Sometimes you can't stay sane as a commuter when it comes to issues you can't control.
First off when your day starts out with your fancy commuter train being stuck at a station nowhere near you and you're standing on a freezing cold platform surrounded by a few feet of snow and no one is telling you why your train is late you get agitated.
I used to take the bus and sometimes it wouldn't show up or it would be late but I would have my music and my book to still my mind while I waited. now though I travel with a friend since they switched my route so although I still read in the morning, I don't want to be rude and have my headphones on.
So after the train is about 20 mins late we finally hear that it's having mechanical issues and they suggest that we hop n one of the buses that will take us to a skytrain station. Well ok off we go, now the normal one we should have taken was packed so we took another one that would take us to the same point but apparently took 25 mins opposed to the 10 that the packed bus would have taken leading us to a lot of "Where the hell are we going?" comments. All is quiet until two girls that know each other realize they're on the bus together but as they started to chatter, the bus stopped and they got off.
Finally we get to our station and head up to the platform where a train is waiting with the doors open so we rush on and after a few minutes we're wondering why the doors aren't closing because you know we're cold and need to get to work along with the other people thrown off by the first incident and what do you know those same two girls are on the skytrain and it's like they were the only two on it. The doors finally close and an announcement comes on saying that there's a medical emergency at another stop and that we'll be delayed.
Well at least we were warm but then...in what we thought was quiet...they started, and were loud about it. The two girls standing right behind me and my friend were like squirrels on a mission. I heard so much about Nadia, Callum and Emily that I felt sorry for them. Except Emily because apparently no one should mess with her which the other two topics of conversation apparently did. Really it might not have been so bad except for all of the "DUDE!...Seriously!" and "Oh My God's" throw in a few "Likes" and they were chattering cliches.
It's bad enough that I have issues with space and really bad issues with rudeness that I wanted to slam their heads together but I could tell as I looked around the train that I was most definitely not the only one, so when they finally got off the train there was an audible sigh of relief from the car we were in.
Already a half hour late for work and getting closer to the city core our train comes to a HARD emergency stop throwing everyone forward. Concerned commuters were checking to make sure others are ok when we hear yet another announcement and they tell us that an Intrusion alarm was set off and that we would be moving shortly so we had 3 delays on the 3rd day of the week.
Hmmm...interesting.
Strolling into work an hour late threw off my whole day. I was in a rush and couldn't think straight for pretty much the whole day but I got my work done as I counted down the minutes until I could just go home, put on my jammies and write this as I went over my day. The trip home was easy breezy until we were walking past 711 and there was a guy yelling at people that wouldn't give him change but whatever, I was home.
Sometimes I'll think to myself that you can look at someone and have no idea what's going on in there world so it's always best to be courteous no matter what and at the same time they have no idea what's going on in mine and should think the same way but that isn't how things work when you're a commuter so...how do you stay sane as a commuter?
1. If you can, tune them out.
2. If you can't, breathe.
3. If you breathe and you still can't tune them out, pray they leave soon.
4. If they don't, pray that you don't go to jail because you lost your mind at their stupidity.
Now I'm going to go attempt to make something I saw on Pintrest that I will probably fail miserably at but at least I tried!
Happy Hump Day!
See Ya
S
Showing posts with label Translink. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Translink. Show all posts
Wednesday, February 8, 2017
Monday, August 31, 2015
Vancouver Blackout 2015 My Event.
Happy Monday!
It's only happy because we have power now where out of the 500,000 people without it over this weekend there are still about 60,000 in the dark around the Lower Mainland. So...not so happy for those guys.
Saturday morning was like any other Saturday. In PJ's puttering around the house watching the sun peak in and out. Standing on the back deck chatting and a gust of wind came up so hard that I thought the table umbrella was going to take a Wizard of Oz trip. We were expecting the wind, seeing it all over the weather reports we knew we were in for a windy day.
