All aboard

Yesterday I made my third NYC train trip since my February separation from my job. I have to say it's a well-run railroad and a good way to get into the city from Hooterville (up here). Sometimes my wife and I venture into town and often drive and that's usually on a weekend so I'm not counting those trips.

After thirty years of train travel into NYC there were always certain times, days and seasons that were better than others (not that a working guy had a choice)...Some trains times were better than others. On holidays you had to know which train to take or avoid. When you got to the train you had to know the best place to sit - which car to sit in - which car had the bathroom (God forbid). You always had to watch to see if a group of kids/students were taking a trip into the city then the train became like prom night.. The noise level was significant. The other mainstay in annoyances were the cell phone calls. There are 2 types of people - those who use their cell phone politely (quietly and quickly) and those who have NO FREAKIN concern for anyone hearing there inane business. These calls go on forever. That is why, I determined, you never go anywhere - like a train - without an iPod..You have to drown them out with music - ANY music.

I had lots of useless data which I applied to my commute. I knew when I passed on this info I was judged as a neurotic. I think I'd have to agree with that but it's just part of me. It resurfaced during yesterday's trip as I got on a mid-morning local train on (drumroll) "matinee" day - Wednesday. This is the day the Broadway shows have 1 pm starts and discounted pricing. We used to call it blue hair Wednesday because all the elderly and retired folks were heading in to go see "MAME". Those old folks are usually OK except on the ride back where they are all pumped up about their experience. I guess I may fit more into that category now - grey haired, non-regular commuter (non regular??)

The suburban commuter train, to me, is like a vacation in Aruba compared to taking the subway. Yes, the subway is a very efficient way to navigate through the city but there's just something so annoying (maybe this is because I just saw the remake of Taking of Pelham 1 2 3 or that I waited yesterday about 15 minutes for the #6 local on a steaming hot, crowded platform). I used to in my earlier commuting years have to take the subway everyday. I actually MOVED from Long Island to here to cut out that need when I got into the city - it was well worth it. So perhaps I just wasn't used to subway riding. For one multi-week period I had to take the subway - during rush hour - to Wall Street. I was very grateful when that ended. I first started going down with a group of co-workers and then split off from them so I could go it alone. I actually left very early to avoid the rush hour crowd which eased the trauma for me. Trauma = train stops and loses lights. There's something so phobic about a stuck subway train - just like in that Seinfeld episode where Elaine is silently screaming as her train stops and the lights are out. Not even an iPod would have helped her.

Job swap

As I was leaving the house this morning to go to my time killing, semi-daily routine at the gym I see and hear a couple of trucks pull up to the front. Yup, it was those tree-chopping guys who said they'd be here "sometime".. While I didn't HAVE to be home I decided to kill the time monitoring their progress. While doing that I was actually job searching which seems to be just plain idiotic these days. What I noticed was the juxtaposition (I always wanted to use that word) of my work and the tree guy work. I wondered what would happen if we both - at that moment - switched jobs. Like a Disney movie.

So I'd be out in the tree either in that bucket OR climbing the base with spiky climber shoes with a chainsaw on my belt. I'd probably get a cramp, however, let me give myself some credit and see how the tree guy does writing on this laptop. Would his problems with syntax, grammar and spelling be equivalent to my fear of being hit in the head with a giant 200 pound branch? We will never find out will we? Then again, they ARE coming back in a few days to remove the remaining stump.. I've seen that process and maybe I could swing that job while the tree guy comes in and writes a cover letter to go with my resume..

Split tree continued

After going through the trauma of our downed tree a few weeks back I was supposed to get a visit from a local tree-chopping guy who worked with the town.. I never saw anyone -- until today. A big tree-chopping truck pulled up in front of the house and I walked out front to meet the guy. I quickly figured out this was the guy who was going to give me an estimate on the remainders of the split tree. I think he was surprised I was home. I didn't bother to explain my time-killing status.

I've been having growing concerns about its strength and I know I was going to worry about it with every passing storm with wind. I've had varying opinions on this tree's status, but now I can rest assured and I have my answer. The tree-chopping guy, when asked about the tree's status, performed the highly technical tree assessment test. He kicked the base of the tree with his boot and stated "this tree is dead".. If it isn't dead it surely is dying. I felt like I was dealing with a pro.. (Is my condo ready yet??)

The guy gave me a decent price so I agreed to go with it.. There was no firm date or price in writing - it was the handshake that did the trick PLUS one of the town guys was with him. The town guy I can't forget - he's their tree guy and his name is "Chip"... good branding?? It's like the town plumber with the name "Drippy"...

