:25
T Arrival Time: 7:46
Weather as I call it: Sunny again. A bit less humid.
Level of commute annoyance (scale of 1 to 10): 2 (not annoyed - just grossed out.)
Feared for my life: Nope. Just feared tossing my cookies. Yes, I ate cookies for breakfast.
7/10/2008
Can You Talk Over My iPod?
No birds today. Pretty quiet at the bus stop. Just stood around and got on when the bus pulled up.
The Orange Line was pretty normal...well...as normal as the Orange Line can be.
I sometimes like the exchanges people have with each other... This one woman shouted to another as she took a seat, "Well you should expect that if you sit in front of an open seat!"
I guess she shoved the other woman..not sure though.
The best part was they both had iPod buds in their ears. I wonder if they even heard each other.
------------------------------
Bus Departure Time: 7:06
Bus Arrival Time: 7:21
T Departure Time: 7:25
T Arrival Time: 7:46
Weather as I call it: Sunny and cooler as predicted
Level of commute annoyance (scale of 1 to 10): 2
Feared for my life: No
The Orange Line was pretty normal...well...as normal as the Orange Line can be.
I sometimes like the exchanges people have with each other... This one woman shouted to another as she took a seat, "Well you should expect that if you sit in front of an open seat!"
I guess she shoved the other woman..not sure though.
The best part was they both had iPod buds in their ears. I wonder if they even heard each other.
------------------------------
Bus Departure Time: 7:06
Bus Arrival Time: 7:21
T Departure Time: 7:25
T Arrival Time: 7:46
Weather as I call it: Sunny and cooler as predicted
Level of commute annoyance (scale of 1 to 10): 2
Feared for my life: No
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
4/23/2008
Bring On The Sunshine
Seriously folks, the spring is here. The kids aren't in school and riding the T has been good.
I like watching the expression on people's faces who sit across from me on the Orange Line when people sit down next to them who put them into a tight squeeze.
The horror!! The disdain!! So much emotion.
------------------------------
Bus Departure Time: 6:57
Bus Arrival Time: 7:09
T Departure Time: 7:11
T Arrival Time: 7:32
Weather as I call it: Sunny and in the 50s.
Level of commute annoyance (scale of 1 to 10): 1
Feared for my life: No
I like watching the expression on people's faces who sit across from me on the Orange Line when people sit down next to them who put them into a tight squeeze.
The horror!! The disdain!! So much emotion.
------------------------------
Bus Departure Time: 6:57
Bus Arrival Time: 7:09
T Departure Time: 7:11
T Arrival Time: 7:32
Weather as I call it: Sunny and in the 50s.
Level of commute annoyance (scale of 1 to 10): 1
Feared for my life: No
4/21/2008
Marathon Monday 2008
The third and last Boston Spring holiday is upon us. (St. Patty's Day and Opening Day at Fenway being the other 2).
The peeps going to work today...these are my people. We either don't have state jobs or we didn't have the foresight to take today off. Either way, we are together in this.
There were some fragile tourists on the Orange Line....asking tenative questions about what stop to take. So tenative.
------------------------------
Bus Departure Time: 7:02
Bus Arrival Time: 7:13
T Departure Time: 7:15
T Arrival Time: 7:36
Weather as I call it: Cloudy, cooler - 40s
Level of commute annoyance (scale of 1 to 10): 1
Feared for my life: No
The peeps going to work today...these are my people. We either don't have state jobs or we didn't have the foresight to take today off. Either way, we are together in this.
There were some fragile tourists on the Orange Line....asking tenative questions about what stop to take. So tenative.
------------------------------
Bus Departure Time: 7:02
Bus Arrival Time: 7:13
T Departure Time: 7:15
T Arrival Time: 7:36
Weather as I call it: Cloudy, cooler - 40s
Level of commute annoyance (scale of 1 to 10): 1
Feared for my life: No
4/15/2008
I Took A Stand
Well, I didn't really. I had to stand on the Orange Line this morning. It sorta worked out this way:
The bus was quick this morning....roaring down the street with a force not seen since the February vacation week.
We got to the station at 7:10. I stomped up the stairs to the platform and found a subway train with its doors open. So I jumped in...and all the seats were taken.
So I stood. No big deal...except for the older gentleman who decided to stare at me.
