November 2007 - Posts

Transit Rules!

So I decided after lunch to finish up some errands; grab the mail, get a coffee, and return to work.  All of these tasks I easily accomplish in downtown Portland within a 6 block by 1 block area. While running these tasks I ran into fellow cohort Read More
posted Tuesday, November 27, 2007 3:29 PM by adron | 1 Comments
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Improving Transit

I'm starting a new category.  Simply called "Improving Transit" which will include everything from how to take a better trip aboard multi-day train to better ideas for buses, light rail, or daily flight from point A to point B. If anyone has any Read More
posted Monday, November 26, 2007 7:56 PM by adron | 0 Comments
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Coast Starlight on Monday Morning

First thing I noted waking on Monday aboard the Coast Starlight, a train which did not arrive on time even 1% of the time last year, was that we were on time.  South bound we were on time at almost every single stop.  So far north bound we had Read More
posted Monday, November 26, 2007 7:29 PM by adron | 0 Comments
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The Early Train Departure (OAK, SAC)

Joleen and I said farewell to our cohorts for the time being in downtown San Francisco and submerged into the BART Station to head for our north bound California Amtrak train to Sacramento.  The planned departure at 8:55pm of our Capitol Corridor Read More
posted Sunday, November 25, 2007 7:25 PM by adron | 0 Comments
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On The Road Again, err, The Railroad That Is

Thanksgiving day.  Once again upon the flange wheel of the Coast Starlight bound for Oakland, California.  The south bound #11 arrived 20 minutes early into Portland and prepped for our embarking.  At a sharp 2:25pm we departed Portland Read More
posted Thursday, November 22, 2007 5:19 PM by adron | 0 Comments
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Assault on the MAX, Polite Streetcars

So a coworker arrived today and told us he was delayed a few minutes today while riding the MAX because of a assault departing Beaverton.  Now, in these days after this new media attention making the crime and other issues on the MAX seem like the Read More
posted Tuesday, November 20, 2007 8:54 AM by adron | 0 Comments
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Biting the Bullet of First Class on Alaska Airlines

This weekend I'm on my way to Orange County to hang out with a friend and get some crazy hard core coding done.  For my logistical arrangements, and since I actually didn't want to throw down a few days and wanted maximum coding time in the OC, I Read More
posted Sunday, November 18, 2007 5:42 PM by adron | 0 Comments
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Oddball Commute

Thursday morning Jo was leaving on a flight out of PDX.  So we got up at 3:30am even though I knew this was a bit early it made her feel more comfortable.  We headed out in the 350Z for one of those rare "public city street usages" toward the Read More
posted Sunday, November 18, 2007 4:26 PM by adron | 2 Comments
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Work Environment by Mode

Another "differences in mode" entry.  This one is work environments.  I've worked in various environments, and the commute is definitely not the only factor, but it does play a HUGE part in the mood, environment, and attitudes of employees.  Read More
posted Tuesday, November 13, 2007 12:46 PM by adron | 0 Comments
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Portland, Spokane, and back on the Empire Builder

I realized just today, months after the trip, that I had written it up as promised.  Well this is my second attempt, at what was at least a multiple page entry!  Hopefully I remember the majority of things that are of some interest. At 4:45 Read More
posted Friday, November 09, 2007 11:12 PM by adron | 0 Comments
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Morning Brunch in Woodstock

I just wanted to test a map, so I figured I'd present a map of my morning brunch trip. View Larger Map Technorati Tags: Google Maps , Google Transit del.icio.us Tags: Google Maps , Google Transit Read More
posted Friday, November 09, 2007 10:38 PM by adron | 0 Comments
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I Have a Whole Lot of Things to Say...

TriMet and the knee jerk reaction of people.  So now, when ONE attack actually happens and gets reported by the news a reaction takes place....I'll have a lot more to say on the reaction and the stupidity of what is going down, from EVERY side of Read More
posted Tuesday, November 06, 2007 8:42 AM by adron | 0 Comments
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Oh My God, The Crime!

Maybe it is because I grew up in the south.  Integrity of personal honor is taught at an early age.  You learn real early that you don't take crap from anyone and you stand up for yourself, your family, and your friends.  Sometimes you Read More
posted Friday, November 02, 2007 9:32 PM by adron | 0 Comments
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Buses Versus Streetcars (or Light Rail Vehicles/Interurbans)

This is purely a "riding" advantage list. Plusses for Buses: They can go around people turning and other minor delays. If there is a road out, another path can be taken (if decent rail infrastructure still existed this wouldn't be an advantage). Plusses Read More
posted Friday, November 02, 2007 7:34 PM by adron | 0 Comments
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More Foreign Rail Parts! Streetcar Switch and now more!

I recently was informated the streetcar switch failure required a replacement part from Germany.  I'm startled to find out that the cross sections added to the downtown tracks where the Green/Yellow and Blue/Red Lines will cross are also foreign.  Read More
posted Friday, November 02, 2007 1:30 PM by adron | 0 Comments
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I got the Right Train!

Today's morning commute went a little better.  The traffic was not as bad, allowing me to get onto and off of the I-5 bridge within just a few minutes.  I also got to the Delta Vanport Stop in time to catch the 7:55am train instead of the 8:10am Read More
posted Friday, November 02, 2007 2:26 AM by adron | 2 Comments
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Beer! Beer! Beer! Beer Commute!

The return commute from Portland to Vancouver took a slight switch from the straight trip.  After work I took the Blue Line from Pioneer Square to Burnside Bridge.  There I walked up a block to Berbattis and enjoyed a nice Black Butte Porter.  Read More
posted Thursday, November 01, 2007 7:30 PM by adron | 0 Comments
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Morning Commute from Vancouver

Settled into the rural, almost suburban, house I rose at 6:45am to prepare for my south bound trip to Portland proper.  I was out the door by 7:30am and into the traffic.  Utilizing my father's 1993 Nissan Altima with 186,000+ miles for the Read More
posted Thursday, November 01, 2007 5:10 PM by adron | 0 Comments
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