Still Cold Out There

There was a short delay on the way to the train station. An accident had occurred a few blocks away from the train station parking lot. Three emergency vehicles had arrived at the scene and the crews were tending to the driver. She appeared to be fine and I didn't see any damage to the car. Everyone was able to drive around the damaged car without too many problems. Train and walk were fine. It's still cold out there. ------------------------------

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: Sunny, high 30s
Shady Gas Price: $3.85
Level of commute annoyance (scale of 1 to 10): 2
Feared for my life: No

Early Ride In

I had a call at 7 to make so I got to the office early. I love the different culture on the earlier trains. These people are no nonsense. They are focused on getting to work. There's no smiles or chit chat. It's all business.

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Departure Time From Home: 5:23
Departure Time From Train Station: 5:43
Arrival Time at North Station: 6:22
Weather as I call it: Sunny, a little breezy. Low 40s
Shady Gas Price: $3.85
Level of commute annoyance (scale of 1 to 10): 2
Feared for my life: No

Be Bold And Take The First Leap

No rain today but it was colder than yesterday. I wore my leather jacket and had to button it up all the way. The train was a little crowded. The big boy who likes to talk was at it again. He was chatting it up with another person and they were pretty receptive to him. I am surprised but maybe I shouldn't be. Maybe deep down we all want to talk to strangers but just need someone to start it up. We need the other person to be bold and take the first leap.

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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: Sunny, colder, low 40s
Shady Gas Price: $3.87
Level of commute annoyance (scale of 1 to 10): 2
Feared for my life: Nope

Umbrella Time

Wow. The rain was coming down this morning when I got outside. I had to run and grab the umbrella from the car and run to take the garbage out to the curb. The rain got me pretty good. During the drive to the train station, I dried off pretty good. My heat worked to dry out my pants and shoes. Traffic wasn't that bad and the train was on time. At the Woburn stop, it didn't stop like it normally does. It had stopped a few car lengths past where it normally stops. People had to adjust on the platform.

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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: Rain then just wet
Shady Gas Price: $3.87
Level of commute annoyance (scale of 1 to 10): 3
Feared for my life: No

Total Flat Tire

As I was walking to the place where I stand and wait for the train, this older dude stepped on the back of my shoes and almost took it off. Now, I do this all the time to people. I don't mean anything by it. I can be pretty clumsy at times and my big feet get in the way. I step on their heels and I always pretend that it didn't happen or at least that it wasn't me that did it. And you know what, this dude did the same to me. He didn't say he was sorry. He didn't pay it any mind. It was a total flat tire too. My shoe came off the back of my foot. I tried to walk and put it back on. No dice. I had to take a knee and put it back on.

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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: Sunny, 40s
Shady Gas Price: $3.87
Level of commute annoyance (scale of 1 to 10): 2
Feared for my life: Nope

Across The Sea

Do you ever listen to music on the way to work? I had a craving to hear Weezer's Pinkerton album this week so those songs have been played in my car and on the train (using my earbuds, natch). Good stuff. I got your letter, you've got my song. ------------------------------

Departure Time From Home: 6:05
Departure Time From Train Station: 6:26
Arrival Time at North Station: 7:03
Weather as I call it: Sunny, 40s
Shady Gas Price: $3.87
Level of commute annoyance (scale of 1 to 10): 2
Feared for my life: Nopers

No Big Deal

After a few days of summer like weather, it was back to wearing a coat.  There was a little wind at the train station.  The breeze was cold, but hey - I had a coat.  No Big Deal.  NBD.  N! B! D!

The sun was nice.  It was pretty bright out there this morning.   With the cooler air, things looked clearer.  It was pretty smoggy lately.
I left a little early today. I had to get some gas. I've been riding with the gas light on for a few days.


