Characters

Remind me to write about a character who rides my train. He is sitting across from me right now and he just coughed up a lung. Yuck. He has many quirks and deserves his own post.

Gas is up in my neighborhood. How 'bout yours?


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Departure Time From Home: 6:35
Departure Time From Train Station: 6:59
Arrival Time at North Station: 7:40 probably
Weather as I call it: Cloudy, 20s
Shady Gas Price: $3.63
Level of commute annoyance (scale of 1 to 10): 2
Feared for my life: No

But It Will Change

The gas price at the scary station hasn't increased lately. Even though the news outlets were talking about the average price of a gallon of gasoline had risen dramatically over the past two weeks, the price in my neighborhood was steady.

Oh, that will change.

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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: Sunny, 20s
Shady Gas Price: $3.59
Level of commute annoyance (scale of 1 to 10): 2
Feared for my life: No

She Didn't Know The Score

Man, it was a "going through the motions kinda morning" today. I just felt slow and tired.

There was an incident on the train where a woman was sorta shouting at a little boy for taking her seat - I guess. The little boy is on the train all the time. His name is Sam. He likes window seats. People usually get up for him.

I have never seen this shouting woman before but she seemed determined to let this kid know that she was having none of his nonsense.

Sam's poor mom was struggling to get on the train. She always has a stroller with her and as of the past 6 or so months, she has a little baby girl with her too.

Once Sam's mom got on, the situation was diffused but it was a little tense for a few seconds. Sam didn't react at all to the shouting woman's repeated calls of "Excuse me!?!"

I think the regulars were a little perplexed. Sam gets prince treatment on the train. I don't think this woman knew the score.

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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, chilly, high 20s
Shady Gas Price: $3.59
Level of commute annoyance (scale of 1 to 10): 3
Feared for my life: No

Something Smells Again

I think the guy who sat in front of me on the train cut the cheese. I am pretty sure.

That's all. Have a lovely weekend.

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Departure Time From Home: 6:35
Departure Time From Train Station: 6:59
Arrival Time at North Station: 7:40
Weather as I call it: Cloudy, colder, 30s, light snow at times.
Shady Gas Price: $3.59
Level of commute annoyance (scale of 1 to 10): 2
Feared for my life: No

Something Smells

Sometimes the station at North Billerica is downwind from the water treatment plant that is up the street.

It doesn't happen often. When it first open, it used to smell up the neighborhood all the time especially on warm summer nights.

Now, it is a rare occurrence. But still, when it happens, it makes the air around the station smell putrid.


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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
Shady Gas Price: $3.59
Level of commute annoyance (scale of 1 to 10): 2
Feared for my life: No

Like A Damn Christmas Tree

My dashboard was lit up like a damn Christmas tree.

The SRS light was on.

The Check Engine light was on.

The gas light was on.

I went to the gas station and took care of one of them. Guess which on?

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Departure Time From Home: 6:32
Departure Time From Train Station: 6:59
Arrival Time at North Station: 7:41
Weather as I call it: Sunny. 40s
Shady Gas Price: $3.59
Level of commute annoyance (scale of 1 to 10): 3
Feared for my life: No

Beat Out The Lights

Well after a week away and yesterday not really feeling it, I am back to blogging about the commute to work.

I have an SRS light that is coming on in my car. What the heck is that all about?

Train was good. No real complaints.

Walk was good. I beat out some traffic lights.


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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: Sunny, cool, 30s
Shady Gas Price: $3.59
Level of commute annoyance (scale of 1 to 10): 2
Feared for my life: No

The Battery Wasn't Tired

I went out to my car this morning and noticed that I left one of the overhead map lights overnight. It was probably on for 8+ hours. Nice.

Because it was still illuminated, I had faith that my battery wasn't dead...and it wasn't.

It wasn't even tired. Ha. It started right up.

Good ride/Good walk. I even picked up some packing tape at CVS.

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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: Sunny, 20s
Shady Gas Price: $3.49
Level of commute annoyance (scale of 1 to 10): 2
Feared for my life: Nope

In This Non-Winter

Today was a colder day..but in this non-winter, temps in the teens is really nothing. This is a good day during a bad winter. Yeah, the temps were cold but the wind was non-existent and that's the real killer. Wind chills kill.

Car ride was good. My check engine light came back on after a month and a half of being incognito. I just need it to be off on a Saturday morning in March so I can get my inspection sticker without a hassle.

Train and walk was good. I got a coffee from Boston Brewin today. Nice little coffee closet on Bromfield St. Prices are good too. Give them a try...


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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: Mostly sunny, colder
Shady Gas Price: $3.49
Level of commute annoyance (scale of 1 to 10): 2
Feared for my life: No

One Thing Is True

If we all lived by this rule, the world would be a better place.

"Do what you say you're going to do when you say you're going to do it."

It's easy and there is great examples of it every day. Heck, even the T gets this right most of the time. Yes, most of the time.

I think in business and personal relationships if you follow this one rule, you're doing 90% of what is required. The rest is just kissing ass (rather than kicking it).

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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: Mostly sunny, 30s
Shady Gas Price: $3.49
Level of commute annoyance (scale of 1 to 10): 2
Feared for my life: No

It Doesn't Compare

I had to come in early for a meeting and the Monday after the Super Bowl tends to be a slow one no matter what time you get up. It was particularly slow this morning because the Patriots were unable to win the game.

I think people are down about it. I know I am, but it is just a goofy football game and it doesn't really matter in the grand scope of things.

It doesn't compare to my son's laugh or my daughter's hug or my wife's smile.

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Departure Time From Home: 6:05
Departure Time From Train Station: 6:26
Arrival Time at North Station: 7:07
Weather as I call it: It was dark, 20s, a little windy on the walk.
Shady Gas Price: $3.49
Level of commute annoyance (scale of 1 to 10): 2
Feared for my life: No

Happy Event

A little cold out there this morning. The wind blew as I stood on the platform and waited for the train. It didn't really die down much. Right around the time I felt like I couldn't take it any more, I saw the headlight of the train come shining around the bend. Sometimes seeing that train is a happy event.

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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: Cold, 20s
Shady Gas Price: $3.49
Level of commute annoyance (scale of 1 to 10): 2
Feared for my life: No

What Up Boston

What up, Boston? Here we are again. Driving to work. Trying to get there all in one piece.

No fog and no road problems. My Check Engine light has been off for some time now. I jinxed it. It will be back on tomorrow.

Not much in terms of the train and the walk was pretty quiet and quick.


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Departure Time From Home: 6:37
Departure Time From Train Station 6:59
Arrival Time at North Station: 7:40
Weather as I call it: Cloudy - colder. 30s
Shady Gas Price: $3.49
Level of commute annoyance (scale of 1 to 10): 2
Feared for my life: No

Lifts To Show Nothing

Fog was all over the place when I got in the car. The air was warm but the ground was cold and it looked more like Fall than anything else outside.

There didn't seem to be anything stirring in the fog as it seems in warmer seasons. I get this feeling that there are creatures hiding in the mist, but in the winter - all is still and the veil lifts to show nothing.

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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: Foggy.
Shady Gas Price: $3.49
Level of commute annoyance (scale of 1 to 10): 2
Feared for my life: Nopers