Train Car Smells

I left the house early today so I could get some change from the ol' machine in the train station so I could pay for parking. Parking is 4 dollars a day and when all you have is 10s and 5s, you need to find somewhere that will give you change.

I like the machine. There's no small talk needed with the machine.

Sometimes there is an issue with the bill and you have to insert it a number of times but for the most part, it suits my needs.

I got the change for a 10 dollar bill. I got 10 golden coins and I put four of them in the slot that corresponded with my parking space.

Once I got on the train, there was a strong smell of urine. Somebody had a accident on the train.

Yuck. It got better as time went on - as more people got on bringing their own scents, it drowned out the urine smell.

The last three stops were pleasant.

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Departure Time From Home: 6:15
Departure Time From Train Station 6:59
Arrival Time at North Station: 7:41
Weather as I call it: Sunny, cooler, 50s
Shady Gas Price: $3.63
Level of commute annoyance (scale of 1 to 10): 3
Feared for my life: No

Getting Back To Typical

The road was clear. The power was back on. The OJ tasted a bit funny but didn't turn my stomach. The coffee maker was dripping. The car was running and got me to the train station, although my check engine light did come on before I got there. Shoot.

The train only had 5 cars. People were standing all over the place. It was a mess.

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Departure Time From Home: 6:37
Departure Time From Train Station 6:59
Arrival Time at North Station: 7:43
Weather as I call it: Sunny, 50s
Shady Gas Price: $3.63
Level of commute annoyance (scale of 1 to 10): 3
Feared for my life: No

Aftermath of Hurricane Irene

Wellup, I woke up without the need of an alarm. Mainly because we didn't have electricity to power an alarm clock. Yeah, I could have used my cell phone but I thought I would sleep in if I was allowed by my mind and body. Alas, I woke up around the same time.

My wake up time was the least of my worries. The main issue of the morning was a fallen tree that had fallen in front of the one street that allows people to come in and out of my neighborhood. Think of it as a gated community but more ghetto.

At 6:30AM, there was no one around to clear the path. There were lots of people driving past my house in one direction just drive past again in the opposite direction.

Finally, at 10 AM, they cleared the road and people could leave the neighborhood. Hooray - I got to go to work.


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Departure Time From Home: 10:15
Departure Time From Train Station 11:23
Arrival Time at North Station: 12:05
Weather as I call it: Sunny, cool, 60s
Shady Gas Price: $3.63
Level of commute annoyance (scale of 1 to 10): 8 !!!
Feared for my life: No

The Train Was Back To Normal Speed

If that was one thing we had going for us, the train was back to full speed. It even arrived a little early today.
I sat not as close to the door. I have had success avoiding the guy who sits too close.
Tomorrow is Friday...
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Departure Time From Home: 6:37
Departure Time From Train Station 6:58
Arrival Time at North Station: 7:40
Weather as I call it: Mostly sunny
Shady Gas Price: $3.63
Level of commute annoyance (scale of 1 to 10): 2
Feared for my life: nah

Post Earthquake Blues

Man, for whatever reason, the train rolled along at half speed this morning. It was late to our stop and got us to Boston 20+ minutes late.

It looked like they were down to two conductors. One conductor was actually driving the train!!

So no tickets were collected and the train was packed with people because we were late.

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Departure Time From Home: 6:32
Departure Time From Train Station 7:11
Arrival Time at North Station: 8:08
Weather as I call it: Sunny and cool
Shady Gas Price: $3.63
Level of commute annoyance (scale of 1 to 10): 4
Feared for my life: Nah

It Can Be Deceiving

Not sure what today will bring. The cooler temperatures have been nice. The sunshine is pretty good. This kind of weather can fool you. You never know what the day may bring.


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Departure Time From Home: 6:31
Departure Time From Train Station 6:59
Arrival Time at North Station: 7:41
Weather as I call it: Sunny and cool
Shady Gas Price: $3.63
Level of commute annoyance (scale of 1 to 10): 2
Feared for my life: No

Brick Sidewalk

The homeless guy who wishes everyone a good day was wearing a Yankees suck tee shirt.

The guy has to wear what he has to wear.

The brick sidewalk near Congress and State. It looks good and it's about time.


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Departure Time From Home: 6:36
Departure Time From Train Station 6:59
Arrival Time at North Station: 7:41
Weather as I call it: Sunny, 60s
Shady Gas Price: $3.67
Level of commute annoyance (scale of 1 to 10): 2
Feared for my life: No

Black Forest Ham

Why is Black Forest ham so delicious? I made a breakfast sandwich with egg, cheese, and Black Forest ham on a bagel and it was excellent.

I guess it originated from the Black Forest area in Germany.

