Commuting Characters

You've got the woman who is cupping her hand over her cell phone while she talks. I guess she really does not want anyone reading her lips when she talks. Are we at a ballgame or something? Are you afraid that the other side is going to steal your signs?

You've got the woman who is singing to herself loudly...mostly a hum...no iPod to be seen. The song is just in her head.

You've got the guy who has smoked more packs of cigarettes this morning than most people smoke in a lifetime.

Good people - every one!


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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: Light snow and windy
Shady Gas Price: $2.69
Level of commute annoyance (scale of 1 to 10): 3
Feared for my life: No

March 2010 Rain Aftermath

Things seemed to be back to normal for the most part on the train today. There was some slow going between Billerica and Wilmington, but I would say the rest of the ride was typical.

The Shawsheen River is engorged and roaring under the tracks.

Winchester seems to be underwater. School parking lots are filled with huge puddles. Ballfields where people would bring their dogs to run around have now been replaced by ponds for ducks to swim.

I am hoping things dry up soon.

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Departure Time From Home: 6:30
Departure Time From Train Station 6:59
Arrival Time at North Station: 7:47
Weather as I call it: Sunny, 40s
Shady Gas Price: $2.69
Level of commute annoyance (scale of 1 to 10): 2
Feared for my life: No

What A Nightmare

So I got to the train station with not much trouble. Yes, it was raining and yes I had seen flooding issues on the TV...but I didn't encounter much resistance.

After getting to the train station, I saw that there was a lot of people waiting in the station. Again, I knew that there was a delay on the Lowell line of the commuter rail...15 to 20 minutes. Not the end of the world.

After 40 minutes, I heard a loud conversation from the center of the station. I concluded that the Wilmington station was closed due to flooding. No trains were making it beyond Wilminton it seemed. There were supposed to be shuttle buses but none were seen.

I decided to drive to work. How 'bout cha? As I get on to 93 South, my wife calls me to tell me her car isn't starting.

I drove home so she could use my car to drive our son to school and I could wait for AAA.

I got to work around 11 o'clock. Yay!


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Departure Time From Home: 6:50
Departure Time From Train Station Didn't happen via train
Arrival Time at North Station: Didn't happen.
Weather as I call it: Rain
Shady Gas Price: $2.71
Level of commute annoyance (scale of 1 to 10): 6
Feared for my life: No

White Swans

On the ride in, I saw two huge, beautiful, white swans swimming around in one of the marshes along the tracks...somewhere in between Billerica and Wilmington.

I was surprised and happy to see them.

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Departure Time From Home: 6:55
Departure Time From Train Station 7:26
Arrival Time at North Station: 8:05
Weather as I call it: Cloudy..
Shady Gas Price: $2.71
Level of commute annoyance (scale of 1 to 10): 2
Feared for my life: No

More Than a Feeling

Some dude has his iPod blasting and he was blasting the band Boston. Oh yeah. Raise your fist and beat the beat to More Than a Feeling.

It must have been that first Boston album because the next song I heard was something else by that band but I don't know the name of it.

He was BLASTING IT. Who cranks up Boston on their way to work? THAT GUY!


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Departure Time From Home: 6:53
Departure Time From Train Station 7:26
Arrival Time at North Station: 8:06
Weather as I call it: Cloudy, 28 degrees
Shady Gas Price: $2.65
Level of commute annoyance (scale of 1 to 10): 2
Feared for my life: No

Putting On Your Makeup

If there is one big difference between commuter rail and subway travel, it's the freedom the ladies feel to apply makeup while riding into work.

I would see some woman do touch ups on the T. Maybe the full application here and there.

On the commuter rail, I see this ritual about 3 of out 5 mornings. It's not just a touch up. It's the full deal. It's about 20 minutes of concealer.

I think it takes talent.

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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: Partly sunny, some wind, 30°F
Shady Gas Price: $2.65
Level of commute annoyance (scale of 1 to 10): 2
Feared for my life: No

No Flooding

The rain continues to come down and thankfully I wasn't affected by flooding. On the way home, I may need to avoid Route 3 North because of the huge puddle near Drum Hill.

I picked up a Metro to read something quite mindless on the way to work. Did you know that Charlie Sheen's wife is working on an addiction to crack? Wow.


