...on Monday. Following my friend Cece’s great approach to capturing random things, I figured I’d follow her lead:
- It’s too hot. I miss winter. It’s only May and it’s already hot and humid. I’m such a winter girl. I’ve never had a winter where I got sick of it. They always end too soon. Only 4 months to go.
- I have some dormant posts I need to put up about movies. I’ve discovered a bunch of new genres I love. The latest one is quirky teenage films based on classics. Think Clueless, 10 Things I Hate About You, and the latest one I stumbled upon, Easy A. You like what you like.
- Why do holiday weekends go by so fast? If only we had them every week!
- I went on a shopping mecca to some stores south of Boston. It was ridiculous. Besides finding some awesome deals and spending my entire year’s budget in one day, it was humorous to see that the SUVs piled up on all the parking lot islands – every square inch was covered by cars.
- I drove from one side of the outlet mall to the other and after 10 minutes of looking for a spot, stumbled upon the secret employee parking lot. I ran to my store, bought the thing I put on hold and had them escort me out the back way where my car was parked feet away. I felt very VIPish.
- I’ve concluded my favorite line is Elie Tahari (not the Tahari line). Over half my work clothes are from that store.
- The pine tree I park under has been sneezing on my car. I had to go to a car wash and I’m trying to park as far away from the snot explosion tree. It’s like my car gets slimed – and then dries sticky. I’ve never seen anything like it before – and I’ve lived here for awhile.
- I’ve got a little crush on a boy I met recently. I have to say there is something about beards. This one has one. And so does that last two or three guys. Again, you like what you like.
- I’ve been putting off bring the boys into the vet. They’re getting old and I’m in denial.
- I’m excited about next weekend. It’s Strolling of the Heifers and a bunch of friends are coming up to enjoy the festivities. The all-time highlight in my mind – the real maple syrup cotton candy. It’s best fresh. Every year, I have a harder time preventing myself from buying a cotton candy machine. Just imagine. I’d be toothless within a year! Hello dentures!
Monday, May 30, 2011
Friday, May 20, 2011
StoryCorps
Did anyone hear the StoryCorps on NPR this morning? They’re usually hit or miss for me. This one was a complete hit. You have to listen to it, don’t read the transcript prior. This is why radio exists. Click here for the direct link.
Thursday, May 19, 2011
Sneaky Me
I found a way to pre and post date my posts. And I had a bunch piled up that I had written offline. And I like to be somewhat chronological in my posts. The new posts I just posted today are:
A Day in the Life of Me, May 19th
Townhall, May 18th
Clinique, May 18th
Atlanta Trip, April 3rd
First Week, March 28th
You can find them in the sidebar if you're interested in some extra reading. I'm too lazy to hyperlink.
A Day in the Life of Me, May 19th
Townhall, May 18th
Clinique, May 18th
Atlanta Trip, April 3rd
First Week, March 28th
You can find them in the sidebar if you're interested in some extra reading. I'm too lazy to hyperlink.
A Day in the Life of Me
Not to be narcissistic but I wanted to capture today. It’s more a realization of where I am these days than anything. Last night I didn’t get home until late, after a dynamic and camaraderie committee meeting. I’ve been on this town committee going on seven years now. Rubbing elbows with the town manager (aka mayor), fire chief, facility manager and other key folks in my little town. A great group of hard working civil servants. The challenges they face and their attitude and approach to working with what they have is very commendable. And then there are the other citizens like myself on the committee, from business owners to architects to developers that have a similar civic duty and drive to give back. But enough about all of them, back to me.
It was a late night and the only saving grace was that the chief had put together a wonderful little spread of refreshments to celebrate the completion of one our little projects. Cheese and crackers formed the substance of my dinner. I’m always wired after these meetings. They are not dull and one is certainly not a passive participant. Translate this to - it was a late hour when I finally retired for the night.
Next morning I woke up earlier than planned but had a productive morning, getting some work done and getting ready. I glance out the window and notice the taxi I ordered is already waiting in my driveway. Nice and early, a bit before 6:30. Great guy that drove me to the train station. I like chatting with the drivers and hear about how things work. I only pay cash knowing what they face with plastic. Traffic was just thick enough, that when I arrived, I had just enough time to grab a bite to eat for breakfast and head off to my platform to line up and board the train. Snagged a perfect seat on a train that was filled to capacity.
There is something about traveling by train. I don’t think I would ever tire of it, at least the beautiful route I take through southern New England to go from Boston to NYC. There’s a civility about it all. Granted I’m traveling during peak commuting times so am surrounded by men in business suits working on lap tops. After several hours of working with a back drop of bucolic fields and picturesque coastal views, we approach the city.
