Need A Bigger Broom

As you probably know, it was pretty windy and rainy in the morning. The temperatures were up but the rest of the weather was pretty wild. It wasn't raining all that much when I was getting to work. By the time I got to Boston, the sky was clearing up and the wind had died down. The outside of North Station looked disastrous. There was a guy sweeping up with his broom and dustpan on a stick. I thought to myself that he was going to need a larger broom. Back to colder weather tomorrow. Will your immune system handle the change?

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Departure Time From Home: 6:30
Departure Time From Train Station: 7:00
Arrival Time at North Station: 7:41
Weather as I call it: Rainy, windy, 50s
Shady Gas Price: $3.49
Level of commute annoyance (scale of 1 to 10): 3
Feared for my life: Surprisingly no

Foggy But Icy

Fog in the air but black ice on the ground. The parking lot at the train station was slippery. My car was fine but walking was a little dicey. You could swivel on your feet while standing on the platform. You could do the Twist...like you did last summer... Is that what the kids are doing this year? Anyway - train ride, walk good. Bring on the warm temps. Please bring down the gas prices.

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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: Foggy but icy
Shady Gas Price: <$3.47
Level of commute annoyance (scale of 1 to 10): 2
Feared for my life: Nope - walking wasn't scary at all.

Roll Through A Stop Sign

There was a little bit of snow that fell during the overnight hours. I thought we were safe when we cleared it at 8PM last night. Thankfully, the layer was less than an inch thick and it was easy to remove from the important parts of the car like the windshield. Driving was good on the main streets. I think a police officer let me roll through a stop sign, which was nice. The parking lot was clear. I got on the train and there was no issues on the rise. Bring on the warmer weather to melt this snow.

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Departure Time From Home: 6:37
Departure Time From Train Station: 6:59
Arrival Time at North Station: 7:41
Weather as I call it: Cloudy, maybe a little mist, 30s
Shady Gas Price: $3.44
Level of commute annoyance (scale of 1 to 10): 2
Feared for my life: Nope

Still Colder Than Comfortable

So the gas price went up a nickel. What's up with that? Now, some of the nicer gas stations have lower prices. Still colder than what I think is comfortable. It's supposed to snow later on today so I turned my wipers up and out. Nobody else did. I don't care. The train ride was backwards. I was seated backwards at least.

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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: Cold, mostly cloudy
Shady Gas Price: $3.44
Level of commute annoyance (scale of 1 to 10): 2
Feared for my life: No

It Could Have Been Colder

...and we all know that. I have felt colder days... Maybe I haven't, but today was not as brutal as I expected it to be. Yeah, it was cold on the walk, but I went fast and cars were sympathetic to our pedestrian plight. My fingers got numb in my gloves. I should have put them in my pockets. Tomorrow should be warmer, right?

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Departure Time From Home: 6:30
Departure Time From Train Station: 6:59
Arrival Time at North Station: 7:40
Weather as I call it: Cold, but it could have been colder
Shady Gas Price: $3.39
Level of commute annoyance (scale of 1 to 10): 3
Feared for my life: No

10 degrees

Boston in the wintertime - sometimes it's cold...and sometimes it's really cold. I drove into Boston and parked in the Seaport district. I have felt colder but walking across the channel today was a challenge. To break up the trek, I stopped at the Dunk to get a black coffee and to regain my sense of touch in my face. Commute well, my hardy Bostonians.

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Departure Time From Home: 5:45
Departure Time From Train Station: N/A
Arrival Time at North Station: N/A
Weather as I call it: Cold.
Shady Gas Price: $3.39
Level of commute annoyance (scale of 1 to 10): 4
Feared for my life: Nope

Get Tough

So much for all the snow we were supposed to get. We got a dusting which I pushed around before I left for the day. It was cold though. The crews were out salting the sidewalks at the train station. The train was running well even with all the people coming back to work. Walking was not as bad. The wind was whipping but maybe I have gotten tougher.

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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: Cloudy, windy, 20s
Shady Gas Price: $3.39
Level of commute annoyance (scale of 1 to 10): 2
Feared for my life: No

No Companion

I guess more people take MLK day off or maybe people weren't in a rush to get back to work after the Patriots' loss last night. The train parking lot was empty this morning. I think there was only between 10 and 20 cars there. Usually, there is 150+ when I get there. The train was pretty empty too. I opted to get on near the front, which I never do. I sat without a companion in my two person seat for the whole ride. Have a great holiday to those who aren't riding along. I guess I will see you tomorrow.

