Wah, I'm Sick.

Departure Time: 7:12
Arrival Time: 7:57
Weather as I call it: Cloudy. 30s. A little damp out there.
Paper Guy: MIA
Shady Gas Price: $2.17
Yelled at other drivers: No
Feared for my life: No

------------------------------

Yeah, I don't feel well. I started to feel crappy on Friday and then it got worse as the days wore on this weekend culminating with a lethargic and chill-ridden MLK day. I only get sick twice a year (on average), and when I do get sick...it's pretty bad.

I think I am getting over it. The fluids have been flowing since 6:45 and I have cleaned off my steering wheel, radio, gear shift, lights switch, and window wiper controls. I refuse to take any OTC drugs to relieve my symptoms because I hate the side effects like drowsiness...which isn't good for driving to work.

Boxed In

Departure Time: 7:09
Arrival Time: 7:45
Weather as I call it: Cloudy
Paper Guy: Wearing some snazzy running pants...two stripes on the sides. Pretty good for protecting against winter winds.
Shady Gas Price: $2.23
Yelled at other drivers: No
Feared for my life: No

------------------------------

Two vans boxed me in on Storrow. The guy in front of me kept braking and braking. Pretty annoying...but it reminds me of this scene:

Ian: You could fold this though.
Nigel: Well, no then it's half the size.
Ian: Not the bread, you could fold the meat.
Nigel: Yeah, but then it, then it breaks up, breaks apart like this.
Ian: No, no, no, you put it on the bread like this, you see
Nigel: But then, if you keep folding it, it keeps breaking...
Ian: Why do you keep folding it?
Nigel: And then you...everyhing has to be folded, and then it's this,
and I don't want this I want large bread so that I can put
this...
Ian: Right
Nigel: ...so then it's like this, this does not work because
then...it's all....
Ian: 'cause it hangs out like that?
Nigel: Look...
Ian: Yeah.
Nigel: Would you been holding this?
Ian: No, I don't want to eat...I wouldn't want to put that in my mouth, no
you're right, Nigel, you're right...


Look at the duration of the trip. I think I might have ran a red light to get to work that fast.

Happy Friday. I am off Monday, so check back then...

She's Bringing Winter Back

Departure Time: 7:15
Arrival Time: 7:53
Weather as I call it: Cold. The liquor store thermometer said 22 degrees!
Paper Guy: Wrapped in a scarf.
Shady Gas Price: $2.23
Yelled at other drivers: No
Feared for my life: No

------------------------------

Don't you just hate it when your car heater never really gets hot enough? Maybe it's just my problem with the Altima, but some days even when the heat in my car is cranking...it just doesn't seem hot enough.

I didn't miss winter...still don't.

Stop Gating My Tail

Departure Time: 7:09
Arrival Time: 7:49
Weather as I call it: Sunny...colder
Paper Guy: Winter hat and coat
Shady Gas Price: $2.28
Yelled at other drivers: No
Feared for my life: No

------------------------------

There was this mom-type person tailgating me through town on the first ten minutes of my drive. I tried to stop her by tapping on my brakes a few times, but there was no end to her reign of terror until she was able to pass me at an intersection where the road split into two lanes (one to turn left and one to turn right).

After she passed me, she ran the red light to turn right...even though it was clearly marked as a "No Turn On Right" intersection.

Maybe Moms should slow down too?

Cold Temps Cold Cash

Departure Time: 7:09
Arrival Time: 7:58
Weather as I call it: Sunny...but colder...back in the 30s
Paper Guy: Back to the winter gear.
Shady Gas Price: $2,28
Yelled at other drivers: No
Feared for my life: No

------------------------------

Paper guy made a sale today. His 'client' gave him a dollar bill for the sale...which is probably double what the newspaper's sale price is... From my perspective, Paper Guy made himself a little extra money on that transaction as a tip.

I swear I saw him take the dollar bill, wave it over his head in jubilation, and then slip in into his pouch with a huge grin on his face.

Maybe I am making things up...

Dark Like Iceland

Departure Time: 7:15
Arrival Time: 7:59
Weather as I call it: It was dark and rainy.
Paper Guy: Green and white umbrella. Tan coat.
Shady Gas Price: $2.28
Yelled at other drivers: Nope
Feared for my life: Nah

------------------------------

Although it's not as dark as long as it is in Iceland, I did have to tell myself a few times this morning that I was driving in the 7AM hour, not the 7PM hour.