I love NYC. I think I appreciate the city more because I don’t live there. Viewing the skyline from across the water and then moments later, walking up and out of the station onto 7th avenue with the hustle and bustle. And I remembered exactly where our office was located, arriving just in time to chat with the principal there and grab what we needed for our presentation.
Pulled off presenting with someone I hadn’t met on a presentation I hadn’t had a chance to review properly. We had a good dynamic and were able to address concerns and questions of the audience. We had a little time afterwards to grab lunch before my colleague had to head to a meeting and me to Penn station.
I had a delicious salmon burger on a white linens table at The Crooked Knife, in front of an unlit fireplace in a cozy corner of the restaurant. Good conversation discussing work and life before parting ways. I had some time to spare before my train left, so popped into a furniture store to window shop. Moments later as I emerge it starts to rain… and then pour. I walk down to a promising corner and stick my hand out for a yellow cab. A chunk pass by but then I get one that flashes their lights at me and pulls over. They’re dropping off someone. So I wait under the tree feet away while they pay. And he pops out and offers me to get in while he’s waiting for his receipt. Nice attractive fellow, well dressed and obviously chivalrous. I make a comment about him getting wet now and he responds in a gorgeous voice, ‘better me than you’ while leaning across for the receipt from the driver, bids farewell and disappears into the fancy hotel we’re in front of. Ah, NYC men. Although, if he’s at a hotel, he probably wasn’t a New Yorker. But you get my point.
Nice and dry now I make my way from Madison Avenue over to Penn Station. I head to the arrivals board where dozens of people are milling about waiting and moments later the train arrives and here I am with another great seat enjoying the view on my ride back to Boston. I’m still amazed how well everything just rolled so smoothly and I was able to sit back and enjoy the ride all day. From the tall buildings in Manhattan to the little swallow chirping away on a lamp post amidst the chaos. From meeting with the architectural group we presented to the intimate shared moment with a stranger. From meeting and catching up with my fellow colleague to hearing about the life of a taxi driver. And soon I’ll be heading from South Station to home to grab a bite and hop in the car to make it to another town committee meeting. This time working side by side with the superintendent, principal, PTA liaison, and other folks to build a school. Very satisfying being able to impact something that will be around for 50+ years in your own back yard. And after a hard and long day of working, I’ll crawl back into bed ready to tackle the daily, and less glamorous, grind of tomorrow.
It was a late night and the only saving grace was that the chief had put together a wonderful little spread of refreshments to celebrate the completion of one our little projects. Cheese and crackers formed the substance of my dinner. I’m always wired after these meetings. They are not dull and one is certainly not a passive participant. Translate this to - it was a late hour when I finally retired for the night.
Next morning I woke up earlier than planned but had a productive morning, getting some work done and getting ready. I glance out the window and notice the taxi I ordered is already waiting in my driveway. Nice and early, a bit before 6:30. Great guy that drove me to the train station. I like chatting with the drivers and hear about how things work. I only pay cash knowing what they face with plastic. Traffic was just thick enough, that when I arrived, I had just enough time to grab a bite to eat for breakfast and head off to my platform to line up and board the train. Snagged a perfect seat on a train that was filled to capacity.
There is something about traveling by train. I don’t think I would ever tire of it, at least the beautiful route I take through southern New England to go from Boston to NYC. There’s a civility about it all. Granted I’m traveling during peak commuting times so am surrounded by men in business suits working on lap tops. After several hours of working with a back drop of bucolic fields and picturesque coastal views, we approach the city.
Pulled off presenting with someone I hadn’t met on a presentation I hadn’t had a chance to review properly. We had a good dynamic and were able to address concerns and questions of the audience. We had a little time afterwards to grab lunch before my colleague had to head to a meeting and me to Penn station.
I had a delicious salmon burger on a white linens table at The Crooked Knife, in front of an unlit fireplace in a cozy corner of the restaurant. Good conversation discussing work and life before parting ways. I had some time to spare before my train left, so popped into a furniture store to window shop. Moments later as I emerge it starts to rain… and then pour. I walk down to a promising corner and stick my hand out for a yellow cab. A chunk pass by but then I get one that flashes their lights at me and pulls over. They’re dropping off someone. So I wait under the tree feet away while they pay. And he pops out and offers me to get in while he’s waiting for his receipt. Nice attractive fellow, well dressed and obviously chivalrous. I make a comment about him getting wet now and he responds in a gorgeous voice, ‘better me than you’ while leaning across for the receipt from the driver, bids farewell and disappears into the fancy hotel we’re in front of. Ah, NYC men. Although, if he’s at a hotel, he probably wasn’t a New Yorker. But you get my point.
