30. October 2008 by admin.

Occasionally, I need to drive to work or present at a location somewhere in Michigan.  Well, today was one of those days.  Knowing that the Tunnel has been terrible this week, I set out early.  I needed to be in Troy, Michigan by 9 am this morning.  It’s only 30 miles from my house and all freeway driving in the opposite direction of rush hour traffic.  One would normally expect to spend about 30 to 40 minutes to get there.  Well, when you travel the Tunnel, you need to be prepared for anything!  I left the house at 7:15.  A full 1 3/4 hour in advance.

Leaving the house early, I did not have time for breakfast.  Prior to entering the Tunnel, I stopped at the Tim Horton’s drive-through a block before the Tunnel entrance.  With my tea and bagel in hand, I sat on Goyeau Street waiting to pay my toll.  The traffic was at a stand-still and the 7:20 Tunnel Bus was right behind me.  After sweezing my way into the Tunnel, I was ready for breakfast.  The Tunnel is one lane in each direction.  There are probably 8 toll lanes that need to merge to one to enter the Tunnel.  It’s pretty cut-throat.  But I’ve learned its easier to work with a car in another lane to effectively force them into letting you go.  No road rage here — it’s a mile to Detroit and if you tick someone off behind you, well, you may have a long ride.

After entering the Tunnel, you start to lose all the “extras” that most people enjoy while commuting to work.  Within the first couple of feet, you reach for the radio to not only turn down NPR but turn it off.  There is only one radio station that is accessible through the Tunnel.  So much for having a choice!  If you look at your cellphone, sorry, I always think of the Verizon commerical — the network isn’t there!  The traffic is mostly stop and then go.  Driving a manual transmission, you’ll get a good leg work out. 

Finally, I reached the middle.  My car strattled the border with the US Flag to the North and the Canadian to the South.  Time for breakfast.  Whatelse is there to do while you wait.  I wish I could say I had some gourmet breakfast to talk about while on the border but just a simple bagel and tea.  I certainly had time for a gourmet breakfast but not today.

Tomorrow is another day — Halloween!  I’m back on the bus tomorrow.  I’m sure we’ll have some good stories, Halloween, Friday and the weekend–are usually ripe opportunities for good stories.

Posted in technology, Dining | 1 Comment »

29. October 2008 by admin.

Well, today is Wednesday.  By the time I arrived home last night, I have already spent 3.5 hours commute to work just this week.  Please remember that the total distance I have travelled to and from work is 20 miles in 3.5 hours.  I recently completed the Detroit Marathon and my 20 mile time was slightly more than 3 hours.  Something is definately wrong with this picture, the work commute that is!  Why is it that the country that prides itself on democracy is so slow in allowing it’s own citizen’s and those with appropriate paper work to re-enter?  I have travelled all across North America and Europe.  I have never been delayed like I am on the American side of the Detroit/Windsor border.  Unlike a vice-presidential candidate, I have held a passport for nearly 30 years.  Plus, my house overlooks Detroit and my office faces South towards Windsor.  I guess I have presidential potential with my foreign policy credentials.  But that’s another story!

So to my fellow Tunnel Bus passengers, today, I was with you virtually.  I hope I didn’t miss any good stories to share but with all of the talk cookies, cake and Italian sausages last night on the way home, I was sure hungry.  Too bad my friend, who likes to cook gourmet meals, wasn’t on the bus.  I probably would not have been able to settle for the leftovers we served for dinner.

Posted in Dining, telecommute | 1 Comment »