Today… I love my commute!

I think this will be the FIRST happy commuting blog I’ve posted since I started my travels to and from work. I don’t want to jinx it because I still have one more leg of my commute to go but…

The metro was late this morning. It was 24 degrees with a wind chill that put us in the teens so riding my bike to the train station was out of the question. Go ahead, call me a punk… I don’t even care.

I left to catch the metro at 7:15… plenty of time to make my 7:40 train but of course the metro was late. But, as fate would have after catching the first metro train, the connecting train was right there waiting and somehow we defied time and space and I made it Union Station and to my MARC train on time this AM.

Upon exciting the MARC train my bus was right there… just as I walked out… right there. No waiting in the frigid cold as the wind cut my face like a thousand tiny knives.

Coming back from work … well… this time I was the one running late. Then the bus decided it wanted to follow suit and leave me out in the cold… waiting… as the clock ticked away and I got closer and closer to missing my train home. After it finally arrived I literally ran off the bus all the way to the MARC train headed back to DC. Again, I defied time and space and made my train. But that’s not the best part… ready… wait for it… they changed my MARC train into an EXPRESS train.

Gotta go… We are here already!

Protect my bike!

It’s here, it’s here, it’s here! The long awaited bike station has arrived at Union Station and it is open for business! I didn’t think they would make their October 5th deadline but they did and we now have safe, secure,convenient indoor bicycle parking right next to Metro and Amtrak… whoot, whoot!

With your membership you get 24 hour secure bicycle parking, access to the bike repair shop, private changing rooms and lockers. Here’s the catch… why is there always a catch… membership does not guaranteed a parking space. But that’s OK; I’ll be getting there at 7 am so I don’t think I’ll be fighting for a space that early in the morning. Plus, the flexibility to be able to leave my bike overnight is a major plus. Sometimes things come up after work and I want to go out, I may have a ride home or I may have stopped for cocktails after work and don’t want to risk ridding home (bike riding and alcohol do not mix). Under these circumstances I’d be torn because I didn’t want to leave my bike overnight at Union Station.

But, now I have options… Friday happy hour anyone?

So, hats off to Mayor Fenty’s office, DOT, (DC Department of Transportation) and the rest of the government agencies that make the Bikestation possible. We join Long Beach, Palo Alto, Santa Barbara and Seattle as a cool bike town (can’t call us a city because we aren’t… taxation without representation but that’s a post for another time).

It’s all how you look at it

The MARC train is a little late leaving Union Station this morning but for once I’m not upset.

When I got to the station I noticed the electronic sign indicating the train was “boarding” but no gate was identified. So, I had to go ask the attractive, Transit guy with the somewhat cranky attitude what gate we were boarding on. It’s always a hit or miss talking to this man. Sometimes he’s really upbeat and funny… other times he’s as hard as nails… and just as unyielding (as I guess we all can be at times). Anyway, I approached him with caution and asked what track I should be boarding on. He answered in a “I’m tired of answering this question” kinda way but said “track 14″. Then he throws in “would you mind guiding Carl to the train?”. Carl is a blind gentleman I see from time to time on my train rides. “Of course I will”, I reply. Cranky Transit guy throws in a compliment of some sort and Carl and I take off for train 459.

Lately I’ve been noticing a lot of sight impaired individuals traveling on the train. I’m in awe of how independent they are and how fearless they have become. I’m also reflective about my own abilities I wonder how strong I am? I wonder how strong I can be?

Today I am reminded of my many blessings, such as the gift of sight, and how much I have to be grateful for. So, if we are a little late or even a lot late this morning, it’s OK. I’m happy this morning because I have no reason not to be! I am also so very grateful because I have so many reason to be.

It ain’t all bad

A co-worker told me last week to not just blog about the negative aspects of my commute to and from work.  She reminded me that the positive energy I project will make my travels easier. OK… so besides the bike rides and walks to and from work that have resulted in a 10 pound weight lost and my new sexy legs (YAY)… I do pass some beautiful brownstones with lovely gardens that brighten up my day.  It puts a smile on my face to see these wonderful old houses and the loving care the owners put into their yards.

Of course I also pass the biggest police surveillance camera I’ve ever seen!  It has an around the clock blinking blue light that reminds the neighborhood that it is capturing video in what I can only assume is a high crime area.  But, uh… hey… this is a positive post right? *wink*

Why I have to run for the train and freeze by butt off!

Someone please tell me WHY it is must be 30 degrees on the MARC train this AM? When it’s hot outside we often don’t have air conditioning. Now that it is turning cool… the air conditioning is on full blast and I feel like I’m inside of a refrigerator! Oh, and another thing… we NEVER leave Union Station on time. I mean NEVER. So, why is it that if I arrive at mu gate at 7:37 for a 7:40 they have taken the track information down? Oh, and don’t ask anyone in the train track area which MARC train is the 7:40! They work there everyday and see each train coming & going but nooooooooo they have no idea what track the 7:40 AM MARC train is on. Really? What the hell are you all doing all day sitting in your little carts with your hard hats on anyway? Come on… we all know that train isn’t pulling out of the station before 7:45. Tell me which track it’s on so I can get to work! Meanwhile, someone get me a blanket. It’s cold as a witches tit up in this camp!!!  Bbbrrrrrr

Dog Poop Not Meant for Sidewalks!

I’ll make this brief… IF YOU HAVE A DOG PICK UP AFTER IT!  Why do I have to dodge dog poo as I walk to work?  Seriously, it’s not cute!  I have ran across the calling card of several (apparently large) dogs on my walk to work this morning.  I am an animal lover and animal activist but really… do I need to know what your dog had for dinner last night?  Arrgggg