After 10 seconds went by, I felt a little uncomfortable about his glare...so I started to read my magazine. I didn't look up again but I am pretty sure my standing there reading became uninteresting for him...and he looked away.
------------------------------
Bus Departure Time: 6:57
Bus Arrival Time: 7:10
T Departure Time: 7:11
T Arrival Time: 7:31
Weather as I call it: Sunny and cool
Level of commute annoyance (scale of 1 to 10): 3 (more creepy than annoying)
Feared for my life: Nah.
The bus was quick this morning....roaring down the street with a force not seen since the February vacation week.
We got to the station at 7:10. I stomped up the stairs to the platform and found a subway train with its doors open. So I jumped in...and all the seats were taken.
So I stood. No big deal...except for the older gentleman who decided to stare at me.
After 10 seconds went by, I felt a little uncomfortable about his glare...so I started to read my magazine. I didn't look up again but I am pretty sure my standing there reading became uninteresting for him...and he looked away.
------------------------------
Bus Departure Time: 6:57
Bus Arrival Time: 7:10
T Departure Time: 7:11
T Arrival Time: 7:31
Weather as I call it: Sunny and cool
Level of commute annoyance (scale of 1 to 10): 3 (more creepy than annoying)
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.
3/17/2008
Crocheting And A Toothpaste Exchange
I was observing today. The woman next to me was crocheting something. It was too early to tell what the final product would be.
Across from me, there were two ladies who had two big backpacks on their laps. One of them was pulling out large boxes of Colgate toothpaste out of her bag and handing them to the other. The other lady promptly tucked the toothpaste boxes into her bag.
Happy St. Patty's Day
------------------------------
Bus Departure Time: 7:02
Bus Arrival Time: 7:12
T Departure Time: 7:15
T Arrival Time: 7:36
Weather as I call it: Sunny, but breezy. Cold - 20s
Level of commute annoyance (scale of 1 to 10): 1
Feared for my life: No
Across from me, there were two ladies who had two big backpacks on their laps. One of them was pulling out large boxes of Colgate toothpaste out of her bag and handing them to the other. The other lady promptly tucked the toothpaste boxes into her bag.
Happy St. Patty's Day
------------------------------
Bus Departure Time: 7:02
Bus Arrival Time: 7:12
T Departure Time: 7:15
T Arrival Time: 7:36
Weather as I call it: Sunny, but breezy. Cold - 20s
Level of commute annoyance (scale of 1 to 10): 1
Feared for my life: No
3/10/2008
Squooshed
Bus was late. I blame daylight savings time. (If you have read this blog for years like I have, you know my feelings on daylight savings time and time changes in general).
When I got on the Orange Line, I sat on the opposite side of the train from where I usually sit. Bad mistake. I got squooshed. I don't know how it happened but it did. I was reading my metro and suddenly I couldn't move my arms because my elbows were being held down by the two people beside me. With each passing stop, it got worse and worse. I really thought one of them would have exited at State or D-Town Xing...but no. They stayed on for the long haul.
I stood up at New England Medical Center just to feel my arms again.
------------------------------
Bus Departure Time: 7:02
Bus Arrival Time: 7:16
T Departure Time: 7:16
T Arrival Time: 7:37
Weather as I call it: Sunny but cold. Winter coats were out in force.
Level of commute annoyance (scale of 1 to 10): 4
Feared for my life: No
When I got on the Orange Line, I sat on the opposite side of the train from where I usually sit. Bad mistake. I got squooshed. I don't know how it happened but it did. I was reading my metro and suddenly I couldn't move my arms because my elbows were being held down by the two people beside me. With each passing stop, it got worse and worse. I really thought one of them would have exited at State or D-Town Xing...but no. They stayed on for the long haul.
I stood up at New England Medical Center just to feel my arms again.
------------------------------
Bus Departure Time: 7:02
Bus Arrival Time: 7:16
T Departure Time: 7:16
T Arrival Time: 7:37
Weather as I call it: Sunny but cold. Winter coats were out in force.
Level of commute annoyance (scale of 1 to 10): 4
Feared for my life: No
2/21/2008
Saving Seats With Shells
On the Orange Line, there was an empty seat but no one wanted to sit on it.
Somebody had left pistachio shells on the seat.
Somebody had left PISTACHIO SHELLS on the seat!?!
