blog.nickmessick.com » work

Escalators are Made For Walking

nmessick — Thu, 06 Dec 2007 01:54:15 +0000

In my short tenure as a subway commuter, I have come to find something that infiltrates me to no end: People who stand on escalators. I don’t have hate for the people who stand off to one side and let others pass. I’m talking about those who take up the whole width. The thought that some people might want to past them never enters their minds.

Now, I am well aware that the 5 seconds I save walking up the escalator doesn’t amount to much. Life is too short to stress out and I am no better then people who cut you off on the freeway blah blah blah etc. etc. These are all valid points and perhaps I should slow down and enjoy myself.

But I have people to see and all that, so I need my commute to be efficient as possible. Those five seconds will eventually add up to an extra hour one day. I went through the trouble of quiting smoking so I want all the minutes of my life I can get.

The irony of all of this is that I often see a “Oh Fuck! I’m late! If only there was a way to get to where I am going faster!” expression on these people’s faces. Oh well, it’s a good thing I got my iPhone. I can always check out some the blogs I follow on the way up out of the station.

Public Transit Doesn’t Suck as Much as You Think

nmessick — Fri, 30 Nov 2007 02:35:04 +0000

After a month of taking public transportaion I have this to say about it: Rock.

Seriously, I’ve had hour and a half commutes and I know how much they suck. But, 1.5 hours in a bus/subway/train isn’t that bad. 1.5 hours on the 101 in a car fucking blows. It’s less than 25 miles to work, but that’s at least an hour on the 101 on a good morning.

Here’s all the things I can do on the way work now that I couldn’t do when I drove:

Read a book.
Sleep (!)
Listen to music
Screw around the Internet with my iPhone

Choice #2 is seriously the best. I realized that if I don’t get a car, 5 hours a sleep isn’t that bad. It was the drive in/out that always killed me when I am tired.

Since commuting this way is the best thing ever, I’ll be sure to write more about and convince everyone how great it is.

We’re Definitely not in Calabasas Anymore

nmessick — Sun, 18 Nov 2007 01:57:54 +0000

photo:2021856646
This is the view from my boss’s office on the 49th floor. It definitely looks very different from my former building, a two story dealy on Agoura Road in Calabasas. From that window I can see the Hollywood Sign off in the distance and even the big buildings at Universal Studios are visible. If I turn my head to the west I can see the beach.

I think the best part of Downtown vs Calabasas is that I no longer have to eat at Sharkey’s every god damn week because it is one of the half dozen places to eat within walking distance. I have more choices than that at the farmer’s market that shows up across the street every Wednesday.

I do miss the hot soccer moms, although I was in constant danger of getting run over by one of them in her SUV with her ear glued to her phone. So I guess it all evens out.