Nice and dry now I make my way from Madison Avenue over to Penn Station. I head to the arrivals board where dozens of people are milling about waiting and moments later the train arrives and here I am with another great seat enjoying the view on my ride back to Boston. I’m still amazed how well everything just rolled so smoothly and I was able to sit back and enjoy the ride all day. From the tall buildings in Manhattan to the little swallow chirping away on a lamp post amidst the chaos. From meeting with the architectural group we presented to the intimate shared moment with a stranger. From meeting and catching up with my fellow colleague to hearing about the life of a taxi driver. And soon I’ll be heading from South Station to home to grab a bite and hop in the car to make it to another town committee meeting. This time working side by side with the superintendent, principal, PTA liaison, and other folks to build a school. Very satisfying being able to impact something that will be around for 50+ years in your own back yard. And after a hard and long day of working, I’ll crawl back into bed ready to tackle the daily, and less glamorous, grind of tomorrow.
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
Town Hall
Ironically the other item I wanted to post flows straight from the previous post. Monday night, I was in no rush although I did have something in the evening - Town Hall Meeting. It’s been years and I have yet to attend one. I grew up in a town with a mayor and selectmen (or something like that). There was no venue that would come even close to town meetings. I have yet to figure it all out of who does what in the town I’m in now. No mayor, we have a town manager. But he just executes and manages things. There is a board of selectmen and they can vote on some stuff but have limited scope too. It’s the town meeting members that seem to vote on the bigger items. And there’s so much more in between. Now there are dozens and dozens of town meeting members. Maybe over a hundred. And they meet at least once a year and work through all the articles before them. This can last weeks. They meet each night (but not every night) at the old town hall for hours debating and discussing and voting.
From the stories I’ve heard it was something that would be entertaining to view but torturous to have to participate in. Somehow I had gotten wind that Monday night the article concerning the local elementary school we’re working on would be up. So when my bus dropped me off at my stop just outside of town hall and I saw it was still going on at 9 pm at night I figured I’d pop in and see what I caught.
And talk about timing, about fifteen minutes later they took up the school article. There was a recess right before so I was able to pop over and talk to the architect who was in attendance. I’m sitting there and folks are mingling and stretching the legs (I think the meeting started 3 hours earlier). And I know a ton of people. It made me all warm and fuzzy inside. Got a wave from the superintendent of the schools, a head nod from the fire chief, caught up with a selectman I hadn’t seen for awhile and other folks. It was nice and busy.
(image is of the actual room, but several years earlier during a campaign)
Now let me provide the setting. The town hall has that nice old architecture of years past. Wood paneling and balcony seating on three sides of the room. A big stage up front on which they had placed three big wooden desks for the officiators of the session. The head guy was sitting in a wing chair that had a back that went a good four feet above his head. It was tall and seemed like something you would see on a Tim Burton set. The place was crowded. Seats set up on the floor for all the town meeting members and a crowd of spectators up in the balcony composed mainly of concerned parents. There was a buzz in the air.
The issue of the school is a hot topic. Our town is facing major budget issues like many towns. A debt override is needed to finance the school which would have a direct effect on what the townsfolk pay in taxes. And the economy is not great as we all know. It would be best if we could wait for awhile. On the flip side, the school is in bad shape, we’re at the top of the list to receive some funding from the state, this project was supposed to have happened years ago and it’s one of the last schools to get an overhaul. It’s their turn.
The session begins again and I love the formalities of the whole thing. The issue is presented and is then opened to discussion. You have to raise your hand and wait to be called on to present. I was impressed the moderator knew everyone’s name. Then you proceeded to the front podium and where you state your name and address. And this is if you’re a town meeting member. If you’re not, you have to have a town meeting member go up and nominate you to speak. I think if you’re not a resident they then vote to decide if they’ll let you speak. There’s a bunch of prepared speeches from PTA and other key officials making an impassioned case to move forward with the funding. Then there are questions from members and some are random. One lady was really concerned about the quality of school lunches while the project was under construction and the kids are at the other schools. I couldn’t figure out if she would vote against the article and have them remain in the poor school conditions if she wasn’t happy with their food situation under the temporary conditions.
At the one point, one of the older gentlemen raised his hand and when called upon, forwent going to the podium and just shouted something out and pointed. I couldn’t understand it but it boiled down to no signs. Some of the parents in the balcony had made signs supporting the school project. Apparently you’re not allowed to display them inside. It was comical and very entertaining. I had my knitting and I had not had to watch the excruciating three hour preview that went line item by line item through the budget (I caught the last part when they were talking about photocopiers - it would have gotten old quickly). Plus I had the added benefit of having that fuzzy feeling of hearing my name in the official presentation. The school committee member was mentioning some of us that were in attendance that night, although he had lost track where I was sitting - I had moved to the balcony as I think you’re only supposed to be on the floor if you’re a town meeting member.
