Free Way

I went back to the highway and it didn't really ruin my day. I think I had to get back to my original route. I may throw in a variation here or there, but for now I feel like I can drive to work this way and it will be ok.

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Departure Time: 7:11
Arrival Time: 7:42
Weather as I call it: Cloudy and cool
Level of commute annoyance (scale of 1 to 10): 2
Feared for my life: No

Rain, Back Roads, And Traffic

I saw we had rain falling from the skies this morning so it was back to the back roads this morning. Although I avoided a lot of traffic, my trip was a little longer than what it was on Friday. I think other people had the same idea I had.

The bummer about the back roads is the intermittent satellite radio signal I encounter driving down them.

I think it might be back to the highway for me tomorrow.


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Departure Time: 7:10
Arrival Time: 7:52
Weather as I call it: Light rain throughout
Level of commute annoyance (scale of 1 to 10): 3
Feared for my life: Nah

Took The Back Road

So I was adventurous today...I did take some back roads to get to work...and I learned that they get me to work in as much time as the highway.

Pros: Less stress. Less stop and go.

Cons: School buses. More trees to block my satellite radio signal.

It's good to have options. Not sure which one will be my route of choice. I have a weekend to think it over.

See you on Monday.

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Departure Time: 7:04
Arrival Time: 7:42
Weather as I call it: Rain, pretty steady...
Level of commute annoyance (scale of 1 to 10): 2
Feared for my life: No

Did I Save Time?

So I took some back roads to get to the Route 129 exit of Route 3...Not sure I saved time...I saved some wear and tear on my car and psyche by avoiding some stop-n-go traffic, but I think my trip lasted just as long. I wonder how taking Route 4 all the way down will be?

Maybe that is an experiment for tomorrow.



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Departure Time: 7:08
Arrival Time: 7:45
Weather as I call it: Partly Cloudy, cool
Level of commute annoyance (scale of 1 to 10): 2
Feared for my life: Nope

Time To Shake It Up

I think I am going to try a different way to get to work tomorrw. I have found that traffic starts to ease up around the 129 exit on Rte. 3 south in the morning. I can get to that exit pretty easily from my house...

I think it's on!

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Departure Time: 7:08
Arrival Time: 7:50
Weather as I call it: Sunny and cool...40s when I left my house.
Level of commute annoyance (scale of 1 to 10): 2
Feared for my life: No

Slow Down On Hartwell Ave

Now I remember why I don't like driving to work. Most times I do. Today is one of those days where I wish I were delayed on a train somewhere....

Just joking.

There was a big traffic jam in the Hartwell Ave. area in Lexington, MA. We were just stuck there. There was no movement...and no explanation. I kept seeing emergency vehicles rolling out of the area...but no more information.

I tried using a shortcut to get around the traffic...but got lost and scared. Traffic did let up eventually and I did get into work...

Man, I hope this was a just a fluke.


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Departure Time: 7:05
Arrival Time: 8:12
Weather as I call it: Sunny...cool...50
Level of commute annoyance (scale of 1 to 10): 6
Feared for my life: No

Like A Spring

Ahhhh…

After a weekend of moving and unpacking, I was ready for the new commute. I got out the door without too many distractions and headed out to good ol’ Route 3…

It started out ok…but then the volume got heavier and heavier…to the point where it was stop and go…and I thought to myself…”This isn’t good…”

But then, the traffic started to ease out and the speeds started to increase. It felt like the coils of a spring expanding after being contracted for too long.

It’s a Monday…so I think I wasn’t on the road with the majority of the weekend warriors…but it was a good first day.


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Departure Time: 7:06
Arrival Time: 7:42
Weather as I call it: Overcast and cool
Level of commute annoyance (scale of 1 to 10): 2
Feared for my life: No

Get Ready For Version 3.1

I got word from my mortgage officer that we are clear to close tomorrow...so it looks like this is the last of my Malden to Lexington commutes.

Get ready for some Route 3 nightmares! I am out tomorrow..Wish me luck on the closing.

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Departure Time: 7:07
Arrival Time: 7:49
Weather as I call it: Sunny...60F
Level of commute annoyance (scale of 1 to 10): 2
Feared for my life: Nope

Simpler Times

Like the comment in my last post suggested...we all long for simpler times.

The driving to work is pretty simple lately. Sure, there's backups here and there...but no awful traffic jams. We are always moving eventually.

Hopefully if we close on the house, next week I have another commute...get settled into it...and add things to the recap like a "paper guy".

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Departure Time: 7:10
Arrival Time: 7:52
Weather as I call it: Sunny and cool...58F
Level of commute annoyance (scale of 1 to 10):2
Feared for my life:Nope

3 Years Old

Driving To Work: The Blog is 3 years old today. Happy birthday, Blog.

3 jobs in 3 years...three different commutes...it will be four when I move...hopefully that commute will last a long time.

Thanks for hanging in there.

