Bored waiting for the train
2.26.2010
Snow-M-G you guys
Etummoc goes international!!! Well, not really. I am in Canada but I am most certainly not etummocing. Its more like "5 minute rental car riding it to visit another company for 3 days." I think my business trip to Japan last year included an etummoc, but it was not very regular.
Anywho, this is my first time vising our neighbors to the north, or as some may call it "America's hat." For the most part it has been a pleasant experience. Though, coming from new york, my perspective could be a little skewed. From landing to car rental, everyone was quite friendly. I had never driven outside the US, but the switch to the metric system was easier than I thought. I lucked out the first night and found an amazing place to eat dinner. I chose ribs, having devoured a large chunk of Paula Deen's memoirs on the plane.
The weather, however, was less than stellar, meaning it snowed every day after my arrival. The naitives acted shocked exclaiming how light this winter has been, and they haven't gotten snow in a month. F*ck off I thought to myself in my best internal Kathy Griffin impression. I held back both commentar and laughter but I may have slipped the "you have to be shitting me" look. I mean, this is Canada, right? Its going to snow in the winter up here; let's be a little realistic.
Well aparently the northeast is due for some snow also. My flight was cancelled ahead of time and I got booked on an earlier flight to try to beat the storm. So here I am at 3am at the airport, no sleep, waiting in line. This won't get posted until later, but I sure hope I don't get stranded. Canada's been nice but I've had my fill of snow for now. I hope my friends don't get mad at me for not bringing back maple syrup.
*note before post: made it back. NY is taking quite a hit. I've been told I need to go into the office anyway, but I'm wearing jeans in protest.*
Anywho, this is my first time vising our neighbors to the north, or as some may call it "America's hat." For the most part it has been a pleasant experience. Though, coming from new york, my perspective could be a little skewed. From landing to car rental, everyone was quite friendly. I had never driven outside the US, but the switch to the metric system was easier than I thought. I lucked out the first night and found an amazing place to eat dinner. I chose ribs, having devoured a large chunk of Paula Deen's memoirs on the plane.
The weather, however, was less than stellar, meaning it snowed every day after my arrival. The naitives acted shocked exclaiming how light this winter has been, and they haven't gotten snow in a month. F*ck off I thought to myself in my best internal Kathy Griffin impression. I held back both commentar and laughter but I may have slipped the "you have to be shitting me" look. I mean, this is Canada, right? Its going to snow in the winter up here; let's be a little realistic.
Well aparently the northeast is due for some snow also. My flight was cancelled ahead of time and I got booked on an earlier flight to try to beat the storm. So here I am at 3am at the airport, no sleep, waiting in line. This won't get posted until later, but I sure hope I don't get stranded. Canada's been nice but I've had my fill of snow for now. I hope my friends don't get mad at me for not bringing back maple syrup.
*note before post: made it back. NY is taking quite a hit. I've been told I need to go into the office anyway, but I'm wearing jeans in protest.*
2.17.2010
Detours
While most normal people were at home sleeping in on Monday, I was up at 6am. Unfortunately, I don't get holidays like President's Day or MLK Day off. Even worse, transit systems run on holiday schedules. I used to plan ahead and at least look at train times, but after finding little payoff, I've grown accustomed to expensing cab rides whenever my shuttles are not running.
Leaving the office is always the most difficult on a non-holiday, as cabs don't run rampant in Tarrytown like they do in Manhattan. Luckily, somebody was recently hired to my office that drives from the city. She offered a few of us city dwellers a ride. With little traffic due to the holiday, we were bound to make into the city in no time.
The trip was short but the car was packed. Each of us had brought 2 bags in case Tuesday's snow would keep us home. After the first two drop-offs uptown, I shifted up to the front seat. I wanted to make small talk with the driver, but as she was asking me about cafés downtown, she managed to run a red light and turn us northbound on the FDR. So much for getting home early...
Apologizing repeatedly, she quickly activated the GPS to get us turned around. At that point there wasn't the option to get off the FDR and make a quick turn around, so we were instructed to go over a bridge and into Queens. We couldn't help but laugh at what happened, and it definitely broke the ice to more conversation. She tried to trick the GPS by pulling one or two u-turns, but ended up turning back around both times. The GPS was not changing its mind about the midtown tunnel, so we gave in.
We did see some great views of the city, and had a lot of laughs. I think I've mentioned before that a big part of etummocing is flexability. If we had gotten mad at the situation, it probably would have been worse than getting caught behind a 20 car pile-up on the original route. It actually turned out to be the highlight of my day, after 8 hours of being bitter for having to go into work.
Approaching my drop off spot, she did ask me not to tell our colleagues what happened. I could understand that she's new and felt embarrassed, so I agreed. She didn't say anything about blog posts though!
Leaving the office is always the most difficult on a non-holiday, as cabs don't run rampant in Tarrytown like they do in Manhattan. Luckily, somebody was recently hired to my office that drives from the city. She offered a few of us city dwellers a ride. With little traffic due to the holiday, we were bound to make into the city in no time.
The trip was short but the car was packed. Each of us had brought 2 bags in case Tuesday's snow would keep us home. After the first two drop-offs uptown, I shifted up to the front seat. I wanted to make small talk with the driver, but as she was asking me about cafés downtown, she managed to run a red light and turn us northbound on the FDR. So much for getting home early...
Apologizing repeatedly, she quickly activated the GPS to get us turned around. At that point there wasn't the option to get off the FDR and make a quick turn around, so we were instructed to go over a bridge and into Queens. We couldn't help but laugh at what happened, and it definitely broke the ice to more conversation. She tried to trick the GPS by pulling one or two u-turns, but ended up turning back around both times. The GPS was not changing its mind about the midtown tunnel, so we gave in.
