Boston Day 3

I spent another full day, UGH, in Boston this past Thursday.

Good news, I wasn't expected until 10:45AM, so I didn't need to get up at the ass-crack of dawn and rush to the train.  I got into the city about an hour before my appointment and since it was a nippy but beautiful day I just walked, a Forest Gump kinda walk, just killing time.

I came across a couple of these odd, huge pink inflatables; one in a tree in the PO Square common and the second, pervertedly peering into a building on Congress street.  Seems these balloon are called "Mr. Pink 3" and is part of art of the Boston Winteractive outdoor art exhibition.

Mr. Pink 3 ("Monsieur Rose")

The brown building behind Mr. Pink 2 is where I had been working for the past~7-years -

I used to work in this building pre 2018, which is literally across PO Square Commons from the building referenced and pictured above -

Took my lunch break on this swinging bench and almost didn't make it back in time, HAHA! Slowly swaying back and fourth in the sun just about put me to sleep.  I need one of these at the house - 

This is a medium Dunkin Donuts coffee.  I remember, "back in the day" maybe late 80's, early 90's, when this was called "The Big Gulp" and cost only $0.95 cents.  The coffee pictured below cost me $3.91 in South Station, Boston, OMG - 

Looking for train and track number on the South Station big board, along with many of the other commuters and travelers -

Taking the commuter rail into and out of the city makes a long day even longer and adds 2-hours to my day, GRRR

Boston Here I Come!

Seems like it was only yesterday that I was taking the MBTA commuter rail into Boston for my full-time job.  I got to relive this wonderful <not so much> experience, as I've spent the last couple of days in Boston.

I can honestly tell you that I do NOT miss it!  The hour train ride in and the hour train ride out is exhausting; the whole process is actually.

I was expecting much more volume on the train too but, nope, it wasn't bad at all.

It was a beautiful day on Monday, so an outside lunch was in order, as well as taking in some people watching!  South Station, the commuter rail hub, is pictured below -

AHH, Regina Pizzeria I missed you SO SO MUCH and SO darn good -

I did my best to start and stop my Strava app in an effort to capture all the walking I got in and the below is what was logged.  However, I did do quite a bit more walking than what's showing -

Hoping Thursday is the last day I need to go in.  It's too darn expensive to park, purchase the rail ticket and eat in the city...

Now That's Italian!

I worked in the Boston office yesterday and I took a nice relaxing walk at lunch yesterday to Faneuil Hall Marketplace.  Once there, and who can resist, I certainly cannot, I grabbed a couple slices of cheese pizza and a bottle of water from Regina Pizza, found a bench in a shady spot and savored each bite as I did some people watching. 

So so tasty!

AND

People are so so weird!

2nd Floor Views

This past Thursday afternoon I took the below pics from the 2nd floor mezzanine, which is a part of my employer's conference center floor.  It's an inviting space, especially in the evenings when they light the firepit.

As you can see it was a beautiful day in the city -

I took the below pic late one afternoon, as the mezzanine was being setup to host an event - 

My employment is quickly coming to an end. A tough pill to swallow after 25 years 😥. Still trying to process it all, as it hasn't sunk in yet, alas.  I'm sure gonna miss it.

Would You Ever?!

It's that time of the season, so it would seem based on what I've been seeing out of the 27th floor of my office building - external, high-rise window washing season, YIKES!

You'd NEVER get me in a basket dangling over the side of a skyscraper, NOPE!  Truth be told, I have a hard enough time walking to the windows inside and looking down without getting a tad queasy!

I circled some of the cranes and the baskets in the above pics -

Weeders Needed

Even rooftop lawns in the big city, about 20+ stories up, have to deal with the dreaded dandelions!

Pesky little buggers -

When You Gotta "Go"!

The South Station Air Rights Project is well underway with noticeable progress being made weekly, from my vantage point on the 27th floor of my neighboring office building.

What they completed, both inside and out, looks nice so far.

Since I get on and off my commuter train at South Station, I'm looking forward to it's completion.

If you've ever wondered about where high-rise construction workers do their "business"...now you know!

Flying porta-potties, several of them -

I shit you not 😂

The City Is A Bloom!

Here are a few pictures of the flowers planted outside my Boston office building -

They do a terrific job and usually have flowers or flowery-type displays all year long, which always match the season.

