Departure Time: 7:15
Arrival Time: 8:12
Weather as I call it: Overcast, sprinkling in places, wet roads
Paper Guy: No hat or shades. Jacket
Shady Gas Price: $2.06
Yelled at other drivers: No
Feared for my life: No
------------------------------
Slow ride today. Nothing too worrisome on the roads. I had my travel mug full of coffee so I was ready for a long ride.
Well, not enough people voted "Yes" on Question 1. I guess I will continue to buy wine from another place outside of my local grocery store (during non-driving to work hours, of course).
Hey, I will be out tomorrow on a random vacation day because I gotta take them or I'll lose them...type to you Friday.
11/08/2006
11/07/2006
Your Vote Counts
Departure Time: 7:22
Arrival Time: 8:10
Weather as I call it: Cloudy and cool
Paper Guy: Winter hat and shades
Shady Gas Price: $2.06
Yelled at other drivers: No
Feared for my life: No
------------------------------
There was an old man driving a late model Buick with Florida plates on the Monsignor O'Brien Highway this morning. He decided to hit the brakes at the green light in front of the Discount Liquors store in East Cambridge. He forced me to slow down to a stop while the light turned yellow to red. As we were waiting for the light to turn green, he threw his cigarette butt out his window.
When the light turned green, the older gentleman made an illegal left. He may have been turning into the liquor store...I'm not sure because I didn't stick around.
Vote yes on Question 1 today.
Arrival Time: 8:10
Weather as I call it: Cloudy and cool
Paper Guy: Winter hat and shades
Shady Gas Price: $2.06
Yelled at other drivers: No
Feared for my life: No
------------------------------
There was an old man driving a late model Buick with Florida plates on the Monsignor O'Brien Highway this morning. He decided to hit the brakes at the green light in front of the Discount Liquors store in East Cambridge. He forced me to slow down to a stop while the light turned yellow to red. As we were waiting for the light to turn green, he threw his cigarette butt out his window.
When the light turned green, the older gentleman made an illegal left. He may have been turning into the liquor store...I'm not sure because I didn't stick around.
Vote yes on Question 1 today.
11/06/2006
Predicting The Weather
Departure Time: 7:04
Arrival Time: 7:48 (subtract 3 minutes for gas station stop)
Weather as I call it: Cloudy and chilly
Paper Guy: Winter hat, shades
Shady Gas Price: $2.06
Yelled at other drivers: No
Feared for my life: No
------------------------------
I wonder if Paper guy can be used not only as a weather indicator but also as a weather predictor, like the wooly bear caterpillar. He has been bundling up a lot lately, overdressing if you ask me.
If Paper Guy has a heavy coat in the Fall, does that mean we have a nasty Winter in store for us?
El Nino sez No!
Arrival Time: 7:48 (subtract 3 minutes for gas station stop)
Weather as I call it: Cloudy and chilly
Paper Guy: Winter hat, shades
Shady Gas Price: $2.06
Yelled at other drivers: No
Feared for my life: No
------------------------------
I wonder if Paper guy can be used not only as a weather indicator but also as a weather predictor, like the wooly bear caterpillar. He has been bundling up a lot lately, overdressing if you ask me.
If Paper Guy has a heavy coat in the Fall, does that mean we have a nasty Winter in store for us?
El Nino sez No!
11/03/2006
Songs For Everyone
Departure Time: 7:16
Arrival Time: 8:09
Weather as I call it: Sunny and cold...10 degrees below average.
Paper Guy: Dressed appropriately.
Shady Gas Price: $2.06
Yelled at other drivers: No
Feared for my life: No
------------------------------
Easy ride for the most part. Slow at times, but I was distracted enough by my satellite radio that it didn't matter much. I was constantly scanning through most of my 100,000 channels to find forgotten gems like The Marshall Tucker Band's "Heard It in a Love Song".
Seriously, does anybody need to hear that tune again? Then again, it's satellite radio and there is something for everybody...and even though I can't believe that anyone would want to hear that song, I stayed on to listen to the whole thing (Well, almost...once I got to the flute solo, I had to bail). There must have been some nostalgia working its magic...bringing back memories of listening to AM radio in the back seat of my mom's Chevy Malibu and getting car sick.