It was dark...and peeps weren't driving with their headlights on. Not a huge deal, but it was hard to them until they were right next to you.

Body Worlds - Sold Out!

Departure Time: 7:12
Arrival Time: 7:56
Weather as I call it: A few clouds...mild again today.
Paper Guy: NO HAT!
Shady Gas Price: $2.29
Yelled at other drivers: No
Feared for my life: No

------------------------------

Paper Guy did not wear his winter hat today and from looking at his hair as I drove by him, it appeared that he had taken it off while he was standing on the median. His hair had tell tale signs of "hathead".

The Museum of Science has power, my friends. They have commandeered one of those big construction-grade traffic signs (you know the ones: big orange monstrosities that flash messages through the use of multiple glowing amber bulbs) to display their own warning to the general public.

Instead of a message that you would normally see on this type of sign (Example: Right Lane Closed - Merge Left), they want to let you know that "Body Worlds Sold Out - Reserved Tickets Only".

So, I have two questions:

1. How do I get me one of those?

2. How fast can put the message "Slow Down - Your Mom Is Worried About You" on it?

Sneeze Attack

Departure Time: 7:09
Arrival Time: 7:53
Weather as I call it: Clear, sunny, warm
Paper Guy: Brown winter hat and shades
Shady Gas Price: $2.29
Yelled at other drivers: No
Feared for my life: No

------------------------------

I had the biggest sneeze attack on Storrow today. I was a little frightened about taking my eye of the road for the split second they were closed for each sneeze (Four of them in total, I counted).

El Nino in Boston

Departure Time: N/A
Arrival Time: N/A
Weather as I call it: Sunny and warm
Paper Guy: N/A
Shady Gas Price: N/A
Yelled at other drivers: Nah.
Feared for my life: Nah.

------------------------------

I went to work late. I know all you skiers and snow sport fanatics aren't liking it, but 50 degrees in January is rocking like Dokken.

Ok, maybe rocking a little better than that.

Driving On in 2K7

Departure Time: 7:22
Arrival Time: 8:07
Weather as I call it: Clear and sunny...I am still wearing my Fall jacket.
Paper Guy: Winter hat and a smile
Shady Gas Price: $2.29
Yelled at other drivers: Yeah..but for a different reason
Feared for my life: No

------------------------------

There was a woman on Storrow Drive that wouldn't get out of the way for an emergency vehicle. An ambulance came right up behind her but she didn't budge...even though she had plenty of room to merge right.

The ambulance had its lights flashing and beeped at her a few times but to no avail.

I yelled, "What's wrong with this person?" Sometimes I wonder aloud.

So, here it is...the graph charting the Shady Gas Price since 9/16/2005:


Is it safe to say we are in for higher prices this spring/summer? Maybe 2007 will be different.

Last Post of 2006

Departure Time: 7:13
Arrival Time: 7:46
Weather as I call it: Cloudy and cold -- 30s
Paper Guy: Hat but no scarf
Shady Gas Price: $2.29
Yelled at other drivers: No
Feared for my life: No

------------------------------

I tried to get my duration down under 30 minutes today...but my attempt was foiled by some strange traffic pile up at Kenmore Square. It was strange because it cleared up as fast as it appeared....it may have been due to some bad merge.

Funny stuff from the user stats: I have received a few visitors from search engines on the query of "Let Earth Receive Her King". How 'bout choo?

I am currently working on the Shady Gas Price chart with all-time data. Although it isn't finished, there is a pretty clear trend.

Wellup, 2006 had its ups and downs for me.

I predict 2007 will be a better year. Be well.

32 Minutes Long

Departure Time: 7:12
Arrival Time: 7:44
Weather as I call it: Clear skies, around the freezing mark.
Paper Guy: Scarf around the neck.
Shady Gas Price: $2.29
Yelled at other drivers: Nah
Feared for my life: Felt good!

------------------------------

When I drove by Paper Guy, I think we had a moment...ish. Since there were very few cars on the road this morning, I approached him at a pretty steady clip. I turned to look at him while I was passing. He looked up and I think we made eye contact although it was hard to tell because he was wearing his shades.

I felt a twinge of sadness as I left him standing there. He doesn't make many sales on days like these...or so I assume. Don't fret Paper Guy! Come January 2nd the traffic will be back.

I tried to get my duration under 30 minutes...missed it by 3 minutes. I hit one too many stop lights.