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Departure Time From Home: 6:50
Departure Time From Train Station 7:26
Arrival Time at North Station: 8:06
Weather as I call it: Rainy. High 30s
Shady Gas Price: $2.65
Level of commute annoyance (scale of 1 to 10): 2
Feared for my life: No

Soggy and Slushy

It snowed overnight where I live but it was raining pretty steadily when I woke up.

I clean off both cars before I left. I hope that the rain will wash away the rest of the snow on the driveway. I don't want to have to shovel when I get home tonight.

A woman on the train asked me to move over so she could sit. I did and she mutter something to me like "Great weather we're having." I coughed a "ya" back at her and that stopped the conversation.

I wish I could kick this cold.


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Departure Time From Home: 6:47
Departure Time From Train Station 7:26
Arrival Time at North Station: 8:05
Weather as I call it: Rainy, high 30s.
Shady Gas Price: Surprisingly still at $2.65
Level of commute annoyance (scale of 1 to 10): 3
Feared for my life: No

Tires Were Spinning

I pulled out of my driveway today and had a hard time climbing the hill. Our road had been plowed but there seemed to be a thin layer of ice underneath the dusting of snow that fell between 9PM and Midnight last night. I kept my foot on the accelerator and I kept inching up the hill. Suddenly I saw a Ford Explorer in my rear view. He must have come up on my quick. He didn't seem to have the trouble I was having. I think he almost hit me. People drive too fast on my road anyway. Everyone should just slow down and be careful of dudes with front wheel drive.


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Departure Time From Home: 6:50
Departure Time From Train Station 7:26
Arrival Time at North Station: 8:06
Weather as I call it: Sunny, mid 20s
Shady Gas Price: $2.65
Level of commute annoyance (scale of 1 to 10): 2
Feared for my life: No

President's Day Fun

Yeah I had to work today. I think this may have been the first President's day that I have had to work since the 90s. The train was a little busier than I thought. It was filled with other sad schlubs like me who had to get themselves up and run for the train. Saturday schedules don't really make for a lot of choice. It was either the 7 o'clock or the 9 o'clock for me. I got there just in time to catch the 7 o'clock. I looked like a mess getting out of my car without my coat on and my bag flapping around. I was definitely the unprepared guy this morning.

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Departure Time From Home: 6:55
Departure Time From Train Station 7:08
Arrival Time at North Station: 7:50
Weather as I call it: Mostly cloudy, cold. 20s.
Shady Gas Price: $2.65
Level of commute annoyance (scale of 1 to 10): 3
Feared for my life: Nah

Snow Was A Joke

I just read my last post. That last snowstorm was a joke...for Boston at least.

There's a guy who stands outside one of the exits of Haymarket. He wishes everybody who walks by a good day....and he sings songs too.

Today he wished a few ladies a happy Valentine's day. I think a couple of them blushed.

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Departure Time From Home: 6:30
Departure Time From Train Station 6:59
Arrival Time at North Station: 7:42
Weather as I call it: Sunny, cold
Shady Gas Price: $2.65
Level of commute annoyance (scale of 1 to 10): 2
Feared for my life: Nah

Less Wind Less Dread

The cold wind wasn't present this morning and my cold has subsided. I didn't feel awful on the train.

The train was less crowded too. I have figured out where I can get a nice seat every morning. A nice seat being one that is close to the door yet you don't get a neighbor until 2 stops from N. Station. Nice.

Snow tomorrow.

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Departure Time From Home: 6:51
Departure Time From Train Station 7:26
Arrival Time at North Station: 8:04
Weather as I call it: Sunny, less windy.
Shady Gas Price: $2.67
Level of commute annoyance (scale of 1 to 10): 2
Feared for my life: No

Packed Train

I am a little under the weather this morning and the cold wind didn't help matters.

The packed train was uncomfortable. I didn't want to cough or sneeze on anybody. It was better to rest my eyes and turn my head to avoid spreading my cold.

I hope I feel better soon for everyone's sake.


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Departure Time From Home: 6:50
Departure Time From Train Station 7:28
Arrival Time at North Station: 8:12
Weather as I call it: Sunny and cold
Shady Gas Price: $2.67
Level of commute annoyance (scale of 1 to 10): 4 - sick and too many people
Feared for my life: No

Want To Buy The Sun For A Quarter?

For the blog, we may have a new paper person. There is a woman who asks commuters if they want to buy the (Lowell) Sun newspaper for a quarter every morning.

I may need to incorporate her into this blog. Maybe a count of how many times she asks people if they want to buy the paper.