I swear that's why I instantly feel nauseous whenever I hear Jim Croce's "Time in a Bottle."
Saw peeps in Leverett Circle waving and holding signs to vote "Yes" on Ballot Question 3 this Tuesday. Their frantic waving and infectious smiles may have swayed me.
"Heard it in a loooooooooove song!"
Arrival Time: 8:09
Weather as I call it: Sunny and cold...10 degrees below average.
Paper Guy: Dressed appropriately.
Shady Gas Price: $2.06
Yelled at other drivers: No
Feared for my life: No
------------------------------
Easy ride for the most part. Slow at times, but I was distracted enough by my satellite radio that it didn't matter much. I was constantly scanning through most of my 100,000 channels to find forgotten gems like The Marshall Tucker Band's "Heard It in a Love Song".
Seriously, does anybody need to hear that tune again? Then again, it's satellite radio and there is something for everybody...and even though I can't believe that anyone would want to hear that song, I stayed on to listen to the whole thing (Well, almost...once I got to the flute solo, I had to bail). There must have been some nostalgia working its magic...bringing back memories of listening to AM radio in the back seat of my mom's Chevy Malibu and getting car sick.
I swear that's why I instantly feel nauseous whenever I hear Jim Croce's "Time in a Bottle."
Saw peeps in Leverett Circle waving and holding signs to vote "Yes" on Ballot Question 3 this Tuesday. Their frantic waving and infectious smiles may have swayed me.
"Heard it in a loooooooooove song!"
11/02/2006
Rolling Stop
Departure Time: 7:06
Arrival Time: 7:58
Weather as I call it: Rainy. The liquor store sign said it was 49 degrees.
Paper Guy: Hat, Jacket, No Shades. Right on.
Shady Gas Price: $2.08
Yelled at other drivers: No
Feared for my life: No
------------------------------
I was super cautious today. Wet roads and fresh memories of being spun out on a divided highway will do that to you.
In town, the "rolling stop" was in full effect. Usually, one uses the rolling stop when one has the notion that a yield would do just fine instead of a full, wait-three-seconds-after-the-engine-lurch type of stop. A good time to use the rolling stop is when you have full visibility of the intersection you are entering and there is no one else on the roads within a 5 mile radius. It's against the law, but it's a victimless crime.
The rolling stop should not be used when one is attempting to force themselves into a slow crawl of traffic. Anytime one forces their way into traffic, one should realize they will incur the wrath of their fellow commuter. Unfortunately, it was not one...but I encountered many people this morning that thought it was okay to nearly hit me because they wanted to get in front of me.
If one is choosing the path of forcing yourself into traffic, I suggest not using a rolling stop. Instead, come to a complete stop, then wait for three cars to crawl by, and then start to force the car into the traffic line up.
I think one would garner more sympathy that way...and get better results.
Arrival Time: 7:58
Weather as I call it: Rainy. The liquor store sign said it was 49 degrees.
Paper Guy: Hat, Jacket, No Shades. Right on.
Shady Gas Price: $2.08
Yelled at other drivers: No
Feared for my life: No
------------------------------
I was super cautious today. Wet roads and fresh memories of being spun out on a divided highway will do that to you.
In town, the "rolling stop" was in full effect. Usually, one uses the rolling stop when one has the notion that a yield would do just fine instead of a full, wait-three-seconds-after-the-engine-lurch type of stop. A good time to use the rolling stop is when you have full visibility of the intersection you are entering and there is no one else on the roads within a 5 mile radius. It's against the law, but it's a victimless crime.
The rolling stop should not be used when one is attempting to force themselves into a slow crawl of traffic. Anytime one forces their way into traffic, one should realize they will incur the wrath of their fellow commuter. Unfortunately, it was not one...but I encountered many people this morning that thought it was okay to nearly hit me because they wanted to get in front of me.
If one is choosing the path of forcing yourself into traffic, I suggest not using a rolling stop. Instead, come to a complete stop, then wait for three cars to crawl by, and then start to force the car into the traffic line up.
I think one would garner more sympathy that way...and get better results.
