exchef
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Post by exchef on Jan 31, 2019 7:28:22 GMT -5
As I sit on the 7am train on my way into Boston, I am struck by how wrapped up everyone is in their own little world…until someone tries to sit next to them. I guess myself included.
Since November I have been working on the AWS Solutions Architect Associates certification, and because I work for a security company, I do what I can to obscure my screen from others reading it. So, when someone comes to sit next to me, I need to stop what I am doing as I don’t trust the screen privacy shield I was provided.
My musing is mostly around, I know what goes through my mind when someone chooses to sit next to me (“ok, guess that’s all for this ride”) but wonder what other people think.
When I’m on the train, I don’t take phone calls as I don’t feel the need to have everyone around me subjected to my calls but am always amazed at the number of different people who are on calls on the train. Some of them not always pleasant to hear this side of.
Anyway, I now return you to your regular postings of import.
ExChef
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Post by Darin on Jan 31, 2019 7:56:38 GMT -5
Talking on a phone while in a public place is an irritant to me. Then again, a train full of people is like fingernails on a chalk board to me. Lol Hope your commute goes as quickly and uneventful as possible.  |
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kirk13
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Post by kirk13 on Jan 31, 2019 8:20:32 GMT -5
As I sit on the 7am train on my way into Boston, I am struck by how wrapped up everyone is in their own little world…until someone tries to sit next to them. I guess myself included. Since November I have been working on the AWS Solutions Architect Associates certification, and because I work for a security company, I do what I can to obscure my screen from others reading it. So, when someone comes to sit next to me, I need to stop what I am doing as I don’t trust the screen privacy shield I was provided. My musing is mostly around, I know what goes through my mind when someone chooses to sit next to me (“ok, guess that’s all for this ride”) but wonder what other people think. When I’m on the train, I don’t take phone calls as I don’t feel the need to have everyone around me subjected to my calls but am always amazed at the number of different people who are on calls on the train. Some of them not always pleasant to hear this side of. Anyway, I now return you to your regular postings of import. ExChef For what it's worth,the regular postings here,including your own musings are my favourite way of doing the commute. Far too often in my old job it was a mobile office! The commute into Belfast is soooo much nicer than it was into London |
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exchef
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Post by exchef on Jan 31, 2019 8:51:24 GMT -5
As I sit on the 7am train on my way into Boston, I am struck by how wrapped up everyone is in their own little world…until someone tries to sit next to them. I guess myself included. Since November I have been working on the AWS Solutions Architect Associates certification, and because I work for a security company, I do what I can to obscure my screen from others reading it. So, when someone comes to sit next to me, I need to stop what I am doing as I don’t trust the screen privacy shield I was provided. My musing is mostly around, I know what goes through my mind when someone chooses to sit next to me (“ok, guess that’s all for this ride”) but wonder what other people think. When I’m on the train, I don’t take phone calls as I don’t feel the need to have everyone around me subjected to my calls but am always amazed at the number of different people who are on calls on the train. Some of them not always pleasant to hear this side of. Anyway, I now return you to your regular postings of import. ExChef For what it's worth,the regular postings here,including your own musings are my favourite way of doing the commute. Far too often in my old job it was a mobile office! The commute into Belfast is soooo much nicer than it was into London I am only commuting to Boston, maybe not quite as scenic as your commute. ExChef |
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Post by Legend Lover on Jan 31, 2019 9:51:06 GMT -5
I often wonder similar things. I look at people sitting beside me and note that they have a whole other life of which I'm totally unaware. What will they be doing tonight? Who will they be seeing? It is really hard to get my head around the fact that there are other people in the world other than those in my own wee world.
