Marsh, TTIV's Eastern Pennsylvania Bus Bureau Correspondent, rearranges song lyrics like a wizard. For as long as I've known him, he's thrown them down like Eminem at a rap battle.
The bus commute has been tough lately. During a recent Lincoln Tunnel delay, he came up with the following. Weird Al Yankovic has nothing on Marsh.
Thursday, April 30, 2015
Tuesday, April 28, 2015
What's On The Commuting Agenda?
In an earlier post, I asked TTIV readers to share what was in their commuting survival kits. Some responses were typical, some unusual. Splenda and Oxycodone were my favorites, and judging from reader comments, yours too.
I'm also nosy about what people do on their commutes, besides obtaining medical test results via cell phone at obnoxious volumes. So I asked the TTIV community. In today's post, we'll look at what they said.
Shakespearean characters are back to protect TTIV readers' privacy.
I'm also nosy about what people do on their commutes, besides obtaining medical test results via cell phone at obnoxious volumes. So I asked the TTIV community. In today's post, we'll look at what they said.
Shakespearean characters are back to protect TTIV readers' privacy.
Wednesday, April 22, 2015
Destination... Black Hole
Have you been to Penn Station recently, near the ticket windows on the 7th Avenue side? If so, you've likely noticed the scene depicted in the photograph. The shops selling greasy fast food like KFC, Taco Bell, Pizza Hut, and Auntie Anne's Pretzels were shut down. All that remains is a mysterious black wall that extends for 500-1000 feet.
According to news reports, upscale restaurants are coming to the space. But who wants to eat at Penn Station? I have no interest in some big-name, overpriced place with a basement feel and corporate card prices.
I suppose you can't fight "progress." Vornado Realty can do what they want. However, that won't stop TTIV from dreaming about what COULD go into this space to improve commuting.
Wednesday, April 15, 2015
Critical Concerns and CRUDD
Have you noticed the uniforms the Long Island Rail Road Conductors wear? They're not flattering and they look uncomfortable. The Engineers who drive the trains, however, wear whatever they want. A TTIV reader was curious about the inconsistency, and wrote a letter to the LIRR Public Relations Department, or as I call it, the Committee Responsible for Useless Data Dissemination (CRUDD).
The CRUDD's response was weak. I think the TTIV reader exposed a security risk.
Tuesday, April 14, 2015
Rainbows, Unicorns, and Commuting
On the train, man next to me got a phone call. He answered it quietly, and then got up to finish the call in the vestibule. That was very considerate of him.
Sometimes I have to report on good things that happen. I've been told my posts have become too cynical.
Have a nice day.
Sometimes I have to report on good things that happen. I've been told my posts have become too cynical.
Have a nice day.
Monday, April 13, 2015
And We're Back
On the train, woman next to me smells like mothballs and cigarettes.
It's good to be back.
Friday, April 10, 2015
Haste Makes Waste
Hey #TTIV readers. Some of you told me that my post last night about the panhandler and train delays came off as insensitive. I reread the post and decided you were right.
My intention was not to focus on the injured man, but to look at it solely from the perspective of the commuter who simply wants to get home. If you want to publish essays, you have to be balanced.
Moral of the story: Don't publish an essay the same evening you write it. If you don't have an editor, allow yourself extra time to review what you've written from a fresh perspective. I've updated the story.
Thanks for the feedback. I appreciate all of it.
-- David
My intention was not to focus on the injured man, but to look at it solely from the perspective of the commuter who simply wants to get home. If you want to publish essays, you have to be balanced.
Moral of the story: Don't publish an essay the same evening you write it. If you don't have an editor, allow yourself extra time to review what you've written from a fresh perspective. I've updated the story.
Thanks for the feedback. I appreciate all of it.
-- David
Another Day, Another Massive Delay
It happened again, folks. Around 4 PM on April 9th, a known panhandler either jumped or fell between two cars as the train he was on left Penn Station. All service was stopped, the man was taken to a hospital, and commuters were stuck. I was happy to read that the panhandler only has minor injuries. He is expected to recover.
This turned the evening commute into a disaster. I'm on vacation this week, and admit I was sad to have missed a day of excellent TTIV material. But I got over it quickly, as several readers fed me bits and pieces about their experiences. It's great to have a TTIV Information Bureau.
I have some thoughts to share.
This turned the evening commute into a disaster. I'm on vacation this week, and admit I was sad to have missed a day of excellent TTIV material. But I got over it quickly, as several readers fed me bits and pieces about their experiences. It's great to have a TTIV Information Bureau.
I have some thoughts to share.
Wednesday, April 08, 2015
Who wants to have some fun?
I am at a place called Funplex. Am I having fun? Yes. Have you been to Penn Station on a Friday around 6 PM, when there's a "track condition" causing delays?
That kind of fun. If you look at the photo, it looks like Penn Station on a Friday afternoon, although Penn hasn't yet opened a "Foam Frenzy" pit.
Sunday, April 05, 2015
Your Day's About To Nose Dive
After reading that title, don't say I didn't warn you. An alert TTIV reader saw something gross on the train and recorded the event. I'm telling you, it's nasty. If you're eating, point your web browser somewhere else, such as www.puppies.com. Close your computer. Just don't read any further! What follows in this post is NOT pretty.
Thursday, April 02, 2015
More Garden Variety Rudeness
On the train, guy sitting next to me gets on a business call and is loud. Many look at him, he doesn't care. He screams, "WHAT ARE THE NEXT STEPS?" as we go into the tunnel and his call drops. Best moment of my day so far.
Wednesday, April 01, 2015
Three Men In One!
On the train, guy boards with a full set of golf clubs and places them in the overhead rack, eliminating space for everyone else. He's wearing sunglasses, and chatting on his phone.
That's like three obnoxious people for the price of one. What a bargain.
Hanging It Up
Hey all, it's been a lot of fun writing about commuting. Thanks for sharing your stories and reading mine. Lately, I've noticed a major change in the behavior. People are courteous, they respect the rules. I haven't smelled any unpleasant foods at all.
Given this dearth of material, I'm going to hang it up and find something else to do with my train time. I suppose it's a good problem to have.
Happy commuting, and I KNOW you'll encounter uncommon sense.
Given this dearth of material, I'm going to hang it up and find something else to do with my train time. I suppose it's a good problem to have.
Happy commuting, and I KNOW you'll encounter uncommon sense.
