My backpack/Macbook was turned into the MTA lost and found and returned to me a few days ago. Sorry I didn’t keep all of you wonderful, concerned people up to date. The whole Lock Box system might be pretty flawed, but Shanice rom the MTA and I really shared a wonderful moment when I recognized my bag. She was genuinely glad that she helped, and I was fucking ecstatic to get my computer back.
I rode the train in from Connecticut this morning and I slept the whole way clutching my backpack on my lap.
Have you ever wondered what would happen if you forgot your backpack on a MetroNorth train to New Haven? Well you’re in luck, that happened to me this weekend. Here is how it works.
1. The conductor sweeps the train after everyone gets off to find any belongings that were left behind and puts them in a “lock box.” It’s called a lock box because anything they put there can’t come out until it’s at the Lost and Found center at Grand Central even if your backpack has your lap top in it and you really, really need it.
2. The lock box can’t be reopened by anyone at Union Station in New Haven. Not even to see if your back pack is in there even though you’re not asking for it back you just want to know that it’s in the box and nothing is going to happen to it.
3. You must fill out a lost and found form online at the MTA’s website. It may take two to three business days for them to sort through the lock box. Remember, the guy on the phone has no contact with anyone at MetroNorth and can’t beg them to open the lock box.
4. Despite what the MetroNorth customer service hotline operator says, reporting the backpack to the police does not give them permission to open the lock box- in fact, they don’t even know where the lock box is.
5. Even though the Lost and Found opens on Monday at 7:00 AM, they don’t get any lock boxes from Friday until 4:00 PM. Not even the one the MetroNorth ticket operator said was already on it’s way back to New York.
I spent last weekend with a group of friends. On the first day the cold, wind-swept rain all but forced us to hunker down in our hotel room, where we talked and drank wine and ate crackers and trail mix. I am generally tied to routine, so having no agenda made me feel like a boat without an anchor. But once I got over the weirdness of it, it felt wonderful.It made me realize how important it is to pull yourself out of the familiar. If you don’t, the flexibility to alter and appreciate a different perspective vanishes. The most enviable thing about youth isn’t unwrinkled skin, or the ability to run a mile in under seven minutes. It’s the ability to say what the hell, yes. It’s the ability to sidestep, rather than embrace, routine. It’s the ability to wake up on someone else’s sofa in a place you’ve never been and find yourself slightly off-balance but perfectly at home in the world.
God my mom is such a better writer than me.
Patrick Cassels is hilarious and full of anecdotes. It just didn’t make sense that he didn’t have Tumblr. We pled with him. We reasoned. Jake even organized a petition. But nothing worked.
Today we held an intervention. I organized, Ricky hosted, Jake, Sarah and Amanda wrote letters, and Amir and Blake shot it.
Ladies and gentlemen: patrickcassels.tumblr.com.
I could not be more thrilled. The first post speaks for itself. What a team effort this was, way to go guys!
pile:
Lamebook!
After challenging us to beer pong tournament, Facebook forfeited for “now we’re a big corporate company and not a fun small internet company that can have fun” reasons. We even made these awesome balls!
I’m extra upset because me and Pile were going to be a team. He named us Beerack Oponga.
If you think your life is exciting, you are wrong. Just check out King Theoden from Lord of the Ring’s character quote page. Every single thing he does is epic. If you aren’t clicking that link, I’ll just give you my favorite:
Theoden: Fell deeds awake… Now for Wrath… Now for Ruin… and the Red Dawn…
[horn blows]
Theoden: Forth, Eorlingas!