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Post by unknownpipesmoker on Jan 31, 2019 10:06:28 GMT -5
As I sit on the 7am train on my way into Boston, I am struck by how wrapped up everyone is in their own little world…until someone tries to sit next to them. I guess myself included. Since November I have been working on the AWS Solutions Architect Associates certification, and because I work for a security company, I do what I can to obscure my screen from others reading it. So, when someone comes to sit next to me, I need to stop what I am doing as I don’t trust the screen privacy shield I was provided. My musing is mostly around, I know what goes through my mind when someone chooses to sit next to me (“ok, guess that’s all for this ride”) but wonder what other people think. When I’m on the train, I don’t take phone calls as I don’t feel the need to have everyone around me subjected to my calls but am always amazed at the number of different people who are on calls on the train. Some of them not always pleasant to hear this side of. Anyway, I now return you to your regular postings of import. ExChef I started really getting into paying attention to people and people watching over the last two years and what I've discovered really isn't good. I was hoping to see more good nature in people and it just wasn't there. People really are money obsessed, object obsessed, material people. If you listen to those phone arguments they almost always work their way into pertaining to money somehow, some way, eventually. I also see huge hoards of people who are in miserable jobs, miserable careers just to grow their bank account. I wonder if they'll reflect on what they could of done instead when they reach my age and realise how senseless it all was. I mean, unless you have someone to give it all away to. That really matters to you. But do you want your family to remember you for the money you left them or for a higher purpose in life? Sorry to be on the soapbox but I am in one of the most vapid, materialistic countries in the world right now (which also happens to be doing really well, which would partially explain that). For some reason the non-materialistic aspects of Buddhism that you find in Tibet did not make it to Thailand. Or if did, they must think it's only for the monks or something. I can't figure it out. You haven't seen greed until you've seen Thailand. |
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Post by puffy on Jan 31, 2019 10:37:29 GMT -5
It's human nature I guess but it seems to me that people will do things for money they wouldn't do for any other reason.
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exchef
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Post by exchef on Jan 31, 2019 11:06:27 GMT -5
It's human nature I guess but it seems to me that people will do things for money they wouldn't do for any other reason.  , Greed is an amazing thing. Personally I have reached the state (well MANY years ago) where the reality is money is the means to accomplish the things I wish to do. Not the end all be all of life. A quiet day with my daughter is more important than anything I can spend money on. But of course money means I can buy pipes and tobacco, which means that I have more things to enjoy during my quiet time alone.  ExChef |
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Post by toshtego on Jan 31, 2019 11:08:20 GMT -5
Over the years, I enjoyed my rail commutes on the Northern Line of the London Underground and BART in San Francisco Bay Area. Of course, it was only about 25 minutes. In those days, no cell phones, so it was a quiet journey spent reading a newspaper.
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Post by Ronv69 on Jan 31, 2019 12:06:12 GMT -5
When I was an IT director for a payroll company, we bought our people privacy screens for their notebooks. It's just a plastic sheet that adheres to the screen, but no one who isn't directly in front of the screen can make out anything on it. A person next to you on the train will be clueless.
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Post by Ronv69 on Jan 31, 2019 12:10:16 GMT -5
The best commute ever was my friend who worked in Los Alamos and lived in Jemez Springs. The trip was 35 miles of the most scenic road in New Mexico. It was was different every day because of the light, sky, and weather.
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Post by AJ on Jan 31, 2019 12:32:07 GMT -5
I never had to use public transportation to get to my job. I always drove my car and it never took more than 30 minutes to get there. I have had to work with people individually, on a team, or serving the masses. Too many people were greedy, power-hungry, selfish, materialistic, immoral, mean, and spiteful. I’ve seen a few arise above dirt and grim of the masses and offer their fellow man a hand and direction into discovering something better that life has to offer. To serve others, to me that’s real beauty and why we are here. Some of those that chose to serve others became famous and some even died trying to help their fellow man, Washington, Jefferson, Lincoln, Ghandi, King, Kennedy, Luther, our soldiers, and many more, but I believe the greatest was Jesus.
AJ
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Post by puffy on Jan 31, 2019 13:37:10 GMT -5
I worked for a large corporation for 30 years and a local school system for a while.I couldn't believe the attitudes in both places.Make yourself look good by making every one else look bad while you kiss the boss's butt in order to get that next promotion.It's a bit shocking to me to see the lengths that folks go to get a few more dollars..I grew up in a culture where if some one gave you their word and shook your hand you could count on it..It's sure different now.
