The Slush Puddle Dance

Let the melting begin!  The slightly warmer weather this week in the Northeast will mean scenes like this will be playing out on a street corner near you!

Winter Afternoon in the Bar Car

Every time I get on a train, I take a quick glance down the platform to see if there is a "Bar Car."  There's more room to stretch out in these cars,  and I'm more likely to have a range of potential commuters to sketch and draw inspiration from.  Recently in the press, it's been lamented that the days of the bar car numbered as the Metro North Commuter Railroad replaces aging railcars, including the symbolic bar cars.  Although there has been talk of the next generation "Cafe Car" no funding has been set aside for construction.  As one columnist pointed out, the need for seats trumps the need for booze - I'm sure I might find a few happy hour commuters who would disagree.

Nevertheless, I will miss these cars for their sheer convenience.  Let's face it, unlike the regular cars, there's never a question of "filling the middle seat" with the bench style seating. The lack of contoured seating makes it easy to move, and make way for one more.  And more importantly, everyone's more friendlier when they have a beer or plastic cup of spirits in their hand - this was especially the case for all those who have experienced summer commutes when the air conditioning wouldn't be working.  So Cheers to the Bar Car - here's too a few rounds (and a few more rides) for they're gone.

The Twelve Days of Christmas

I hope your train ride home was a little more peaceful than this!  Wishing you a great holiday season where visions of clean and quiet train cars dance in your head.

Gathering The Reindeer

That's right, across the platform from your train as you're trying to get home, it may just not be a figure of your imagination.  It's time once again for the reindeer to head home too and get ready for their big night on the 24th.  And it's time for you to go home and get a little more sleep!

Happy Thanksgivukkah

Have a great short week and safe journeys whether by plane, train, or automobile!

A Walk Above Ground

Alright, I know the temperature dropped this week so being outside was a rude awakening - the subways might have still felt warm in comparison?  But when I do walk I have a great time enjoying the streetscape.  Walking past the Stephen A Schwarzman Building  - the New York Public Library on 42nd street - is great, even if it's a little cold.  

Candy Crush? I'll Take The Next Train...

This is for all those of you who made it home on Halloween Night in hopes of passing out candy only to find yourself eating most of it yourself - and what's even better is playing the next round of Candy Crush - level 34 and counting...

Headless Commuting

While many commuters can think of several officials who should be "headless" or "brainless" after yet another year of difficult commuting in Southwestern Connecticut, this illustration comes just in time for the end of October.  The Fox Network's debut of Sleepy Hollow this fall has once again cast a spotlight on the tales of Washington Irving and the Headless Horseman.  Although the series takes many liberties with the concept of the Headless Horseman, its inspired a great following and a few copycats in and around the town of Sleepy Hollow in Westchester County, New York.  So, the real question is, are you sure it's the lack of coffee that makes you do a double take at this time of the year?

And Then They Start to Fall (On You)

Alright, the trees are finally starting to put on their final act of the season.  You may have spent this past weekend admiring the colors, but to the seasoned commuter, the leaves can be surprisingly devilish.  As you stand on the platform and the express train rushes past you - the leaves come flying from behind.  In the blast of air that follows the train, the leaves soar, zoom, and even dive bomb the innocent on the platform, especially those who are wearing their textured harris tweeds.  So whether you find the leaves enchanting or a downright nuisance, I'm sure they'll find you first waiting for the train.

In The Good Old Days...

Alright, when it comes to commuting, the good old days really aren't all that good.  But anything seems better after this week.  Once again, commuters on Metro North New Haven Line were always on their toes this week, literally (trying to find space in the packed rail cars) and figuratively (trying to keep up with the daily service changes).

So in the spirit of all things romanticized and retro, I bring to you my latest illustration of traveling into New York City via Metro North Railroad.  Inspired from the railroad posters of the 1930s and 40s this poster glamorizes the trip into Manhattan. I know it doesn't feel this special every morning when you pull into Grand Central, but you still really are entering one of the greatest cities in the world.  Take a close look at the architecture and see if you can correctly identify all the architectural landmarks. Enjoy, and maybe by next week we'll finally be back to (somewhat) normal...