11/01/2006
Foggy River
Departure Time: 7:04
Arrival Time: 7:49
Weather as I call it: Sun breaking through clouds
Paper Guy: Lighter coat on today. Had a friend with him...just hanging on the median.
Shady Gas Price: $2.08
Yelled at other drivers: No
Feared for my life: No
------------------------------
There was this five foot high fog coming off the top of the Charles River. It was creepy.
One day late...but still creepy. Maybe as creepy as this photo.
Arrival Time: 7:49
Weather as I call it: Sun breaking through clouds
Paper Guy: Lighter coat on today. Had a friend with him...just hanging on the median.
Shady Gas Price: $2.08
Yelled at other drivers: No
Feared for my life: No
------------------------------
There was this five foot high fog coming off the top of the Charles River. It was creepy.
One day late...but still creepy. Maybe as creepy as this photo.
10/31/2006
Early To Rise
Departure Time: 6:58 --yeah, I don't know wha' happened.
Arrival Time: 7:38
Weather as I call it: Sunny, no wind, warmer.
Paper Guy: Dressed for December
Shady Gas Price: $2.08
Yelled at other drivers: No
Feared for my life: No
------------------------------
Hey, All Hallows' Eve Ev'rybod!
So I got out the door pretty early today. Not sure why, I guess the stars were aligned just right.
Anyhoo...pretty easy drive today. It got a little interesting towards the end when a state police car started to tailgate slow drivers in the left lane on Soldier's Field Road. I wasn't sure what he was trying to prove or communicate, but I think if I saw a cruiser behind me I would get out of his way.
Arrival Time: 7:38
Weather as I call it: Sunny, no wind, warmer.
Paper Guy: Dressed for December
Shady Gas Price: $2.08
Yelled at other drivers: No
Feared for my life: No
------------------------------
Hey, All Hallows' Eve Ev'rybod!
So I got out the door pretty early today. Not sure why, I guess the stars were aligned just right.
Anyhoo...pretty easy drive today. It got a little interesting towards the end when a state police car started to tailgate slow drivers in the left lane on Soldier's Field Road. I wasn't sure what he was trying to prove or communicate, but I think if I saw a cruiser behind me I would get out of his way.
10/30/2006
Why Aren't All My Clocks Turned Back?
Departure Time: 7;12
Arrival Time: 7:59
Weather as I call it: Sunny, not as windy as this weekend.
Paper Guy: Black wool hat, winter gloves
Shady Gas Price: $2.08
Yelled at other drivers: Nah
Feared for my life: No
------------------------------
Clocks on a network, like the one on the company's cell phone, are still an hour ahead. There is nothing more jarrring than having conflicting time pieces.
Gas Price is down a cent.
When I got to work today, I was amazed at how many cars there were in the parking garage. Then I thought to myself, these peeps still think it's 8:59 not 7:59...
I'm late.
Arrival Time: 7:59
Weather as I call it: Sunny, not as windy as this weekend.
Paper Guy: Black wool hat, winter gloves
Shady Gas Price: $2.08
Yelled at other drivers: Nah
Feared for my life: No
------------------------------
Clocks on a network, like the one on the company's cell phone, are still an hour ahead. There is nothing more jarrring than having conflicting time pieces.
Gas Price is down a cent.
When I got to work today, I was amazed at how many cars there were in the parking garage. Then I thought to myself, these peeps still think it's 8:59 not 7:59...
I'm late.
10/27/2006
Back On The Rise
Departure Time: 7:16
Arrival Time: 8:03
Weather as I call it: Sunny and cold
Paper Guy: Winterized
Shady Gas Price: $2.09
Yelled at other drivers: No
Feared for my life: No
------------------------------
Happy Friday Ev'rybod! (That's the way I say "everybody")
A few programming notes:
Gas price went up 4 cents overnight. Huh?
As far as I know, my brake lights are working correctly. I fixed the "loose wire"...
See you on the flip side.
Arrival Time: 8:03
Weather as I call it: Sunny and cold
Paper Guy: Winterized
Shady Gas Price: $2.09
Yelled at other drivers: No
Feared for my life: No
------------------------------
Happy Friday Ev'rybod! (That's the way I say "everybody")
A few programming notes:
Gas price went up 4 cents overnight. Huh?