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Post by toshtego on Jan 31, 2019 14:12:40 GMT -5
I worked for a large corporation for 30 years and a local school system for a while.I couldn't believe the attitudes in both places.Make yourself look good by making every one else look bad while you kiss the boss's butt in order to get that next promotion.It's a bit shocking to me to see the lengths that folks go to get a few more dollars..I grew up in a culture where if some one gave you their word and shook your hand you could count on it..It's sure different now. One of the worst characteristics of the corporate world was the stealing of credit for my revenue producing deals. Bad enough that if happened. Worse that senior management allowed it. |
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Post by trailboss on Jan 31, 2019 16:31:26 GMT -5
I worked for a large corporation for 30 years and a local school system for a while.I couldn't believe the attitudes in both places.Make yourself look good by making every one else look bad while you kiss the boss's butt in order to get that next promotion.It's a bit shocking to me to see the lengths that folks go to get a few more dollars..I grew up in a culture where if some one gave you their word and shook your hand you could count on it..It's sure different now. One of the worst characteristics of the corporate world was the stealing of credit for my revenue producing deals. Bad enough that if happened. Worse that senior management allowed it. I have seen the same happen with friends that work in the corporate world, it was really bad in high tech. I wish I could ride a train to work... I would even be happy carpooling, but it is impossible with my hours. I try to initiate conversations with people and can quickly gauge whether or not they would like to converse. It really sucks though when you initiate a conversation and wish it never started though I was on a flight from San Francisco to Memphis, struck up a conversation with a woman, come to find out she was Carlos Santana’s aunt and I believe Godmother... she was pretty proud of him...we had a great time cutting up and drinking Tanqueray and Tonic... others gave us pissy looks. A few years ago the wife and I were at a nice restaurant enjoying dinner, I believe it was a mother with two of her teen kids, a boy and girl... the whole time, all three were consumed with their smartphones... never said a word to each other... sad. |
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kirk13
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Post by kirk13 on Jan 31, 2019 17:26:24 GMT -5
For what it's worth,the regular postings here,including your own musings are my favourite way of doing the commute. Far too often in my old job it was a mobile office! The commute into Belfast is soooo much nicer than it was into London I am only commuting to Boston, maybe not quite as scenic as your commute. ExChef I've got to say that the run down from Bangor to Belfast is one of the most scenic routes I've yet travelled...following the coast of Belfast Lough,through Holywood(home of Rory McIlroy) before running through the wetlands leading to Sydenham, and then past Harland and Wolff.... Paddy,do you think I can get a grant for promoting tourism? |
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Post by Legend Lover on Jan 31, 2019 17:46:34 GMT -5
I am only commuting to Boston, maybe not quite as scenic as your commute. ExChef I've got to say that the run down from Bangor to Belfast is one of the most scenic routes I've yet travelled...following the coast of Belfast Lough,through Holywood(home of Rory McIlroy) before running through the wetlands leading to Sydenham, and then past Harland and Wolff.... Paddy,do you think I can get a grant for promoting tourism? You're going about it the right way, buddy. It's a route I often take for granted. |
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Post by monbla256 on Jan 31, 2019 20:26:00 GMT -5
Our Public Transit down here is " one man, one car" and when I was working I spent 3 hours a day coming and going to and fro to work and back. Thankfully, those days are over !
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Post by Deleted on Jan 31, 2019 21:11:13 GMT -5
First off I don't like crowds or even a few people around me and unless a young lady of exceptional beauty chooses to sit down next to me I can live the rest of my life without them. Whether on a train, plane, bus or stagecoach alone, ones mind tends to wander and think of relaxing matters to entertain ourselves. Just like sitting back with a good pipe and then someone interrupts it, its a bit jolting to say the least.
Friends are fine, companions better and lovers I lust but, people in general I can do without.