Thankfully they were the non-dyed ones...but still...this is odd for even the T.
Thoughts:
------------------------------
Bus Departure Time: 6:57
Bus Arrival Time: 7:11
T Departure Time: 7:11
T Arrival Time: 7:32
Weather as I call it: Cold...sunny...but 20s if that.
Level of commute annoyance (scale of 1 to 10): 3
Feared for my life: Nah.
Somebody had left pistachio shells on the seat.
Somebody had left PISTACHIO SHELLS on the seat!?!
Thankfully they were the non-dyed ones...but still...this is odd for even the T.
Thoughts:
- Somebody was eating on the T...which is something I wouldn't do. Too dirty.
- Somebody was eating pistachios on the T early in the morning...I dunno...Pistachios just aren't a breakfast food to me.
- Somebody decided to leave the shells on a seat once they were done. Why would you do that? Pack in - Pack out, peeps.
------------------------------
Bus Departure Time: 6:57
Bus Arrival Time: 7:11
T Departure Time: 7:11
T Arrival Time: 7:32
Weather as I call it: Cold...sunny...but 20s if that.
Level of commute annoyance (scale of 1 to 10): 3
Feared for my life: Nah.
2/14/2008
Sympathetic Conductor
For the second straight day, the bus I usually take was MIA. I do not understand. Although it's not a huge deal in terms of my arrival to work since there is another that comes five minutes later, it does make a huge impact on every commuter's comfort. It's simple: If there is only one bus to pick up two bus-loads of people, the one bus is always packed and uncomfortable.
It's not funny and it's not fun.
Even though I stated earlier that waiting a little bit for the next bus is not a big deal, this morning it was a major factor in my missing the Orange Line. I made a valiant effort: The bus had pulled into Malden Station just as the T was slowing to a stop. I dashed into the station, scanned my card, and bolted up the stairs just in time to hear the tones of the doors closing. As I hopped unto the platform, the doors slammed shut. I sorta clenched my right fist and motioned my arm in an "Ah Shucks" fashion.
I made eye contact with the conductor. He looked sympathetic to my cause. I had the feeling if I had put up a stink, he would have opened the doors for me.
I decided not to do or say anything to get special treatment. I did what I think we commuters are supposed to do: look down and wait awkwardly until the train rolls away...and act like nothing happened.
------------------------------
Bus Departure Time: 7:02
Bus Arrival Time: 7:16
T Departure Time: 7:22
T Arrival Time: 7:44
Weather as I call it: Partly sunny, 30s
Level of commute annoyance (scale of 1 to 10): 3
Feared for my life: No
It's not funny and it's not fun.
Even though I stated earlier that waiting a little bit for the next bus is not a big deal, this morning it was a major factor in my missing the Orange Line. I made a valiant effort: The bus had pulled into Malden Station just as the T was slowing to a stop. I dashed into the station, scanned my card, and bolted up the stairs just in time to hear the tones of the doors closing. As I hopped unto the platform, the doors slammed shut. I sorta clenched my right fist and motioned my arm in an "Ah Shucks" fashion.
I made eye contact with the conductor. He looked sympathetic to my cause. I had the feeling if I had put up a stink, he would have opened the doors for me.
I decided not to do or say anything to get special treatment. I did what I think we commuters are supposed to do: look down and wait awkwardly until the train rolls away...and act like nothing happened.
------------------------------
Bus Departure Time: 7:02
Bus Arrival Time: 7:16
T Departure Time: 7:22
T Arrival Time: 7:44
Weather as I call it: Partly sunny, 30s
Level of commute annoyance (scale of 1 to 10): 3
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.
1/18/2008
Performer at Downtown Crossing
Jesus woke you up this morning.
If anyone goes through the Orange Line section of the Downtown Crossing stop, specifically the Forest Hills side of things...you know what I'm typing about.
Have a good weekend.
------------------------------
Bus Departure Time: 6:57
Bus Arrival Time: 7:09
T Departure Time: 7:12
T Arrival Time: 7:34
Weather as I call it: Rainy...better than snow
Level of commute annoyance (scale of 1 to 10): 2
Feared for my life: No
If anyone goes through the Orange Line section of the Downtown Crossing stop, specifically the Forest Hills side of things...you know what I'm typing about.
Have a good weekend.