As far as I know, my brake lights are working correctly. I fixed the "loose wire"...
See you on the flip side.
10/26/2006
Exaggeration Is Your Friend
Departure Time: 7:10
Arrival Time: 7:55
Weather as I call it: Sunny, cold...the sun was blinding...let's turn the clocks back already.
Paper Guy: Brown winter hat, black coat, shades.
Shady Gas Price: $2.05
Yelled at other drivers: Yeah
Feared for my life: No
------------------------------
In the first segment of my commute (what I like to call the "in town" segment), I have to drive through 6 or 7 traffic lights. Any hesitation can throw off the entire rhythm. I cherish every green light that I do not have to wait for.
This morning, a woman hesitated while stopped at a red light. Typical distraction: she found whatever was fiddling with in her car's back seat to be more important than the road ahead at the moment the light turned green. Because it took her three seconds to situate herself behind the wheel again and accelerate from her stopped position, it caused me to miss the green and consequently the yellow light that she scurried her way through.
Her action caused a chain reaction of events that led me to be stuck at the next 3 red lights. It put 2 minutes on my commute. TWO MINUTES!
(I am exaggerating my feelings about this inconvenience for a humorous effect...is it working?)
P.S. I saw some guy in my rear view mouth the word "*sshole" after someone beeped at him.
Nice.
Arrival Time: 7:55
Weather as I call it: Sunny, cold...the sun was blinding...let's turn the clocks back already.
Paper Guy: Brown winter hat, black coat, shades.
Shady Gas Price: $2.05
Yelled at other drivers: Yeah
Feared for my life: No
------------------------------
In the first segment of my commute (what I like to call the "in town" segment), I have to drive through 6 or 7 traffic lights. Any hesitation can throw off the entire rhythm. I cherish every green light that I do not have to wait for.
This morning, a woman hesitated while stopped at a red light. Typical distraction: she found whatever was fiddling with in her car's back seat to be more important than the road ahead at the moment the light turned green. Because it took her three seconds to situate herself behind the wheel again and accelerate from her stopped position, it caused me to miss the green and consequently the yellow light that she scurried her way through.
Her action caused a chain reaction of events that led me to be stuck at the next 3 red lights. It put 2 minutes on my commute. TWO MINUTES!
(I am exaggerating my feelings about this inconvenience for a humorous effect...is it working?)
P.S. I saw some guy in my rear view mouth the word "*sshole" after someone beeped at him.
Nice.
10/25/2006
Now Hiring Smiling Cashiers
Departure Time: 7:02
Arrival Time: 7:46
Weather as I call it: Partly sunny...but the sun was so low in the sky it was hardly a factor.
Paper Guy: MIA
Shady Gas Price: $2.05!
Yelled at other drivers: No
Feared for my life: No
------------------------------
There's a Wendy's on the Medford line on Highland Ave that has a sign proclaiming "Now Hiring Smiling Cashiers".
That's quite a prerequisite. Plus, do you need to be smiling all the time or just when needed? See, they don't disclose that information on the sign. Probably because the sign isn't that big. I guess one would need to inquire further.
Shady gas price is tumbling down. I am calling for under 2 bucks by Nov. 10th.
Paper guy wasn't at his post when I passed. I was probably too early to catch him.
Arrival Time: 7:46
Weather as I call it: Partly sunny...but the sun was so low in the sky it was hardly a factor.
Paper Guy: MIA
Shady Gas Price: $2.05!
Yelled at other drivers: No
Feared for my life: No
------------------------------
There's a Wendy's on the Medford line on Highland Ave that has a sign proclaiming "Now Hiring Smiling Cashiers".
That's quite a prerequisite. Plus, do you need to be smiling all the time or just when needed? See, they don't disclose that information on the sign. Probably because the sign isn't that big. I guess one would need to inquire further.
Shady gas price is tumbling down. I am calling for under 2 bucks by Nov. 10th.
Paper guy wasn't at his post when I passed. I was probably too early to catch him.