Early rising

One constant and reliable time killing mode is sleep. It's the most relaxing and productive so far. Last night that relaxing and productive process was interrupted by a loud skid, crash and alarm at 3 am. I thought it was either close OR in my driveway. It woke me right away and was extra loud as I had the window open. It took a while to locate what happened. My wife and I actually bumped into each other in our dark hallway trying to get to the best viewing window. Eventually we saw it was right across the street. The car was nestled into a tree, airbags deployed, lights on and some leftover steam or smoke.

The driver was out of the car and talking to a neighbor who had called 911. The police were there within 5 minutes and there was a small gathering of sleep deprived residents. As serious as it was I couldn't help but think how similar this is to an episode of "COPS".. All the elements were there - confused driver, wrecked car, flashing blue lights, curious bystanders, serious police officers telling the crowd (of 4) to disperse so they could continue their investigation. All this needed to mimic a true "COPS" episode was a smoking, shirtless man with a tattoo leaning on a chain link fence telling his Pit Bull to quiet down..

Road Game

As I mentioned in my last entry I was going to Maine then Boston to see the Yankees play the Red Sox at Fenway. I have a good friend with season's tickets who wanted me to have the Fenway experience. It certainly was an experience. I have to admit after thinking on my 225 mile drive back today that the Red Sox may be as popular OR more than the Yankees I was torn..This was a topic of discussion with me taking the Yankee side. I don't know how to measure such a claim, however, I did stop at a Service rest stop on the interstate at 11 am the day after the game and I would say there were about 300 Sox fans (dressed as such) using the facilities, eating and gloating over the their victory..Not a NY fan in sight and this was a NY-bound road

I was hoping to go to the T-shirt shop and pick up one of those popular "I just drove 225 miles and all I saw was the NY Yankees get their asses kicked" shirt...To be continued in October..

Touristas

New time killing opportunities these past few days with seeing the sights on the city I was born in and been living near for my whole life. The reason was our good family friend came into town to visit and we used him as an excuse to ride the Circle Line around Manhattan. NYC has quite a bit to see and as long as the crowds are minimal and you don't make me hang off the 89th floor of a skyscraper I have fun. Overall it was a great day and a great weekend.. Time killing at its most productive. (We even discussed some good business ideas as we are all interested in a new routine while making some money)...

As part of the day's festivities we saw a "mentalist" show at a small theater downtown.. Small as in about 75 seats. Overall it was good, not great. Lots of numbers gags and card gags. It does get you talking after the show trying to figure out "how the hell did he do that?".. Is there such a thing as mind reading (I dunno .. are there UFOs?).. two of the four of us were called up as "volunteers".. Luckily the two most reluctant ones - my son and I - were skipped.. it must have been the look on our faces or the memory I had of being called up by a very amateurish magician years ago. This nudnik put my neck in a clamp and didn't realize he was choking me until I couldn't answer him..Good thing he didn't hypnotize me as I'd still be clucking like a chicken.

The time killing week continues as I am off to Boston to meet another friend to see the Yankees and Red Sox play at Fenway..Maybe I'll bring my big foam finger and adjust it accordingly being the Yankee fan that I am.. (more to follow)...

A tree splits in Purdys

I thought I was going to be tied up all day today and killing time waiting for an expensive tree crew to show up to clear away a very large tree that split and fell in my front yard. Luckily no wires were involved, nobody got hurt and it didn't hit any cars or houses. Also luckily it blocked the street which means - THE TOWN has some responsibility for the mess since cars can't get through. I figured, and the cops confirmed, that the town would clear the street and the rest of the mess was MY headache..I was prepared for tree service time killing..

After the nighttime street clearing I retreated to the house and checked the yellow pages for today's hijinx. I figured I'd call about 9 am.. At 7 30 I hear trucks (plural) pull up to the scene of the crime and three guys looking chain-saw-efficient get out and survey the damages.. These are different guys from the Sunday crew. I headed out to say hi and see what I was in for.. I had plans to tip them to take all the wood and clean up figuring I had to hire someone later OR god forbid fire up my Craftsman wobbly chain saw.

They assured me they'd clean up the whole thing which reduced my Major time killing into a Minor episode. They left the place spotless in one hour.. If I had tried it myself it would have been 6 hours and missing fingers, however, since my wife slept through the whole thing I am going to wake her and take credit for the clean up in my complaining whiny way..I am rehearsing now --- "God, that was a backbreaker.. I can't believe you didn't hear the chain saw.....I saved us a lot of money....I hope I didn't wake the neighbors...Aren't you proud I got the chain saw started?" She'll never believe a word...