Cheapest Coffee

Got gas before I went to work. It was a quiet time at the station. I am happy to be *only* spending $3.59 a gallon and somehow the hurricane will make the price go up next week. Grabbed a coffee at Cosi before work. Their medium sized coffee is under 2 bucks before tax. With tax, it's $2.13 but it's still the cheapest medium sized coffee in the 6 block area around my office building...and it's not bad. All right - I am off for the rest of the week. Have fun. I won't be with you but you can still rock the commute without me.

------------------------------

Departure Time From Home: 6:18
Departure Time From Train Station: 7:00
Arrival Time at North Station: 7:42
Weather as I call it: Cloudy, cool, 50s
Shady Gas Price: $3.59
Level of commute annoyance (scale of 1 to 10): 2
Feared for my life: No

Just A Little Rain

The aftermath of Sandy left me with a bunch of leaves on my car but not much else. As I was getting out the door, it was raining hard. I had to put the garbage out on the side of the road in a downpour. Wah. The train and walk was good. I think we're going to be ok.

------------------------------

Departure Time From Home: 6:32
Departure Time From Train Station: 7:00
Arrival Time at North Station: 7:43
Weather as I call it: Some rain at times, 60s
Shady Gas Price: $3.59
Level of commute annoyance (scale of 1 to 10): 2
Feared for my life: Nope

Hello Sandy

Yeah, I was one of the few that commuted into Boston for work today. I made a game day decision. When I woke up, it was a little breezy and drizzlin'. It wasn't bad at all. No one was on the streets. I got into Boston with no problem. The wind was gusty when I got off the Orange line. There were only a few people I saw on the street. When I got into the lobby of my office building, some guy said "You're one of the crazies too?" I guess I am.

------------------------------

Departure Time From Home: 6:28
Departure Time From Train Station: 7:00
Arrival Time at North Station: 7:42
Weather as I call it: Some drizzle, some wind.
Shady Gas Price: $3.59
Level of commute annoyance (scale of 1 to 10): 2
Feared for my life: Surprisingly, no.

Short Week

Took a day and a half off this week and it felt good. Basically I have today to deal with the 'rest of the week'. I like car traffic on Fridays now. It's so much sparser than the other days of the work week. Mondays and Fridays are the best days on the roads when talking about car volume. The train ride and the walk were fine. I am fighting a little bit of a cold so I wasn't as quick on my feet as I have been. I promise to rest more and be back to my old speed on Monday.

------------------------------

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, cool, 40s
Shady Gas Price: $3.62
Level of commute annoyance (scale of 1 to 10): 2
Feared for my life: Nope

Plowing Through

You ever get in that awkward situation when you are trying to let the other person across the aisle leave the train before you and they don't make eye contact so you wait until you feel like you can make a move with them making one first? Yeah, that happened to me today. It's ok. I plowed through. The streets were quiet and still this morning. At least it seemed that way when walking without ear buds. I took the day off tomorrow. Have fun, suckers.

------------------------------

Departure Time From Home: 6:32
Departure Time From Train Station: 7:00
Arrival Time at North Station: 7:41
Weather as I call it: Clear, 40s
Shady Gas Price: $3.62 Down doobie doo down down
Level of commute annoyance (scale of 1 to 10): 2
Feared for my life: Nope

Sitting Situation

Not exactly sure but I think my regular train is going to be running without a full conductor staff this week. We were told by one of the more talkative conductors yesterday that we should board the train from the back platform. Usually, I can get on the train from a door in the middle but this option seems to be closed off this week. Anyway, I tried a new car to sit in this morning. It turns out that it is much less crowded than the one I normally sit in. I could be into this new sitting situation. We'll see.

------------------------------

Departure Time From Home: 6:32
Departure Time From Train Station: 6:59
Arrival Time at North Station: 7:43
Weather as I call it: Some sun, 40s
Shady Gas Price: $3.65
Level of commute annoyance (scale of 1 to 10): 2
Feared for my life: Nah

Headache and Soreness

Ah, Monday Morning. Get back to work you hungover drones! I was tired this morning. The alarm went off and I did not want to move. On the train, I caught some shuteye. On the walk, I discovered I had a headache that got worse with every step and soreness in my legs and back from the yard work I did yesterday. I was trying to walk at a brisk pace but it was difficult. Man, what a week already.

------------------------------

Departure Time From Home: 6:31
Departure Time From Train Station: 7:00
Arrival Time at North Station: 7:45
Weather as I call it: Sunny, 40s
Shady Gas Price: $3.65
Level of commute annoyance (scale of 1 to 10): 3
Feared for my life: No

Prepared But Not Needed

So I got out of the house this morning and the rain was coming down. I grabbed that umbrella like it was muh job. I got to the train station. No rain. Umbrella - Not needed. I was wicked cool walking down the street of Boston with my umbrella. I was like a medieval swordsman. Again, wicked cool. Wicked. I like Fridays...cuz I don't have to do this stuff again until Monday.