------------------------------
Bus Departure Time: 6:57
Bus Arrival Time: 7:09
T Departure Time: 7:12
T Arrival Time: 7:34
Weather as I call it: Rainy...better than snow
Level of commute annoyance (scale of 1 to 10): 2
Feared for my life: No
12/18/2007
He Hates The Loop
I saw something curious on the Orange Line this morning. There was a dude who took his aggression out on an inanimate object. Let me set up the scene:
This guy got on at North Station and he pushed his way into the middle of the car where I was standing.
For some reason, the metal bars on the train...you know the ones...you hold on to them if you have to stand...well, nowadays they have these rubber loops on them...maybe three to a bar or so. They are sorta old timey and I find them annoying since I have hit my head on them a few times after I have stood up from sitting right underneath them.
This dude stood right next to me and attacked the loop. He struck at it. He punched it a few times. It was weird.
Then he flipped it upside down so that the loop pointed towards the ceiling rather than the floor. Again, strange...
He got a seat a few stops later while I continued to stand.
Because I was feeling a bit saucy today...blame the holidays...I turned the loop back right side down. I don't think he noticed. Too bad. I was wondering if he would turn his aggression towards me and not a poor, defenseless rubber loop.
This guy got on at North Station and he pushed his way into the middle of the car where I was standing.
For some reason, the metal bars on the train...you know the ones...you hold on to them if you have to stand...well, nowadays they have these rubber loops on them...maybe three to a bar or so. They are sorta old timey and I find them annoying since I have hit my head on them a few times after I have stood up from sitting right underneath them.
This dude stood right next to me and attacked the loop. He struck at it. He punched it a few times. It was weird.
Then he flipped it upside down so that the loop pointed towards the ceiling rather than the floor. Again, strange...
He got a seat a few stops later while I continued to stand.
Because I was feeling a bit saucy today...blame the holidays...I turned the loop back right side down. I don't think he noticed. Too bad. I was wondering if he would turn his aggression towards me and not a poor, defenseless rubber loop.
10/08/2007
Wake Up!
Fun Columbus Day ride on the Orange Line today.
I was sitting next to a woman who was pushing against my right side. I wasn't too sure why this was happening. I wasn't wearing any Axe bodyspray.
Soon, she stood up between the Community College and North Station stops. I was thinking she was getting ready to depart but she surprised me and sat down in an empty seat across from me. I wasn't too sure why this was happening. I did shower this morning.
Two stops later I understood why this woman was acting the way she was. There was a guy who was falling asleep...literally. When the train pulled into State, the guy toppled like a Redwood in an Oregon forest. His head barely missed my shoulder. The fall woke him up for a second, in which he held out his hand to motion an apology.
The next few stops were an adventure because he continued to wobble with each movement of the train. Finally, he moved over to the corner seat and was able to lead against the wall.
Dude, wake up.
I was sitting next to a woman who was pushing against my right side. I wasn't too sure why this was happening. I wasn't wearing any Axe bodyspray.
Soon, she stood up between the Community College and North Station stops. I was thinking she was getting ready to depart but she surprised me and sat down in an empty seat across from me. I wasn't too sure why this was happening. I did shower this morning.
Two stops later I understood why this woman was acting the way she was. There was a guy who was falling asleep...literally. When the train pulled into State, the guy toppled like a Redwood in an Oregon forest. His head barely missed my shoulder. The fall woke him up for a second, in which he held out his hand to motion an apology.
The next few stops were an adventure because he continued to wobble with each movement of the train. Finally, he moved over to the corner seat and was able to lead against the wall.
Dude, wake up.
10/05/2007
Orange Line Disruption
Good story.
I got to the bus just in time to catch my bus. It came on time for once and I thought it was a sign that the commute was gonna be sweeeeet.
Not so fast there, kiddo.
I walk into Malden Center and there is a woman talking into a C.B. radio-looking microphone (I'm totally dating myself, but I don't care. Hey, it's true. I remember the 70s!). I couldn't hear what she was saying because she was broadcasting through speakers that were situated on the platform above.
I walked up the stairs, took my normal stance on the platform, and awaited her message.
"We are shuttling passengers from Haymarket to Back Bay Station," she kept repeating as if it was some sort of transportation mantra.
Many people looked bewildered. Others appeared angry. I shrugged my shoulders and came up with the solution that I would be able to pick up the Green Line at North Station and not concern myself with this shutttle bus nonsense.