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Departure Time From Home: 6:16
Departure Time From Train Station: 6:59
Arrival Time at North Station: 7:41
Weather as I call it: Sunny, cooler, 40s
Shady Gas Price: $3.87
Level of commute annoyance (scale of 1 to 10): 2
Feared for my life: Nah

Marathon Monday

Ah, Patriots' Day.  The third spring holiday for us Boston folks (St. Patrick's Day and Opening Day being the other two).  I think we can finally close the door on winter, not that this winter was bad at all.

Light traffic and not many cars parked in the lot although curiously some woman parked right next to me even though there were many spots available.  She actually apologized for parking so close to my car as I was feeding the payment machine.  I told her it was all right, but I wondered why she did park next to me when she had other choices.  I think she's was unstable...in the brain area.

The train stopped right before it pulled into North Station.  A fire alarm went off at the dispatcher's office and we had to wait for them to come back before we could be allowed to enter the station.  I think it delayed us for  about 8 minutes or so.  I wasn't worried - I was taking a nap.




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Departure Time From Home: 6:33
Departure Time From Train Station: 6:59
Arrival Time at North Station: 7:48
Weather as I call it: Hazy sun, 60s, I didn't wear a coat.
Shady Gas Price: $3.87 UGH!
Level of commute annoyance (scale of 1 to 10): 2
Feared for my life: No

Mellow

I looked out at my backyard and saw some fog hanging around at sunrise. I was surprised to scrape my windshield and clear it of the slight frost that had collected there. There were some slippery spots on the ground too. Thankfully I didn't encounter any on the roads, but I did feel the surface of the ground was a little slick. Thank goodness it is Friday. Pretty mellow commute. Monday should be mellow too. ------------------------------

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: Sunny, 30s
Shady Gas Price: $3.83
Level of commute annoyance (scale of 1 to 10):2
Feared for my life: No

Yeah I Don't Talk To People

The big guy in front of me was at it again, talking to strangers. This time, I think he got a different reaction. It didn't seem like the person next to him wanted anything to do with his conversation. Sorry dude. I wish people were friendlier, but this is Boston...not...you know...anywhere else.

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Departure Time From Home: 6:36
Departure Time From Train Station: 7:00
Arrival Time at North Station: 7:41
Weather as I call it: Cloudy, 40s
Shady Gas Price: $3.83
Level of commute annoyance (scale of 1 to 10): 2
Feared for my life: Nope

That Dude Was Talking

There's this dude who has been taking my typical seat on the train for the past two days now. Sounds like he just got a job in Boston. I learned of this information because he was speaking with the woman who sat with him on the train. She was more than happy to talk to this dude.

It got me thinking. Maybe the train doesn't have to be a big elevator where everyone keeps to themselves and doesn't talk to each other. Maybe I can say hey to the people I have seen on this morning train for over 2 years now. Yeah, probably not.


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Departure Time From Home: 6:35
Departure Time From Train Station: 6:59
Arrival Time at North Station: 7:41
Weather as I call it: Cloudy, weird light rain at times.
Shady Gas Price: $3.83
Level of commute annoyance (scale of 1 to 10): 2
Feared for my life: No

Rushed To The Station

I swear I thought the train was going to be late this morning. I checked my watch and at 6:57 the train was nowhere to be found. Then, the lights turned the corner on the tracks and it RUSHED to the station to pull in at 6:59.

 It might have left a little later than that, but it arrive right on time. More people on the train than usual. I can't wait for rates to go up. Maybe it will thin out the crowds?

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Departure Time From Home: 6:33
Departure Time From Train Station: 7:01
Arrival Time at North Station: 7:41
Weather as I call it: Some sun, 40s
Shady Gas Price: $3.83
Level of commute annoyance (scale of 1 to 10): 2
Feared for my life: No

Car Dealership Service Center Pickup

After the weirdness of Friday, this morning - although not usual - was much more regular. I had my car serviced by the dealership. I had dropped it off on Saturday morning and I opted to pick it up today because of the holiday and such yesterday. I won't note the times and such since they really don't matter but gas is up again. I can say the car is running better than it has in a long time. No idea who put up the caution tape across my driveway on Friday morning...but I am more cautious if that's what somebody wants to know.

