Courtesy Counts

I thought I would use that MBTA slogan as my header today...for no particular reason. Well, maybe there is a reason. The automated voice on the bus uses this line when speaking about baby strollers.

"Passengers and baby strollers have to share space on the bus."

Lately, there have been a few strollers on the bus...and it's definitely hard to find space to share when there isn't a lot of space to begin with.

I think everyone does their best to make way for the stroller. I am often surprised at the help that stroller pushers get when they exit the bus.

With the announcements, I always pictured there were some crazy fights that broke out between strollers and passengers...and the announcements were a way to stop those fights from happening again.


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Bus Departure Time: 6:58
Bus Arrival Time: 7:12
T Departure Time: 7:15
T Arrival Time: 7:36
Weather as I call it: Sunny high 40s.
Level of commute annoyance (scale of 1 to 10): 2
Feared for my life: No

Under The Weather

I am a little sick today. I feel a little achy and my nose is a little stuffed up.

I am keeping it to myself though. I will not spread this illness to my fellow passengers. I promise!

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Bus Departure Time: 6:58
Bus Arrival Time: 7:13
T Departure Time: 7:13
T Arrival Time: 7:33
Weather as I call it: Light rain 40s blech.
Level of commute annoyance (scale of 1 to 10): 3
Feared for my life: No

Awful Monday

I guess it wasn't totally awful. I mean, I still got to work.

The bus I usually take didn't arrive. I had to wait for the next one...and so did everyone else. The bus hit capacity and we drove past 8 stops. Plenty of unhappy people today.

Just in time for the kids to be back in school today.

Plus, I am really beat this morning. Too sleepy to type. Need coffee.


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Bus Departure Time: 7:08
Bus Arrival Time: 7:21
T Departure Time: 7:22
T Arrival Time: 7:42
Weather as I call it: Cloudy but 40s
Level of commute annoyance (scale of 1 to 10): 4
Feared for my life: Nah

No More Boston Now

I know I am pretty late to the game, but I just found out that Boston Now is no more. I had a suspicion when their hawkers disappeared from Malden Center station.

There was the singing "Boston Nooooooooooooooooooooow!" guy...he's gone.

And the Boston Now guy who addressed the crowds as "America".

It's free, America!

Oh well. I won't miss the paper...but I will miss the hawkers...at least the ones that didn't get in my face.

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Bus Departure Time: 6:57
Bus Arrival Time: 7:10
T Departure Time: 7:11
T Arrival Time: 7:32
Weather as I call it: Sunny 40s
Level of commute annoyance (scale of 1 to 10): 1
Feared for my life: No

Not A Peep

The bus was a little early, I guess...but not so early that most people would miss it.

It seemed like a late start morning for most people...or it was a good weather flu day off. The bus and T were quiet. Not a lot of people. Not a lot of noise.

Just a drowsy sunny morning...did I see pollen on the ground?

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Bus Departure Time: 6:56
Bus Arrival Time: 7:09
T Departure Time: 7:11
T Arrival Time: 7:32
Weather as I call it: Sunny and drowsy, 50s
Level of commute annoyance (scale of 1 to 10): 1
Feared for my life: No

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.

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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

Unspoken

The bus came on time and with the kids out of school, we rushed through the fair city. My fellow travelers talked about Bruins and Sox and the moving of the Super Fitness gym.

On the Orange Line, the seats were plentiful. No marathon tourists today either.

A guy sat down next to me and as he did so...sat on the end of my jacket. I didn't have to move until 3 stops later so I didn't mind too much...trying to keep the thoughts of being trapped at bay. When I did arrive at my stop, I tugged a bit at my jacket. Without a word, the gentleman lifted swayed to the left and released me to the wild. Thanks man...that could have been awkward.

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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 mild. High 40s
Level of commute annoyance (scale of 1 to 10): 2
Feared for my life: No

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.

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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 Paper Guy Redux

Commute was good today. Happy Friday.

Here's the story I was alluding to yesterday. It's a bit out of scope but stick with me.

Back when I first started this blog, there was a guy that I passed every day on the way to work. He stood at a busy intersection and sold newspapers to people sitting in their cars waiting for the next light change. I dubbed him, "Paper Guy"...how original. I noted his outfit with each passing day, using him as a gauge of the weather. If he had sunglasses on, it was sunny. If he had no coat on, it was warm. If he had a hat on, it was cold. You get the picture.

