Hey Bill thanks for clarifying the use of the glorious picture of Grand Central Station with the reality of commuting into Penn Station. I did notice. Good you mentioned the Twitter NPR designation as a US state-affiliated media. I don't really consider them Government-funded Media either which they are listed as of now. The team that runs the fund-raising campaigns I expect are not happy.
Nice post! Reminded me of my 2 hour commute from the burbs to DC for 18 long years. I don’t really miss it any more and made a concerted decision to work from home for kids and family and that illusive work-life balance, but I know what you mean! For me, what I loved most about my MARC train commute was my customary 20-min deep slumber from DC Union station to Laurel on the Dorsey line, and then chatting with buddies. Did you know, on the commuter trains in Mumbai (fabulous network even today, by the way!) where I grew up, women even chop veggies for their evening meal?:)
I find my commute by automobile to be a good transition from work to home. I once lived five minutes from the office and would find myself taking side trips just to transition.
I currently commute 1 day/week. The drive is a little over an hour. It allows me to get a couple calls done including one of my weekly calls to my 80 year old mom. I also can listen to a good podcast. It’s great to be able to do it once a week and wonderful to not have to do it daily.
Loved your post. Even though I don’t live in NYC, your post took me right into the Penn Station crowd. Thank you for sharing the truth about you don’t kiss anything until it’s not there.
I used to commute by train everyday when I lived in the Midwest. I read the morning paper on the way in to the city and got caught up on mail and mostly professional periodicals on the way home plus I had "train friends" that we only saw each other during the ride but would occasionally meet for lunch in the city. After being transferred to FL with no public transportation, I spent wasted hours in traffice until I finally went to the office early to avoid "rush hour" and would stay later, putting in 10 to 12 hour days. It caused me to quit at 50 yrs old and start my own business mostly working at home, working less than 8 hours a day, making twice as much.
Love this post. I have commuted an hour each way for 35 years until the pandemic. I now work from home and I am grateful not to have to make that commute everyday but there are things I miss…The transition time to the work to home mindset and vice versa, time for leisure reading, a nap before starting the evening routine. There is talk that we will be returning to the office a day or two a week and I am almost looking forward to it but not enough to do it without being asked 😊
Golly Bill, you’ve covered a lot today and I’ve gotten it all read while sitting in a parking lot before heading home. Thursday is my early day for meeting friends for breakfast so I will run through my emails before returning home. Thing is, summer is almost upon us down here now so I’ll have to find someplace cooler for a while.
Gotta go and get ready to go to my sister in law’s funeral this afternoon. Hope I can stay awake.
I often suggest that entrepreneurs go to the library every week to use a study/meeting room for a few uninterrupted hours to focus on their business. The reference librarians are readily available to help with research. Using the fastest WIFI available adds up to more tasks completed. It can be a game changer for those starting with an evening side-hustle with small kids at home.
Many, many, MANY years ago, I commuted on the LIRR from Garden City to Penn Station. It was a 45" commute. I learned to cherish that alone, mostly uninterrupted time. Time to plan and, with the benefit of my NYPL card, read.
Now I maximize my 3 hour n/s plane trip from NH to Tampa for that special, no responsibility time (all the more precious as my 80th year draws near).
Out take? Take what you have, and make the most of it.
Thanks, Bill. When I used to commute on the LIRR, I read so many books - now renewing library books is de riguer because I can’t finish one in two weeks.
Love this reminder to get out of the house! I work from home and often get into a writing rut, but whenever I remember to get out for a bit the inspiration comes! The suggestion to plan for a short commute-like stay is a good idea.
I like it.. all the makings of a new Netflix series... 'Breaking Commute' or some such! :)
One other place to add (in lieu of Starbucks/coffee shops) is public libraries... usually great Wi-Fi and lots of places to set up for undisturbed quiet.
Great article. I get a lot of work done outside the house at the library or coffee shop as well.
Texas is getting crazy with the book bans. We are now protecting kids from words like 'fart', 'gas' and 'butt'? Also, God forbid they learn anything about the KKK.