The Orange Line came shortly after her announcement. The ride was delayed many times; at stations and between stations. The conductor on the train reiterated the shuttle bus plan and made it clear that Haymarket was going to be the last stop. He also told us the reason for this disruption of service.
"There is a damaged work vehicle stuck between Haymarket and Back Bay."
One person offered a simple solution in response: "Well, move it," he said.
Maybe it was just that simple. Maybe the T didn't think of that.....
When we finally got to North Station, many people had the same idea as me. Chance would have it that an empty "E" line train was waiting for us as the doors opened. Suddenly, it was if the starting gun of the marathon has been fired. People started to run...I mean sprint...for the train. I decided to wait. Heck, I had waited this long, why try to hurry it up now?
A "C" line came right after it. It was slow as ever...but I finally got to Copley.
I couldn't pass up this report.
I got to the bus just in time to catch my bus. It came on time for once and I thought it was a sign that the commute was gonna be sweeeeet.
Not so fast there, kiddo.
I walk into Malden Center and there is a woman talking into a C.B. radio-looking microphone (I'm totally dating myself, but I don't care. Hey, it's true. I remember the 70s!). I couldn't hear what she was saying because she was broadcasting through speakers that were situated on the platform above.
I walked up the stairs, took my normal stance on the platform, and awaited her message.
"We are shuttling passengers from Haymarket to Back Bay Station," she kept repeating as if it was some sort of transportation mantra.
Many people looked bewildered. Others appeared angry. I shrugged my shoulders and came up with the solution that I would be able to pick up the Green Line at North Station and not concern myself with this shutttle bus nonsense.
The Orange Line came shortly after her announcement. The ride was delayed many times; at stations and between stations. The conductor on the train reiterated the shuttle bus plan and made it clear that Haymarket was going to be the last stop. He also told us the reason for this disruption of service.
"There is a damaged work vehicle stuck between Haymarket and Back Bay."
One person offered a simple solution in response: "Well, move it," he said.
Maybe it was just that simple. Maybe the T didn't think of that.....
When we finally got to North Station, many people had the same idea as me. Chance would have it that an empty "E" line train was waiting for us as the doors opened. Suddenly, it was if the starting gun of the marathon has been fired. People started to run...I mean sprint...for the train. I decided to wait. Heck, I had waited this long, why try to hurry it up now?
A "C" line came right after it. It was slow as ever...but I finally got to Copley.
I couldn't pass up this report.
9/27/2007
Step All The Way Into The Train
Ever wonder what the conductor means when they ask people to "step all the way into the train?"
It's not like people are straddling the door with one foot in the train and one foot out of it.
What they mean is once you board the train, you should move to the middle of the car you are in...if you can.
People who enter the car first should remember this instruction. If you enter the train first and there are a lot of people behind you...move into the car as far as possible.
It's a different tactic than stepping all the way into the train...but harder to convey in an announcement.
It's not like people are straddling the door with one foot in the train and one foot out of it.
What they mean is once you board the train, you should move to the middle of the car you are in...if you can.
People who enter the car first should remember this instruction. If you enter the train first and there are a lot of people behind you...move into the car as far as possible.
It's a different tactic than stepping all the way into the train...but harder to convey in an announcement.
9/11/2007
Drippy and the Mumbler
Bus Departure Time: 7:02
Bus Arrival Time: 7:17
T Departure Time: 7:22
T Arrival Time: 7:46
Weather as I call it: Cloudy and misty. High 50s
Level of commute annoyance (scale of 1 to 10): 3
Feared for my life: Nah
------------------------------
Just to let you know....The puke smell in the Malden Center T station stairwell was nonexistent this morning. It seemed clean from what I could tell.
The Orange Line was an adventure. I got stuck between two characters: Drippy and The Mumbler.
Drippy sat on my right. He had a large container of what appeared to be water tucked inside of a mesh pocket on his backpack. The lid must not have been securely fastened since it was dripping all over the place before he sat down.
The Mumbler sat on my left. He was a large man who wore shorts and Ace Bandages on his lower legs and mumbled odd phrases throughout the trip.
Drippy wanted to read his Herald using both hands and Mumbles was sitting wide-legged...so I had a pretty uncomfortable ride. I think one of my legs fell asleep.