And just as I was starting to wonder how long this would be drawn out it abruptly ended and some legal jargon was thrown out and they voted. They do a roll call vote only if the margin is tight. It needs a 2/3s vote to pass and the moderator does a first pass of ayes and nays and bases it on how loud each group is. It gave me shivers when you hear the resonating boom of ayes go through the room in one fell swoop. The article passed unanimously!
I duck out at that point into the dark rainy night, pouring onto the streets with the other spectators, walking quickly home with a happy feeling albeit a hungry stomach since it was after 10 pm and no dinner yet!
From the stories I’ve heard it was something that would be entertaining to view but torturous to have to participate in. Somehow I had gotten wind that Monday night the article concerning the local elementary school we’re working on would be up. So when my bus dropped me off at my stop just outside of town hall and I saw it was still going on at 9 pm at night I figured I’d pop in and see what I caught.
And talk about timing, about fifteen minutes later they took up the school article. There was a recess right before so I was able to pop over and talk to the architect who was in attendance. I’m sitting there and folks are mingling and stretching the legs (I think the meeting started 3 hours earlier). And I know a ton of people. It made me all warm and fuzzy inside. Got a wave from the superintendent of the schools, a head nod from the fire chief, caught up with a selectman I hadn’t seen for awhile and other folks. It was nice and busy.
Now let me provide the setting. The town hall has that nice old architecture of years past. Wood paneling and balcony seating on three sides of the room. A big stage up front on which they had placed three big wooden desks for the officiators of the session. The head guy was sitting in a wing chair that had a back that went a good four feet above his head. It was tall and seemed like something you would see on a Tim Burton set. The place was crowded. Seats set up on the floor for all the town meeting members and a crowd of spectators up in the balcony composed mainly of concerned parents. There was a buzz in the air.
The issue of the school is a hot topic. Our town is facing major budget issues like many towns. A debt override is needed to finance the school which would have a direct effect on what the townsfolk pay in taxes. And the economy is not great as we all know. It would be best if we could wait for awhile. On the flip side, the school is in bad shape, we’re at the top of the list to receive some funding from the state, this project was supposed to have happened years ago and it’s one of the last schools to get an overhaul. It’s their turn.
The session begins again and I love the formalities of the whole thing. The issue is presented and is then opened to discussion. You have to raise your hand and wait to be called on to present. I was impressed the moderator knew everyone’s name. Then you proceeded to the front podium and where you state your name and address. And this is if you’re a town meeting member. If you’re not, you have to have a town meeting member go up and nominate you to speak. I think if you’re not a resident they then vote to decide if they’ll let you speak. There’s a bunch of prepared speeches from PTA and other key officials making an impassioned case to move forward with the funding. Then there are questions from members and some are random. One lady was really concerned about the quality of school lunches while the project was under construction and the kids are at the other schools. I couldn’t figure out if she would vote against the article and have them remain in the poor school conditions if she wasn’t happy with their food situation under the temporary conditions.
At the one point, one of the older gentlemen raised his hand and when called upon, forwent going to the podium and just shouted something out and pointed. I couldn’t understand it but it boiled down to no signs. Some of the parents in the balcony had made signs supporting the school project. Apparently you’re not allowed to display them inside. It was comical and very entertaining. I had my knitting and I had not had to watch the excruciating three hour preview that went line item by line item through the budget (I caught the last part when they were talking about photocopiers - it would have gotten old quickly). Plus I had the added benefit of having that fuzzy feeling of hearing my name in the official presentation. The school committee member was mentioning some of us that were in attendance that night, although he had lost track where I was sitting - I had moved to the balcony as I think you’re only supposed to be on the floor if you’re a town meeting member.
And just as I was starting to wonder how long this would be drawn out it abruptly ended and some legal jargon was thrown out and they voted. They do a roll call vote only if the margin is tight. It needs a 2/3s vote to pass and the moderator does a first pass of ayes and nays and bases it on how loud each group is. It gave me shivers when you hear the resonating boom of ayes go through the room in one fell swoop. The article passed unanimously!
I duck out at that point into the dark rainy night, pouring onto the streets with the other spectators, walking quickly home with a happy feeling albeit a hungry stomach since it was after 10 pm and no dinner yet!
Clinique
I’m pretty good at following the rule of dressing for the position you want. However, when it comes to hair and make-up I tend towards the low maintenance end of the spectrum. For several years I’ve been meaning to get a consult for make-up. I wanted to get someone who was good and gelled with my style. And honestly I just needed some basic instructions. What goes where when. I’ve learned some from my girlfriend Andrea - we’d ‘play’ make-up and she would teach me some techniques.