We did see some great views of the city, and had a lot of laughs. I think I've mentioned before that a big part of etummocing is flexability. If we had gotten mad at the situation, it probably would have been worse than getting caught behind a 20 car pile-up on the original route. It actually turned out to be the highlight of my day, after 8 hours of being bitter for having to go into work.
Approaching my drop off spot, she did ask me not to tell our colleagues what happened. I could understand that she's new and felt embarrassed, so I agreed. She didn't say anything about blog posts though!
2.11.2010
In security
Every now and again there is a very noticeable increase in police on public transportation. Officers riding on trains in pairs, pacing station platforms, or monitoring subway stations. This is expected for events such as presidential visits or important UN meetings. Holwever, random spikes of increased security are a little unsettling.
If I know that UN activity is the reason for shutting down the FDR, lining 42nd street with cop cars, and placing bomb-sniffing dogs in Grand Central, I'm ok with that. I come from a long line of worriers, so of course I get a little nervous when there's no obious reason for increased security. Is something going on? Did I miss something on the news? Do they expect something to happen? I should try to get to my train quickly, is my usual thought process.
Working in a techical profession, I occasionly have to take home prototype electronics. Walking in to the subway with a briefcase full of wires and seeing a bagcheck station set up has nearly caused me to have diarrhea as I swipe my metro card on more than one occasion. As I pick up my pace, I say to myself, "you don't actually have anything to worry about, but at least they are closing Guantanamo."
In an attmpt to prevent myself from getting put on a watch list: I don't mean to sound like I'm complaining. Security is needed and has never been intrusive on my etummoc. I wish there was less to worry about, but I guess I'll just get some quality powerwalking practice instead.
If I know that UN activity is the reason for shutting down the FDR, lining 42nd street with cop cars, and placing bomb-sniffing dogs in Grand Central, I'm ok with that. I come from a long line of worriers, so of course I get a little nervous when there's no obious reason for increased security. Is something going on? Did I miss something on the news? Do they expect something to happen? I should try to get to my train quickly, is my usual thought process.
Working in a techical profession, I occasionly have to take home prototype electronics. Walking in to the subway with a briefcase full of wires and seeing a bagcheck station set up has nearly caused me to have diarrhea as I swipe my metro card on more than one occasion. As I pick up my pace, I say to myself, "you don't actually have anything to worry about, but at least they are closing Guantanamo."
In an attmpt to prevent myself from getting put on a watch list: I don't mean to sound like I'm complaining. Security is needed and has never been intrusive on my etummoc. I wish there was less to worry about, but I guess I'll just get some quality powerwalking practice instead.
2.03.2010
Oversleeping
Ok, I did it. I got a little cocky and slept though my stop on a northbound train. It actually happened yesterday, but my ego needed a day to recover. Here's how it happened:
I have grown fond of the Harlem line lately, as the shuttle from North White Plains is void of people who have either volume control problems or personal hygiene issues. Plus the train rides are shorter. As soon as I boarded yesterday, the car was especially warm, and I knew I was done for. The train stopped for a while before getting to 125th street station, and I gave in to my eyelids.
I can't remember a lot of what happened after that. I clearly recall waking briefly at white plains, the stop before mine. Well the next thing I know I'm watching the doors from my seat. I then see the sign that says "North White Plains." The train doesn't move immediately, and I could not find a conductor or other way to open a door. I also remember that this was the last stop for this train.
Thinking I'm the ony one left on board, I start looking for something that may open the door. Then the train starts moving and I am struck by terror, not knowing what happens to trains after the last stop. I find and immediately start mashing a green button on the ceiling that says "CONDUCTOR." The train hesitated and stopped. Initially relieved, I look down into the next car to see a conductor charging towards me, while shaking his finger. Overcome by guilt, I must have apologized a dozen times in a minute. His reprimands were a little unclear... I was sorry that I had used the green button, but is was a better option than an emergency break, or being trapped in a trainyard for the next 8 hours.
He let me out and I made it the rest of the way just fine. I'm limiting myself to southbound naps only for the time being. But its not easy to resist the need to hibernate with snow on the ground.
I have grown fond of the Harlem line lately, as the shuttle from North White Plains is void of people who have either volume control problems or personal hygiene issues. Plus the train rides are shorter. As soon as I boarded yesterday, the car was especially warm, and I knew I was done for. The train stopped for a while before getting to 125th street station, and I gave in to my eyelids.
I can't remember a lot of what happened after that. I clearly recall waking briefly at white plains, the stop before mine. Well the next thing I know I'm watching the doors from my seat. I then see the sign that says "North White Plains." The train doesn't move immediately, and I could not find a conductor or other way to open a door. I also remember that this was the last stop for this train.
Thinking I'm the ony one left on board, I start looking for something that may open the door. Then the train starts moving and I am struck by terror, not knowing what happens to trains after the last stop. I find and immediately start mashing a green button on the ceiling that says "CONDUCTOR." The train hesitated and stopped. Initially relieved, I look down into the next car to see a conductor charging towards me, while shaking his finger. Overcome by guilt, I must have apologized a dozen times in a minute. His reprimands were a little unclear... I was sorry that I had used the green button, but is was a better option than an emergency break, or being trapped in a trainyard for the next 8 hours.
He let me out and I made it the rest of the way just fine. I'm limiting myself to southbound naps only for the time being. But its not easy to resist the need to hibernate with snow on the ground.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)