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.