I saw an old guy walking two dalmations along the Charles today. Here's a cute dog picture:

Twas The Day After Christmas

Departure Time: 8:28
Arrival Time: 8:58
Weather as I call it: Light Rain
Paper Guy: Hat, shades, winning smile, and a bundle of Heralds
Shady Gas Price: $2.29
Yelled at other drivers: No
Feared for my life: No

------------------------------

Soooooowah, I was in the lovely town of Plymouth for Christmas...and that is where I woke up this morning. I drove up north to drop off all our gifts at the house and a little pebble bounced off a dump truck and now I have a little crack in my windshield.

Wah.

After leaving the house, the ride to work was awesome. A 30 minute duration is fantastic! Let's see if I can get it down under 29 later on in the week.

Happy Holidays Indeed

Departure Time: 7:14
Arrival Time: 7:59
Weather as I call it: Cloudy...cold but not freezing
Paper Guy: Ready for a blizzard. He had a scarf wrapped around his face.
Shady Gas Price: $2.29
Yelled at other drivers: I tooted the horn
Feared for my life: No

------------------------------

Some woman was playing games on Soldier's Field. One moment, she needs to be in the right lane. The next moment, she needs to be in the left.

It wasn't until she almost cut me off that I let her know she was annoying me and putting me at risk of another No-Fault accident.

She looked at me as if she didn't understand why I was beeping. I wanted to ask her if she recalled the 5 previous rapid lane changes.

Happy Holidays, ev'rbod. See you on Boxing Day.

Later Than Usual

Departure Time: N/A
Arrival Time: N/A
Weather as I call it: Sunny and Clear!
Paper Guy: N/A
Shady Gas Price: N/A
Yelled at other drivers: No
Feared for my life: No

------------------------------

I had a doctor's appointment...so I came to work late.

No problem, mon.

12 Days To Go

Departure Time: 7:08
Arrival Time: 7:49
Weather as I call it: Sunny with a solid mass of wispy clouds
Paper Guy: Winter hat, shades, and a smile
Shady Gas Price: $2.29
Yelled at other drivers: No
Feared for my life: No

------------------------------

I don't know about you...but I can't wait for 2006 to be over. Apart from my son being born, this year has been crappy. I guess it all balanced out.


I still need to get my car repaired from my accident.

Less Cars and Loving It

Departure Time: 7:07
Arrival Time: 7:48
Weather as I call it: Cloudy...but still mild
Paper Guy: I didn't see him...driving too fast.
Shady Gas Price: $2.29...boo!
Yelled at other drivers: No
Feared for my life: No

------------------------------

And it begins! The holiday season brings light communtes...people on vaca...college kids home for winter break...shoppers getting locked inside department stores overnight.

It's the most wonderful time of the year...except for summer...and opening day...and my birthday.

As long as you are out of my way, I am pleased.

Wishing You A Cup Half Full

Departure Time: 7:04
Arrival Time: 7:48
Weather as I call it: Foggy at the start...then sunny.
Paper Guy: Smiling with his hat and shades
Shady Gas Price: $2.23
Yelled at other drivers: No
Feared for my life: No

------------------------------

I have my satellite radio receiver programmed to alert me when certain songs are broadcasted over any of the channels, although I think this particular one is only played on the Blues station: "Stay All Night" by Junior Kimbrough.

If you ain't rocking the Kimbrough, then you ain't rocking.

Off tomorrow...Type at you Monday.

Catchphrases

Departure Time: 7:14
Arrival Time: 8:00
Weather as I call it: Cloudy but mild
Paper Guy: Smiling, waving, and selling with his winter hat and shades
Shady Gas Price: $2.23
Yelled at other drivers: No
Feared for my life: No

------------------------------

Have the college kiddies gone on winter break already? The roads have been calm, and although the volume has been roughly the same...there seems to be a rhythm...a smoothness...to the commute that usually coincides with the lack of inexperienced drivers on the road.

Or maybe I am just filled with X-Mas joy and it's affecting my attitude about driving to work.

Like Dean's Home Furniture used to say, "I doubt it!"

Driving While Blind

Departure Time: 7:08
Arrival Time: 7:52
Weather as I call it: The sun was up and out...I had to scrape the windshield though.
Paper Guy: Working hard with his hat and shades on.
Shady Gas Price: $2.23
Yelled at other drivers: No
Feared for my life: No

------------------------------

No racing today, but I did see a woman pick her nose. I just happened to look in my rearview mirror and there she was...digging for China.

Other than that, it was pretty uninteresting. I did have some frosted-up windows that did impair my view...but I'm a pro.

I can drive this route with my eyes closed.