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Departure Time From Home: 6:38
Departure Time From Train Station: 6:59
Arrival Time at North Station: 7:39
Weather as I call it: Cold, cloudy, breezy, 20s
Shady Gas Price: $3.39
Level of commute annoyance (scale of 1 to 10): 1
Feared for my life: No

Frigid Boston

Well it was cold today. The wind was blowing just enough to keep your warmth away. I got up and out early because I needed to get money from the ATM for parking. Other than having to ride backwards, the train was good. The streets of Boston were frigid. It wasn't fun walking to work. Have a great weekend all.

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Departure Time From Home: 6:08
Departure Time From Train Station: 6:59
Arrival Time at North Station: 7:40
Weather as I call it: Cold, 20s
Shady Gas Price: $3.39
Level of commute annoyance (scale of 1 to 10): 2
Feared for my life: Nope

The Small Part of Route 495

The aftermath of all the snow is icy roads. As I left the house, the TV told me there was traffic on Rte. 495 and again they were lying. At least on the small part of 495 that I use, there was no traffic. I got to the station with plenty of time to spare. The train came a little early and arrived a little early. Not bad. If there wasn't ice on my windshield and windows, I would have given this commute a 1 on the annoyance scale...but it felt more like a 2.

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Departure Time From Home: 6:34
Departure Time From Train Station: 6:58
Arrival Time at North Station: 7:39
Weather as I call it: Sunny, cold, 20s
Shady Gas Price: $3.39
Level of commute annoyance (scale of 1 to 10): 2
Feared for my life: No

Snow Fell At Quite A Clip

I was up at 2 AM and there was no snow. When my alarm went off at 5 AM, it was snowing and it was coming down quickly. The the robocall came in - no school. I shoveled but it was futile. The snow was coming down at quite a clip. Once I was done, it was covered again. I left the house a little later than I wanted to leave and it made me miss the 6:26 train. I waited around for the next one...which is the one I usually take. It came on time. Boston was a winter wonderland...at least twitter and instagram told me it was.

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Departure Time From Home: 6:08
Departure Time From Train Station: 7:00
Arrival Time at North Station: 7:41
Weather as I call it: Snow
Shady Gas Price: $3.39
Level of commute annoyance (scale of 1 to 10): 4
Feared for my life: Tires slipped a little bit

Forgot To Take My Vitamin Pill

I got out of the house late today. I didn't go for a run on the treadmill. I just kept setting my alarm for later and later. I wish I felt like I got more sleep or something but I didn't. I made some eggs, cleaned up, and got out of the house. I forgot to take my multivitamin so that's a great feat of the day. Gasoline was needed in my tank so I stopped off at the ol' shady gas station and was happy to see that the price of a gallon dropped two cents. I arrived at the station with time to spare but barely. I walked across the track as the warning signal was sounding off that the train was pulling into the station.

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Departure Time From Home: 6:37
Departure Time From Train Station: 7:00
Arrival Time at North Station: 7:42
Weather as I call it: Cloudy, 30s, not breezy
Shady Gas Price: $3.39
Level of commute annoyance (scale of 1 to 10): 2
Feared for my life: No

Breezy Balminess

All the snow on my front lawn has melted. Most of the snow around my commute is gone too. I can't say I miss it. It was warm morning but the breeze was strong at the train station. I don't think I quite enjoyed the balminess with all that wind. The wind was gone once I got to Boston. I put in the old earbuds and tried to walk to the office before my playlist ended. I succeed - a little sweaty, but I made it.

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Departure Time From Home: 6:34
Departure Time From Train Station: 7:00
Arrival Time at North Station: 7:42
Weather as I call it: Cloudy but balmy
Shady Gas Price: $3.41
Level of commute annoyance (scale of 1 to 10): 2
Feared for my life: No

Riding Rather Than Driving

Friday is a barren day on the road for the most part. Not sure if that is always the case. I think once the universities come back into session, then the roads will be clogged up again. The train ride was good. I read my phone. I listened to music. I closed my eyes. It was wonderful. I like riding to work rather than driving.