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Departure Time: 7:04
Arrival Time: 7:43
Weather as I call it: Partly sunny. Cooler than yesterday...just 60F
Level of commute annoyance (scale of 1 to 10): 2
Feared for my life: Nope

I Am Finding Shortcuts

Sorry there was no update on Friday. I had to report to jury duty...so no driving to work...more like driving to Superior Court.

I didn't get impanelled so here I am.

I am finding short cuts…yes…I am evolving.

Anytime you see jams on your way to work, there are always these peeps in front of you who veer off the main road…

You think to yourself, “They must know a shortcut…they must know a way around this mess…”

If I were more impulsive, I would follow them. Instead, I pull up a map and see if it is indeed a shortcut.

Sometimes yes…? Most times no.



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Departure Time: 7:05
Arrival Time: 7:50
Weather as I call it: Sunny, HUMID
Level of commute annoyance (scale of 1 to 10): 2
Feared for my life: No

I Heard Something

I didn’t get enough sleep last night. I woke up around 3:45…and then I got out of bed because I had heard “something”. It sounded like there was a door opening in our house. I had to check it out. After a blurry-eyed yet thorough inspection, I came to the conclusion I was mistaken.

I didn’t fall asleep right away…I think I fell asleep 20 minutes before my alarm went off. Oooof!

I mention my lack of sleep because it did delay my departure time. Things take longer when you are half awake.

Commute was less congested than yesterday. I was happy about that….


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Departure Time: 7:14
Arrival Time: 7:55
Weather as I call it: Sunny and cool. 60F
Level of commute annoyance (scale of 1 to 10): 2
Feared for my life: Nope

Failed Strategy

I thought if I left my house earlier today, it would mean I would really cut down on my travel time. This thought was proved wrong today.

There were a few things I didn’t account for…one was the commuter rail that runs through Melrose. Since it crosses over a street I use to get onto 93, I was delayed a little bit there.

Then there were just weird pockets of traffic where there usually isn’t any. Not sure what caused them (no visible signs of a breakdown, accident, or rogue crosswalk officer), but it really slowed me down.

Again, my commute will change in a week and a half….so I can’t really get attached to it.


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Departure Time: 7:04
Arrival Time: 7;48
Weather as I call it: Sunny and cooler High 50s
Level of commute annoyance (scale of 1 to 10): 3
Feared for my life: Nope

Vision Of The Future

Man, what a difference a day makes. So weird. I left the same time…but there was just so many more people on the roads…and because of that…things took a bit longer…not as long as I thought though…just 9 minutes more.

I saw a car fire on Route 3. I didn’t see it in person. It was on the news...big car fire…one lane of traffic going by…not good. That’s where I will be in two weeks. YEAH!

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Departure Time: 7:13
Arrival Time: 7:59
Weather as I call it: Partly cloudy..rain's a-coming...humid.
Level of commute annoyance (scale of 1 to 10): 2
Feared for my life: Nah

Monday Is A Good Driving Day

I like Mondays. I feel that most people are still in bed when I am on the road. I don’t vary my schedule….but it’s pretty clear others do…unless peeps just don’t work on Mondays…which is possible.


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Departure Time: 7:13
Arrival Time: 7:50
Weather as I call it: Sunny and cool. 60s
Level of commute annoyance (scale of 1 to 10): 2
Feared for my life: Nope

Woke Up Late Got In Early

I didn't set my alarm...I forgot...

I got up at 6:50 and quickly got myself together. I left later than I expected…but traffic was light and I got in right before 8. I guess some people had today off or had even later starts than me.

Have a good weekend....Stay dry.


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Departure Time: 7:23
Arrival Time: 7;57
Weather as I call it: Sunny and muggy
Level of commute annoyance (scale of 1 to 10): 1
Feared for my life: Nope

Learning A Bit More

I am getting better at my commute. I am learning the slow patches...the fast patches. I am remembering that people don't use their blinkers when you need them to use them...like when you are waiting to take a left turn.

Good times.

Not getting used to it though...it will change in less than 3 weeks.

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Departure Time: 7:17
Arrival Time: 8:01
Weather as I call it: Sunny and a little more humid
Level of commute annoyance (scale of 1 to 10): 2
Feared for my life: Nope

Still Working It Out

I left a lot earlier today...but it being the official first day of school for a lot of towns and cities, it was a lot busier.

I was much better at driving today. It was more the volume of cars that was slowing me up. Maybe it will be less once everybody settles into their rhythm.

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Departure Time: 7:13
Arrival Time: 7:55
Weather as I call it: Sunny and cool
Level of commute annoyance (scale of 1 to 10): 2
Feared for my life: Nah

Back To Driving To Work

Hi there!

First day on the new job and back to driving to work. Not much to report...I am a little rusty around the exit and entrance ramps of highways. 93N to 95S is a lot of fun. I almost hit someone coming off of 95...

Outside of that...it was smooth. I need to lock in my regular times and observances.

I like Mach III.


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Departure Time: 7:51
Arrival Time: 8:33
Weather as I call it: Sunny and mild
Level of commute annoyance (scale of 1 to 10): 2
Feared for my life: No