Tiny Rant...Just a Tiny One

Hi Guys!

I had a little time off and took the time to shake the cobwebs from my brain to try and focus on what comes ahead...at the same time with the mentality that I could be hit by a bus tomorrow so I should enjoy my time now. Then I watched the news...and read the news and it made me sad as well as informed but it made me remember why I don't watch the news on a regular basis.

After readjusting my thoughts on top of an insane urge/need, bordering on obsession to go to the UK lately I figured I was going to find the most efficient and cost effective way to commute along with changing other things (now you see where the rant part is heading) in order to help make that happen. It might take a couple of years...who am I kidding of course it will! So After Christmas starting in January I'm going to start saving my pennies...wait we don't have those anymore, so nickles and see how much I have by the end of the year.

I'm so lucky to live in an area where I have access to all forms of transit. I have a few blocks to the West Coast Express $13.75 per day or $201 per month. This includes bathrooms on each car and a coffee car that I never use but it's there. Occasionally it's delayed because of hitting a bear, engine trouble or a switch issue that results in us sitting on the track waiting for someone from Calgary to approve the switch. Still very reliable though. and only takes 35 mins to travel.

Not ranting yet...

I have a bus stop a block away from my front door and that bus will take me straight downtown to 1 bus $5.50 one way, $11.00 per day, day pass $9.75 1hour 15mins into the city and about 1 1/2 hours home. Today I decided to take the bus and skytrain again a block away from my house, same cost but 1 1/2 hours in and almost 2 home.

Now I rant...

So as much as I want to spend less time and money commuting here is where my problem is. If I take the one shot bus it's fine no issues, but the skytrain...oh the skytrain really brings out my commuter rage. You guys that have been there with me through it know that half the time I just want to clothesline people and the Taurus that I am wants to cram a horn up someones ass. I have personal space issues for sure unless I like you.

As I'm standing on the skytrain all is well and I can half read the paper while I hang on for the stops and starts of the train. The train stopped and enough people got off so that I can get a seat YAY! Now know that we're packed in like sardines in a can let the fun begin! I can handle that...most times.

Beside me I have a guy who pretty much has his umbrella on my neck as he's standing, in front of me I have a short woman (yes her height matters here) who is carrying a large tote bag that is resting on my lap and no matter how hard she tried to make sure it wasn't on my lap it would just have to be because she was tiny and I couldn't move in any direction at the same time the gentleman sitting beside me looked like he was having just as much fun as I was because as people moved on or off the train I would be pushed wet neck and bag knees into him every couple of minutes along with my own gear that I carry and trying to read the paper. I gave up.

By the time I got to Burrard I was annoyed and even more so when I got up and my ass was wet because apparently umbrella on my neck guy was dripping down the back of my seat. Yee... Haw..

Then the movement of commuter cattle began again and with one escalator out for the past few months it's a press of bodies trying to get ahead of one another just to get away from each other. So I'm up and out and breathing again when I hit W. Georgia I took out my REPLACEMENT umbrella ( one of the kids lost mine and... um... replaced it ) and it crumbled to the point where I was almost one of those people who'd had enough and had a temper tantrum on the sidewalk.

Deep breath Steph...deep...breath...

I know things can't be helped when commuting and I do take steps to be a less agitated and understanding commuter. I try not to be in anyone's way especially when I hear someone cough or sneeze then thoughts of The Stand come to mind. I know dramatic right? No...watch the news this shit happens. So after the longest and most uncomfortable commute I've decided that the bus/skytrain route completely sucks and I don't want to do that again plus it is the longest route. Once the Evergreen line is complete and crosses the skyline maybe I'll try it again?...probably not...someone might get hurt.

Now that the commuting part has been taken care of for now and I am trying to focus on the things I need to do and you know...DO THEM my head is clear and I'm gearing up for the oodles and oodles of Christmas cheer at the Festival this weekend because if I can do this then I can do anything!

Have a great week Lovelies!

See Ya
S

I Didn't Mean to Rant...It Just Happened!

Well it's Monday again, the days go by so fast!

It was an observation week, you know people watching, trying to figure out what some people are thinking when they do things like a few of these I noticed...

Rude Train Guy - I've been watching this guy for years and it never fails ( I might end up in a commuter rant so I apologize now ) Everyone has a place they generally stand in while we wait for the train to show up and this guy ALWAYS stands off to the back and out of the way of commuters passing by until...the second the doors are about to open! Then it's like a mad dash to beat everyone he can onto the train.

Is this a game or are you just one of the rudest commuters ever?

Now for those of you that have to ride the WCE know they have all of these funky westernlike posters and even a contest once a year to educate people on riding the train in a non-rude fashion from people that have there headphone volume so high we can hear your music, talking on the phone while people are quietly SNORING and DROOLING, Chatty ones and Seat Savers.

Headphone volume?? If I like your music I'm not complaining and might even sing along. If I don't then I'll just try and tune you out.

Phone Talkers?? I don't mind so much as long as the conversation isn't full of "OMG I know!" and "Like" 50,000 times and it would be so much nicer if you put them on speakerphone so we could hear their side of the conversation instead of guessing. Although it does lead into a fun game of Mad Libs Vocal Style.

Snoring & Drooling?? You guys are actually enertaining, we've played the how long until it breaks game ( gross I know, but fun! )and I've had the person next to me do the head loll and rest it on my shoulder it's kinda cute...unless you drool on me then all bets are off.

Chatty ones?? It's all good! Unless it's Monday and I'm sleepy which equates to cranky and you sound like a hyena when you laugh then please just...shut...up...

Seat Savers?? Now you guys piss me off because when I make it on the train with 5 mins to spare and there are no seats except the one that has your rolling luggage ( UGH ROLLING LUGGAGE ) sitting on the seat, you're asked "is anyone sitting there?" and you say yes I'm waiting for someone and then!.. AND THEN!!! No one shows up and your fucking luggage has a seat of it's own!!! ( Ok breathe...) you should just be bitch slapped have your bag thrown out the open doors when it stops and let the rest of us commute in peace with a seat.

So this stuff applies to The Skytrain or Bus, they come with smells too though that no one wants to deal with so I try to stay away from them.

Ok enough from me I got sidetracked from the main purpose of today's blog...maybe next week!

See Ya
S