Never thought I was so green...

So every morning on my commuter ride into work I generally read my magazine or book, or the Metro.  I find that to be a fabulous paper because the articles are short enough for my attention span (that of a gnat when it comes to newspaper), yet keep me informed.  Others on the train could be interpreted as more intellectual - reading NYT or the Journal ... or others that just have a longer attention span than me, reading the Globe or Herald.  either way, many of us finish our papers before we get to our final stop - North Station.

The Metro has graciously set up special recycle bags for you to place your newspapers in.  They are conveniently located (really, REALLY conveniently located - like a few feet from a trash barrel), yet people continue to toss their newspapers in the trash.  I find this very frustrating and annoying.  Recycling is not longer this ridiculously difficult task - in fact, especially in the city of Boston, they have made it very easy.

C'mon be a little greener!

Seriously, just smell yourself!

My goodness, normally I have a strange person or bizarre experience to report, but today, I have neither.  Instead, I am reporting on Mr. Stinkypants.

Maybe it's just that I have a sensitive nose?  Maybe its that you don't have a sensitive nose?  Either way, others are suffering.  The smell is nauseating, especially on a warm June afternoon.  So, Mr. Stinkypants, I'd like to offer you some advice so that you don't offend on another warm afternoon.

1. It's June...plaid flannel most likely (and I say most likely because we do live in New England and I understand the weather is unpredictable), but, really, not needed.
2. You are carrying a fancy backpack with many compartments.  Surely you can put some deodorant in there.
3. If either of these steps fail you, under NO UNCERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES are you to lift your arms, let along for any extended period of time.  It's just not right.

Your fellow public transportation riders will thank you!

Never so Happy to see Beachmont...

So last night, I missed the 9:30 Commuter rail...when I miss the commuter rail, it leaves me with exactly two options.
1. Wait for the next one (generally about 50 - 60 minutes away), or
2. Take the blue line

Technically the third exists - just take the orange line, but my ride, doesnt know how to get there.  Thats next on my list of things to teach, I promise, especially after last night.

So, the blue line scares me as you have noted in my previous post.  The people seem scarier, they seem to be more ' trouble' and just overall shifty.  Maybe its that, yes, at heart, I am a child of suburbia.  I am always wary about people who are shifty.  Some not warranted, I'll admit, others warranted and usually shiftiness is founded.

Anywho, last night was no different - after all, the blue line never ceases to come through on these things.  When I got to State to switch to the Blue line, I clustered myself with a nice family - and hoped to hell that they were going all the way to Wonderland.  The nice family of at least 7 (southern - very nice too) came through for me... that is till Wood Island.  At that moment, I was left with an approx 25 year old woman to my left (not shifty) an approx 32 year old professional man to my right (not shifty) and probably a 35 - 40 year old drunk guy across from me.  Till the family got off ... he was 'passed out' ... it was then the 'sleeping lion' was awakened... Seriously.

He woke up and screamed "I'm F&%*ing Tired!  I'm F&%*ing Tired!  Doesn't anybody hear me?  I'm F&%*ing tired!" (Immediately my stomach started to scrunch up and do flips...Oh god...why did I miss that train?)  The guy continued ... "I'm going home ... I'm F&%*ing TIRED.  None of you b*^@#es care.  Too good to listen to me... snobby b*^@#es!" (Oh, god, please let me get home safe... just let this train get to Wonderland.  I can run then...)

And just when I think I am just overall freaked out... it get's even better... the 'gentleman' lays down on the seat... starts saying "The LION gets no sleep... the LION is  F&%*ing tired!  Roar!  ROOOOOAAARRR!!!" (yes a real roar), complete with his hand 'pawing'.  (Oh god, PLEASE let him get off at the next stop... PUHLEASE!  I just want to get home...)

And just like that, someone was looking out for me.  He got up, stumbled past me.  Turned to the nice professional gentleman and said, "You're F&%*ing GAY man!" (Not nice at all).  So he stumbled down the other end of the car.  Thank goodness...

And then we arrived at Beachmont.  Ahhhh Beachmont.  My friends sitting on either side of me, jumped off quick... and at the last ding of the doors, my friend stumbled off.  Thank goodness.

And then, there was quiet...stomach still in my throat... but there was quiet.  And I was thanking my lucky stars that, a) I lost him and b) the nice southern family with small children didn't have to witness.  After all, Boston isn't THAT crazy.  Just the random drunk guy...

Never a dull moment...

Till tomorrow...

Another book down...

So, I also use my trips to read.  Just finished A Summer Affair by Elin Hilderbrand.  Great book, loved it!  Quick read, drew you in with all the elements (Love, life, work, balance, etc).

Highly recommended, especially as a summer book!

Wow... this is nice

http://www.myfoxboston.com/dpp/news/local/teen-choked-in-t-station-attempted-rape-20100611


Jeez, really?  I pass through this station on days I dont get stuck on the Blue line.  C'mon now... just not ok.

Oh Blue Line ... Never a dull moment

In my lifetime, I have taken the Blue Line many a time.  The first time I took it I was in High School.  Everything was fine until I was getting on one day, and a homeless guy had a heart attack and died in the train car in front of mine (same train). It was car #0260 - I watched for that for years.  Hated the blue line since then, try to avoid taking it at all costs, unfortunately I have to take it on days when I miss the commuter rail.

Well, yesterday I witnessed some craziness on the Orange / Blue Line.

First - I saw 80+ year old take her first escalator. Result ... Near disaster as she hung off like it was a San Fran trolley.

Next, A sweet talkin guy (STG) beggin to be taken back all while tellin her she's an idiot. Didn't look like the technique worked, Girly walked around the corner and STG walked over to some friends.  STG continued to talk in Spanish, gradually getting more and more frustrated, angry, till suddenly his friend runs over to Girly, and more yelling ensues.  Girly and STG's friend stumble back around the corner, yelling and overall pulling on her bag, swearing, etc.  Suddenly, STG, other friend, and female come running at the group.  (perspective - they are 24 inches away from me).STG starts ripping off his shirt to start fight.  Me and other (nice) random guy with iPad, scramble inside and get the police.  STG & crew run screaming yelling and shoving over the platform. 

The kicker... I walk outside whether two other innocent bystanders where the woman said "Man, that's dangerous you never know when they have a gun" (Me - gasp) guy "Yeah or a knife.  They'll Slash ya like it's nothing.  No respect these kids" (Me - grab cell phone and call my ride ... where are you... when will you be arriving?)  

Moral of the story?  Never miss the 6:40 Commuter Rail --- OR just suck it up and wait for the 7:40 one!