Monday I made the plunge. It was the only night this week that I didn’t have something in the evening, so after work, I made my way to the Clinique counter at Macy’s downtown. They were having a promo, which it turns out I just missed but in reality didn’t miss much. But it was just the thing to get me over the hump and make the plunge. And I’m happy to report it was a huge success! The lady who helped me was young and energetic and passionate and really liked teaching me stuff. And she wasn’t trying to do the sell. Which meant I ended up buying more.
I did a little gulp at the cash register as my make-up is generally free. I’m a Clinique girl. I still remember when my mom took me to the Clinique counter in this little store on Church Street in Burlington, VT. I was just entering my teen years and we got liquid and powder foundations, blush, lipstick and more. I just threw the foundation out last year - crazy. The thing is with Clinique they have these bonus deals so that you get all this free make-up with a purchase. So that’s where my collection of lipstick is from. And my eyeshadows. And I was realizing that the latest blush I was using made me look like that make-up doll you’d play with when you were a kid - it wasn’t pretty. And that’s the thing, free make-up is great, but it’s not always the best for you specifically. I really just need a few key, good items - just like the wardrobe.
On a completely side note, I’m on the Acela heading down to NYC for the day and something seems off. I just realized it was the seatbelt - or the lack of one. I’m so used to one from planes to cars to taxis. It feels really strange. I’m sure I’ll adjust.
What I wanted was a start-to-end instruction and a complete kit. And that’s what I got. It’s Wednesday now and I’m happy to report it seems to work. Although I just remembered I forgot to put mascara on, so I’m getting there.
What I liked about Monday night was the laid back setting - it was evening and not too busy and I was in no rush to go anywhere. So we took our time and I could ask endless questions. And I understand why much better. I’ve embraced the process now. If I would have told my earlier self that I would be following a six step process that just got me to foundation application I would have thought I was crazy. Serums and lotions and moisturizers and toners. I’ve been wanting to do it all but didn’t understand the order or how. I’ve been using the Clinique yellow lotion all over my face for decades and that’s not what you’re supposed to do - who knew? And the thing was I had most of the products already. I wanted to use them but just didn’t know how to properly use them.
And I walked away not only learning new simple techniques but also got a few of the secret products everyone always knows about. Like the… ok, I don’t the names yet so bear with me. I have a product I apply to my eyelids as a prep to the eyeshadow. I think it’s more for evening out tone and moisturizing but it makes a world of difference on how the shadow goes on - looks so much better. And I got this lip prep moisturizer too. Again world of difference on how the lipstick looks. My lips aren’t drying out as much and apparently the lips get plumper as you’re hydrating around the lips too and loosening up things. My favorite is the chubby pencil for the lips. I think it falls between the glosses and the lipsticks on the spectrum of lip stuff.
The best thing is everything goes. I have stuff now that works so well with my complexion and coloring. And together it feels so cohesive. I’m no longer one shade off and looking like I’m almost there but missed completely. The sad news is the lady who helped me is just finishing up her position at the Macy’s counter. She’s done well, setting my on my way though.
Monday I made the plunge. It was the only night this week that I didn’t have something in the evening, so after work, I made my way to the Clinique counter at Macy’s downtown. They were having a promo, which it turns out I just missed but in reality didn’t miss much. But it was just the thing to get me over the hump and make the plunge. And I’m happy to report it was a huge success! The lady who helped me was young and energetic and passionate and really liked teaching me stuff. And she wasn’t trying to do the sell. Which meant I ended up buying more.
On a completely side note, I’m on the Acela heading down to NYC for the day and something seems off. I just realized it was the seatbelt - or the lack of one. I’m so used to one from planes to cars to taxis. It feels really strange. I’m sure I’ll adjust.
What I wanted was a start-to-end instruction and a complete kit. And that’s what I got. It’s Wednesday now and I’m happy to report it seems to work. Although I just remembered I forgot to put mascara on, so I’m getting there.
What I liked about Monday night was the laid back setting - it was evening and not too busy and I was in no rush to go anywhere. So we took our time and I could ask endless questions. And I understand why much better. I’ve embraced the process now. If I would have told my earlier self that I would be following a six step process that just got me to foundation application I would have thought I was crazy. Serums and lotions and moisturizers and toners. I’ve been wanting to do it all but didn’t understand the order or how. I’ve been using the Clinique yellow lotion all over my face for decades and that’s not what you’re supposed to do - who knew? And the thing was I had most of the products already. I wanted to use them but just didn’t know how to properly use them.
