Train Tact

It seems that a few of my fellow commuters can use a refresher course in manners. It really isn't hard, but you have to at least try to use some common sense. Here are just a few ways to be a better commuter.

• when you are on a train platform that is packed shoulder to shoulder, do you really think that 6ft golf umbrella was such a great idea?
• when the train arrives at the station, you will need to close it BEFORE you get on the train. plan ahead.
• once you are on the train, where do you plan on putting that giant wet umbrella? In the overhead luggage rack? uh, NO! try again....
• I realize that I take an early train, but sleeping across three seats on a peak-hour train is grounds for a beat down - and this train stops in Bridgeport, pal!
• If your cell phone/crackberry ringer is set to "obnoxious", ANSWER THE FUCKING PHONE!
• No one else in the train car wants to hear Miley Cyrus on infinite repeat for 40 minutes little girl!
• If you want to get your arrogant Armani covered ass on this train, you better move and let me get the hell off - unless you want to "watch the gap" up close.

And while I am whining about the people on the MTA, let me complain - again - about these freaking trains. I've covered this before, but apparently no one was listening.

Now, don't get me wrong, the MTA staff on the train rocks. They are professional, polite and they take pity on you when you aren't paying attention and end up in Harlem (nothing wrong with Harlem, but I was aiming for Greenwich).

BUT can you PLEASE maintain the train cars? Yes, I am aware that you've ordered new cars. great. That may help when they get here - NEXT YEAR. Oh, wait, my bad they begin to arrive in a year, but you won't have them all until 2012. thanks. even if the train fairy delivered them all today. It still isn't enough.

Gas prices are going up. I-95 isn't getting any less crowded. More people are taking the train, 20% more in the first quarter this year. Every day the trains are more and more crowded. The Friday afternoon trains are SO full, that the conductors can't even move up and down the aisles to collect tickets. it can't be safe to run the trains that full.

What does NOT help matters is when trains are regularly a car short. Even worse? A car short and at least one car with rain leaking in so badly that half of the seats can't be used. No, actually, even worse was the Friday afternoon express that was not only a car short, BUT two of the cars were without a/c - in July - in CT. It was so hot in those cars that it was unsafe! So glad you got that one fixed - almost a week later...

Don't get me wrong, I'm really enjoying the commute - since I don't have to drive. I really like my job, but I couldn't handle the commute if I had to deal with the mess on I-95... even if gas were free. It is just that some mornings, the little things piss you off... and some days I just feel like bitching (I'm tired and I'm sore and it's my blog. get over it.)

Dear MTA:

Were you trying to screw with our heads this morning? Really, a Club Car on the morning train? I thought Club Cars have gone the way of the cocktail party (Both of which deserve a comeback IMO). I mean, why bother? It hardly has any seats (but the cup holders are a plus) and you aren't serving anything. Now, if you were serving breakfast on the train... even just "coffee and.." that would be a whole other deal. I could have gone for a bluberry muffin on the way in this morning. If you actually open the bar on the afternoon trains you could probably afford to buy a couple of coaches that aren't older than me. Think about it. How civilized would it be to sip a martini on the train on the way home from work? I think it would really increase the popularity of the train. Don't you?

Sincerely,
Thirsty Commuter

While I am on the subject of Club Cars, want to hear a funny story? when my Grandmother was pregnant with my Dad, my Grandfather was still in the Navy and stationed in RI. Since my grandmother already had a house and a career in CT, she stayed here and he took the train home when he could. When he got word that it was "time" he hopped on the train and rode the Club Car to Bridgeport (about 2 hours or so). by the time he got there, he was tanked - and a father. The nurses at the hospital asked him to fill out the paperwork for the birth certificate. On the line that said "name" he wrote his own - not the baby's. So, my Dad is Jr. and they named the dog Peter.

Nervous traveler

I've been mulling this post over in my head for a few days, yet I'm still not sure I can articulate my thoughts properly.

As a kid I was painfully shy. My mom maintains that she signed me up for dance class and I got over it. Nope. not even close! I enjoyed the classes, so I put on my big girl panites and did it anyway. I've been trying to push the boundary ever since. I'm still terrified of new situations and it takes me FOREVER to warm up to new people.

What does this have to do with traveling? Lots. The whole reason - I think - is a need to know what is going to happen. I can "wing it" with my knitting, but that is about it. I NEED to know when the train is. which platform my transfer is on. where my stop is. where to catch the bus. if I need to walk up/back for my stop (I almost never know which car I'm in. I don't count).

Then you have the fact that I am packed in with hundreds of complete strangers. Granted, most people are just waking up or trying to wind down at the end of the day and get lost in their own thoughts (except the two "gossip girls" who yap inceasantly from Stratford to Greenwich and back EVERY day). Occasionally people like to make polite conversation. I suck at small talk. One lady asked me about my knitting and wanted me to show her how to knit socks. It was like talking to someone I'd known forever. funny how that works.

So this commuting thing has gotten easier after a week. my only disaster happened the first day - it sucked, but I lived and I am over it. the faces are getting familiar. and I am gettign home at a decent hour - relaxed.

Visit http://www.bridgeandtunnelclub.com/bigmap/outoftown/connecticut/metro-north/index.htm for more MNRR New Haven Line pictures.

Chugging Along

I was going to take a pic of the Safari Socks on the train, but I thought with Homeland Security and all.. maybe not... so here it is in my office.



I may be able to turn the heel tomorrow.. maybe...

the Commute

new job - new commute. the first morning didn't go so hot. my stinkin' cab was 40 minutes late*! I missed FOUR trains and screwed my shutle connection at the other end. I ended up being 1:15 late for my second day - nice. Fortunately, the new boss is not an ass, so it was ok. The ride home was better.

On the way back a lady saw me knitting and sat down next to me. She is a new knitter and we talked needles and yarn shops and I introduced her to magic loop and HK socks. she asked "the" question "why not just go to Kohls?". I told her to knit a pair, put them on - then ask me. Its like parenting. you think you know - but you don't - not until you are ankle deep in it.

This morning, the planets aligned and the commuter gods were kind. My cab was about 10 minutes early - which meant that I caught the early train - semi express, through train to my stop - no transfer in stamford :happy dance: I got off the train, down to the street and my shuttle was wating. My stop is the last in the loop, so I was the last one on the bus. the driver pulled up to the driveway of my building instead of the regular stop next door. I hope the rest of my train rides go this well!

so, if you are on the MNRR New Haven Line and see someone knitting this:



come and say "hi"!

*Note to Cab drivers: if you are 40 minutes late and I miss 4 trains - you do NOT deserve a tip - so don't ask for one - jerk!