Monthly Archives: September 2008

Be a Man-Child

Posted on September 19, 2008 by TJ

  “Hi, have a good day.”   An obese guy in his twenties says this to me on the corner of Houston and 6th Avenue as I head to work.   Maybe he’s in his thirties. Hell, forties? It’s hard … Continue reading →

Posted in Foot It, Houston Street | Leave a comment

Did “Railfans” Contribute to L.A. Train Disaster?

Posted on September 19, 2008 by TJ

Hardcore train enthusiasts, known as “railfans,” may have figured into the horrific Metrolink train crash that killed 25 in Los Angeles a week ago today. Engineer Richard Sanchez was apparently text messaging either at the time of the crash, or … Continue reading →

Posted in Metrolink, Rail Fan | 2 Comments

‘Vator Haters Unite!

Posted on September 18, 2008 by TJ

What’s with the gigantic bottleneck at the top of the stairs heading down to the subways from Grand Central? Yesterday, it was a mass of about 100 people, and it took us about a minute to shuffle ahead to the … Continue reading →

Posted in Grand Central | 1 Comment

Sox Addicts

Posted on September 18, 2008 by TJ

I was hustling out of a conference at the Grand Hyatt around 3:15 yesterday, having just watched a Major Media Mogul say business is just dandy amidst the crumbling financial institutions around us. It seemed a small crowd had gathered … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

What Really Happens At Penn Station When the Commuters Go Home

Posted on September 17, 2008 by TJ

The cover of today’s AM New York caught my eye as I breezed past the news rack at Hummerville station. “Penn Libation,” it bellowed. “After dark, a party breaks out in the station.” My first thought was that it was one … Continue reading →

Posted in LIRR, Penn Station, Vomit Comet | 1 Comment

So, Like, Where Does Don Draper Live?

Posted on September 16, 2008 by TJ

I like Mad Men. I’m not gaga over it the way some of the more talented television viewers out there are, but I recognize the quality and enjoy watching these badly behaved but still intriguing ad guys do their thing. … Continue reading →

Posted in Don Draper, Mad Men | 16 Comments

Interesting Uses For Old Train Stations

Posted on September 15, 2008 by TJ

The former Hastings on Hudson train station, nestled amidst the cutest little downtown this side of Bronxville, has been converted into the Hastings Station cafe. Dobbs Ferry resident Avi Schwartz “turned the ticket office in the town’s train statino into … Continue reading →

Posted in Hastings, Yorktown | 2 Comments

The Train Ride That Changed the Face of Sportswriting

Posted on September 15, 2008 by TJ

There once was a time when sportswriter and athlete sat shoulder to shoulder on trains and in bars. The athlete spoke his mind, and the sportswriter sent the jock talk through a pretty stringent filter, hiding the athlete’s rougher edges–usually … Continue reading →

Posted in New York Times, Ralph Houk | Leave a comment

Lost? You Don’t Say.

Posted on September 12, 2008 by TJ

People always stop me to ask directions. I have one of those unthreatening faces, I guess. Not that I mind. I kind of like it. For one thing, I appreciate the help of others when I’m traveling. And for another, … Continue reading →

Posted in Foot It | Leave a comment

17,000 Gallons Cost Metro-North $1,500

Posted on September 11, 2008 by TJ

Metro-North Railroad has settled a case with the Westchester District Attorney in which the railroad was charged with spilling 17,000 gallons of fuel at its Harmon Yard facility. Metro-North is paying the minimum $1,500 fine and had the criminal charges … Continue reading →

Posted in Harmon Yard, Metro North | Leave a comment