Photo of the Day: Flashback to Flannel

I was flipping through my photo archives in search of something else, when I rediscovered this shot.

Bring a snuggly blankie to tuck in you and your honey; 

takes early morning train trips to a whole new level

c. September 2015

To be clear, it was weekend commute, rather than regular rush, but still.

It's been so cold in the mornings, maybe I should bring a blanket

in addition to my thermals, 2 huge scarves, fleece gloves and my ski-rated winter jacket.

~ photo by iTouch

Train Training: January 15, 2015

Readers, if I can leave you with nothing else from your 10-15 seconds reading this entry - or even ANY reading of this blog - let it be this.

DON'T BE THESE PEOPLE!

That is a five-seater on a train, where two people obliviots* are taking up all of the seats. People are standing in the vestibule because these two Seat Hogs are spread out, 

eating a three-course meal, with bags everywhere.

I took this a year ago - and I'm STILL so annoyed I had to share it as a PSA.

 DON'T BE THESE PEOPLE.

Also - it was FREAKING COLD that day. I don't know how she sat there with her lap and legs exposed like that.

*(Oblivious Idiots)

~photos by iTouch

Rain Insurance / Spotted on the train

Murphy's law:

If you HAVE your umbrella with you, and it looks like this ...

it won't rain.

I did. It didn't.

But ...

What is Murphy's law about stashed drinks on train?

If they are there, you won't be thirsty?

These were separate legs of separate commutes. 

I'm going to start a photo series if this keep up.

People! Follow the national park rules. Pack in. Pack out. 

There are enough annoying things on trains than dealing with your trash.

The company can't even afford to fix the seats with anything better than duct tape, 

forget hiring people to clean up after you.

~photos by iTouch; general distaste for litterers, all of us

Scenes from the Road, er - I mean, Rails

As I've saying, this year has been busy - but this last few weeks has also been super busy. I have been trying to remember to snap photos to illustrate the weird and random - but ...

As this ad says, it's almost too hard to choose between photos, activities, and necessities ...
(i.e., blog, eat, work, sleep, blog, or sleep ...)

So, in now particular order, here's some of the weirdness that has been the last month or so, when my life was going "off the rails."

Fashion

This is a bad photo of the gentleman with his leather shoes, handbag, and jacket, the jaunty socks under his high-water khakis, the fancy fringed scarf tucked into this shirt -- TOPPED OFF BY A BOWLER!

This little commuter has matching fuchsia accessories. She often also carries the cutest little kitty cat handbags. She is as allergic to commuting in the morning as the rest of us are.

L: I want to go to London and get my own very special Harrod's handbag. I would be perfect for lunch and the library, and everything. I WANT!
R: "Do anything you want to, but ... Honey ... Don't you step on my blue suede shoes." THEN GET THEM OUT OF THE AISLE.

 Which brings us to other annoying passenger issues....

Talking and Trashing:

I don't know which is worse, listening to this dude on the left for more than 30 minutes, or watching/listening/smelling this guy on the right's breakfast for the entire commute. PLEASE shut up and don't eat your entire smelly porridge-y breakfast on the train.

L: I thought Activa was supposed to give you energy? So you should have enough energy to clean up after yourself.
R: Someone forgot to take away their take away on the subway.

The other night, I forced myself to leave the building at 5:30 so I could catch the 6:05 and go home and do the laundry. But because I hadn't caught the 6:05 in almost 2 years, the train wasn't at its "usual" track. I had to race across the lower level and was trying to run up the escalator. I, of course, took a nasty, gnarly, spill up the escalator and it chewed up my shin and left me with a goose egg on my knee I have named "Grace." For me, the light at the end of the tunnel is the train arriving to take me home.

I have been able to enjoy my spring via the train platforms and windows.

Finding Beauty in Nature:

 

 

 

Spring sure looks/looked pretty ... Maybe I need to get out of the building and tin can and enjoy it more?

Finally.

I don't usually stand in the shelter on the train platform, but last week I did -- only to discover that Brooklyn's influence is creeping into Westchester.

Sigh. I want to go back to the beach.

all photos via the iTouch

Photo of the Day - Self Serve

Vineyard Crawl, Hudson Valley, New York, December 2009

presented without comment or context

Keys to the Stairway

If only Lincoln Center would incorporate this as part of the renovations. Or the MTA as part of the subway stations. .. wouldn't that be great!

If the up side was in Major, and the down side was minor, maybe people would use the stairs correctly?

Snacking in the Subway

If you are ever on the subway and have a sudden thirst, fear not. Libations are closer than you think.

Just look up!

At this location, you have your choice of two types of water, some sodas, or Nescafe. Or you may choose to go with the mystery mixers.

Good people of Gotham, while we applaud your generosity in sharing your drinks, and in keeping the floors and tracks clear of debris, this is not the appropriate location for discarding your bottles and cups.