10/24/2006
Gun Shy, Trigger Happy
Departure Time: 7:05
Arrival Time: 7:50
Weather as I call it: Cloudy, giving way to some sun. I wore my jacket for the first time this season
Paper Guy: Brown wool hat, shades, winter coat.
Shady Gas Price: $2.07
Yelled at other drivers: No
Feared for my life: I was a bit shaky.
------------------------------
I had a scheduled vacation day on Monday...so this morning was my first trip back to work after the accident.
I would be lying if I said I was steady as a rock on the roadways today, especially on Soldier's Field Road....but I got through it.
I think leaving a bit earlier helped my anxiety. Less people, more space, better chances of a safe drive.
On a lighter note, I saw a woman flossing her teeth while stopped at a red light. I don't know how I feel about what I saw. Is it gross? Does it go against good driving manners? Does it matter?
I can say this: she can put on her resume that she is a true multi-tasker.
Arrival Time: 7:50
Weather as I call it: Cloudy, giving way to some sun. I wore my jacket for the first time this season
Paper Guy: Brown wool hat, shades, winter coat.
Shady Gas Price: $2.07
Yelled at other drivers: No
Feared for my life: I was a bit shaky.
------------------------------
I had a scheduled vacation day on Monday...so this morning was my first trip back to work after the accident.
I would be lying if I said I was steady as a rock on the roadways today, especially on Soldier's Field Road....but I got through it.
I think leaving a bit earlier helped my anxiety. Less people, more space, better chances of a safe drive.
On a lighter note, I saw a woman flossing her teeth while stopped at a red light. I don't know how I feel about what I saw. Is it gross? Does it go against good driving manners? Does it matter?
I can say this: she can put on her resume that she is a true multi-tasker.
10/20/2006
Major Accident
Departure Time: 7:20
Arrival Time: I really don't remember
Weather as I call it: Cloudy, some light rain in spots, wet roads.
Paper Guy: No hat, shades, windbreaker
Shady Gas Price: $2.07
Yelled at other drivers: No
Feared for my life: YEP.
------------------------------
So it finally happened: I got into an accident.
Here's the scene: I was driving west down Soldier's Field road, right by the Harvard Square exit in the right lane. There was a blue Acura SUV who was tailgating me. He got behind me from the BU bridge and didn't let up until we went under N. Harvard St.
Once you get past that bridge, the road opens up to three lanes (my lane is now the middle lane). The blue Acura decides he is going to pass me on the right. As he passes me, he sees an accident in the process of being cleared up. This accident is blocking the right lane so he slams on his brakes. I am in the process of passing him when I am hit from behind. Although I didn't see him, there was a Jeep Liberty behind the Acura. He must have slammed on his brakes to avoid the blue Acura, and swerved into my lane.
The Jeep Liberty bumped me just enough to send my car spinning. I spun around until I was facing oncoming traffic. I am amazed I didn't hit anybody else or get hit again by somebody else.
I put my car in reverse and pulled over to get out of the way.
Everyone was ok. Both cars were drivable after the accident. Papers were exchanged...The state police officer on the scene of the first accident helped me to turn my car around.
Things could have been worse...a lot worse...but I am here...and I am typing about it.
Big wheel keep on turning.
Let's try to be more careful out there.
Arrival Time: I really don't remember
Weather as I call it: Cloudy, some light rain in spots, wet roads.
Paper Guy: No hat, shades, windbreaker
Shady Gas Price: $2.07
Yelled at other drivers: No
Feared for my life: YEP.
------------------------------
So it finally happened: I got into an accident.
Here's the scene: I was driving west down Soldier's Field road, right by the Harvard Square exit in the right lane. There was a blue Acura SUV who was tailgating me. He got behind me from the BU bridge and didn't let up until we went under N. Harvard St.
Once you get past that bridge, the road opens up to three lanes (my lane is now the middle lane). The blue Acura decides he is going to pass me on the right. As he passes me, he sees an accident in the process of being cleared up. This accident is blocking the right lane so he slams on his brakes. I am in the process of passing him when I am hit from behind. Although I didn't see him, there was a Jeep Liberty behind the Acura. He must have slammed on his brakes to avoid the blue Acura, and swerved into my lane.