------------------------------

Departure Time From Home: 6:32
Departure Time From Train Station: 7:00
Arrival Time at North Station: 7:42
Weather as I call it: Cloudy. 50s
Shady Gas Price: $3.75
Level of commute annoyance (scale of 1 to 10): 2
Feared for my life: Nope

Deep Fried Dust

The weird traffic tie up on the highway was back but it was the only day this week we had it. We shouldn't have it tomorrow. Fridays tend to be easier. I got to the train station parking lot with plenty of time. The train was cold at first, then they turned on the heat which cause the cabin to smell dusty. Dust was frying on the elements and then getting blown on us from above. Tired a bit today. I had a 15 month old alarm clock go off at 3 AM. I had to comfort her for a few moments before she fell back asleep in her crib. No so much for me.

------------------------------

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: Sorta sunny, 40s
Shady Gas Price: $3.75
Level of commute annoyance (scale of 1 to 10): 2
Feared for my life: No

Coffee Tragedy

I walked through the double doors at North Station to see that someone has dropped their coffee on the floor. I said out loud, "Well, that's unfortunate." It had made a huge splash on the cement. Light brown roasty liquid all over the place. I feel bad for the person who has to clean it up. Man, hold on to your coffees.

------------------------------

Departure Time From Home: 6:25
Departure Time From Train Station: 6:59
Arrival Time at North Station: 7:40
Weather as I call it: Mostly cloudy, cold, hogh 30s
Shady Gas Price: $3.75
Level of commute annoyance (scale of 1 to 10): 2
Feared for my life: Nope

Brisk Pace

I took the earlier train today. I forgot my lunch at home. The train that is scheduled to arrive at 6:26 actually came at 6:24. I had to run for it and cross the tracks right before it hit me. Pretty sweet. The ride was quiet. I found a seat where no one sat next to me. Not many people on the streets around 7:00. I was able to bust it to work at a brisk pace.

------------------------------

Departure Time From Home: 6:05
Departure Time From Train Station: 6:25
Arrival Time at North Station: 7:07
Weather as I call it: Cloudy, 50s
Shady Gas Price: $3.79
Level of commute annoyance (scale of 1 to 10): 2
Feared for my life: Nope

Twilight Sky

The sky had beautiful colors. It looked more like sunset than sunup. The traffic on the highway was just a tad busy...just a tad. Unlike last week, I got through the merge without too much hassle. Train was good. Walk was good after a weekend filled with big meals...BIG meals. Something tells me I will need to walk a lot today to burn it off.

------------------------------

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, but brilliant
Shady Gas Price: $3.79
Level of commute annoyance (scale of 1 to 10): 2
Feared for my life: No

No Frost

Cold morning - I ran around the neighborhood before I got ready for work. It was high 30s at 5 AM. Oofah Loofah... But yosh - No frost. I left the house way too early. The traffic issues of the last few days were nowhere to be found. I got to the train station 5 minutes earlier than I needed to be there. Once I was on the train, I wrote in my journal, which is something I haven't done since July. Most of the recording of my life is done online now. Man, I have had better commuting weeks. I am glad this one is over.

------------------------------

Departure Time From Home: 6:30
Departure Time From Train Station: 6:59
Arrival Time at North Station: 7:41
Weather as I call it: Partly cloudy, low 40s
Shady Gas Price: $3.79
Level of commute annoyance (scale of 1 to 10): 2
Feared for my life: Nope

Ok Commute

Finally had an ok commute. I made sure I took the time to check to make sure I had everything, like my monthly T pass and money for parking. I am ready for traffic to get back to normal. Three days in a row where the backup was too much. I am getting better at cutting in before the exit. No problems. Good train ride and walk.

------------------------------

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, 40s
Shady Gas Price: $3.79
Level of commute annoyance (scale of 1 to 10): 2
Feared for my life: Nope

Paying Twice

I forgot my monthly pass at home today. Again, it was another morning of rushing around - but not as bad as yesterday. I got out of the habit of checking if I "have everything" before I walk out the door. Well, that taught me. I was hellbent to make my typical train time this morning. The traffic on the highway was bad again. I don't remember it being this horrible day in and day out. When I was 30 seconds away from pulling into the station, I looked in my wallet and saw that I did not have my pass. I did have enough money to pay for a one way ticket - 8 bucks! Yikes - I hate paying twice. I will be checking my wallet before I leave home from now on...until I get cocky again.

