How to Save a Life

My Modified Life

Ever since Sandy, my workday begins and ends in a cloud of confusion. When the trains weren't running, it was the constant checking of the schedules (and watch) to make sure I was able to make my three bus connection. When I figured that out, it was how do I pay for it? Luckily I was able to use my October monthly for the buses until Nov. 9 but after I had to delve into the world of zones on my own. Without a zone map, I was helpless and just became that person with the cash in hand with no clue how much to put into the receptacle. Why? Because not having taken these buses I had no idea how many zones we go through to get to my stop. It's ridiculous that the bus driver has to ask people where they're going in order to charge them the appropriate fare. It slows down travel time and must be annoying for the bus driver as well.

So the next week I got a weekly train pass that I can also use on the bus but only for one zone. I still ended up paying for the other two zones. This week I've put my trust back in the trains but they're still on a limited schedule - or at least my line is. It's really making my days and nights mentally and physically exhausting.

One of these nights after work, Winter Storm Athena rolled through. I was so eager to get home that I got on the right bus but going the wrong way.(It was actually the bus I normally took pre-Sandy so I blame it on my subconscious). A fellow passenger helped me work it out and I caught a bus from Headquarters Plaza to the Willowbrook Mall. From there, I caught a bus to Bloomfield where I waited for my trusty 92 that drops me practically in front of my building. Well, suffice it to say, the 92 wasn't so trusty. It actually never came - or the one scheduled to go to South Orange and not just from Bloomfield to the bus depot in Orange never came. I got to the bus stop at 7:50pm and when I left with another passenger to walk to the cab station (which was apparently right up the street) at 11:15pm the bus still hadn't shown.

Of all nights, especially given the fact that the buses were the ONLY way to get around, I didn't expect the bus to do a no-show. I mean, there were about 20 of us waiting for this bus in a nor'easter that was definitely kicking our butts. Why stay out there all that time? Well my phone was dead (I had worn down my battery life based on the fact that I was close to home but I killed it trying to check on the bus) and I couldn't flag down a cab to save my life. It was so cold that I was plotting how my family was going to have to file a wrongful death suit against NJT because I was sure I was going to die from hypothermia.

BUT, I digress...

All I do in my post-Sandy commute is wait (for late trains and buses) and run (to catch my connections). The NJT trip planner is disabled to prevent confusion so I'm piecing my trips together on a wing and a prayer.




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Lights Out...

So I was super excited to see the bus driving down my street. For the past few days I've been fortunate to not have lost power, cable/Internet, or phone (only a few days) but I've been confined to the house since I rely on public transit. I always thought it would be the opposite - transit would be there in an emergency - but not this time. I was relying on taxis until they ran out of gas.

So I grab the bus and make it successfully to my transfer point and realize that the power is out over here. That means when the sun goes down it's going to be pitch black. I'm now to my destination and it's the same thing. Oh what joy!

Oh don't mind him...

So, as I've noted on my blog before there's a guy that basically stays here in the evening. He's got his radio, his bags and uses the bench as a bed. Since it's been nice weather there hasn't really been a need to go inside; however, the night is whispering a chill. Thankfully, someone else took the steps before me. He is going off the rails in there and cursing up a storm!!! I just learned he's from Greystone - the psych hospital. They seem to keep such close tabs at general hospitals - I'm wondering how they don't notice his absence. Either way, no one should be subject to this type of intimidation when they're just looking to get out of the cold.
I haven't taken the activist route on this yet but I think I'm going to have to.


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Location:Morris Plains Train Station

I Hate This Part Right Here

Just have to say, I hate misinformation and no information. I've only taken the bus into NY once and that was awhile back. So I made sure to check the Official NJ TRANSIT trip planner for the fare. $8.00. I thought it was a little steel but hey, who am I to argue. So knowing that exact fare is needed stop at the store to break a $20. My change was $16 (ughhh) so I asked her to give me the $10 in singles. She's not too happy about giving away her singles so early in the morning but what's a girl to do?!

So now I'm all set and have practiced my stance of how to insert the money while holding my latte in the other hand. I put my 5 in, then I put a 1, and then I start to put in the other 1 and I notice a strange look come over the bus driver's face - one I've seen before that tells me I'm doing something wrong. So I say "It's 8 to New York right?" to which he replies, "No, it's $6.50." FML.

Then I'm sitting here and I hear this announcement come on that says "no eating or drinking allowed on this bus. Thank you for your cooperation." uh, sorry for not cooperating but I'm not familiar with this rule. Thank God the bus driver had a heart and didn't make me ditch it.

Dark (K)night

I was too exhausted to string my words together last night (and won't do a good job now either) but I feel compelled to share...

So last night I stayed at work late to get an important deliverable out the door. I hadn't planned to stay so late but when I went to send my email I got the pop-up that I had exceeded my storage quota. This means before I can send or receive anything I have to clean out my email. So before you know it, it's 8:20 and pitch black. Great.

So I'm walking my regular route while talking on the phone to my friends, and I come upon the grassy field that I swore I wouldn't walk through in the dark again; but I honestly had no choice. I'm not feeling too scared because I at least have virtual company. I'm walking along and next thing you know a freaking BAT swoops down close to me! While I'm trying to rationalize what just happened, the bat takes another swoop! With that, I screamed (yup, horror movie scream too) and started running. All the while thinking I'm going to get bit by this bat and get rabies. Having virtual company was moot because he was laughing at me. The laughter only got louder once I revealed that I fell. Needless to say, I made it out of the field alive and without being bit. Now, there may be debate as to whether or not that was a bat but I maintain that it was. After the first swoop my friend goes "that bat ain't thinking 'bout you." Two well timed swoops tell me different. I tried to tell him bats can't see. All the bat knows is that he's detected large, warm, flesh moving through this field!

Lesson learned: Clean out my email.

Get Your Athlete's Foot Off the Seat

I know it seems intuitive to sit and kick your feet up but as a courtesy to others who sit on the seat you should really refrain from doing so. I guess she thought taking off her shoes was good enough but the sign that is in plain view says "Keep feet off seats." It should also say "THIS MEANS YOU!" I love when conductors actually enforce this rule. I know these trains aren't the picture of health but it's a sanitary concern. She has on socks but what about those that don't. This time of the year, crusty toes on the seats run rampant. Besides that, she's taking up 3 seats for this operation. Even when I sit in a two seater, I only take up one seat. Mostly because you never know when a potential mate might want to sit next to you and strike up a convo ;-)

Just while I was writing this, a mom came on the train with a folded stroller and a car seat carrier in hand. This lady tried to make space but thankfully someone else gave up their seats. Guess she got scared straight - she now has her shoes on and feet down. Gotta love it.

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Location:Millburn Ave,Millburn,United States