The Jeep Liberty bumped me just enough to send my car spinning. I spun around until I was facing oncoming traffic. I am amazed I didn't hit anybody else or get hit again by somebody else.
I put my car in reverse and pulled over to get out of the way.
Everyone was ok. Both cars were drivable after the accident. Papers were exchanged...The state police officer on the scene of the first accident helped me to turn my car around.
Things could have been worse...a lot worse...but I am here...and I am typing about it.
Big wheel keep on turning.
Let's try to be more careful out there.
10/19/2006
Loose Wire
Departure Time: 7:16
Arrival Time: 8:08
Weather as I call it: Cloudy...50s
Paper Guy: No hat today...but the McDs windbreaker was on
Shady Gas Price: $2.07
Yelled at other drivers: No
Feared for my life: No
------------------------------
First off, my passenger side brake light...turns out it's not a burnt-out bulb...but a loose wire. I bought a new bulb, installed it, and it still didn't work. I wiggled the casing a bit...and suddenly it worked.
When I checked it this morning, it wasn' working.
Ugh.
Lots of people were pulling in front of me today. I let the 18 wheeler in but the Taurus got the "Tough Luck" look.
Arrival Time: 8:08
Weather as I call it: Cloudy...50s
Paper Guy: No hat today...but the McDs windbreaker was on
Shady Gas Price: $2.07
Yelled at other drivers: No
Feared for my life: No
------------------------------
First off, my passenger side brake light...turns out it's not a burnt-out bulb...but a loose wire. I bought a new bulb, installed it, and it still didn't work. I wiggled the casing a bit...and suddenly it worked.
When I checked it this morning, it wasn' working.
Ugh.
Lots of people were pulling in front of me today. I let the 18 wheeler in but the Taurus got the "Tough Luck" look.
10/18/2006
Mr. Creeps
Departure Time: 7:09
Arrival Time: 7:54
Weather as I call it: Clouds giving way to sunny skies...warmer...don't need the coat today.
Paper Guy: Overdressed
Shady Gas Price: $2.09
Yelled at other drivers: meh
Feared for my life: No
------------------------------
I hate people who swing to the right to take a left turn. Idiot truck guy had to pull a bold move to get into a Dunkie Donut parking lot...by slightly turning right before taking a hard left. Since he had his blinker on, I was trying to get around him on his right. So, his stutter step freaked me out a bit.
I said, "Whoa there, daddy-o, what are you doing?"
I need to go to AutoZone this afternoon during lunch to get a new brake light.
Mr. Creeps is all right (see comments from yesterday's post).
Arrival Time: 7:54
Weather as I call it: Clouds giving way to sunny skies...warmer...don't need the coat today.
Paper Guy: Overdressed
Shady Gas Price: $2.09
Yelled at other drivers: meh
Feared for my life: No
------------------------------
I hate people who swing to the right to take a left turn. Idiot truck guy had to pull a bold move to get into a Dunkie Donut parking lot...by slightly turning right before taking a hard left. Since he had his blinker on, I was trying to get around him on his right. So, his stutter step freaked me out a bit.
I said, "Whoa there, daddy-o, what are you doing?"
I need to go to AutoZone this afternoon during lunch to get a new brake light.
Mr. Creeps is all right (see comments from yesterday's post).
10/17/2006
VW Golf Multi-Tasker
Departure Time: 7:18
Arrival Time: 8:10
Weather as I call it: Partly Sunny
Paper Guy: Had the McDs windbreaker and winter hat on.
Shady Gas Price: $2.09
Yelled at other drivers: No, but some guy ticked me off a bit
Feared for my life: No
------------------------------
There is nothing worse than a guy who A) forces his way into your lane by sheer force and B) is on his cell phone the entire time he is in front of you so he's driving slower than the rest of traffic plus C) he's driving a stick shift, which adds to his slow acceleration after the green light is illuminated.
Thank you Mr. VW Golf for slightly annoying me this morning.
Other than that, good times on the roadways. Check out that shady gas price.
Arrival Time: 8:10
Weather as I call it: Partly Sunny
Paper Guy: Had the McDs windbreaker and winter hat on.
