After not having done so for a while now, I was able to bike-commute again yesterday (yey!). But for some reason, I didn't enjoy it as much as I had expected. The ride to the office was easy enough and took only 36 minutes. The ride home was slower (about 46 minutes), partly because I'd decided to take it easy, but more so because the afternoon rush hour was worse. Then I realised I didn't enjoy the ride because of the traffic. This became more apparent on my way to work this morning while riding the FX (see previous post). The traffic was just so bad, I was glad I didn't drive to work.
It's just disappointing that the advent of the Christmas season brings along with it the frustration of heavy traffic. And that something like this has taken some of the joy away from one of my most favorite things in the world: riding my bike.
Ho-ho-ho...
Showing posts with label The Joys of Commuting. Show all posts
Showing posts with label The Joys of Commuting. Show all posts
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
#&*%$^)*^$@!$!!!!!
Allow me to vent...
I was lining up at the FX terminal this morning (yes, there was a loooong line, for some reason) when a guy came in after me asking if I was the last in line. I said yes. Before I knew it, he had cut in and was 8 people in front of me! (it's difficult to describe here, but if you've lined up waiting for an FX, you'll know what I mean; otherwise, you're left to your imagination).
I had to restrain myself from making a scene and telling him off for cutting in like that, quite subtly at that. It took every ounce of the energy I was saving (not to make a scene), to not tell him to go back to kindergarten for not knowing how to fall in line. What an absolute jerk-o-saurus!
I finally consoled myself when the jerk ended up riding the same FX taxi I was in, effectively nullifying any advantage he attempted to get with his idiotic act.
Good Wednesday morning!
I was lining up at the FX terminal this morning (yes, there was a loooong line, for some reason) when a guy came in after me asking if I was the last in line. I said yes. Before I knew it, he had cut in and was 8 people in front of me! (it's difficult to describe here, but if you've lined up waiting for an FX, you'll know what I mean; otherwise, you're left to your imagination).
I had to restrain myself from making a scene and telling him off for cutting in like that, quite subtly at that. It took every ounce of the energy I was saving (not to make a scene), to not tell him to go back to kindergarten for not knowing how to fall in line. What an absolute jerk-o-saurus!
I finally consoled myself when the jerk ended up riding the same FX taxi I was in, effectively nullifying any advantage he attempted to get with his idiotic act.
Good Wednesday morning!
Thursday, September 25, 2008
Cellphone commute
Public commuting has given me a chance to study human behavior. I've learned (or maybe just inferred) to profile people based on their mobile phones. Or more specifically, their cellphone wallpaper.
1. Photo of a baby/child - that person is a parent (married or not). Either that or they are just fond of that particular niece or nephew; or he/she is a pedophile.
2. Photo of the opposite sex - it's likely that he/she is attached to that person (assuming it's not Katrina Halili or Brad Pitt on the phone). If it's the spouse's photo, it's likely that they don't have kids yet.
3. Photo of self with "significant other" - attached, but not married.
4. Photo of self - either he/she is unattached (most probably), or if attached, is just plain old narcissistic. He/she can still be narcissistic if unattached though.
Strangely enough, this last case is the most common I've observed.
1. Photo of a baby/child - that person is a parent (married or not). Either that or they are just fond of that particular niece or nephew; or he/she is a pedophile.
2. Photo of the opposite sex - it's likely that he/she is attached to that person (assuming it's not Katrina Halili or Brad Pitt on the phone). If it's the spouse's photo, it's likely that they don't have kids yet.
3. Photo of self with "significant other" - attached, but not married.
4. Photo of self - either he/she is unattached (most probably), or if attached, is just plain old narcissistic. He/she can still be narcissistic if unattached though.
Strangely enough, this last case is the most common I've observed.
Thursday Travel Tale
I was supposed to pick up the car from the shop this morning, as it was due to be fixed. Alas, the mechanic said they still had to keep it for the whole day to break in the new piston rings they installed. I'd have to come back tomorrow then.
And so, I had to take a jeepney to the Quezon Avenue FX station. My usual route takes me to the SM North FX station; but the car shop is along Quezon Ave.
As I boarded the FX, I was greeted by something I haven't heard in a while. Cr@ppy radio station banter. For some strange reason, the FXs over at SM North don't play this trash.
