I love the Upper East Side. I hate the 4-5-6 subways. When I was commuting 2 stops on the express, 4 stops on the local, it wasn't too bad if there were some service delays. I could even walk to work if I had to! Now that I'm heading into Brooklyn two days a week I'm realizing the nightmares that used to be minor inconveniences turns into major delays. I only have those options, the 4 or the 5, so if something goes wrong, I'm screwed.
I knew there were delays since I check NY1 every morning, but being polite cost me half an hour of extra time. At 59th, I stepped out to let passengers exit, especially since there was a wheelchair half blocking the door, but someone pushed past me from behind and I was stuck on the platform. Six trains come and go until I manage to squeeze onto one, and stand sardined until we get past Fulton St.
Even better? We're running slower in general because of the backups from earlier problems, but then once we leave Bowling Green, we stop dead. In the tunnel under the East River. For half an hour since there's a train stuck at Borough Hall (my new destination). Normal commute door to door is usually 50 minutes to one hour. This time it took me 2 hours to make it to work even though I left my apartment on time.
My longest commute ever was 2 and a 1/2 hours from South Jersey into NYC, which was awful considering NJ Transit, but I knew that was temporary. This is permanent (most likely). Not only do I have to carry my laptop with me on these lovely subway rides when switching offices, but I'm facing other problems with this. I'm lucky that my work won't hassle me about transit delays, but it stretches what was a 12 hour day into a 13 or 14 hour day (or more if we're really busy). I realize many have it worse than me with overtime or multiple jobs, but after almost a year of personal losses, burglaries, illnesses, and stress resulting from all of this, it's hard to face.
I was supposed to go to good schools, graduate programs, take the best paying corporate job in my field, and ending up at least comfortable or better. I have fulfilled all of those requirements and more. I also save for emergencies and manage my money tightly since rent inevitably is rising. I always have had financial responsibility, but my physical stamina is waning, which is why I'm contemplating asking for unpaid leave. An easier commute isn't the answer, but at least there could be marked improvements. I can't mentally will the 2nd Avenue subway into existence, but there will be days when I'm sitting on the 4 or 5 thinking "What am I doing?".
I knew there were delays since I check NY1 every morning, but being polite cost me half an hour of extra time. At 59th, I stepped out to let passengers exit, especially since there was a wheelchair half blocking the door, but someone pushed past me from behind and I was stuck on the platform. Six trains come and go until I manage to squeeze onto one, and stand sardined until we get past Fulton St.
Even better? We're running slower in general because of the backups from earlier problems, but then once we leave Bowling Green, we stop dead. In the tunnel under the East River. For half an hour since there's a train stuck at Borough Hall (my new destination). Normal commute door to door is usually 50 minutes to one hour. This time it took me 2 hours to make it to work even though I left my apartment on time.
My longest commute ever was 2 and a 1/2 hours from South Jersey into NYC, which was awful considering NJ Transit, but I knew that was temporary. This is permanent (most likely). Not only do I have to carry my laptop with me on these lovely subway rides when switching offices, but I'm facing other problems with this. I'm lucky that my work won't hassle me about transit delays, but it stretches what was a 12 hour day into a 13 or 14 hour day (or more if we're really busy). I realize many have it worse than me with overtime or multiple jobs, but after almost a year of personal losses, burglaries, illnesses, and stress resulting from all of this, it's hard to face.
I was supposed to go to good schools, graduate programs, take the best paying corporate job in my field, and ending up at least comfortable or better. I have fulfilled all of those requirements and more. I also save for emergencies and manage my money tightly since rent inevitably is rising. I always have had financial responsibility, but my physical stamina is waning, which is why I'm contemplating asking for unpaid leave. An easier commute isn't the answer, but at least there could be marked improvements. I can't mentally will the 2nd Avenue subway into existence, but there will be days when I'm sitting on the 4 or 5 thinking "What am I doing?".