Shady Gas Price: $2.09
Yelled at other drivers: No, but some guy ticked me off a bit
Feared for my life: No
------------------------------
There is nothing worse than a guy who A) forces his way into your lane by sheer force and B) is on his cell phone the entire time he is in front of you so he's driving slower than the rest of traffic plus C) he's driving a stick shift, which adds to his slow acceleration after the green light is illuminated.
Thank you Mr. VW Golf for slightly annoying me this morning.
Other than that, good times on the roadways. Check out that shady gas price.
10/16/2006
Cruising On Monday
Departure Time: 7:06
Arrival Time: 7:50
Weather as I call it: Sunny, colder - 40s
Paper Guy: Had his mind on his money (and his money on his mind)
Shady Gas Price: $2.11
Yelled at other drivers: No
Feared for my life: No
------------------------------
Paper guy was dressed for snow with his wool hat and heavy jacket, but the best thing to report about him today was the counting of his money. He had a huge wad of $1 bills he was rifling through...counting them as he moved them with his thumb from one hand to the other. A true gangsta.
A few pockets of congestion couldn't get me down this morning. Mostly, I was flying down the roads with other early birds - rocking Monday morning unlike the other schlubs trying to get their move on.
Mondays are tough.
Arrival Time: 7:50
Weather as I call it: Sunny, colder - 40s
Paper Guy: Had his mind on his money (and his money on his mind)
Shady Gas Price: $2.11
Yelled at other drivers: No
Feared for my life: No
------------------------------
Paper guy was dressed for snow with his wool hat and heavy jacket, but the best thing to report about him today was the counting of his money. He had a huge wad of $1 bills he was rifling through...counting them as he moved them with his thumb from one hand to the other. A true gangsta.
A few pockets of congestion couldn't get me down this morning. Mostly, I was flying down the roads with other early birds - rocking Monday morning unlike the other schlubs trying to get their move on.
Mondays are tough.
10/13/2006
Ten Thirteen
Departure Time: 7:10
Arrival Time: 7:52
Weather as I call it: Sunny and chill-filled --> 40s
Paper Guy: Same outfit as yesterday (and the day before that)
Shady Gas Price: $2.11
Yelled at other drivers: No
Feared for my life: No
------------------------------
Sometimes you see things on your drive to work that are little captures of time in other people's life. Today I was at a stop light that had a left turn only lane. This lane came equipped with its own green arrow signal, which to me are the best kind of turn only lanes.
I just happened to look to my left as the arrow turned green. There were these guys in this early 90's Mercury Grand Marquis. Young guys, they couldn't have been older than 22. They were fumbling around in the car; looking for something I guess. The driver, who wasn't paying attention, suddenly realized that the light had turned green, exclaimed "Oh sh*t!", and slammed on the gas to get through.
The look of surprise on his face was priceless. You can't pay for moments like that.
Arrival Time: 7:52
Weather as I call it: Sunny and chill-filled --> 40s
Paper Guy: Same outfit as yesterday (and the day before that)
Shady Gas Price: $2.11
Yelled at other drivers: No
Feared for my life: No
------------------------------
Sometimes you see things on your drive to work that are little captures of time in other people's life. Today I was at a stop light that had a left turn only lane. This lane came equipped with its own green arrow signal, which to me are the best kind of turn only lanes.
I just happened to look to my left as the arrow turned green. There were these guys in this early 90's Mercury Grand Marquis. Young guys, they couldn't have been older than 22. They were fumbling around in the car; looking for something I guess. The driver, who wasn't paying attention, suddenly realized that the light had turned green, exclaimed "Oh sh*t!", and slammed on the gas to get through.
The look of surprise on his face was priceless. You can't pay for moments like that.
10/12/2006
Shortcut Unnecessary
Departure Time: 7:09
Arrival Time: 7:58
Weather as I call it: Cloudy with wet roads
Paper Guy: Hat, jacket, shades...you tell me why.
Shady Gas Price: $2.13
Yelled at other drivers: No
Feared for my life: No
------------------------------
It rained a lot last night. I didn't have too much trouble navigating the slippery roads until Soldier's Field Road (SFR) right before the Harvard Sq. exit. All traffic came to a screeching halt.
