an interesting thing happened on the way to the bioinformatics course

First, the flatbush station listed on the commuter rail is not the same flatbush listed on the subway map. flatbush on the com-rail is actually atlantic ave on the subway map. thankfully, i got a little suspicious about the locations of stuff on the map and figured out what was going on. also nicely, i got an express at the first possible opportunity. very good since i made the train by minutes. i seem to still be working on boston time where any trip takes about 30 minutes (add 15 min for each t-line change). seems here in new york every trip takes about 1 hour. anyway, got on the train no problem got to the station, and the two cabs that were there filled up and drove away. i then waited there (calling twice) for 45 minutes for another cab. one finally picks me up, and drives over to another parking lot where they re-arrange the passengers to fill each cab to maximum capacity. it seems to be the policy of the cab company to fill each cab completely and then drop off each person sequencially. that, and the cabs don't carry a meter, they have to call back to the base station and ask to get the price for a ride. got the the genome center and my fair costs 7.25. I give the driver a 20 and a quarter he fumbles for a while and comes out with the extent of his change, 12 dollars (note at this point i'm pissed with the whole cab experience and plan not to tip a dime). begin to launch into something like "well then gimme back my fucking quarter" when the diminishing returns alarm goes off in my head and i say to hell with it, slam the door and go into my class. arrggg. but i'm here now and up to speed. so things are good.