Boy were we wrong. We underestimated the force of what was coming and although the wind itself didn't last long, the carnage it left in its wake lasted for days...still counting. I figured when the wind kicked up and tried to lift the roof over deck off that we would definitely lose power along with the flickering lights. Before I had left the house Choo had put laundry in and I had said something about that maybe not being a good thing. At some point so those of us in the house decided it was time to hit up our downtown core here in PoCo and get some things to get us through like sandwich stuff and extra candles. For Craig the emergency was the Liquor store.
We figured hey why not if the lights go out we'll have a Blackout party of sorts. So Craig, myself and Bean take of to get 'provisions' and we weren't the only ones who thought that way. We had a plan. Store, dollar store ( candles ) and Samz beer and wine store. The grocery store was buzzing with people on the same track. We grab what we need and head up to the till and we're behind 2 other customers chit chatting with people about the wind. Then everything went dark...everywhere and there was a collective AWWWWW Many of us left our things behind while the poor few that were in the middle of debit transactions were about to lose their minds.
Bean and I were about to head back to the house when Craig was determined to check if the place that held all that would save him that day was open. So away we went telling him there was no way but he needed proof. Walking down the street and seeing everyone pop out there doors on the storefront at the same time all talking to each other about whether to close up or hang in there in case it was a quick fix made me think "This is how natural disaster movies start."
People holding the goods they could get and all the street lights going out on that busy road on a Saturday was not going to be a good thing. After getting to the door of Samz and practically having Craig cry tears of distress, we went home this... was all about noon. Walking back we saw a tree across the street from our house had been ripped completely clear of the ground and hit some lines. Well...shit. We still have a downed phone line hanging from a pole outside.
We got home and let everyone know that we almost made it but we had to think of other means for the evening. Bean and Craig were on that immediately looking for things that were open and a ride to get there as we sat in the windows watching debris tumbleweed across the street. Where Choo was cursing because the washer's lid locked and there it sat in a drum of water until we got the power back. We heard that Pitt Meadows and Maple Ridge were out as well as Coquitlam and Burnaby and large parts of Vancouver. Everywhere was blacked out. Blondunicorn had a wedding to go to and I have to say that the universe was looking out for the bride and groom. They were supposed to have an outdoor wedding but the rain that had been called for had caused them to change the Venue and wouldn't you know it, it turned out to be the only place in Port Coquitlam ( South side anyway ) that did not lose power.
The kids found out the only place they could go for anything was Port Moody so they headed out to hunt and forage as I was saying to them. It took them 2 hours to get to and back from a city only 2 cities away from us. Sese decided she was going to brave the wind and now rain and head to a friends in New Westminster where they were dark too and what to you know Translink was letting people on for free. It took a little longer because everyone driving had the 4 way stop procedure to adhere to and many of them didn't. At that point it was much safer to j-walk than try to cross at an intersection. Sese called us from the bus stop to say she saw BU drive by her with a branch under her car. OK we giggled at that while sending her a text to warn her that she didn't get until she had parked the car anyway and all was well.
I have to say though that having no power makes absolutely everyone social physically. With no WiFi and trying to conserve battery power we all but tuned out of anything virtual having to talk to each other and play games to pass the time. We would check repeatedly on the BC Hydro website only to find the site um...down for maintenance? Really...of course but the company was Tweeting in lieu anything else. Craig had his Sleemans crisis security blanket and after almost an entire bottle of Jim Beam ( not all by me thank you ) we decided at around 11 pm and with the streets so black not a light in sight we were going to take a walk. BU was back by then and joined in the fun. It wasn't raining but all the cloud cover hid the Full moon and the bevy of stars we might have seen. Can you imagine how many more there would have been without all the light pollution? That would have been cool.
So me, Blondunicorn, Bean, Craig and Handsome Dan hit the streets and all I could think was Night Of The Comet. Well that and screaming Zombie every time a dark figure appeared making me want to hit them with pieces of trees.