As I was sitting there momentarily in the stuck traffic, I had this revelation: I can avoid this mess by taking the Harvard Sq. exit, go over the Lars Anderson bridge, and take a left onto Memorial Drive.
As I got into the right lane to take the exit, traffic started to move again. Instead of being a jackass and forcing my way back onto SFR, I took the exit...but instead of taking a right off the ramp...I went straight and took the downramp back on SFR.
There was an accident that had been cleaned up. State police was on the scene with their blue lights on and there were two cars on a flat bed truck all smashed up.
Be careful on those wet roads.
Arrival Time: 7:58
Weather as I call it: Cloudy with wet roads
Paper Guy: Hat, jacket, shades...you tell me why.
Shady Gas Price: $2.13
Yelled at other drivers: No
Feared for my life: No
------------------------------
It rained a lot last night. I didn't have too much trouble navigating the slippery roads until Soldier's Field Road (SFR) right before the Harvard Sq. exit. All traffic came to a screeching halt.
As I was sitting there momentarily in the stuck traffic, I had this revelation: I can avoid this mess by taking the Harvard Sq. exit, go over the Lars Anderson bridge, and take a left onto Memorial Drive.
As I got into the right lane to take the exit, traffic started to move again. Instead of being a jackass and forcing my way back onto SFR, I took the exit...but instead of taking a right off the ramp...I went straight and took the downramp back on SFR.
There was an accident that had been cleaned up. State police was on the scene with their blue lights on and there were two cars on a flat bed truck all smashed up.
Be careful on those wet roads.
10/11/2006
Nerves of Steel
Departure Time: 7:11
Arrival Time: 7:55
Weather as I call it: Filtered sunshine as they said on the news.
Paper Guy: Winter hat, shades, jacket. Man, I didn't think it was that cold this morning.
Shady Gas Price: $2.13 - Hanging with Mr. Cooper
Yelled at other drivers: No, but I wanted to.
Feared for my life: No
------------------------------
Allright. I had a tough time today.
1. There was some dude who was in a real rush today in my town. He was trying to pass me on a one lane road. When we arrived at a red light, he used the "right turn only" lane to pass me and a white school bus van. I kept my eye on him throughout my trip. For all of his speeding and iratic driving, I was constantly only two cars behind him. All that rushing for not much gain.
2. There were two Middlesex County Sherriff cars in East Cambridge that decided they wanted to be a caravan that could not be separated. I felt like I was close to being sideswiped. It looked like they were transporting somebody. The thing is, if they wanted to be official and break the rules of the road...they should have had their blue lights on....instead of muscling me out of merging into a lane.
3. Some aggressive drivers in pickup trucks on Storrow today. I saw many Ford emblems fixed upon large chrome grills in my rearview. When peeps tailgate, it doesn't make me want to go any faster....it makes me want to slam on my brakes.
You gotta be tough to keep your nerve in this place.
Arrival Time: 7:55
Weather as I call it: Filtered sunshine as they said on the news.
Paper Guy: Winter hat, shades, jacket. Man, I didn't think it was that cold this morning.
Shady Gas Price: $2.13 - Hanging with Mr. Cooper
Yelled at other drivers: No, but I wanted to.
Feared for my life: No
------------------------------
Allright. I had a tough time today.
1. There was some dude who was in a real rush today in my town. He was trying to pass me on a one lane road. When we arrived at a red light, he used the "right turn only" lane to pass me and a white school bus van. I kept my eye on him throughout my trip. For all of his speeding and iratic driving, I was constantly only two cars behind him. All that rushing for not much gain.
2. There were two Middlesex County Sherriff cars in East Cambridge that decided they wanted to be a caravan that could not be separated. I felt like I was close to being sideswiped. It looked like they were transporting somebody. The thing is, if they wanted to be official and break the rules of the road...they should have had their blue lights on....instead of muscling me out of merging into a lane.
3. Some aggressive drivers in pickup trucks on Storrow today. I saw many Ford emblems fixed upon large chrome grills in my rearview. When peeps tailgate, it doesn't make me want to go any faster....it makes me want to slam on my brakes.
You gotta be tough to keep your nerve in this place.
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