And I walked away not only learning new simple techniques but also got a few of the secret products everyone always knows about. Like the… ok, I don’t the names yet so bear with me. I have a product I apply to my eyelids as a prep to the eyeshadow. I think it’s more for evening out tone and moisturizing but it makes a world of difference on how the shadow goes on - looks so much better. And I got this lip prep moisturizer too. Again world of difference on how the lipstick looks. My lips aren’t drying out as much and apparently the lips get plumper as you’re hydrating around the lips too and loosening up things. My favorite is the chubby pencil for the lips. I think it falls between the glosses and the lipsticks on the spectrum of lip stuff.
The best thing is everything goes. I have stuff now that works so well with my complexion and coloring. And together it feels so cohesive. I’m no longer one shade off and looking like I’m almost there but missed completely. The sad news is the lady who helped me is just finishing up her position at the Macy’s counter. She’s done well, setting my on my way though.
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
Tipping Point
I’ve settled back in to the daily commute with the new job. It’s not too different than what I had previously. I’m just one stop further on the T (i.e. local subway). And yet I seem to be see-sawing back and forth. The commute has just tipped over an hour. If I told you that I had added an extra ten minutes to my commute (there’s a longer walk too), that doesn’t sound too bad. But if I tell you that my commute now can take over an hour (about 70+ minutes), you may cringe (unless you have a worse commute, which there are plenty out there). Now if I tell you the same 70+ minute commute takes me less than half that time (about 30 minutes door to door at peak commute times) to drive, you may think I’m crazy.
I’ve always been pro-public transportation. I get a ton of reading done. I sometimes crank on an interesting knitting project. I’ve had some crazy subway sittings that are priceless. And needless to say it’s better for the environment and my wallet. But where is that tipping point where you value your limited personal time against all these other elements?
I have a monthly $59 commuter pass. However, on occasion, I’ve had to drive in and boy does that hurt. One, I have an awesomely nice and comfortable car. Second, the commute is less frustrating - I take a different route than my bus and the flow of traffic is just that a flow not a quagmire. And finally, I’m there in no time. That’s an extra 45 minutes I just freed up: to dawdle getting ready in the morning, sleeping in, or even to get into work earlier and crank more efficiently. And that’s just at the beginning of the day. There’s another 45 minutes I get to pick up at the end of the day - getting home that much sooner. Some nights, the commute hurts at the end. I just want to be home. I’m hungry, tired and done with the day. But am stuck on a bus or else waiting for a bus.
What’s kept me back is… I’d like to say the environment but it’s the money. Parking is $11/day, potentially more. On a good month that’s $220/month. So not even counting gas money that’s no chump change. Basically I’m saving $2,000 a year by not driving. And saving the earth in my little way.
Then comes last Wednesday night. I was finally on the news… indirectly. The MBTA (umbrella company for subway, busses, etc) is not doing so well. Budgets aren’t working out and maintenance isn’t getting done. The whole system is breaking down. The delays are getting longer and more frequent. On my way to work, I’ll hear about a disabled train up ahead causing delays. Well, I finally was on one - the mother of all disabled trains.
I’m on my way home from work. The irony is that I decided to leave ‘early’, i.e. not stay late. It was just after 6 pm and I was engrossed in my book, just near the end, although probably wouldn’t finish it during this commute. It was on Louis XVI’s trial and I was riveted even though we all know how that went for dear old Louis. We stopped just shy of the stop before my stop. Nothing unusual. The operators pop onto the intercom every few minutes saying they are working on the problem and we’ll be moving soon. I hear this spiel several times a week. Well, long story short. I finished my book. And finished the paper I had with me. It’s a good two and a half hours stuck. The subway just broke down and nothing they did could get it going. They finally had us deboard. At first we envisioned jumping off the subway car into the dark tunnel with the rats scurrying away and all of us trying to remember which is the third rail so that we don’t get electrocuted. In reality, they just pulled another subway train up behind ours and had us walk from one to the other. Except you didn’t know this. As we walked single file through empty subway trains, I felt like I was walking to my death in a light hearted way (probably because I had just read about Louis on his way to the guillotine). It was surreal.
All in all, I enjoyed the adventure. I had nothing I was late too and we had air (and AC) for a good chunk of the time. There was a comradery amongst us crammed in the subway with folks taking turns offering their seats to stand. Granted, by the time I got home around 9:30, I was ravenous and the cursing the fridge was empty. And I had done the math and realized that the time it took me to get from work to home was the same length of time it took me the week before to fly from Costa Rica back to the US (to Atlanta where my lay-over was). Just to put it in perspective.
