So like every single day, I catch the train this morning 1 stop over to Jackson Heights. I head down towards the express train which I take to WTC. And as happens every so often, there is a row of people 5 lines deep waiting. Barely any room to even walk.

First thought? Oh man, I’m screwed! 2nd thought, no, screw this. I realize that there is no way I’m getting on this train this a.m. 2 trains come, packed as it is and the line barely gets dented, now its 4 1/2 people deep and still regenerating and growing.
I decide to cross over and catch the local train towards work. It takes me all the way downtown to where I can walk to wall street. However it is a local train, and makes for a long painful ride. But at least I’m moving towards my goal, it is what it is.

I always wonder what happens to cause these types of days. Last night we had a little bit of snow, its the only elemental variant that has occurred. It appears that a little itsy bitsy bit of snow can mess up the trains to no end. So annoying.

So I figure to distract my mind and keep myself entertained I would write a blog about the subway and how much I hate commuting.

I’m considering getting a job much closer to where-ever I end up buying a place. I’ll scout the area and see what’s available work wise. As long as I can afford my mortgage, have money for my family and my other expenses, then I’m not to afraid of a small pay cut. SMALL.

I’d rather a much happier start to the day. Days like today make me miserable from the start, parts of my body start to twitch, and my feet ache more than usual from the extra long ride. No fun. And the kicker is that I haven’t even arrived at work yet, already miserable. Not good.

Truth be told though, I doubt I could make anywhere near what I earn now in Queens or any of the boroughs, not in my current job. Not too likely. But it doesn’t hurt to look around. Even working in midtown would make my commute much shorter and pleasant.

I like my team, and the job I have now is a good job. I earn on the high end for what I do. I believe as a tech, you can’t make more money providing support than in the financial industry. Now this is not to say we make as much as the traders, or other people on the trading floor, not by a long shot, but compared to techs in other areas, law firms, hospitals, etc, we earn a “higher” salary, by comparison.

That being said, unless its something very good, good pay, that has long term promise, I’m not going anywhere. I could always work at the courts as a court officer, but I’d be taking a massive pay cut, so that’s not going to happen anytime soon.

I was looking at fbi jobs, cia, and other government type jobs. I can do my 20 yrs of service and still retire earlier than I would otherwise. I should of taken that fbi job 13 years ago, I’d be 7 years from a life long government pension. Instead I’m nowhere near retirement. Depressing.

What do you guys think? Would you (do you) deal with the crazy commute for higher pay, or would you (do you) stay local for a better quality of life? Both have their pros and cons, unless you are really lucky and land a gig that is close to home and pays high, or you can afford living in the city close to your job which I can’t afford.

Thoughts?

As I hoped, I am almost at work, writing distracted me. Oh wait. Just several stops before, literally right now, they announce my train is bypassing all its manhattan stops and going express to dekalb, brooklyn. Great.

(I get off and start walking)

As I know the subway rather well, I jumped off, I’m walking to a nearby station where I can catch another train to my objective, and there it goes, I just missed the train.

(Several moments pass)

I’m on the train now. So I wonder, has this a.m’s commute experience helped in making my case? I hate the mta. Increased fares, more cuts, less trains, less service. What a business model huh! I hate it.

I’m done writing for now, I’m tired.