Riders are being bused this morning on the Green Line’s B branch while crews repair the damage from a trolley that jumped the tracks overnight and caught fire, an MBTA spokeswoman said.
The trolley had roughly 30 passengers on board at 1:30 a.m. when it derailed at Chestnut Hill station, hit a pole, and damaged overhead wires, said spokeswoman Lydia Rivera. None of the riders were hurt, but the crash caused some significant damage to the trolley and the track, Rivera said.
Crews are still working to remove the trolley from the intersection of Chestnut Hill and Commonwealth avenues, not far from Cleveland Circle. The overhead wires need to be fixed, and the repairs could affect the evening commute.
“It’s going to take some time,” Rivera said.
This horrible accident hit a little too close to home. Scratch that. WAY too close to home. As I texted my IBFF and soulsister this morning explaining the news (not to mention the fact I was GREATLY shaken up by this incident…it could have been ME on that train), she responded with a comment that really got me thinking about Boston.
I’ve truly loved Boston for the past three years. But in a way, I wonder if that derailed car is a metaphor for my life here, right now. As I drove to my interview this morning (don’t get excited, just a temp position), I watched that trolley car being dragged from the wreckage, its charred and broken remains, being pulled along as its tired wheels screamed in discord.
I can’t help but wonder…is that my relationship with this city?
I’m thinking that I might just need to be pulled to safety. Repaired and fixed…somewhere else. Because while the past three years has been good to me…
…I’m wondering if it might be time to take the hit, rebuild, and move on.
May 14, 2008 at 11:38 am
there’s been a lot of talk about you leaving Beantown. If that’s what your gut is telling you, then why not do it? WHAT DO YOU HAVE TO LOSE???
PS: If you don’t read Jen Lancasters books, you should. She started as a blog…talking about her pursuit of a job after being laid off, temp positions. life in the city. You’d love her. http://www.jennsylvania.com/
May 14, 2008 at 11:49 am
I moved to Boston almost six years ago… with the thought that this would be a place I lived for two or three years – MAX – before I moved back to California.
Time flies when you’re having fun, huh?
What I’m trying to say is that it’s easy to get sucked into staying here. And – like you – I do love Boston, so it’s not like it’s a hardship. But if you don’t really feel like this is the best place for you, or you’re feeling like Boston might be your past instead of your future, it makes sense to look around at other options too.
I like your original idea of looking for jobs in different places and seeing what sticks!
May 14, 2008 at 11:51 am
New York is always lovely.
May 14, 2008 at 11:57 am
the way i see it…why not? after all boston will always be there but the perfect chance in your life to pick up and start over? Won’t be. You’ll figure it out though
<3
May 14, 2008 at 12:05 pm
ok.
May 14, 2008 at 12:32 pm
wow. that is crazy. and i can see how that would make you reflect on what’s going on in your life right now. but i know you’ll figure it all out eventually.
May 14, 2008 at 12:48 pm
I love how you’re taking your surroundings and relating them to your life. I think it’s a really helpful way to get to the bottom of how you really feel. Like free therapy! Hey, maybe you should be a therapist?
May 14, 2008 at 1:24 pm
DUDE. I only want what’s best for you? But I think you should probably stay in Boston. You know, for my sake. Kthx.
xox
May 14, 2008 at 1:28 pm
The best part about being in your 20’s is you have the option of to pick up and move away and try something new when things get rough. It’s not that you’re running away — you’re just trying something new.
I’m all for taking a leap of faith and making a crazily spontaneous decision. Last year, I was given the opportunity to move 3,000 miles from home without any guarantees, and even with all the bumps in the road, it’s probably the best decision I’ve made in my life. And the most reassuring part has been knowing that I can always, ALWAYS move back.
You’ll figure it out soon, I have no doubt.
May 14, 2008 at 1:37 pm
Its funny how we can find parrallels to our lives in our surroundings if we just look around us. I’m sure you will figure everything out and if NYC calls, then answer!
May 14, 2008 at 2:08 pm
I saw that about the Trolley. Unreal. My rules are..never live in a city that had or has a “Big Dig”
May 14, 2008 at 2:10 pm
It sounds as though you don’t really *want* to leave Boston. So don’t give up yet. I’ve been where you are right now — it’s very hard and it certainly does a number on one’s self confidence. But, I think you have what it takes to get past this rough spot and beat it. I’m rooting for you!
*(I’ve been a lurker on and off for a bit…)
May 14, 2008 at 2:24 pm
Is anyone else hearing Soul Asylum’s “Runaway Train” right now?
Trolleys in San Diego never jump the tracks… (OK, rarely) I’m just sayin’…
May 14, 2008 at 3:39 pm
LA. LA. LA. LA. LA.
Have you made up your mind yet?
May 14, 2008 at 3:45 pm
you’re only young once! and sometimes, picking up and starting over can be the best thing for a woman.
May 14, 2008 at 4:01 pm
I think change is always a good thing.
May 14, 2008 at 4:55 pm
Change is a good thing, and now seems like the best time to do it. Just do whatever you feel is right!
May 14, 2008 at 5:44 pm
That’s the great thing about being young. You can just pick up and start over somewhere new without too much hassle. If you’re feeling like Boston may not be for you anymore.. I say go for it. Make a change! =)
May 14, 2008 at 6:23 pm
Blogging symbolism… I fucking love it.
May 14, 2008 at 6:37 pm
I think New York may be just what you need. Yep. Come on down here and shake things up a bit.
May 14, 2008 at 11:41 pm
YES. come to toronto. stat. my work is hiring!!!!! lol
May 15, 2008 at 12:03 am
You know what city is the new “In” city to live in? Phoenix. Okay so I made that up, but you should totally move here. Yeah its brown and hot, but after one summer you become a bad ass and can say things like “A hundred and five? Puh-leez! That’s hoodie weather.” Here are the pro’s – you’ll never have a bad hair day because of the rain, you can get rid of your heavy winter coats taking up much needed space in your closet, you can wear open toed shoes and tank tops year round (standard fashion rules do not apply here) and you have no choice but to become a little bilingual. Comprende? Although the cons are flatlining economy, spending a fortune on moisturizer and that little inconvenience called skin cancer, yadda yadda yadda. But you are Barbie, bitch! You’re not afraid of anything! So come on down! I’ll totally save you a spot on the freeway.
May 15, 2008 at 12:34 pm
chicago.
just saying =)
you should come visit at least. have you been here before? it’s a great city for 20 somethings. and it’s summer. and summer is the reason why we people stay in chicago. a chicago summer cannot be beat.
that said, good luck. it’s hard to make such a big decision. i toy with it sometimes too. the idea of a fresh start in a new city. and from your posts – it sounds like you’re really ready for that next step. i can’t wait to hear more about what cities you begin considering.
you should just take a tour of the u.s. and all cities that are in consideration. barbie’s road trip. or something?
May 15, 2008 at 2:15 pm
I felt similarly about Detroit. I lived there pretty much all my life, but once I moved out to Chicago, so much changed for the better. I was surrounded by new people, new faces, new streets that made me feel like a new person. I hold nothing against Detroit but now that I’ve been in Chicago for nearly 3 years, there really just isn’t much there for me anymore.
May 15, 2008 at 3:45 pm
I don’t believe everything is a sign of something, but I do think that if you saw it that way. It may very well be time to move on, because that is the mentality you have towards the city, and no one wants that.
May 16, 2008 at 8:35 am
I think you’re probably right. You’ve taken hit after hit, and it sounds as though you’re ready to move out and move on. Maybe Boston will be better to you later on, but it sounds like you need something that’s not nearly as likely to chew you up and spit you out.