All in all though we had a good time! Until the next morning when we still had no power...then as usual the only thing that would have saved us was coffee. How were we going to make coffee? Well Choo was up to bat for that and since he slept through most of the outage, it seemed fitting. Finding a metal kettle and propane, on the BBQ he heated up water for our wake up. As the morning dragged on we all got antsy, needing to do something, anything to kill time until all of the things we blindly depended on came back to us. I got so stir crazy that went to get dressed and go for a walk just to do something. BU hadn't slept much because the Assisted Living condos beside us had their generator running all night and it was not quiet.
As I'm putting my pants on, someone screams from up the street. A loud WOOOOOOOO! traveled along the sound waves and just like that we were back on line as cheers erupted in the house we scared the crap out of BU waking her up and my cell phone had a stroke as all the notifications from various places filed in once it's life was revived.
Even though we regained our power most of our city was still out even a block away at the storefront was still dark until late last night. What it made me realize though was that we are not even close to being prepared for something larger. Not by a long shot. It makes you think though about how to solve that problem and as much as we know what we should have in the case of Earthquakes or Floods we are sadly not prepared enough.
So now one of my goals is to change that.
OK guys have a great week!
See Ya
S
It's only happy because we have power now where out of the 500,000 people without it over this weekend there are still about 60,000 in the dark around the Lower Mainland. So...not so happy for those guys.
Saturday morning was like any other Saturday. In PJ's puttering around the house watching the sun peak in and out. Standing on the back deck chatting and a gust of wind came up so hard that I thought the table umbrella was going to take a Wizard of Oz trip. We were expecting the wind, seeing it all over the weather reports we knew we were in for a windy day.
Boy were we wrong. We underestimated the force of what was coming and although the wind itself didn't last long, the carnage it left in its wake lasted for days...still counting. I figured when the wind kicked up and tried to lift the roof over deck off that we would definitely lose power along with the flickering lights. Before I had left the house Choo had put laundry in and I had said something about that maybe not being a good thing. At some point so those of us in the house decided it was time to hit up our downtown core here in PoCo and get some things to get us through like sandwich stuff and extra candles. For Craig the emergency was the Liquor store.
We figured hey why not if the lights go out we'll have a Blackout party of sorts. So Craig, myself and Bean take of to get 'provisions' and we weren't the only ones who thought that way. We had a plan. Store, dollar store ( candles ) and Samz beer and wine store. The grocery store was buzzing with people on the same track. We grab what we need and head up to the till and we're behind 2 other customers chit chatting with people about the wind. Then everything went dark...everywhere and there was a collective AWWWWW Many of us left our things behind while the poor few that were in the middle of debit transactions were about to lose their minds.
Bean and I were about to head back to the house when Craig was determined to check if the place that held all that would save him that day was open. So away we went telling him there was no way but he needed proof. Walking down the street and seeing everyone pop out there doors on the storefront at the same time all talking to each other about whether to close up or hang in there in case it was a quick fix made me think "This is how natural disaster movies start."
People holding the goods they could get and all the street lights going out on that busy road on a Saturday was not going to be a good thing. After getting to the door of Samz and practically having Craig cry tears of distress, we went home this... was all about noon. Walking back we saw a tree across the street from our house had been ripped completely clear of the ground and hit some lines. Well...shit. We still have a downed phone line hanging from a pole outside.
We got home and let everyone know that we almost made it but we had to think of other means for the evening. Bean and Craig were on that immediately looking for things that were open and a ride to get there as we sat in the windows watching debris tumbleweed across the street. Where Choo was cursing because the washer's lid locked and there it sat in a drum of water until we got the power back. We heard that Pitt Meadows and Maple Ridge were out as well as Coquitlam and Burnaby and large parts of Vancouver. Everywhere was blacked out. Blondunicorn had a wedding to go to and I have to say that the universe was looking out for the bride and groom. They were supposed to have an outdoor wedding but the rain that had been called for had caused them to change the Venue and wouldn't you know it, it turned out to be the only place in Port Coquitlam ( South side anyway ) that did not lose power.