Good stuff.


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Departure Time From Home: 6:34
Departure Time From Train Station 6:59
Arrival Time at North Station: 7:41
Weather as I call it: Cloudy and humid
Shady Gas Price: $3.67
Level of commute annoyance (scale of 1 to 10): 2
Feared for my life: No

I Still Don't Want Him To Sit Next To Me

There is this guy who gets on at Winchester Center that tends to sit next to me. Some days I dread his stop if the seat next to me is empty.

He stares a lot. He also likes to sit with his leg wide apart.

He makes me uncomfortable. I like it when he sits somewhere else.

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Departure Time From Home: 6:33
Departure Time From Train Station 6:59
Arrival Time at North Station: 7:40
Weather as I call it: Partly cloudy, 70s
Shady Gas Price: $3.67
Level of commute annoyance (scale of 1 to 10): 2
Feared for my life: No

The Sun Returned

...and so did dry roads. I had to use my defrost a few times. The air was cool and dry. I am hoping it warms up today.

The train was quiet and did not smell like moth balls.

I had a pleasant companion in my two seater.

The walk from N. Station to the office was pleasant.


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Departure Time From Home: 6:33
Departure Time From Train Station 6:59
Arrival Time at North Station: 7:41
Weather as I call it: Sunny, cool
Shady Gas Price: $3.63
Level of commute annoyance (scale of 1 to 10): 2
Feared for my life: No

Well At Least It Didn't Rain In The Morning

Although the clouds were threatening us, it didn't rain on the way to work today.

I was able to stand outside and wait for the train. I walked to work without getting drenched.

The clouds can be so tough sometimes.

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Departure Time From Home: 6:33
Departure Time From Train Station 6:59
Arrival Time at North Station: 7:41
Weather as I call it: Threatening Clouds
Shady Gas Price: $3.63
Level of commute annoyance (scale of 1 to 10): 2
Feared for my life: No

Rain and Keys

So this morning was the first one in a while where it was raining hard enough to force me to stand inside the station to wait for the train rather than wait for it outside.

The rain made the roads slow but the train chugged along with no issues.

On the train, I saw some keys hanging on a coat hook and called it "art".


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Departure Time From Home: 6:31
Departure Time From Train Station 6:59
Arrival Time at North Station: 7:41
Weather as I call it: Rain
Shady Gas Price: $3.63
Level of commute annoyance (scale of 1 to 10): 3
Feared for my life: No

It Smells Like Moth Balls In Here

I got on the train this morning and the A/C wasn't working and there was an odor in the air. It smelled like moth balls. I don't know why. Maybe there were some on the guy in front of me. It was stale and musty...

Like moth balls.


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Departure Time From Home: 6:36
Departure Time From Train Station 6:59
Arrival Time at North Station: 7:40
Weather as I call it: Partly sunny.
Shady Gas Price: $3.63
Level of commute annoyance (scale of 1 to 10): 2
Feared for my life: No

Closed Sidewalks

I got to the train station and I got gold coins for my 10 dollar bill. They are easier to fit into the slots when you pay for parking.

The train was on time and quick and the person who sat next to me was pleasant.

The walk from the train station to the office was filled with closed sidewalks and other obstacles. I made it to work ok

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Departure Time From Home: 6:31
Departure Time From Train Station 6:59
Arrival Time at North Station: 7:40
Weather as I call it: Partly sunny, 60s
Shady Gas Price: $3.69
Level of commute annoyance (scale of 1 to 10): 2
Feared for my life: No

Forgot My Lunch At Home

It was much drier and cooler this morning when I walked out of the house. I didn't have to take the trash to the curb nor clean it up from the raccoon party that happened during the night.

Nope, I got to the train station right away and the train ride was good.

I got to work and I looked in my bag. I had forgotten my lunch at home. Blah.

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Departure Time From Home: 6:32
Departure Time From Train Station 6:59
Arrival Time at North Station: 7:40
Weather as I call it: Sunny, cool, 60s
Shady Gas Price: $3.69
Level of commute annoyance (scale of 1 to 10): 2
Feared for my life: No

Back To The Regular Schedule

So I got back to work today. My wife and I welcomed our third child to the world on 7/29 so I have been home for a while.

You know, it turns out I didn't forget how to drive to work.

They are putting bricks down at the corner of State and Congress in Boston. I think that project will be done soon. I have written that before though.

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Departure Time From Home: 6:52
Departure Time From Train Station 7:26
Arrival Time at North Station: 8:07
Weather as I call it: Cloudy but humid, 70s
Shady Gas Price: $3.69 (Cash)
Level of commute annoyance (scale of 1 to 10): 2
Feared for my life: No