Since I changed jobs, I haven't seen this guy...until a few weeks ago.

Here's where the story gets out of the scope of the blog...I saw him on the T ride home. (Slap my wrist now.) I was sitting there, minding my own business, and I look up and see him sitting right across from me. Whoa. Paper Guy is right there.

Pretty sweet -- small world and all that -- I guess -- Fun coincidence at least.

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Bus Departure Time: 6:58
Bus Arrival Time: 7:14
T Departure Time: 7:16
T Arrival Time: 7:37
Weather as I call it: Sunny Mild 40s
Level of commute annoyance (scale of 1 to 10): 1
Feared for my life: Nope

Weather Changes Moods

I swear to you...I saw people smiling on the T this morning...no really...people were smiling.

People got on the bus and were smiling.

I saw a woman who usually rudely pushes her way to get a seat...say "excuse me" and "thank you".

I saw another woman making happy faces at a baby on the Orange Line.

Promises of 70 degree weather will do that to people.


--Note to Readers: I will be breaking format a bit tomorrow. I have had this story built up for a while, but I haven't had the time to type it up. Readers who remember when I actually drove to work will get a kick out of tomorrow's post.

Here's a sneak peak: The story revolves around the guy who is pictured in this post.

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Bus Departure Time: 6:59
Bus Arrival Time: 7:15
T Departure Time: 7:17
T Arrival Time: 7:38
Weather as I call it: Sunny and mild. Happy people!!
Level of commute annoyance (scale of 1 to 10): 1
Feared for my life:

Overload

There a lot of people on my commute today. The bus stops were particularly packed with people. Stops that usually have 3 people at them had 6 today. Stops that usually have 6 people at them had 12 today...you get the point.

Is it the spring time? Did these people pop out of the ground?

On the bus, I saw a WCOZ bumper sticker on a pole near Malden Center...the funny thing is, it didn't look old. The frequency it displayed was 94 1/2 FM. Weird. Someone must have been saving that sticker for a while.

The Orange Line stop announcements were filled with feedback...ear piercing feedback.

The announcer kept telling passengers "the train was filled to capacity". Passengers near me quietly disagreed. "I don't think so" said one.


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Bus Departure Time: 6:57
Bus Arrival Time: 7:15
T Departure Time: 7:15
T Arrival Time: 7:36
Weather as I call it: Sunny and cool...spring time....saw a robin today.
Level of commute annoyance (scale of 1 to 10): 3 (damn feedback)
Feared for my life: No

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.

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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.

Where Are You?

Today was quiet...a quiet Monday to be sure. Not a lot of people on the T. The people who were on the T were silent.

Not a happy Monday for the people.

Well...

There was one guy who saw a sign for a wine tasting on May 2 and shouted out his joy to the whole bus. Outside of that, it was quiet


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Bus Departure Time: 6:57
Bus Arrival Time: 7:12
T Departure Time: 7:15
T Arrival Time: 7:36
Weather as I call it: Sunny and cool
Level of commute annoyance (scale of 1 to 10): 1
Feared for my life: No

Maybe Because It's Friday?

Bus came on time today...and was speedy in its delivery of me to the T station.

After a day of sunshine and mild temps, the rain and the cold are coming back.

Not a issue for a hearty N.E.er like myself...I know spring comes in spurts until it gets turned on full blast.

Peeps gotta quit whining.

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Bus Departure Time: 6:57
Bus Arrival Time: 7:09
T Departure Time: 7:12
T Arrival Time: 7:32
Weather as I call it: Mostly cloudy. 40s
Level of commute annoyance (scale of 1 to 10): 1
Feared for my life: Nope

Missing Bus Again

All right. Back to normal again.

But not so normal.

First, the bigger issue: There used to be two buses that ran the route around 7 o'clock. Now, there is only one. "They" took it away... Boo.

Today, the only one that runs around 7 o'clock didn't show up. So we had to wait until 7:09 to get the next one..which was filled to capacity two stops later...and started to pass crowded bus stops until we got to the high school.

Not fun. Plenty of "WTF" looks along the route.


