Archive | February 4, 2020
February 4, 2020  

‘Amtrak Downeaster’ From Dover, N.H. To Boston, North Station: Not Bad At All, BUT Slow & Expensive!

by Anura Guruge

Click to ENLARGE.



We are not strangers to Amtrak. We have taken Amtrak — and even the Acela — from Boston to New York (and back, and even once from Philadelphia) many, many times. But, the ‘Downeaster’ was a mystery — a service that I had never previously considered. Plus, it is strange, it is not something that readily comes to mind because I rarely see ‘Downeaster’ trains in action.

But, this last Sunday, heading to Boston Chinatown for the Lunar New Year celebrations I decided to give the ‘Downeaster’ a spin. It came up as an option when I was Googling bus services. Yes, I normally drive to Boston. I have no problems driving to Boston, though parking can be slightly infuriating. But, I had done a lot of driving in the past month — which had included trips to Boston, Rockland (Maine) and a number of trips to the Portsmouth area. I wanted to sit back and let someone else drive.

Given that there are three of us taking the bus, either from Dover or Concord, would have been cheaper. With the 50% discount I can get as a senior the $28 return-trip fare is definitely fair. But, when you are talking of a family of 3 or 4, even if you can get 50% off on all the tickets, it is expensive. Cheaper to drive, especially on a Sunday when you can park in Boston for ~$11.

But, I wanted to go by train. We haven’t had a proper train trip in 4-years. It was time. It was relaxing. It was nice.

It was not fast. I clocked it using GPS. Was doing around 55mph. 98 minutes from Dover to North Station. In a good day I can drive from home to Downtown Boston in 90 minutes. So, faster speed definitely is not factor.

Nice scenic route. Through tons of undeveloped land. Much more scenic than taking I-93 or I-95. That was a plus.

Good trip. Enjoyed it. I will do it again — mainly just for the love of traveling by train.

Related Posts:
Search ‘trains’.

by Anura Guruge

February 4, 2020  

The Picture Of The Day (Google Pixel 4) + 6 Also-Rans — February 4, 2020.

by Anura Guruge

NO post-processing whatsoever.

Taken with my Google Pixel 4 Phone.

Click pictures to ENLARGE.

Attribution WILL be enforced.

cactus Anura Guruge Google Pixel 4

The also rans:






Related posts:
Category ‘Six Images’.

by Anura Guruge

 

February 4, 2020  

Iowa Caucus Results — Disingenuousness By The Democratic Candidates.

by Anura Guruge

Click to ENLARGE.

Each and every campaign that was involved in the Iowa caucus yesterday KNOWS what the results are. They are just playing cute and not letting on.

How did they know?

Because they had multiple campaign workers at each and every precinct — with a Campaign ‘Captain’ at each precinct to direct the operations.

Come 10pm (or whatever), last night, each Campaign Captain knew the results and counts for their precinct.

Yes, there are over 1,600 precincts in Iowa. But, that is just arithmetic.

Each Campaign Captain would have called in his/her numbers, for their precinct, to the campaign HQ. Then, it is just a case of adding them all up. Each campaign would have the numbers for the entire precinct. So, they each would have the total number.

So, if nothing else each campaign already knows all the numbers. But they choose not to divulge. Just politics. Just crazy.

Related Posts:
Search ‘elections’.

by Anura Guruge

February 4, 2020  

Bullying Is Back BIG Time At ‘Alton Central School’ (ACS), N.H., So, What Does The Administration Do …

by Anura Guruge

Click to ENLARGE and stare at.

Click to access my post.

They make sure kids will not have their phones with them so that they can RECORD the incident or call for HELP.

Honest. I kid you not. This is serious stuff. Could be life and death, especially given that the latest incident involved an 8th-grade boy being physically beaten by two other 8th-grade boys.

That happened last week (the week that started January 27, 2020).

It happened during a ’20-minute’, 8th Grade recess outside. Another 8th grader, who had a phone with them, recorded the whole incident.

Folks, including other parents, have seen the video. No, I have not seen it. But a friend of ours did and told us about it.

Vicious beating with foul language. 8th grade boy being beaten up by two other boys.

Yes, we know the name of all three involved. The two attackers are related (but I won’t divulge how they are related because that might prove too much of a clue to their identity). It is also the case that the parents of those involved actually know each other, socially!

Yes, I e-mailed the Principal & Assistant Principal (who I have known for years) about this incident last weekend. They as such know that I know. I urged them to take the necessary action. As I expected they did not respond.

NO TEACHERS PRESENT.

The beating is NOT broken up by any adults.

No teachers present.

The ACS Admin, extremely political savvy, was MOST distressed that there was a video of the incident! That was their main worry. That there was a video. Now they can’t spin the facts. There is a video.

So, what is the first thing they do. Make sure that kids will not have phones on them.

They do not want more videos.

What can I say.

We have no more skin in the game. We are homeschooling our 13-year old.

We spent nearly 3-years trying to minimize bullying at ACS. We thought we had succeeded. Obviously we had not. Pity.

I will monitor the situation. It would be so much better if current parents get involved. Bullying must be stopped.

What happened last Thursday was inexcusable.

Where were the teachers.

I am so glad that we have a VIDEO of it.

Please ….

Related posts:
Search ‘ACS’.

by Anura Guruge

%d bloggers like this: