I Wouldn't Call It Dragging

Departure Time: 7:12
Arrival Time: 7:56
Weather as I call it: Cloudy...probably in the 30s
Paper Guy: Leaning against the "Left Lane for Left Turn Only" sign. Hat, McDs windbreaker, shades
Shady Gas Price: $2.23
Yelled at other drivers: No
Feared for my life: No

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Ugh...having problem with the new blogger interface...no matter....

Quiet Monday morning. I got into a little race with a young woman in a silver Civic. She passed me once on the McGrath HWY (The seagull is gone, btw)...I came up behind her and passed her while I crawled up to a red light.

As I passed her, I looked over...and although we didn't make eye contact...we both knew...it was on.

At the next light, she deftly maneuvered and got way ahead of the line of cars.

By the time we got on to Storrow Drive, I conceded.

She's tricky.

Better Late Than Never

Departure Time: 8:42
Arrival Time: 9:21
Weather as I call it: Sunny and a little warmer
Paper Guy: N/A
Shady Gas Price: N/A
Yelled at other drivers: No
Feared for my life: No

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I left a little later today because I had to take my wife to the dentist for a 7:15 cavity filling.

I went a different way...Tobin bridge to get to work faster. Meh, traffic.

I'm out tomorrow. Check back Monday.

Go Down To The Crossroads

Departure Time: 7:08
Arrival Time: 7:50
Weather as I call it: Sunny and cold
Paper Guy: Shades Scarf Hat
Shady Gas Price: $2.23
Yelled at other drivers: Yeah
Feared for my life: No

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On Storrow Drive heading westbound, there is a split...a crossroads if you will...where everybody has to make a decision.

Either stay to the left and head into Kenmore Square or stay to the right and keep on trucking west.

This morning, a woman in a minivan (I hate vans) paused while traveling in one of the right lanes...probably to contemplate and reflect on her choice.

As fate would have it, I was in that same lane....and I almost hit her...because two of her three brake lights were out.

I passed her on the left and I looked in to see who was having these deep thoughts.

Alas, alack...a woman on her cell phone.

"But I still love technology...always and forever..."

Frozen Bird

Departure Time: 7:08
Arrival Time: 7:48
Weather as I call it: Cold. Temps in the high 20s
Paper Guy: Bundled up! Scarf, hat, coat.
Shady Gas Price: $2.23
Yelled at other drivers: No
Feared for my life: No

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There is a dead seagull on the McGrath HWY. It lying close to the barrier on the left hand side of the inbound lanes. This is the second time I have seen it this week. It may have been hit by a vehicle, but the carcass is pretty intact so I doubt this cause of death.

Maybe I should contact the DPW to give it a proper burial?

Snow Slows The Ride

Departure Time: 7:08
Arrival Time: 7:58
Weather as I call it: Snowy...a light wet snow that didn't collect on the pavement
Paper Guy: I didn't see him. I was paying attention to the road.
Shady Gas Price: $2.23
Yelled at other drivers: No
Feared for my life: No

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Slow going today...slow but steady. No one did anything annoying, which is half the battle.

I saw a guy with a "Save Our Center/Stop Home Depot" bumper sticker. I let him cut into my lane.

I thought we had to "Save the Cheerleader" to save the world?

Let Earth Receive Her King

Departure Time: 7:03
Arrival Time: 7:44
Weather as I call it: Warm...too warm to be December. Overcast.
Paper Guy: No hat needed.
Shady Gas Price: $2.23
Yelled at other drivers: No
Feared for my life: No

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There were multiple emergency vehicles in front of the retirement home in town this morning. They didn't block or slow down traffic, but I hate seeing that....and so it goes.

There was this Lexus SUV with a huge red bow on its front grill...apparently to spread joy around and to the world and beyond and goodwill towards man and all that.

So, I did find it a bit unusual when, as I was stopped alongside the Lexus at a red light, the driver decided he had enough with said red light and proceeded to run right through it.

I did find it even more unusual when I found him tailgating me 5 minutes later, red bow and all. How did that happen?

See you on the roads Monday.