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Departure Time From Home: 5:50
Departure Time From Train Station 6:26
Arrival Time at North Station: 7:05
Weather as I call it: Dawn broke. Looks to be a sunny day.
Shady Gas Price: $2.67
Level of commute annoyance (scale of 1 to 10): 2
Feared for my life: No

Crowded Train On A Monday

Today seemed to be a light traffic day on the roads but a crowded scene on the train.

I have never seen so many people on the morning train having to stand. On the way home, it's like that...but going to work is usually pretty mellow.

Anyhoo. Everyone got in on time. February started on a positive note.

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Departure Time From Home: 6:55
Departure Time From Train Station 7:26
Arrival Time at North Station: 8:04
Weather as I call it: Sunny, a little warmer...high 20s.
Shady Gas Price: $2.69
Level of commute annoyance (scale of 1 to 10): 2.5
Feared for my life: No

Free Coffee at North Station

...or at least across the street from it.

Chinet is promoting their new "comfort cup". They were handing out free coffee to show off how their new cup would save your hand from the burning sensation of hot liquids.

I think the cup is okay. Not sure if it is recyclable...If not, you are probably better off with a travel mug you can use over and over.

The cup kept my hands from getting burnt. The coffee wasn't that hot though...I would like to test it on near boiling liquids.

I took the free coffee and the coupon.

There were some dudes handing out Sox schedules near Faneuil Hall. I declined.

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Departure Time From Home: 6:50 - got out of the house early
Departure Time From Train Station 7:26
Arrival Time at North Station: 8:05
Weather as I call it: Cloudy. No rain yet.
Shady Gas Price: $2.71
Level of commute annoyance (scale of 1 to 10): 2
Feared for my life: No

Wrecks Near The Rails

There is an old truck. Must be from the 1940s or so. It is sitting there rusting on the side of the tracks between Woburn and Winchester.

You think with so much visibility that someone would make somebody junk it?

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Departure Time From Home: 6:39
Departure Time From Train Station 6:59
Arrival Time at North Station: 7:42
Weather as I call it: Cloudy, 30s
Shady Gas Price: $2.71
Level of commute annoyance (scale of 1 to 10): 2
Feared for my life: No

Shaking Hands At North Station

I think the biggest news from today is that Martha Coakley was at North Station shaking hands with commuters. I even saw some dude walk up to her and give her a big kiss on the cheek.

Too bad it was too little too late.

The other tidbit:
I had voted right as the polls opened and just made my train.


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Departure Time From Home: 6:50
Departure Time From Train Station 7:26
Arrival Time at North Station: 8:05
Weather as I call it: Light rain
Shady Gas Price: $2.71
Level of commute annoyance (scale of 1 to 10): 2
Feared for my life:

Well I Had To Work

I woke up to find 4 inches of wet snow on the ground. I got the shovel and started clearing off the steps and the cars and found the asphalt of the driveway.

I left the house thinking I could make the train that leaves N. Billerica station around the 8 o'clock hour...but I just missed it.

As I walked up to the station, the warning tones started to ring and I knew I was too late.

I had to wait around the station until 8:33. Fun times. I did meet up with an ex-coworker..so that did make the time go by a bit.

As we parted ways on the Orange line, he said, "Enjoy your holiday..."

I said, you too. Hey, I had to work today.

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Departure Time From Home: 7:26
Departure Time From Train Station 8:33
Arrival Time at North Station: 9:07
Weather as I call it: Snow, sometimes rain, windy
Shady Gas Price: $2.71 CRAP!
Level of commute annoyance (scale of 1 to 10): 5
Feared for my life: Once. Had to brake. Started to slide.

Sharing My Seat

I could probably write a whole post about people who share a seat with me on the commuter rail. I will wait until I have a few weeks worth of data to do the post some justice.

An elderly couple sat next to me today...both an old man and lady sat with me until the older woman decided that sitting that close to me wasn't a good experience.

I guess I smell. I don't know. I have a story like this one every day.

Anyway, it sounded like they were going to Boston for a hospital visit. I wished them the best of luck.

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Departure Time From Home: 6:55
Departure Time From Train Station 7:26
Arrival Time at North Station: 8:07
Weather as I call it: Sunny but cold. 20s
Shady Gas Price: $2.69
Level of commute annoyance (scale of 1 to 10): 2
Feared for my life: Nah