The TTIV Year In Review

Who doesn't love a "Year in Review" column? Many publications do them this time of year, because it's cheap and easy. The stuff's already been written. You can shut your brain off, look through the stuff you've already done, and recycle it. TTIV is no different. 

In this post, we'll explore some commuting highlights as we say goodbye to 2014.

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Shoe's On The Other Foot. I Am Blog Material

I am on vacation for the holidays. Hooray! But rather than spend my vacation in a far off exotic and unusual place full of interesting and diverse locals, like Boca Raton, Florida, we decided to do something different. We decided to visit someplace unique. We are in...

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The Hazards of Headphones

This morning, I got off the Long Island Rail Road and made my usual walk to the subway. The Allman Brothers Band's "In Memory of Elizabeth Reed" was grooving in my headphones, and I was in a very pleasant zoned out state.

I stood on the subway platform waiting for the A Train to arrive. The world around me was shut off, and soon I noticed that most everyone on the platform made a hasty retreat to the exits. What happened?

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TTIV In Print!

Hi #TTIV friends! amNewYork picked up one of my stories, it is available at the following link. If you are in the city or an area where they print amNewYork, be sure to pick up a copy!

Thanks to all for following The Train In Vain. I enjoy writing it and greatly appreciate all your feedback, comments, and encouragement.

Best,
David

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TTIV To Appear in AM New York

For those of you who live or work in New York, be sure to pick up a copy of AM New York on Thursday and turn to the op-ed page. They are publishing a #TTIV story!

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Riding With Amateurs, But It's OK

Missed my usual morning train for a good cause, my little girl's holiday concert at her school. Riding with the amateurs on the 10:49. 

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Good Will Toward Your Fellow Man and Zombies

Note to #TTIV Readers: This blog piece was published on amNewYork's website at this link. Republishing here on the blog.

This morning on the train, I was half awake as we pulled into Atlantic Terminal, Brooklyn. Dazed and tired from the epic rainstorm (not to mention that binge-watching "The Walking Dead" on Netflix has significantly altered my normal sleep patterns), I collected my stuff, got up, and headed toward the vestibule to wait for the train's arrival.

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Game Plans And Rookie Mistakes

Today's TTIV post comes from Marsh, our Metro-North Correspondent. Marsh will soon helm our Eastern Pennsylvania Bus Bureau, as he is headed for greener pastures. In the midst of a moving transition, this seasoned commuter has had to relearn some ropes.

In prior TTIV posts you've read about “Rookie Mistakes,” where new commuters failed at seemingly fundamental tasks. As a long time commuter and big time football fan, I’ve noticed similarities between the blunders made by inexperienced commuters and those made by young quarterbacks.

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Spotted Gotham's Savior!

Saw the Batmobile in the train parking lot. Even Batman knows not to drive into the city. 

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I Know Why We Are Delayed

Fare hikes coming, and major delays this morning. Perhaps an earlier train hit my wallet.

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More Commuter Neurosis

Recently I rode the 7:44 PM train home. I sat in the six-seater, across from two other guys. The six-seater is not my favorite place to perch but at least I wasn't standing. The six-seater offers its own series of neuroses, but that's not the subject of this post. Today, we'll talk about the neurosis of an "if you see something, say something" moment.

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