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exchef
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Post by exchef on Feb 1, 2019 7:40:22 GMT -5
First off I don't like crowds or even a few people around me and unless a young lady of exceptional beauty chooses to sit down next to me I can live the rest of my life without them. Whether on a train, plane, bus or stagecoach alone, ones mind tends to wander and think of relaxing matters to entertain ourselves. Just like sitting back with a good pipe and then someone interrupts it, its a bit jolting to say the least. Friends are fine, companions better and lovers I lust but, people in general I can do without. Ron, I am very much the same, I could do without about 98% of the human population. Friends, family and the occasional lovely lady’s company suffice. Most of my commute is surrounded by people no unlike myself, dealing with the drudgery of getting from A to B in the least impacted fashion, now of course they only care about themselves in the situation. The commuter rail portion of my commute is generally not so bad it gets worse when I switch to the subway where inevitably the train cars are overcrowded to the point of people leaning or pushed up against you. this does not endear me to this commute but driving into Boston would add an hour to my already 90-minute commute most days. Anyway, moving on. This morning’s commuter rail journey was uneventful aside from some random conversations around me. More subdued volume so it wasn’t so bad so my mind was able to wander a bit into plans for tonight, this weekend and what I need to accomplish by Monday. In my car, waiting at the commuter rail station for me to get back is my “go bag” of smoking supplies, couple pipes, some tobaccos and a rather nicely aged cigar. After work I am meeting my wife and daughter for dinner, to replace my winter boots and then head to the smoke shop for a few hours before I realize how tired I really am. More later, for now I must pack up the laptop and get ready to transition from commuter rail station to subway for the next leg of today’s journey. ExChef |
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Post by Deleted on Feb 1, 2019 8:22:47 GMT -5
First off I don't like crowds or even a few people around me and unless a young lady of exceptional beauty chooses to sit down next to me I can live the rest of my life without them. Whether on a train, plane, bus or stagecoach alone, ones mind tends to wander and think of relaxing matters to entertain ourselves. Just like sitting back with a good pipe and then someone interrupts it, its a bit jolting to say the least. Friends are fine, companions better and lovers I lust but, people in general I can do without. Ron, I am very much the same, I could do without about 98% of the human population. Friends, family and the occasional lovely lady’s company suffice. Most of my commute is surrounded by people no unlike myself, dealing with the drudgery of getting from A to B in the least impacted fashion, now of course they only care about themselves in the situation. The commuter rail portion of my commute is generally not so bad it gets worse when I switch to the subway where inevitably the train cars are overcrowded to the point of people leaning or pushed up against you. this does not endear me to this commute but driving into Boston would add an hour to my already 90-minute commute most days. Anyway, moving on. This morning’s commuter rail journey was uneventful aside from some random conversations around me. More subdued volume so it wasn’t so bad so my mind was able to wander a bit into plans for tonight, this weekend and what I need to accomplish by Monday. In my car, waiting at the commuter rail station for me to get back is my “go bag” of smoking supplies, couple pipes, some tobaccos and a rather nicely aged cigar. After work I am meeting my wife and daughter for dinner, to replace my winter boots and then head to the smoke shop for a few hours before I realize how tired I really am. More later, for now I must pack up the laptop and get ready to transition from commuter rail station to subway for the next leg of today’s journey. ExChef I've only seen movies and shows with subway and there passengers (TG) and can only speculate what kind of trip that would be. Don't know how you do it without blood on your hands everyday but, I reckon when ya boil it all down there are a lot of things we have to do and do but, would rather not for family and our own well being. And I certainly understand about the selfish and self-centered ones, its a shame they have to exist and never realize there's life beyond them.
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Post by trailboss on Feb 1, 2019 8:39:03 GMT -5
A train ride I wouldn't mind...the subway portion reminds me of a bus on rails....
Salty language alert.
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Post by Ronv69 on Feb 1, 2019 10:30:51 GMT -5
All of my commuting has been by car except for when I was working in Birmingham Alabama. That one involved a Delta 727.