Web Analytics and Statistics

Departure Time: 7:07
Arrival Time: 7:47
Weather as I call it: Sun breaking through the clouds
Paper Guy: No Hat, Shades, rocking the McDs windbreaker
Shady Gas Price: $2.14
Yelled at other drivers: No
Feared for my life: No

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Paper guy made a sale today. It was awesome.

I have some interesting stats from my site's tracking systems.

Here are some search queries that have brought users (like you!~) to my bloggy blog as reported by Statcounter:


turning left on a green light, headache
name for maple seeds
slummerville
name of maple seed
weather boston december 2005
runover possum
boston weather 12-9-2005

Tremendous!

Google Webmaster tools reports that my blog-zizzle has visibility on these keywords:

Search query: ups drivers "few left turns"
Average top position: 2

Search query: burnt peanut
Average top position: 4

Search query: gas parka 2006
Average top position: 5

Search query: nerve of steel
Average top position: 6

Search query: solidier field
Average top position: 10

If you google any of these terms, I don't see Driving to Work anywhere. Wha?

The Right of Way

Departure Time: 7:07
Arrival Time: 7:52
Weather as I call it: Misty
Paper Guy: Black wool hat. McDs windbreaker
Shady Gas Price: $2.14
Yelled at other drivers: ...yeah
Feared for my life: No

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At a major intersection in town, not one but two peeps cut in front of me to take left turns (from their perspective).

As I was coming towards the intersection, I could see a silver Corolla and a small SUV waiting to turn at the green light. There is no green arrow on this traffic signal, so they had to yield.

I guess they were sick of yielding because as I got closer, both cars decided to creep slowly but steadily to the middle of the road...effectively forcing me to stop.

At first it was like a game of chicken, no one was stopping....but I came to the realization that I do not need to get into another accident.

So, I stopped, beeped my horn, raised my hands in disgust, and shouted, "What the Efff?!?"

The female passenger in the Corolla changed her expression as if to say "Sorry.....I do not know what I am doing with this madman behind the wheel...but he treats me ok for the most part and my family likes him...and I just can't take Brad back."

(Yes, all that in one expression)

The driver in the SUV made no eye contact. Good move.

Wellington Circle Is A Mess

Departure Time: 7:10
Arrival Time: 7:56
Weather as I call it: Cloudy. I had to put my headlights on
Paper Guy: Brown hat, McDs windbreaker
Shady Gas Price: $2.14
Yelled at other drivers: No
Feared for my life: No

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Lots of volume in Wellington Square. I am not sure what the cause of it was. I swear sometimes the lights are off slightly some days. If the duration of a green light is shortened by two seconds, it makes a big difference. It means less people can speed up through the yellow light and even less people can run the red light.

The other factor may be the large number of trucks that roll through the area.

Drenched in Dignity

Departure Time: 7:07
Arrival Time: 7:50
Weather as I call it: Hazy sunshine. 43 degrees.
Paper Guy: Got tricked by a guy in a pickup. More details below.
Shady Gas Price: $2.14
Yelled at other drivers: No
Feared for my life: No

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Phew. Shake out those cobwebs!

The morning started with a whimper. It looked like I had a flat tire, but after a closer inspection it was just a little low. I will have to pump it up a bit.

Then, I turned the key and the engine was slow to turn over. I hadn't driven my car in 4 days. I guess it was as groggy as me this morning.

Paper Guy thought he was going to have a sale, but it turned out to be a "fake out" instead. This pickup truck made a quick move to get into the left lane near Paper Guy's median. Paper Guy lifted a newspaper over his head with a knowing smile, but then quickly retracted his arm and stuck the paper back into his sack. He realized that the pickup truck was only driving erratically, and not interested in a purchase.

For some, this incident would cause embarrassment. For Paper Guy, every move he makes is drenched in dignity.

Big Puddles

Departure Time: 7:14
Arrival Time: 8:06
Weather as I call it: Rainy...wind swept rain
Paper Guy: Plastic bag over his papers. Running to avoid rain drops
Shady Gas Price: $2.09 (I actually didn't see it today. I had to pay attention to the road.
Yelled at other drivers: No
Feared for my life: No

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I have to stop watching the morning news before I leave the house. The traffic guy on the screen told me that Soldier's Field Road was closed at N. Harvard St.

So, I took Memorial Drive instead (the calmer, more social sister of Storrow Drive) to avoid what I thought would be a major headache.