------------------------------

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: Gloomy, sprinkling, 50s
Shady Gas Price: $3.79
Level of commute annoyance (scale of 1 to 10): 4
Feared for my life: Nope

I Told You It Was Going To Be Horrible

I had a hard time getting out of the house this morning. I kept forgetting things and having to backtrack a number of times. I left late and that was the end of it. The traffic on the highway interchange was bad. Accident bad...but there was no accident. It seemed like there was just a large number of cars trying to go one way or the other. I don't think trucks help out either. I mean, they stop and start so slowly. They bring everybody to their speed. So I had to take the later train. Boo. I saw that the circus is in town. How appropriate. There's a bunch of clowns on the roadways.

------------------------------

Departure Time From Home: 6:40
Departure Time From Train Station: 7:27
Arrival Time at North Station: 8:05
Weather as I call it: Cloudy, 50s
Shady Gas Price: $3.79
Level of commute annoyance (scale of 1 to 10): 4
Feared for my life: Nope

Concord River Fog Bank

Heading over the Concord River on 495 North, there was a huge fog bank coming over the roadway. The sudden temperature dip last night coupled with the river's warm water must have caused it. It was concentrated and thick and and rolled over the highway. The visibility looking forward was ok - a little impaired but not bad. Looking south down the river, you couldn't see anything. It was one big bank of mist. If you were canoeing, you wouldn't see much. In case you were wondering, I wasn't canoeing. I was driving. Driving to work. On Columbus Day. Mahalo. No delays on the roads, the train, or the streets. Tomorrow will be horrible - count it!

------------------------------

Departure Time From Home: 6:34
Departure Time From Train Station: 6:59
Arrival Time at North Station: 7:40
Weather as I call it: Sunny, but foggy in one place.
Shady Gas Price: $3.79
Level of commute annoyance (scale of 1 to 10): 1
Feared for my life: Nope

Milky White Sun

After what it seemed like a whole week of drizzle and clouds, the sun started to peek through the clouds on our trip into Boston. I could see the roundness of its body in the sky. The mist and the clouds were muting the brightness so I could look at it without having to look away. The sky was as if it were out of a dream. Have a great weekend. If it's a long one, please enjoy.

------------------------------

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: Cloudy then turning sunny
Shady Gas Price: $3.85
Level of commute annoyance (scale of 1 to 10): 2
Feared for my life: No

Rolling Out

Even though we were met with another wet gloomy morning, the traffic on the highways were pretty much trouble free - at least for me. When I got off the exit, there was some dude who tried to pull in front of me to take a left turn. He was rolling out in the street. I didn't think he would stop. Train and walk were good. The walk was a little wet but manageable.

------------------------------

Departure Time From Home: 6:38
Departure Time From Train Station: 6:59
Arrival Time at North Station: 7:41
Weather as I call it: Gloomy, sprinkles, 50s
Shady Gas Price: $3.85
Level of commute annoyance (scale of 1 to 10):
Feared for my life: Kinda

Beep Behind Me

It's incredible what the return of school and the rain does to traffic. I had to pull some rabbits out of my hat to get to the train station on time today. The interchange was all backed up. If you weren't aggressive, you were going to sit in traffic for a good 15 minutes more. It was frustrating but not for me. I took the steps I needed to take to get ahead of the jam and get to work...even if I heard some beeps behind me.

------------------------------

Departure Time From Home: 6:32
Departure Time From Train Station: 7:00
Arrival Time at North Station: 7:42
Weather as I call it: Drizzle, 50s
Shady Gas Price: $3.85
Level of commute annoyance (scale of 1 to 10): 2
Feared for my life: Nope

Frozen At The Elevator

I mean, everything was cool with this commute. Drive - Train - Walk - Whatevs. I get to my building and I walk into the lobby. The elevator I have to take to go to my office opens up. A woman walks out and stops right in front of me. We try to walk around each other. She goes to her left, I go to my right. She goes to her right, I go to my left. She stops. I stop. I am frozen at the elevator with her. She starts to move to her right...and I do the same...we laugh and apologize. Have a good day and such.

------------------------------

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, 50s
Shady Gas Price: $3.85
Level of commute annoyance (scale of 1 to 10): 2
Feared for my life: No

Fell Asleep

I got on the train and fell asleep. The rain and the cold from the weekend had tired me out. It was peaceful. When I opened my eyes, we were in Boston. Walk was good. I got all the lights today so I didn't have to wait to cross the street. Brought some coffee into work to brew on the ol' Mr. Coffee. I think the Flavia machine is killing me slowly.

------------------------------

Departure Time From Home: 6:38
Departure Time From Train Station: 6:59
Arrival Time at North Station: 7:41
Weather as I call it: Cloudy, 50s
Shady Gas Price: $3.79
Level of commute annoyance (scale of 1 to 10): 2
Feared for my life: No