Trip to the City.... or not

As I write this, it's 11:33 am. I'm still (!) on the 9:08 to Grand Central Station. The last 3 hours of my life have been spent on this train, with the last chance to get off being in Stamford. I had my chance to get off, and I didn't take it - partially because it was still pretty early in the day, and partially because I want to see how this little trip will end up.

I'm going to the big city to setup a scanner and some software for a client. They're paying the company I work for to have me come out, which in this case includes "travel time" - something they may regret by the time this is over. It just occured to me, of course, that I'm not sure how - or when - I will get back home...

The problem is in New Rochelle, NY - it would seem that a train, while passing along the tracks, managed to hook itself up in the wiring that runs this whole system and rip one down. When we finally slowly trudged past the scene of the accident, the train in question was very clear to those looking - the wiring device that touches the live wires above was ripped from the top of the train - not an every day occurrence, but also not a pleasant one. And because of the whole problem, there is only one track that's clear - meaning that one train can pass at a time, and that they're probably letting a train go North/East and then another go South/West. Fun. Of course, they've been working on it since about 8:00 when it happened, so that means that it might - might be fixed before I have to leave to go home.

Writing now at 20:10 - many many hours later. When I left Grand Central, the trains going north were only going in that direction every hour. I went and did my work for the client, then hustled back to Grand Central - only to realize, before I left the client, that I'd missed the 14:10 train.

After stopping to pick up some food and a drink, I bought my ticket and hopped aboard - and then got right off again. Apparently they're being forced to use whatever is on hand in NYC, and that includes some trains with no working Air Conditioning - or air circulation for that matter - units. When I found a slightly cooler car, I settled in for my 35 minute wait until 15:10 so I could return home at long long long last.

The problem with having reduced train service is that you end up with everyone and their mother cramming onto the train to get home - much like myself. Being a "big" person, I'm not comfortable on the train to begin with, but add in that every seat is being used and that I had to share with three Filapino's who seemed irriatated that I was so big.... well, it makes for an interesting trip to South Norwalk.

It also makes for an interesting fact: it takes 90 minutes or so (on a good day) to get from Milford to NYC with the "express" service - local stops from New Haven to Stamford, then straight through to NYC. When you're going "local", it's a 3 hour trip. Factor in not being able to move for fear of crushing your neighbor, and you have a fun time on hand.

Anyway, I made it back home safe and relatively sound - a little worse for the wear, and much more inclined to just say no to any other trips to NYC.....