I didn't bother to determine which station was playing, and just drowned out the inanity with Snow Patrol playing on my BT headset. And to think I was considering going back to using this route...
Good Thursday morning!
And so, I had to take a jeepney to the Quezon Avenue FX station. My usual route takes me to the SM North FX station; but the car shop is along Quezon Ave.
As I boarded the FX, I was greeted by something I haven't heard in a while. Cr@ppy radio station banter. For some strange reason, the FXs over at SM North don't play this trash.
I didn't bother to determine which station was playing, and just drowned out the inanity with Snow Patrol playing on my BT headset. And to think I was considering going back to using this route...
Good Thursday morning!
Monday, April 23, 2007
Star... Energy... Love... CR@P!
There outta be a law...
What a great way to start the day: ride a PUV to work and listen to cr@ppy music which occasionally interrupts inane and vacuous "dialogue" between unbelievably annoying voice overs pretending to be "DJs."
I'm pretty sure there's a law somewhere, prohibiting playing music on public conveyances. Or is that just playing "loud" music? I guess one could argue that the radio station isn't playing music at all, just interspersing melodious (debatable) sounds in between far-from-witty repartee.
Honestly, I can't imagine anyone wanting to be greeted in the morning by such nonsense.
Yet another contributor to the retardation of my countrymen's sensibilities and intellect.
There outta be a law...
What a great way to start the day: ride a PUV to work and listen to cr@ppy music which occasionally interrupts inane and vacuous "dialogue" between unbelievably annoying voice overs pretending to be "DJs."
I'm pretty sure there's a law somewhere, prohibiting playing music on public conveyances. Or is that just playing "loud" music? I guess one could argue that the radio station isn't playing music at all, just interspersing melodious (debatable) sounds in between far-from-witty repartee.
Honestly, I can't imagine anyone wanting to be greeted in the morning by such nonsense.
Yet another contributor to the retardation of my countrymen's sensibilities and intellect.
There outta be a law...
Monday, March 12, 2007
MRT quotable quotes
Heard during one of my morning rides to work on the Metro Rail Transit (MRT):
Train driver/voice over: "Ang hindi po makakasakay, sa next train na lang po; sa next train."
Direct translation: "For those who are not able to get on the train, please wait for the next one."
Ohhh-kayyy, like they have a choice...
On yet another day:
Train driver/voice over: "Umiwas po tayo sa mandurukot."
Direct translation: "Please avoid pickpockets."
As if pickpockets had a big sign over their heads saying "I'm a pickpocket."
Train driver/voice over: "Ang hindi po makakasakay, sa next train na lang po; sa next train."
Direct translation: "For those who are not able to get on the train, please wait for the next one."
Ohhh-kayyy, like they have a choice...
On yet another day:
Train driver/voice over: "Umiwas po tayo sa mandurukot."
Direct translation: "Please avoid pickpockets."
As if pickpockets had a big sign over their heads saying "I'm a pickpocket."
Tuesday, March 06, 2007
Bike commute 06 March 2007
Yep, I rode my bike to work again today ;-) [pat myself on the back... ;p ]
I almost decided not to, seeing how this morning's sky was pretty overcast, and a cool breeze was blowing. But it's almost quitting time now, and I haven't seen a hint of rain all day.
The ride in was quite uneventful, and I made better time compared to last week's.
I am still amazed by how fast the Nanoraptors roll. And the big size makes for a comfy ride, too. I may hold off getting a new pair of slicks and stay with these for a while. They're pretty awesome on-road, commuting tires!
I hope the ride home goes well...
I almost decided not to, seeing how this morning's sky was pretty overcast, and a cool breeze was blowing. But it's almost quitting time now, and I haven't seen a hint of rain all day.
The ride in was quite uneventful, and I made better time compared to last week's.
I am still amazed by how fast the Nanoraptors roll. And the big size makes for a comfy ride, too. I may hold off getting a new pair of slicks and stay with these for a while. They're pretty awesome on-road, commuting tires!
I hope the ride home goes well...
Wednesday, February 28, 2007
Bike commute 27 Feb 2007
I finally got to bike to work again yesterday!
The last time I did was so long ago (months!), somebody put away my helmet and I almost didn't find it the night before.