So will I crumble eventually and start taking the car? It’s been a few days and not yet. I do wonder, if this wasn’t the tipping point, what will? Or perhaps, it’s better not to ask.
I’ve always been pro-public transportation. I get a ton of reading done. I sometimes crank on an interesting knitting project. I’ve had some crazy subway sittings that are priceless. And needless to say it’s better for the environment and my wallet. But where is that tipping point where you value your limited personal time against all these other elements?
I have a monthly $59 commuter pass. However, on occasion, I’ve had to drive in and boy does that hurt. One, I have an awesomely nice and comfortable car. Second, the commute is less frustrating - I take a different route than my bus and the flow of traffic is just that a flow not a quagmire. And finally, I’m there in no time. That’s an extra 45 minutes I just freed up: to dawdle getting ready in the morning, sleeping in, or even to get into work earlier and crank more efficiently. And that’s just at the beginning of the day. There’s another 45 minutes I get to pick up at the end of the day - getting home that much sooner. Some nights, the commute hurts at the end. I just want to be home. I’m hungry, tired and done with the day. But am stuck on a bus or else waiting for a bus.
What’s kept me back is… I’d like to say the environment but it’s the money. Parking is $11/day, potentially more. On a good month that’s $220/month. So not even counting gas money that’s no chump change. Basically I’m saving $2,000 a year by not driving. And saving the earth in my little way.
Then comes last Wednesday night. I was finally on the news… indirectly. The MBTA (umbrella company for subway, busses, etc) is not doing so well. Budgets aren’t working out and maintenance isn’t getting done. The whole system is breaking down. The delays are getting longer and more frequent. On my way to work, I’ll hear about a disabled train up ahead causing delays. Well, I finally was on one - the mother of all disabled trains.
All in all, I enjoyed the adventure. I had nothing I was late too and we had air (and AC) for a good chunk of the time. There was a comradery amongst us crammed in the subway with folks taking turns offering their seats to stand. Granted, by the time I got home around 9:30, I was ravenous and the cursing the fridge was empty. And I had done the math and realized that the time it took me to get from work to home was the same length of time it took me the week before to fly from Costa Rica back to the US (to Atlanta where my lay-over was). Just to put it in perspective.
So will I crumble eventually and start taking the car? It’s been a few days and not yet. I do wonder, if this wasn’t the tipping point, what will? Or perhaps, it’s better not to ask.
Wednesday, May 11, 2011
Falling
It’s funny what you end up blogging about. And when I write ‘you’, I mean ‘me’ of course. You would think I would be waxing poetic on the marvels of life and philosophizing about the meaning of it all. Instead, I find myself inclined to write about embarrassing clumsy moments. So to back up, let me provide you with a little context:
1. First, I live/work in Boston and if you’re not familiar with this little town - there are a lot of brick sidewalks. And there are a lot of cobblestone sidewalks. In short, it’s treacherous.
2. Second, I work in a professional environment where my dress code includes high heels. I’ve started wearing shorter heals, but they’re still a good 2-3 inches.
3. Third, I walk a bunch. I walk to public transportation. I walk to work. I walk home. I walk running errands (funny oxymoron there). I’ve clocked a bunch of miles.
4. And finally I will sometimes read… while walking… in heals… on cobblestones.
And have I ever stumbled - absolutely. Has it been embarrassing - sometimes, even when no one is around. But have I ever fallen. Nope. I was thinking about this last night, and I think the last time I actually fell down was back in 2000 when I was trying my hand at snowboarding. In that case, after a day on the bunny slope and falling down all day, I had enough and walked away from it all.
So yesterday, as I was on my way to meet up with friends after work, I was absolutely stunned when I took a nose dive on a Boston city sidewalk. The thing was - I had changed at work to jeans and flats. I was on a paved concrete sidewalk. And I wasn’t reading. It made absolutely no sense that of all the times I would fall it was now. And at first I thought I was just stumbling and then there was that moment of realization as you are moving in slow motion that I wouldn’t be able to recover and I was going down. And going down hard. And there I was sprawled on the sidewalk. I was so stunned. A lady quickly walked by me unconcerned and it was a gentleman across the street that yelled out “Are you ok?” I was mad at…. What? I had nothing to blame. Not the shoes, not the sidewalk. There was no black ice or slippery wet grate. Was it a lazy left foot? Was I walking too fast since I was running late? Was I preoccupied and stressed with everything on my plate that my body short-circuited on me? What was it? And it wasn’t until a few blocks later that I started to feel the pain. And it wasn’t until a few hours later on my way home that my right knee started throbbing and swelling up and I realized the pineapple-blueberry martini I had was way too weak!