Hey Bill thanks for clarifying the use of the glorious picture of Grand Central Station with the reality of commuting into Penn Station. I did notice. Good you mentioned the Twitter NPR designation as a US state-affiliated media. I don't really consider them Government-funded Media either which they are listed as of now. The team that runs the fund-raising campaigns I expect are not happy.
Nice post! Reminded me of my 2 hour commute from the burbs to DC for 18 long years. I don’t really miss it any more and made a concerted decision to work from home for kids and family and that illusive work-life balance, but I know what you mean! For me, what I loved most about my MARC train commute was my customary 20-min deep slumber from DC Union station to Laurel on the Dorsey line, and then chatting with buddies. Did you know, on the commuter trains in Mumbai (fabulous network even today, by the way!) where I grew up, women even chop veggies for their evening meal?:)
I find my commute by automobile to be a good transition from work to home. I once lived five minutes from the office and would find myself taking side trips just to transition.
I love my commute because I can concentrate on reading Understandably and read all of it and learn!
I currently commute 1 day/week. The drive is a little over an hour. It allows me to get a couple calls done including one of my weekly calls to my 80 year old mom. I also can listen to a good podcast. It’s great to be able to do it once a week and wonderful to not have to do it daily.
Loved your post. Even though I don’t live in NYC, your post took me right into the Penn Station crowd. Thank you for sharing the truth about you don’t kiss anything until it’s not there.
I used to commute by train everyday when I lived in the Midwest. I read the morning paper on the way in to the city and got caught up on mail and mostly professional periodicals on the way home plus I had "train friends" that we only saw each other during the ride but would occasionally meet for lunch in the city. After being transferred to FL with no public transportation, I spent wasted hours in traffice until I finally went to the office early to avoid "rush hour" and would stay later, putting in 10 to 12 hour days. It caused me to quit at 50 yrs old and start my own business mostly working at home, working less than 8 hours a day, making twice as much.
Love this post. I have commuted an hour each way for 35 years until the pandemic. I now work from home and I am grateful not to have to make that commute everyday but there are things I miss…The transition time to the work to home mindset and vice versa, time for leisure reading, a nap before starting the evening routine. There is talk that we will be returning to the office a day or two a week and I am almost looking forward to it but not enough to do it without being asked 😊
Golly Bill, you’ve covered a lot today and I’ve gotten it all read while sitting in a parking lot before heading home. Thursday is my early day for meeting friends for breakfast so I will run through my emails before returning home. Thing is, summer is almost upon us down here now so I’ll have to find someplace cooler for a while.
Gotta go and get ready to go to my sister in law’s funeral this afternoon. Hope I can stay awake.
I often suggest that entrepreneurs go to the library every week to use a study/meeting room for a few uninterrupted hours to focus on their business. The reference librarians are readily available to help with research. Using the fastest WIFI available adds up to more tasks completed. It can be a game changer for those starting with an evening side-hustle with small kids at home.
I’ve always loved your seemingly spontaneous writing, Bill-your “stream of consciousness” style is easy on my mind
Many, many, MANY years ago, I commuted on the LIRR from Garden City to Penn Station. It was a 45" commute. I learned to cherish that alone, mostly uninterrupted time. Time to plan and, with the benefit of my NYPL card, read.
Now I maximize my 3 hour n/s plane trip from NH to Tampa for that special, no responsibility time (all the more precious as my 80th year draws near).
Out take? Take what you have, and make the most of it.
Thanks, Bill. When I used to commute on the LIRR, I read so many books - now renewing library books is de riguer because I can’t finish one in two weeks.
Love this reminder to get out of the house! I work from home and often get into a writing rut, but whenever I remember to get out for a bit the inspiration comes! The suggestion to plan for a short commute-like stay is a good idea.
Also: TEXAS aye aye aye. 💩
I like it.. all the makings of a new Netflix series... 'Breaking Commute' or some such! :)
One other place to add (in lieu of Starbucks/coffee shops) is public libraries... usually great Wi-Fi and lots of places to set up for undisturbed quiet.
Great article. I get a lot of work done outside the house at the library or coffee shop as well.
Texas is getting crazy with the book bans. We are now protecting kids from words like 'fart', 'gas' and 'butt'? Also, God forbid they learn anything about the KKK.