Another View From 27th Floor

Still a bit nippy in New England but yesterday was another beautiful day in the city!

The sailboats seems to have made their way out of hibernation, as there were oodles of them on the Charles River in the afternoon.

Boston Walkabout

Here are a few pics from my afternoon in Boston this past Sunday.

As you can see it was cloudy and overcast, a tad nippy too, but a good day none-the-less.

The Massachusetts State House -

The Embrace sculpture - 

I've posted pictures from the 27th floor looking out over Boston, how about a view looking up from the sidewalk.  100 Federal Street, also known as Boston's pregnant building, and where my company occupies several floors -

Another trip into the Public Gardens in a week or two is in order, when the oodles of spring bulbs - tulips and daffodils, are in full bloom with all their colors.

Good Morning Boston!

For those not following along on social media...

Here are a couple pictures of the sunrise over the city of Boston, as viewed from the 27 floor of my office building and over a couple different mornings.

Commuting into the city on public transportation - the MBTA, is not a fun experience for me.  I get anxious and cannot stand being that close to people; strange, weird and odd people.

However, my rewards for facing my fears, rising early and an getting into the office long before most others, pays off in spades with views like this one!

#Blessed

Boston Office For The Day

I went into the Boston office the week of Memorial Day.  First time in over 18 months.  Although, we're still work-at-home and our offices not officially open till Labor day, it was a nice change of pace. We essentially had the place to ourselves, so we were able to accomplish everything we went in for.

As I used to do I once again took the MBTA commuter rail in, the purple line.  Perhaps because it was a short week and one that kicks off summer vacations, there were not too many commuters.  However, I was thrown for a loop when I pulled into the commuter parking lot and found that I was the only vehicle there!  Granted it was just before 6AM but there's typically a handful of cars there by the time I arrive, at least pre-pandemic.

Here's a view from the 22nd floor looking out at the Charles River -

New building going up next door.  Amazed at the progress, as the last time I was in the office they were just beginning this build.  Look at it now -

Here's another view of the Charles with the gold dome State House off to the right -

This new building of ours is great.  Open floor concept, which allows you to see out all sides from almost anywhere inside.  However, Boston working is too expensive for my liking.  Costs me $24 to park and take the commuter rail, $5 for my morning coffee and muffin and $18 for lunch, and all I had was a chicken Caesar salad, so it adds up quick.

Boston Skyline from 22

I was in our Boston office for the day earlier this week. Always a nice change of pace. Here are a couple pics looking out the 22nd floor -

Massachusetts State House off in the distance -

 4PM traffic heading south on Rt.3 -

In The Boston Office For The Day!

The view from the 22nd floor, Boston looking out over the Charles River!

You can see for miles on a clear day.

Looking South you can see traffic on the Expressway, almost always moving at a crawl.  Thank goodness for the MBTA commuter rail.  No driving, just sit back, relax and enjoy the train ride in and out of the city.

Summer in the city is great.  Endless lunch options all within walking distance, then dining in the park.  A nice change of pace.

A Boston Work Day!

I worked out of the Boston office this past Tuesday.  The humidity let up and there was a nice breeze, so we headed out for a lunchtime stroll down along the harbor, near the New England Aquarium. 

On the other side of the harbor from where we were several tall ships were still docked at port, as well as a the USS Whidbey Island, which is an island class dock landing ship - impressive!

A nice stroll!

Great harbor views!

A chicken curry rice bowl eaten outside under the shade in PO Square!

People watching!

Topped off with a free blueberry Noosa yoghurt!

Our New Home...

I was in our Boston office last week, actually have been spending quite a bit of time there the past month or so, and with more to come.

The commute via the Commuter Rail is different than my typically drive up and down Rt.495, and VERY expensive too!

I snapped this picture from the 14th floor looking across Post Office Square.  This is the future home for my company!  The Boston office will be moving in it's entirety by the end of 2018.  This building has been nicknamed the Pregnant Building due to it's unusual design, as you can see in the above pic.

Post Office Square Boston

Took the commuter train into Boston on Tuesday for a meeting.

It was a beautiful day in the city, so the walk to and from South Station to our office was enjoyable.

Had lunch at a terrific pizza place called Regina Pizzeria.  I grabbed a couple slices, a cold water and grabbed a bench outside in the shade to do some people watching.

Boston Day Boston Strong