When I looked across the river, cars were motoring as fast as normal. I think they lied to me (and only me).

Wellup, I am off all next week for Thanksgiving and such. Have a good one. Let's give thanks for blogs, driving, cars, and the avoidance of phantom traffic.

I may post stuff during the week anyway...just cuz.

I Need a Fog Horn

Departure Time: 7:07
Arrival Time: 7:53
Weather as I call it: FOGGY. 50s.
Paper Guy: Hat, no shades (I think...it was foggy). He did wave to someone behind me.
Shady Gas Price: $2.09
Yelled at other drivers: No
Feared for my life: No

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Yeah, foggy conditions out there. There was about a 1/4 mile of visibility on the roads...so no leaf peepin' today.

I saw an Audi in Somerville with their driver's side back door opening and closing as we drove through the intersection where the McGrath Highway meets Medford St. As I passed the car, I looked to see the driver pretty distraught. I was going to roll my window down and ask something like, "Hey, do you know your door is open?"...but I think he was quite aware.

You don't want to be the person who points out the most obvious item. It's only a good time when you know you will get a response like the ones I remember from Mad Magazine:


Q: "Hey, do you know your door is open?"

A1: "No, I didn't notice that...but I did notice how nosy people are in this town."

Q: "Hey, do you know your door is open?"

A2: "No, but your mouth is open...shut it!"

Q: "Hey, do you know your door is open?"

A3: "Actually, yes I did know that. I was trying to see if I could go faster with it open. The thing is, I can't complete my experiment because I keep getting slowed down by idiots like you!"

Speedy

Departure Time: 7:18
Arrival Time: 8:09
Weather as I call it: Cloudy with a few breaks.
Paper Guy: No hat, shades, and a windbreaker.
Shady Gas Price: $2.09
Yelled at other drivers: No
Feared for my life: No

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I have to give a "shout out" to my fellow commuters on the south sho-ah. I saw on the TV that there was a bad accident (van, fire, spillage) on Route 3 northbound. At about 7 AM, I saw 3 lanes of brake lights for miles from the 'copter camera view. I poured my coffee on the sidewalk for you.

Lots of police officers pulling over people today. It must have been "Speedy Wednesday". I missed the memo.

Not At Fault

Departure Time: 7:06
Arrival Time: 7:55
Weather as I call it: Light rain. Not pleasant.
Paper Guy: Hat, Shades, Light coat.
Shady Gas Price: $2.09
Yelled at other drivers: No
Feared for my life: No

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Hey, I'm back...ev'rybod.

Good news on the insurance-who-is-going-to-pay-for-my-rear-bumper-dealy. I was a pest yesterday and called my insurance company...again and again. This time, I had my claim number...which I am sure helped the process. The woman who was handling my claim called me back and told me a check would arrive in 3 to 5 business days to pay for the damage.

Nice.

Also, it was determined that I was not at fault and a surcharge would not be levied onto my policy.

Sweet A.

Rainy drive today, but people were cool for the most part. I take it particularly slow on Storrow Drive/Soldier's Field Road. No need to get into another incident.

No Traffic No Problem

Departure Time: 6:59
Arrival Time: 7:34
Weather as I call it: Sunny and pretty warm for this time of year. 50s
Paper Guy: Winter hat, coat, and shades
Shady Gas Price: $2.09 - 3 cent increase. Is this a reaction to the Dems taking the Senate majority?
Yelled at other drivers: No
Feared for my life: No

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Since Veterans' Day is tomorrow, many people had the day off today. The drive was spectacular.

A few notes:

The Wendy's in Medford is no longer hiring smiling cashiers. They took the message down from their sign. Are they now hiring smirking ones?

The liquor store in E. Cambridge is using their sign to thank Question 1 "No" voters. I guess I can't take part in this mass appreciation.

The accident I was in 3 weeks ago is still lingering in the back of my mind. Mostly because I haven't received money from my insurance company yet. I called the person handling my claim on Wednesday and had to leave a message. I think I may need to be pesky to get this going.

I am taking Monday off...so see you Tuesday on the roads.

No, No, No

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

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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.

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

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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.

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

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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!

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

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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!"

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

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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.