Bus Arrival Time: 7:17
T Departure Time: 7:22
T Arrival Time: 7:46
Weather as I call it: Cloudy and misty. High 50s
Level of commute annoyance (scale of 1 to 10): 3
Feared for my life: Nah
------------------------------
Just to let you know....The puke smell in the Malden Center T station stairwell was nonexistent this morning. It seemed clean from what I could tell.
The Orange Line was an adventure. I got stuck between two characters: Drippy and The Mumbler.
Drippy sat on my right. He had a large container of what appeared to be water tucked inside of a mesh pocket on his backpack. The lid must not have been securely fastened since it was dripping all over the place before he sat down.
The Mumbler sat on my left. He was a large man who wore shorts and Ace Bandages on his lower legs and mumbled odd phrases throughout the trip.
Drippy wanted to read his Herald using both hands and Mumbles was sitting wide-legged...so I had a pretty uncomfortable ride. I think one of my legs fell asleep.
8/27/2007
Orange Line - Stop By Stop
Bus Departure Time: 7:02
Bus Arrival Time: 7:16
T Departure Time: 7:18
T Arrival Time: 7:43
Weather as I call it: Sunny and warm. No too humid though.
Level of commute annoyance (scale of 1 to 10): 4
Feared for my life: No
------------------------------
The bus dropped all of us off at the Malden T station and I could see that the Orange Line had just pulled into the station. What I didn't realize until I got to the platform was that it was still there.
So I jumped on thinking the doors were going to close soon. They didn't. We waited. The announcer said there was a disabled train in front of us and we would have to stay put for a while. We did and more people got on. I was standing in the middle of the car and suddenly I was joined by three others. Then, the train doors closed and we got going. Here's how it went from Wellington to Downtown Crossing:
Wellington: The platform was teeming with people and they were all looking eager to get on. The doors opened and wave after wave of people entered the train until we were near capacity.
Sullivan Square: Not as packed as Wellington, but a large enough number of people to raise the panic level. The bodies bobbing and weaving to get a good position in front of a door. The eyes filled with looks of "I am getting on this train if I need to pull people off of it!"
Community College: Usually nobody gets on at this stop during my commute. There were three people on the platform today. They took one look at our car and ran to enter another one.
North Station: Some relief with a few people exiting. Seats opened up and a few of my standing comrades sat down quickly.
Haymarket: A woman entered the train with a raised bandaged left arm exclaiming, "I don't want to do this to anybody, but I have GOT to sit down!" It worked. A man stood up, the crowd parted, and she took her seat.
Downtown Crossing: The grand exodus commenced.
Joy was felt up and down the Orange Line. A large group of new passengers got on, but they seemed to fit right in.
Bus Arrival Time: 7:16
T Departure Time: 7:18
T Arrival Time: 7:43
Weather as I call it: Sunny and warm. No too humid though.
Level of commute annoyance (scale of 1 to 10): 4
Feared for my life: No
------------------------------
The bus dropped all of us off at the Malden T station and I could see that the Orange Line had just pulled into the station. What I didn't realize until I got to the platform was that it was still there.
So I jumped on thinking the doors were going to close soon. They didn't. We waited. The announcer said there was a disabled train in front of us and we would have to stay put for a while. We did and more people got on. I was standing in the middle of the car and suddenly I was joined by three others. Then, the train doors closed and we got going. Here's how it went from Wellington to Downtown Crossing:
Wellington: The platform was teeming with people and they were all looking eager to get on. The doors opened and wave after wave of people entered the train until we were near capacity.
Sullivan Square: Not as packed as Wellington, but a large enough number of people to raise the panic level. The bodies bobbing and weaving to get a good position in front of a door. The eyes filled with looks of "I am getting on this train if I need to pull people off of it!"
Community College: Usually nobody gets on at this stop during my commute. There were three people on the platform today. They took one look at our car and ran to enter another one.
North Station: Some relief with a few people exiting. Seats opened up and a few of my standing comrades sat down quickly.
Haymarket: A woman entered the train with a raised bandaged left arm exclaiming, "I don't want to do this to anybody, but I have GOT to sit down!" It worked. A man stood up, the crowd parted, and she took her seat.
Downtown Crossing: The grand exodus commenced.
Joy was felt up and down the Orange Line. A large group of new passengers got on, but they seemed to fit right in.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)