PLEASE!

Grateful List 1/13 -1/16

This week I am so grateful for the reminders that miracles do happen every day. They can be staggeringly large -- like the US Airways crash, dubbed by the Governor of NY as the Miracle in the Hudson -- or they can be small ones that might not mean much to other people. For me, one small miracle this week was having my lunch money budget stretched due to an unforeseen working lunch, paid for by my employer.

The other miraculous event was that I was able to avoid being involved in a “subway-rage” incident. During one morning commute, two large “ladies” were standing just inches from head. They had been caught up in the surge of passengers entering an already full subway car, when one allegedly pushed the other. A verbal battle ensued, with the “pusher” loudly objecting to being told to “CHILL OUT!” Words were exchanged for much of the short ride between stations, but ultimately they simmered down. They did not actually come to blows, but I surely would have been one of the injured innocent bystanders. When the temperatures get as cold as they did on Friday, the proclamation to “CHILL OUT” has different connotations to commuters.

Mostly I was grateful this week to learn that the action on my highly stressful legal action has been adjourned again until March. As it continues to wind its way through the now multi-year process, Auntie Nettie continues to ask for the prayers and best wishes of friends, family, colleagues, and strangers in the Blogosphere for the resolution of this matter -- one where she does not have to testify or end up paying in perpetuity. I’d be ever so appreciative for your appeals to the deit(ies) of your choice on my behalf.

Thank you.

Pet Peeve of the Day – The RSVP

Over the years I have been the hostess of my share of bridal/baby/house warming showers. As part of my duties in the wonderful world of fund-raising, I have also had to organize many, many, oh-so-MANY events. You would think that I would be used to the lack of understanding of the proper response to the receipt of an invitation, but this last party that I’m trying to plan has snapped my last nerve. So today boys and girls, let us talk about the RSVP.

At Dictionary.com we find the RSVP defined as:

RSVPed or RSVP'd, RSVPing or RSVP'ing, noun, plural RSVP's.
–verb (used without object)
1. to reply to an invitation: Don’t forget to RSVP before Thursday.
- noun
2. a reply to an invitation: He sent a lovely bouquet of flowers with his RSVP.
3. (used on an invitation to indicate that the favor of a reply is requested).

[Origin: 1895–1900; F r(épondez) s('il) v(ous) p(laǐt) please reply ]

I have no problem with the definition. It is the application of the definition that people don’t seem to understand. I have gotten more messages that state:

“I would like to RSVP for the …”

You replied. Great. Thank you for actually adhering to the meaning of RSVP, or the “please respond by.” That is wonderfully appreciated. It is SPECTACULAR in fact!

Now, tell me what I really need to know:

Do you need a seat/ticket/name-tag or not?

Are you are actually COMING TO THE EVENT?

I am finally to a point in the numerous voice-message/e-mail/in-person conversations that I have with people that I have them check/state one or the other of the following:

___ YES, I am coming to the event/need a seat/need a place at the table, please;

Or

___ I am sorry that I am unable to attend.

WHAT IS SO FRAKKING CONFUSING ABOUT THIS? You’ve probably been a host for event before. Don’t you remember how hard it is to plan when you don’t know who is, and how many are, attending?

So, please, the next time you get an invitation and are asked to RSVP – THINK about how you are responding.

Thank you.

That is all.

P.S., the “regrets only” tag-lines don’t work either.

Things that annoy me about ... winter

I have a feeling that this will be one of many posts on this topic. Forgive me in advance.

• People who do not scrap ALL of the snow/ice off their cars, so it comes flying off the roof of their cars, obstructing your vision;


• People who do not undig their cars from the street when it is warm, and thus cannot figure out how to get their cars out of the icebergs that have encased them;


• People who steal my cleaned-out parking space;


• People who spin their tires on said icebergs (it's called, slow and steady, turn and rock, people!);


• People who do not shovel their walks after snow;


• People who do not shovel their walks after the snow, rain, sleet, mixes that inevitably freeze;


• Municipalities that do not do the same;


• People who do not clean up after their dogs after they decide to "decorate the ice." (That's just gross. Now it's frozen until the next thaw and I have to see it);


• Walking to the train dealing with these obstacles!

Now, aside from the dog, I have dealt with all of these issues as a a) former Rockie Mountain dweller, b) a New Englander, c) a car owner and operator, and d) person who had to park on the street. I know it's a pain, but if you deal with the issues immediately, and while it's above freezing, it's easier for you in the long run, avoids issues when you are running late, keeps the asphalt clear, and avoids pesky potential lawsuits.

It's going to be a long winter folks, can't we all make it easier on each other by showing some winter courtesy?

Thanks to old&gray for the very vivid illustration of what I mean. DON'T be like this guy!