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Departure Time From Home: N/A
Departure Time From Train Station: N/A
Arrival Time at North Station: N/A
Weather as I call it: Some sun, 40s
Shady Gas Price: $3.83
Level of commute annoyance (scale of 1 to 10): 2
Feared for my life: No

Weirdest Morning Ever

Other than that one commute where I got into a car accident, this morning was the weirdest one ever.

I woke up to find Caution tape crossing my driveway.  I don't know who did it.  I just took it down, rolled it up, and threw it in my car.  I saw that the house down the street also had the same yellow plastic warning across their driveway.  A random prank?  It was really weird.

When I got to the train station, I picked up the tape from my car so I could throw it away.  I was rushing and I ended up locking my keys in my car.  After some quick debate in my head, I called AAA to have them come out to open my car door.

The rest of the commute was ok.  Outside of going out of the way to buy some coffee at the Clover Food Lab truck and be told that it wasn't ready yet...it was ok.

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Departure Time From Home: 6:36
Departure Time From Train Station: 7:26
Arrival Time at North Station: 8:04
Weather as I call it: Sunny, but cold
Shady Gas Price: $3.73
Level of commute annoyance (scale of 1 to 10): 8
Feared for my life: No

20 Percent Less

Good commute today.  The train parking lot was 20% less full than on a regular weekday.  That is an accurate number.  I did the math.  Truly.

I think people are making this Easter weekend a little longer than usual by taking today off.  They probably have tomorrow off too.  It must be nice.  I will be back in the office, but the nice thing is - the roads will be less busy - the train will be less crowded - and the streets will be quieter.


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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: Blinding sun, 30s
Shady Gas Price: $3.73
Level of commute annoyance (scale of 1 to 10): 2
Feared for my life: No

Truck Crush

On the highway, a Jetta in front of me almost got crushed by a truck. We took the exit ramp together - the truck was first, then the Jetta, then me. The truck was going slow, so the Jetta was driving close to it. I was close to the Jetta. I probably didn't help the situation...but I wasn't doing anything illegal. Once we got off the ramp, we merged onto the Route 495 ramp for the Lowell Connector. It's two lanes and the truck got into the left lane. The Jetta tried to pass him on the right. Just as the Jetta was passing him, the truck started to move into the right lane. The Jetta swerved away, the truck swerved back. I kept my distance. Once the dust settled, the Jetta passed the truck and kept going. The truck slid into the right lane...and I continued to keep my distance until I could pass on the left.

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Departure Time From Home: 6:33
Departure Time From Train Station: 6:59
Arrival Time at North Station: 7:40 on the nose
Weather as I call it: Sunny, 40s
Shady Gas Price: $3.73
Level of commute annoyance (scale of 1 to 10): 2
Feared for my life: Nah. Some tense moments but I was safe.

Three Stooges

In North Station today, there were three hired actors dressed up and looking like the Three Stooges. I avoided them well. They were being led around by a woman. I am wondering if she was the agency liaison to the actors and the event or if she was part of the act as well. Not sure - I didn't stick around to see what it was all about. A little part of me wanted to know, but most of me didn't want to be part of the show.

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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, cold, high 30s
Shady Gas Price: $3.73
Level of commute annoyance (scale of 1 to 10): 2
Feared for my life: Nope

Half Hearted Thumbs Up

I saw an act of kindness today. A guy in his teens returned a cell phone to another dude who had left it on his seat (I'm guessing). The dude was standing in the train's doorway. I didn't see him walk up there but he must have got up from his seat to take a strategic standing position near the door. The kid, who had left his seat and probably risked it being taken by someone else, walked up to him and handed him the phone (it looked like a Blackberry). The guy was very thankful, but the kid was less enthusiastic. He kinda gave the dude a half hearted thumbs up and walked back to his seat.

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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: Cloudy, a little rain here and there.
Shady Gas Price: $3.73
Level of commute annoyance (scale of 1 to 10): 2
Feared for my life: Nope