The only subway I have ever been on was in Mexico City. Crowded but everyone was polite and friendly. Lots of beautiful girls too.
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Post by toshtego on Feb 1, 2019 10:58:18 GMT -5
One of the worst characteristics of the corporate world was the stealing of credit for my revenue producing deals. Bad enough that if happened. Worse that senior management allowed it. I have seen the same happen with friends that work in the corporate world, it was really bad in high tech. I wish I could ride a train to work... I would even be happy carpooling, but it is impossible with my hours. I try to initiate conversations with people and can quickly gauge whether or not they would like to converse. It really sucks though when you initiate a conversation and wish it never started though I was on a flight from San Francisco to Memphis, struck up a conversation with a woman, come to find out she was Carlos Santana’s aunt and I believe Godmother... she was pretty proud of him...we had a great time cutting up and drinking Tanqueray and Tonic... others gave us pissy looks. A few years ago the wife and I were at a nice restaurant enjoying dinner, I believe it was a mother with two of her teen kids, a boy and girl... the whole time, all three were consumed with their smartphones... never said a word to each other... sad. She ought to be! I am proud of him just because we grew up in the same city. I still recall seeing his first band perform in 1968- the "Warm Up" for Big Brother and the Holding Company" at The Avalon Ballroom. |
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Post by Deleted on Feb 1, 2019 14:10:27 GMT -5
All of my commuting has been by car except for when I was working in Birmingham Alabama. That one involved a Delta 727. The only subway I have ever been on was in Mexico City. Crowded but everyone was polite and friendly. Lots of beautiful girls too. I've always wanted to go Mexico and mingle the pretty Senorita's but, I reckon I've seen and heard of too many horror stories about getting thrown in jail there for anything and everything, so this Gringo decided to say here and take his chances instead.
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Post by puffy on Feb 1, 2019 14:14:07 GMT -5
I'm not going any place I don't have my legal rights..What few I have left.
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exchef
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Post by exchef on Feb 1, 2019 15:09:58 GMT -5
All of my commuting has been by car except for when I was working in Birmingham Alabama. That one involved a Delta 727. The only subway I have ever been on was in Mexico City. Crowded but everyone was polite and friendly. Lots of beautiful girls too. I've always wanted to go Mexico and mingle the pretty Senorita's but, I reckon I've seen and heard of too many horror stories about getting thrown in jail there for anything and everything, so this Gringo decided to say here and take his chances instead.
As long as you keep your hands off the pretty senorita's butts you should be ok. stress should. |
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Post by trailboss on Feb 1, 2019 15:33:46 GMT -5
I'm not going any place I don't have my legal rights..What few I have left. Sage advice |
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Post by Deleted on Feb 1, 2019 16:08:12 GMT -5
I've always wanted to go Mexico and mingle the pretty Senorita's but, I reckon I've seen and heard of too many horror stories about getting thrown in jail there for anything and everything, so this Gringo decided to say here and take his chances instead.
As long as you keep your hands off the pretty senorita's butts you should be ok. stress should. I realize I don't sound much like a gentleman but, I assure you I am the utmost gentleman when it comes to the ladies.
I'm not afraid of doing anything wrong cause that won't happen but, prejudice on there part can put you in jail for anything they feel like putting you there for. I don't trust authorities here so I certainly won't trust them there.
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exchef
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Post by exchef on Feb 1, 2019 16:19:23 GMT -5
As long as you keep your hands off the pretty senorita's butts you should be ok. stress should. I realize I don't sound much like a gentleman but, I assure you I am the utmost gentleman when it comes to the ladies.
I'm not afraid of doing anything wrong cause that won't happen but, prejudice on there part can put you in jail for anything they feel like putting you there for. I don't trust authorities here so I certainly won't trust them there.
Never said you weren't! I am much the same way. In an age where people are offended if you glance the wrong direction, always better to be on the cautious side. ExChef who is about to get his evening commute on. |
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