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Bus Departure Time: 7:09
Bus Arrival Time: 7:21
T Departure Time: 7:24
T Arrival Time: 7:45
Weather as I call it: Sunny, mild...near 50.
Level of commute annoyance (scale of 1 to 10): 4
Feared for my life: Nah

Breaking Up The Routine

I had to drop off the CR-V this morning. The "Check Engine" light lit up just in time for the state inspection month (March) and, of course, this year was the year they checked emissions. Because the light was illuminated, I got a big, fat rejection sticker. So, I went to a shop that has a state-registered technician to fix the issue or at least set me up to get a passing inspection sticker.

Let's all keep good thoughts about the repair bill. Thanking you.

Because I drove away from my house, I took the 109 bus which had a stop near the repair shop.

Yikes! The traffic was horrendous....I anticipated some traffic but we were stopped for a good 5 minutes. My usual bus ride is wonderful in comparison.

I took the Orange Line from Sullivan Square. Peeps are much more awake at 8:15 than they are at 7:15...and more annoyed too.

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Bus Departure Time: N/A
Bus Arrival Time: N/A
T Departure Time: N/A
T Arrival Time: N/A
Weather as I call it: Foggy, almost smoky. Mid-30s
Level of commute annoyance (scale of 1 to 10): 4
Feared for my life: No...and I didn't fear change either.

Bag On Knee

Sometimes when the bus is too crowded, someone will rest their bag on my knee. They are in a standing position. I am in a seated position. I don't put my knee out there as a support mechanism. It just sorta happens. I am fine with it.

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Bus Departure Time: 6:59
Bus Arrival Time: 7:13
T Departure Time: 7:16
T Arrival Time: 7:37
Weather as I call it: Sunny, cool, Opening day at Fenway
Level of commute annoyance (scale of 1 to 10): 2
Feared for my life: No

Asking For Help

I got on the bus today and a woman sat down next to me. A couple of stops in, she tapped me on my shoulder and asked me to let her know when we arrived at the Malden Center T stop. I let her know that the last stop of the bus was the Malden Center stop.

I remember questions like this one being asked all the time on the bus. Since the MBTA put in the automated stop announcements and display at the front of the bus, these questions have ceased....for the most part. (At least in my universe)

This woman asked me to help her out because the announcement mechanism wasn't working.

Yes, the elimination of confusion through these mechanical means is definitely a plus. Heck, it's fundamental and should have always been there...but it was nice to help out a fellow commuter today. Certainly the opportunity to help someone find their way has been lost in the post-automated stop announcement world we live in today.

A small loss...but a loss for sure.


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Bus Departure Time: 7:01
Bus Arrival Time: 7:13
T Departure Time: 7:16
T Arrival Time: 7:37
Weather as I call it: Sunny and cool.
Level of commute annoyance (scale of 1 to 10): 2
Feared for my life: No

Herky Jerky

The bus was braking for all sorts of things today. Not sure if there were a lot of bumper stickers around stating "I Brake For such and such" and the driver wanted to support the causes....but it was a herky jerky ride today.

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Bus Departure Time: 6:58
Bus Arrival Time: 7:14
T Departure Time: 7:16
T Arrival Time: 7:37
Weather as I call it: Sunny less windy...high 30s
Level of commute annoyance (scale of 1 to 10): 2
Feared for my life: Nah

Red Light Running

Amazing! This morning the bus ran a red light...and I'm not talking the aw-it-was-yellow-just-a-second-ago-and-we-are-halfway-through-the-intersection running of a red light.

More like: It's-been-red-for-a-while-and-the-driver-just-spaced-it running of a red light.

There were looks of horror! There were horn blasts! There were exclamations of "WTF?"

Nothing more than that though, thankfully. No injuries or damages happened.


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Bus Departure Time: 7:00
Bus Arrival Time: 7:15
T Departure Time: 7:16
T Arrival Time: 7:37
Weather as I call it: Sunny...but colder, more windy. High 30s
Level of commute annoyance (scale of 1 to 10): 2
Feared for my life: A bit.

Spring A Ding Dong Day

I'll take it. Windy...a little rainy....temps in the 50s...sure.

I think the Orange Line had its heat on though...that made for some stuffiness.

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Bus Departure Time: 7:00
Bus Arrival Time: 7:15
T Departure Time: 7:16
T Arrival Time: 7:37
Weather as I call it: Waaaaaaahm, dude!
Level of commute annoyance (scale of 1 to 10): 2
Feared for my life: Nah