I've been planning to bike-commute for at least a couple of weeks now. But I came down with a bad cough and couldn't risk it getting worse. I'd already prepped my bike, cleaning it, lubing the chain, and changing the tires and tubes.
About 2 weeks ago, I was awakened by a loud Bang! which distinctly sounded like a tire blowing up. I figured, in my half dozed state, that it was most likely my bike's tire, as I had aired them up the night before, hoping to bike to work the next day. True enough, when I went downstairs after breakfast to check on my bike, the rear tire was shot. Bike-commute postponed!
I discovered later that week as I was about to change the tube, that a section of the wire bead somehow broke away from the main bead. The exposed wire tore through the inner tube, creating a long gash. I thought to myself, good thing I have a lot of extra inner tubes... but after having stored them for so long, four of them already had tears/holes in them! Good thing I had a pile of them and finally found a usable one. I had to mount the only spare tires I had (2.1 Nanoraptors) . I just aired them up to 54-58 psi to roll faster on-road.
My body and the weather finally proved cooperative yesterday, so I headed out with much anticipation. I decided I'd take things easy and target a 1-hour travel time (I can do the whole trip in about 35 minutes). But traffic wasn't so bad (why couldn't it be like that when I take the car???), and for some reason, despite my lack of fitness, I was cycling along at a good clip. I also noticed that the Nanos rolled noticeably easier than the unbranded 1.5 slicks they replaced. Go figure...
I rolled down into the office basement and gave a quick nod to the guard, mentioning my company name and sped down to the lower levels. Apparently the guard was caught "off guard," so to speak, and didn't have time to question me further.
Only when I got down to the 3rd basement, when I was locking up my bike, did I find out that the first guard (or the "OIC" manning the security cams) had the 3rd basement guard question me. The security detail this time all looked unfamiliar to me (probably a new agency), so I must've looked unfamiliar to them, too. The guard who approached me asked if I had any sort of proof on my person (a letter or whatever) that allowed me to park where I was parking. I thought to myself, of course not! Why would I bring around something like that when I had already received clearance from the building admin ages ago. I even had to write a letter to them, asking permission to park my bike in the basement. Such heartless creatures!
Anyway, I told the guy I wouldn't dream of parking my bike there if I didn't get prior permission; that I'd submitted the letter a long time ago (2004?) and have been occasionally parking my bike there since.
Apart from the insulting welcome into the building, my ride to work once again proved very rejuvenating.
The ride home was just as enjoyable. Since my headlight wasn't available (no batteries), I had to leave the office earlier than usual so I could still ride with the sun up. My trip was even faster this time (I dunno why that's usually the case. Is Sampaloc generally downhill from Pasig?). But since I am out of shape, I felt the tiredness more.
With my energy sapped, I couldn't wait to go to bed that night. But the fun and exhilaration, endorphins, and muscle-burn-after-a-good-long-workout was well worth it.
Sa uulitin!
The last time I did was so long ago (months!), somebody put away my helmet and I almost didn't find it the night before.
I've been planning to bike-commute for at least a couple of weeks now. But I came down with a bad cough and couldn't risk it getting worse. I'd already prepped my bike, cleaning it, lubing the chain, and changing the tires and tubes.
About 2 weeks ago, I was awakened by a loud Bang! which distinctly sounded like a tire blowing up. I figured, in my half dozed state, that it was most likely my bike's tire, as I had aired them up the night before, hoping to bike to work the next day. True enough, when I went downstairs after breakfast to check on my bike, the rear tire was shot. Bike-commute postponed!
I discovered later that week as I was about to change the tube, that a section of the wire bead somehow broke away from the main bead. The exposed wire tore through the inner tube, creating a long gash. I thought to myself, good thing I have a lot of extra inner tubes... but after having stored them for so long, four of them already had tears/holes in them! Good thing I had a pile of them and finally found a usable one. I had to mount the only spare tires I had (2.1 Nanoraptors) . I just aired them up to 54-58 psi to roll faster on-road.
My body and the weather finally proved cooperative yesterday, so I headed out with much anticipation. I decided I'd take things easy and target a 1-hour travel time (I can do the whole trip in about 35 minutes). But traffic wasn't so bad (why couldn't it be like that when I take the car???), and for some reason, despite my lack of fitness, I was cycling along at a good clip. I also noticed that the Nanos rolled noticeably easier than the unbranded 1.5 slicks they replaced. Go figure...
