Monthly Archives: October 2012

Connecting (Or: Secaucus Junction train station)

Posted on October 3, 2012 by Niki

Frank R. Lautenberg Station, Secaucus Junction

I have been using the Secaucus Junction train station for over 3 1/2 years now. Since before I had the job I have now – back when I lived in New Brunswick, New Jersey. It’s a connecting hub for trains going north to New York City and south to Trenton, NJ. Here is a link to the official map. Pretty much almost every line goes through Secaucus.

The first few times I was there, I was alone. I had a few job interviews at the East Orange Public Library, on the Gladstone line. Once you’re used to Secaucus, it’s not that bad – just follow the crowd to the main area. There’s a plaza there, with huge signs above each of the four possible exits saying which line is where. Of course, there was some odd things you wouldn’t expect – for example, since East Orange has a chance for more crime, there is no ticket vending machine at that stop. The first time I had no idea what to do (not knowing you could get round trip tickets). I thought I would have to pay the $5 fee for not having a ticket before I boarded, but you don’t if you come from a station like that. …Thankfully I had cash? But I don’t usually carry cash!

The next time was with Marco, going to the job interview for the job I have today (July 2, 2009). My first time on a truly rural track. How rural was it? There is only one track for both directions. That makes it fun getting out of my town, since there’s a gap between the night trains – 3:50 or so, with the next (and last) train to the city not scheduled until 9:30PM. The commuters coming home from New York City take priority.

After I moved to the town I live in now, I pretty much just go to Secaucus when I am going to Chicago or the Netherlands via Newark Airport, much like Marco did yesterday. Or when I go to New York City!

The above picture is purely for Roger’s benefit. Go Chex Mix options! Thankfully Secaucus opened up another option for eating. Previously they just had Dunkin Donuts, this snack shop depicted above, and a bar-like restaurant. The first two tended to close really early, too. But these days they added a Sbarro’s (pizza). Marco and I shared three Sbarro’s breaksticks this past weekend. Mmm.

Categories: Uncategorized | 6 Comments

Butterfly effect (Or: Appetite for Destruction)

Posted on October 2, 2012 by Niki

From Roger… (!!)

Let me paint a picture. 1987, just got out of the ‘brugklas’, and school was starting again.

I had a new class-mate. We did not really hang out much that year, since loads of my brugklas mates were still in the same class, including a friend I had had since kindergarten so I did not really need new friends.

We part ways the next year since I went to a different class. Then Appetite for Destruction happens.

Significant in many ways.

For one, it is arguably the best album in the history of rock, but also since I was one of the first ones that had the album in my ‘circles’.. (yeah right like i was ever part of any circles). I did not have a cd-player yet, so I purchased the album (that was the era when people paid for music, you young folk!) on cassette tape (uhm, look it up on Wikipedia, young folk!).

The other significant thing that the album made happen was sort of like a like a butterfly effect.

That one kid that I did not really hang out with when he was in my class all week long got wind of the fact that I had the GNR tape as we now like to call it. He asked me to borrow it and the rest is history.

Marco and I quickly became best friends. Together we have been through a lot. The butterfly effect I meant was that if that album did not happen to be in my possession we would not have started to hang out, would not have bonded over wrestling, hockey, music etc.. we might not have gone to the US to go to said wrestling and hockey and who knows, Marco might not have ended up meeting the lovely Niki.

So on this, the 25th anniversary of Marco and I meeting, his life is about to change again, this time really for the better, when his fiancé moves across an ocean, to a different continent to be with him.

And perhaps all because of one cassette tape.

02-10-2012

Roger

Categories: Friends&Family | Tags: , | 2 Comments

Packing (Or: She’s about to take over)

Posted on October 1, 2012 by Niki

From Marco…

So my trip is almost coming to an end (I’m leaving on Tuesday) and obviously I’m not thrilled about it.
But unlike pretty much all of the previous visits (both mine and Niki’s) this time it feels different.
Of course there’s the fact that we both know it’s going to be about 70 days until we’re together again. I think it will be one of the shortest periods between seeing one another (I think the shortest was in 2009). But most important, we know this will be the last time I fly to the Netherlands without her.
The last time we have to say goodbye at the train station or airport.
Knowing that makes it a bit less sour and annoying.. 😉

One of the worst things at the end of each visit is packing up my stuff again, back into my luggage. It’s always a sad moment…


But this time it was a bit more amusing and maybe..dare I say…entertaining.
We spent some time this weekend packing up some of Niki’s belongings to see how much suitcases and such we’re going to need at the end of this year.
It seems that if I manage to bring as little as needed then we just might be able to squeeze everything into three pieces of luggage and two-three items of carry-on.  Cool.

I am bringing some stuff over already though. Just some books, some spare shoes and such.
That means the moment is here. She’s about to take over my closets, impose her will on the layout of my apartment.. oh boy. I’m looking forward to it 🙂

Categories: Marco&Niki, Moving | Tags: | 2 Comments

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