Archive for March, 2007
Monday, March 19th, 2007
Word of the Week: Baby-Back Ribs of Death
BABY-BACK RIBS OF DEATH: \BAY bee back ribz uv deth\noun\: The body-length turnstiles at some subway stops whose teeth threaten to gnash unsuspecting commuters to shreds. Also known as HEETs (High Entrance Exit Turnstile) and Iron Maidens. (Credit: G. Francis)
Usage: As I was running for the 4 train, I got caught up in the Baby-Back Ribs of Death and […]
No Comments » - Posted in HEETs, Iron Maiden by TJ
Monday, March 19th, 2007
Everything You’ve Ever Wanted to Know about NYC Commuting
There was a very smart, very well-reported story in yesterday’s “Westchester” section of the NY Times, in which Ken Belson analyzes the age-old conundrum of, with readership growing on the Metro North, LIRR and whatever the Jersey people take, why does the MTA have such trouble finding the money to meet the needs of its […]
No Comments » - Posted in Ken Belson, LIRR, MTA, Metro North, Sopranos by TJ
Monday, March 19th, 2007
The Good, the Bad and the Ugly
Sticking with a recurring theme in these cyber-pages, the MTA giveth and it taketh away on this Monday morning commute. Got my very own two-seater on the 8:43, which positively flew (OK, did around 80) along to Grand Central, even getting in some four minutes early.
Then the not so good. Approaching the stairs that descend […]
No Comments » - Posted in 6 train, Immaculate Connection by TJ
Friday, March 16th, 2007
Happy St. Patrick’s Day!
Sadly, there’s not a lot of material that connects commuting with St. Patrick’s Day. So here’s the next best thing–some lyrics that pay homage to the strong men and women who did the hard work on the rails so you could be home in 45 minutes (or 55 minutes in the snow).
Paddy Works on the […]
No Comments » - Posted in St. Patrick's Day by TJ
Friday, March 16th, 2007
Up to Lexington…125…Feel Sick and Dirty, More Dead Than Alive
After visiting the accountant on the Upper East Side last night, I had the express pleasure of taking Metro North from 125th Street in Harlem, instead of my usual Grand Central launching pad.
The Harlem MTA station looks like it was at once grand, though cheap paneling like your neighbor’s old basement probably covers up much […]
No Comments » - Posted in 125th Street, Apollo Theater, Engine Bob by TJ
Friday, March 16th, 2007
Straphanger Joe Perfects the Stare
The Cone of Silence
I’ve found while conducting the Smile Study that people on the subways are pretty intent on creating their own personal space (aka: their own Cone of Silence) and, once created, at staying in there.
This cone is pretty small, usually only reaching out a few inches on a crowded subway and […]
1 Comment » - Posted in Straphanger Joe by TJ
Thursday, March 15th, 2007
Jersey People Want New Tunnel
Today’s Jersey Journal says a “small but supportive crowd” turned out to support a plan to build a new tunnel under the Hudson into Manhattan.
Apparently part of the $6.3 billion plan involves “a new train station at 34th Street…between 6th and 8th Avenues.”
Which is weird, because there’s already a pretty big one there.
The article is […]
1 Comment » - Posted in Penn Station by TJ
Thursday, March 15th, 2007
Summer Bummer
This morning, the air-conditioning was on on the 6 train for what I think was the first time this season. Cool air on warm skin brought to mind mental pictures of beaches, outdoor concerts and ballgames at Shea.
Won’t the notion of air-conditioning seem quaint when it’s 31 and wintry-mixing tonight.
No Comments » - Posted in Air-Conditioning, Shea Stadium by TJ
Thursday, March 15th, 2007
‘Mileposts’ Takes a Roman Holiday
The March issue of MTA rag Mileposts awaited us on the 8:17 today, these Ides of March. And indeed, the MTA’s surprisingly witty wordsmith had some fun with the Julius Caesar references. Promising it won’t be “more back stabbing by close associates,” Mileposts announced that some schedule changes would follow the Ides (”Julius Caesar got […]
No Comments » - Posted in Julius Caesar, Mileposts, Mt. Kisco, Tarrytown by TJ
Wednesday, March 14th, 2007
100 Days of Trainitude
Today marks my 100th day of riding Metro-North.
Some observations:
* I used to get really annoyed that it takes so damn long to get from 125th Street to Grand Central.
I still do.
* For reasons I can’t really explain, I’ve never slept on the train during these hundred days. Maybe tonight.
* I wish I lived closer to […]