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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: Cloudy, 30s
Shady Gas Price: $3.41
Level of commute annoyance (scale of 1 to 10): 2
Feared for my life: No

It's Different

The train car today had most of the seats turned backwards. They were all two person seats too. I have seen this car before. It's different. I saw puke on Friend St. It was frozen. I will take the mild weather even though I worry about what that means as an indicator of how we have messed up the earth. See you tomorrow.

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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: Sunny, 30s
Shady Gas Price: $3.41
Level of commute annoyance (scale of 1 to 10): 2
Feared for my life: No

Let It Slide

Got out of bed and there were a few things I had to get done around the house if you can believe it. I took my time and left the house later than usual. I had a coupon for a free blonde roast at Starbucks. It was delicious and free.

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Departure Time From Home: 6:45
Departure Time From Train Station: 7:26
Arrival Time at North Station: 8:06
Weather as I call it: Sorta sunny. 30s
Shady Gas Price: $3.41
Level of commute annoyance (scale of 1 to 10): 2
Feared for my life: No

Chemically Produced Yellow Snow

Everything was back to the typical times today. There was a chill in the air...the breeze didn't help. I hear it's supposed to be warmer this afternoon. I have wanted to report this scene for a while now but today is a good time as any. There is a bunch of yellow snow on the sidewalks along Congress St. They looked to be chemically produced, probably from some de-icer. I would think they would use a different color. Blue works. Yellow - not so much.

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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: Cold, breezy, 20s
Shady Gas Price: $3.41
Level of commute annoyance (scale of 1 to 10): 2
Feared for my life: No

2013 Doctor's Appointment

I had a doctor's appointment today. I was happy to see my official weigh in was 29 pounds lighter than it was when I was weighed in September 2009. Yay me. Taking the 9:23 train is quiet and if I could do it everyday I would. Imagine how much sleep I would get every night. The number of seats open is awesome too. First full week of the year. Bring it On.

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Departure Time From Home: 7:34
Departure Time From Train Station: 9:23
Arrival Time at North Station: 10:06
Weather as I call it: Sunny, high 30s
Shady Gas Price: $3.41
Level of commute annoyance (scale of 1 to 10): 1
Feared for my life: No

Cold Kills Trains

Below zero weather kills trains. It just does. The train was late and on the other side of the tracks when it pulled into the station. The usual train that was supposed to leave Lowell couldn't move so we were riding a different one..probably one that had left Boston and arrived in Lowell just minutes earlier. With that, we were able to get to Boston at a reasonable time. Kudos. Here's to some slightly warmer weather.

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Departure Time From Home: 6:34
Departure Time From Train Station: 7:07
Arrival Time at North Station: 7:47
Weather as I call it: Cold but not as cold as yesterday
Shady Gas Price: $3.41
Level of commute annoyance (scale of 1 to 10): 3 because of the cold
Feared for my life: No

Late Train Was An Early Train

I left the house early to fill up the tank and found prices went up at the pump albeit 2 cents more per gallon. I thought gas was getting less expensive? I don't know. I think there's some real weirdness with the price of gas lately. I got to the train station and waited in my car to stay out of the cold. I was surprised to see a train pull into the station about 8 minutes early. Not really understanding what was going on, I made a run for it so I wouldn't have to wait for another one. It seems the train scheduled before my normal one was late and it pulled into the station around the time of my regularly scheduled train. Phew. I got to Boston around the same time and battled the cold again. The wind was a little stronger today but I have been in colder situations.

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Departure Time From Home: 6:28
Departure Time From Train Station: 7:00
Arrival Time at North Station: 7:43
Weather as I call it: Cold, partly sunny.
Shady Gas Price: $3.41
Level of commute annoyance (scale of 1 to 10): 3
Feared for my life: Nope

Back For The Thirteen

Time to make the doughnuts indeed. I broke a 20 at the gas station to get change for parking. 4 singles, yo. The train station now has a rinky dink coffee shop in it. Nice. Small coffee is just $1.25. Boston still had remnants of a New Year's Eve celebration. Police barricades were sitting on street corners and a broken party hat was seen on the sidewalk. No guys asking for change today. It was too cold to panhandle. I'm back.

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Departure Time From Home: 6:26
Departure Time From Train Station: 7:00
Arrival Time at North Station: 7:44
Weather as I call it: Cold, Sunny, 15°F
Shady Gas Price: $3.39
Level of commute annoyance (scale of 1 to 10): 2
Feared for my life: Nope