Perhaps it is the little things that put life in perspective. The classic tale of taking for granted such things as the mechanical capabilities of your limbs and all that is involved for them to coordinate effectively in movement. Or perhaps this is a tale of stopping to smell the roses. Slowing down and not traveling at warp speed. Or it could be a reminder that I’m not a young chicken anymore. Or I just needed a humbling moment. Or it could be it means nothing. That it was quickly forgotten once I joined my friends and celebrated a farewell for an old colleague. A passing moment… captured in my blog.
1. First, I live/work in Boston and if you’re not familiar with this little town - there are a lot of brick sidewalks. And there are a lot of cobblestone sidewalks. In short, it’s treacherous.
2. Second, I work in a professional environment where my dress code includes high heels. I’ve started wearing shorter heals, but they’re still a good 2-3 inches.
3. Third, I walk a bunch. I walk to public transportation. I walk to work. I walk home. I walk running errands (funny oxymoron there). I’ve clocked a bunch of miles.
4. And finally I will sometimes read… while walking… in heals… on cobblestones.
And have I ever stumbled - absolutely. Has it been embarrassing - sometimes, even when no one is around. But have I ever fallen. Nope. I was thinking about this last night, and I think the last time I actually fell down was back in 2000 when I was trying my hand at snowboarding. In that case, after a day on the bunny slope and falling down all day, I had enough and walked away from it all.
So yesterday, as I was on my way to meet up with friends after work, I was absolutely stunned when I took a nose dive on a Boston city sidewalk. The thing was - I had changed at work to jeans and flats. I was on a paved concrete sidewalk. And I wasn’t reading. It made absolutely no sense that of all the times I would fall it was now. And at first I thought I was just stumbling and then there was that moment of realization as you are moving in slow motion that I wouldn’t be able to recover and I was going down. And going down hard. And there I was sprawled on the sidewalk. I was so stunned. A lady quickly walked by me unconcerned and it was a gentleman across the street that yelled out “Are you ok?” I was mad at…. What? I had nothing to blame. Not the shoes, not the sidewalk. There was no black ice or slippery wet grate. Was it a lazy left foot? Was I walking too fast since I was running late? Was I preoccupied and stressed with everything on my plate that my body short-circuited on me? What was it? And it wasn’t until a few blocks later that I started to feel the pain. And it wasn’t until a few hours later on my way home that my right knee started throbbing and swelling up and I realized the pineapple-blueberry martini I had was way too weak!
Perhaps it is the little things that put life in perspective. The classic tale of taking for granted such things as the mechanical capabilities of your limbs and all that is involved for them to coordinate effectively in movement. Or perhaps this is a tale of stopping to smell the roses. Slowing down and not traveling at warp speed. Or it could be a reminder that I’m not a young chicken anymore. Or I just needed a humbling moment. Or it could be it means nothing. That it was quickly forgotten once I joined my friends and celebrated a farewell for an old colleague. A passing moment… captured in my blog.
Thursday, May 05, 2011
Costa Rica!
I'm sitting here early in the morning have a ham and cheese croissant, danish and freshly squeezed OJ on the veranda of a gorgeous hotel complex in San Jose. Last night when I arrived, driving down the lit driveway with coffee plantations on either side to the grand entrance, I realized I may have to reevaluate my top 5 hotels of all time I've stayed in. I'm thinking the old-time, wood-paneled B&B we stayed in in York may get bumped out.
There's a great use of cross ventilations - open spaces and just general vernacular architecture being used. I remembered to bring my camera so will hopefully snag a few pictures. It's overcast right now with the energy of the T-storms in the air - but no rain yet. My hotel room steps out onto a private veranda that leads down to a gorgeous swimming pool (not private). I think it's the off-season as the place isn't crowded which gives you a sense of more intamacy.
Well, off to my first project meeting of the day. I wanted to capture this moment as I look out at banana trees and the hustle and bustle of the morning get started for folks. I have a back log of posts written while off-line that I haven't had a chance to throw up. My new routine seems to be lacking a place to regularly blog. So excuse my absense for the moment.
There's a great use of cross ventilations - open spaces and just general vernacular architecture being used. I remembered to bring my camera so will hopefully snag a few pictures. It's overcast right now with the energy of the T-storms in the air - but no rain yet. My hotel room steps out onto a private veranda that leads down to a gorgeous swimming pool (not private). I think it's the off-season as the place isn't crowded which gives you a sense of more intamacy.
Well, off to my first project meeting of the day. I wanted to capture this moment as I look out at banana trees and the hustle and bustle of the morning get started for folks. I have a back log of posts written while off-line that I haven't had a chance to throw up. My new routine seems to be lacking a place to regularly blog. So excuse my absense for the moment.
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