I rolled down into the office basement and gave a quick nod to the guard, mentioning my company name and sped down to the lower levels. Apparently the guard was caught "off guard," so to speak, and didn't have time to question me further.
Only when I got down to the 3rd basement, when I was locking up my bike, did I find out that the first guard (or the "OIC" manning the security cams) had the 3rd basement guard question me. The security detail this time all looked unfamiliar to me (probably a new agency), so I must've looked unfamiliar to them, too. The guard who approached me asked if I had any sort of proof on my person (a letter or whatever) that allowed me to park where I was parking. I thought to myself, of course not! Why would I bring around something like that when I had already received clearance from the building admin ages ago. I even had to write a letter to them, asking permission to park my bike in the basement. Such heartless creatures!
Anyway, I told the guy I wouldn't dream of parking my bike there if I didn't get prior permission; that I'd submitted the letter a long time ago (2004?) and have been occasionally parking my bike there since.
Apart from the insulting welcome into the building, my ride to work once again proved very rejuvenating.
The ride home was just as enjoyable. Since my headlight wasn't available (no batteries), I had to leave the office earlier than usual so I could still ride with the sun up. My trip was even faster this time (I dunno why that's usually the case. Is Sampaloc generally downhill from Pasig?). But since I am out of shape, I felt the tiredness more.
With my energy sapped, I couldn't wait to go to bed that night. But the fun and exhilaration, endorphins, and muscle-burn-after-a-good-long-workout was well worth it.
Sa uulitin!
Friday, February 23, 2007
New record!
28 minutes for a public commute from my house to the office! That's a new record!
I can attribute it to a few things:
1. The first FX I rode was brand-spanking new (the seats were still covered in the original, factory plastic) and had no trouble zipping past all other cars even though it had a diesel engine;
2. Traffic on EDSA was relatively light; and
3. The driver of my second FX (on EDSA) drove like a madman
I can attribute it to a few things:
1. The first FX I rode was brand-spanking new (the seats were still covered in the original, factory plastic) and had no trouble zipping past all other cars even though it had a diesel engine;
2. Traffic on EDSA was relatively light; and
3. The driver of my second FX (on EDSA) drove like a madman
Thursday, February 22, 2007
Morning commute thoughts 21 Feb 2007 (Part II)
My morning musings has led me to another topic which is actually related to motorbikes: roadworthy-ness.
But this time, I'm talking about all road vehicles in general.
Dictionary.com defines roadworthy as
in suitable operating condition or meeting accepted standards for safe driving on the road
Based on this definition, I would think at least 90% of all public utility vehicles (PUVs), and at least half of all vehicles would prove to be "roadunworthy." Do we even have "accepted standards for safe driving"...???
Take a jeepney for example. I've never ridden one that had functional dashboard dials/instruments. I can count on the fingers of one hand (OK, two hands) the number of jeepneys that had functional signal lights (and brake/parking lights for that matter). And what's with those teeny windshield wipers? It's just a small oscillating motor swinging a small squeegee back and forth against the windshield. More than a couple of times I've ridden a jeepney during a downpour with the driver twisting a small switch back and forth to move the wiper blade.
While driving on busy streets, I've tailed quite a few tricycles WITHOUT ANY LIGHTS at all! No tail lights, no signal lights, and some don't even have a headlight!
I don't even want to go into detail about those "rolling coffins" on EDSA. Good thing a lot of people don't ride them anymore (many buses on EDSA are practically empty, even during rush hour).
And what about those brand-spanking new sedans that weave in and out of traffic without any signals whatsoever? You'd wonder why such a nice car would have non-functional signal lights...
Oh wait, it's not so much the car that's questioned as roadworthy... more like the driver. But that folks, is another story altogether...
But this time, I'm talking about all road vehicles in general.
Dictionary.com defines roadworthy as
in suitable operating condition or meeting accepted standards for safe driving on the road
Based on this definition, I would think at least 90% of all public utility vehicles (PUVs), and at least half of all vehicles would prove to be "roadunworthy." Do we even have "accepted standards for safe driving"...???
Take a jeepney for example. I've never ridden one that had functional dashboard dials/instruments. I can count on the fingers of one hand (OK, two hands) the number of jeepneys that had functional signal lights (and brake/parking lights for that matter). And what's with those teeny windshield wipers? It's just a small oscillating motor swinging a small squeegee back and forth against the windshield. More than a couple of times I've ridden a jeepney during a downpour with the driver twisting a small switch back and forth to move the wiper blade.
While driving on busy streets, I've tailed quite a few tricycles WITHOUT ANY LIGHTS at all! No tail lights, no signal lights, and some don't even have a headlight!
I don't even want to go into detail about those "rolling coffins" on EDSA. Good thing a lot of people don't ride them anymore (many buses on EDSA are practically empty, even during rush hour).
And what about those brand-spanking new sedans that weave in and out of traffic without any signals whatsoever? You'd wonder why such a nice car would have non-functional signal lights...
Oh wait, it's not so much the car that's questioned as roadworthy... more like the driver. But that folks, is another story altogether...
Morning commute thoughts 21 Feb 2007 (Part I)
A couple of thoughts on traffic and commuting started dancing around in my head, on my way to work yesterday morning.
I was riding an (a?) FX whose aircon was so pitiful I had to whip out (quite proudly if I may add) my girly, blue, foldable fan.
First thought: motorbikes
Considering these motorized, two-wheelers plying Metro Manila streets, one is led to wonder if there is some law governing their usage. There is no doubt to the advantages of using these zippy modes of transport - they're cheap, fuel efficient, and can get you from point A to point B quickly, even if it means doing horizontal loop-de-loops around automobiles and pedestrians.
I can only shake my head whenever I see a motorbike lacking the basic safety equipment. Most motorbikes (especially those new, smaller motorcycles which are widely popular for their customizable accessories) don't have side mirrors. Again, I can only guess if this is legislated, or left to the user's discretion.
Helmets are required riding paraphernalia as far as one Metro city I know of, but I'm not sure if it's a national law. What saddens me most is seeing an entire family (mom, dad, and several kids!) riding ONE motorbike - the smallest is sandwiched between parents while the other 2 hold on to mom at the back for dear life. And more often than not, motorbikes with 2 or more riders almost always only have one helmeted rider: the driver. I've even seen kids riding motorized scooters on their own!
I read (or heard) in the news somewhere that motorbike accidents and fatalities have increased recently,most likely due to the fact that there are now more of them out there.
I'm pretty sure that with high fuel prices, these motorized mayhems will continue to grow in popularity, and with the [seemingly] absence of government regulation (both in the sales/distibution and safety enforcement), motorbike accidents would prove "popular" as well. And that's without saying that motorbikes are the transportation of choice of drive-by snatchers...
Next post: roadworthy-ness
I was riding an (a?) FX whose aircon was so pitiful I had to whip out (quite proudly if I may add) my girly, blue, foldable fan.
First thought: motorbikes
Considering these motorized, two-wheelers plying Metro Manila streets, one is led to wonder if there is some law governing their usage. There is no doubt to the advantages of using these zippy modes of transport - they're cheap, fuel efficient, and can get you from point A to point B quickly, even if it means doing horizontal loop-de-loops around automobiles and pedestrians.
I can only shake my head whenever I see a motorbike lacking the basic safety equipment. Most motorbikes (especially those new, smaller motorcycles which are widely popular for their customizable accessories) don't have side mirrors. Again, I can only guess if this is legislated, or left to the user's discretion.
Helmets are required riding paraphernalia as far as one Metro city I know of, but I'm not sure if it's a national law. What saddens me most is seeing an entire family (mom, dad, and several kids!) riding ONE motorbike - the smallest is sandwiched between parents while the other 2 hold on to mom at the back for dear life. And more often than not, motorbikes with 2 or more riders almost always only have one helmeted rider: the driver. I've even seen kids riding motorized scooters on their own!
I read (or heard) in the news somewhere that motorbike accidents and fatalities have increased recently,most likely due to the fact that there are now more of them out there.
I'm pretty sure that with high fuel prices, these motorized mayhems will continue to grow in popularity, and with the [seemingly] absence of government regulation (both in the sales/distibution and safety enforcement), motorbike accidents would prove "popular" as well. And that's without saying that motorbikes are the transportation of choice of drive-by snatchers...
Next post: roadworthy-ness
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