The kids found out the only place they could go for anything was Port Moody so they headed out to hunt and forage as I was saying to them. It took them 2 hours to get to and back from a city only 2 cities away from us. Sese decided she was going to brave the wind and now rain and head to a friends in New Westminster where they were dark too and what to you know Translink was letting people on for free. It took a little longer because everyone driving had the 4 way stop procedure to adhere to and many of them didn't. At that point it was much safer to j-walk than try to cross at an intersection. Sese called us from the bus stop to say she saw BU drive by her with a branch under her car. OK we giggled at that while sending her a text to warn her that she didn't get until she had parked the car anyway and all was well.
I have to say though that having no power makes absolutely everyone social physically. With no WiFi and trying to conserve battery power we all but tuned out of anything virtual having to talk to each other and play games to pass the time. We would check repeatedly on the BC Hydro website only to find the site um...down for maintenance? Really...of course but the company was Tweeting in lieu anything else. Craig had his Sleemans crisis security blanket and after almost an entire bottle of Jim Beam ( not all by me thank you ) we decided at around 11 pm and with the streets so black not a light in sight we were going to take a walk. BU was back by then and joined in the fun. It wasn't raining but all the cloud cover hid the Full moon and the bevy of stars we might have seen. Can you imagine how many more there would have been without all the light pollution? That would have been cool.
So me, Blondunicorn, Bean, Craig and Handsome Dan hit the streets and all I could think was Night Of The Comet. Well that and screaming Zombie every time a dark figure appeared making me want to hit them with pieces of trees.
All in all though we had a good time! Until the next morning when we still had no power...then as usual the only thing that would have saved us was coffee. How were we going to make coffee? Well Choo was up to bat for that and since he slept through most of the outage, it seemed fitting. Finding a metal kettle and propane, on the BBQ he heated up water for our wake up. As the morning dragged on we all got antsy, needing to do something, anything to kill time until all of the things we blindly depended on came back to us. I got so stir crazy that went to get dressed and go for a walk just to do something. BU hadn't slept much because the Assisted Living condos beside us had their generator running all night and it was not quiet.
As I'm putting my pants on, someone screams from up the street. A loud WOOOOOOOO! traveled along the sound waves and just like that we were back on line as cheers erupted in the house we scared the crap out of BU waking her up and my cell phone had a stroke as all the notifications from various places filed in once it's life was revived.
Even though we regained our power most of our city was still out even a block away at the storefront was still dark until late last night. What it made me realize though was that we are not even close to being prepared for something larger. Not by a long shot. It makes you think though about how to solve that problem and as much as we know what we should have in the case of Earthquakes or Floods we are sadly not prepared enough.
So now one of my goals is to change that.
OK guys have a great week!
See Ya
S
Monday, February 2, 2015
And The Bus Smelled Like Pee..
Morning!
I'm really not that chipper today but hey they say if you fake it enough you will become the emotion that you're faking. That is an experiment for another day.
I hope your weekend went well! Mine went... not the way it was supposed to but isn't that always the way stuff happens for some of us?
Had a lovely day with grandbaby boy who spent part of the time screaming bloody murder unlike last week when he was all love and hugs and apparently his bad mood was due to not napping. He's still cute though because whenever he says NO in anger I reply YES and by the end of it he's agreeing with me. at least for now anyway. The Superbowl was big news and usually I would watch it but I'm not a fan of either team so I chose British smut TV instead and house puttering. I call it puttering because you're kind of lazy cleaning while wandering from room to room not really wanting to do anything extensive but not wanting to do nothing either.
and then the weekend was over!
I've been taking the bus to work for the past month trying to save some pennies...wait we don't use pennies anymore, OK save some nickles and for the most part it's fine. Last week a woman almost passed out on the bus and everyone there worked together to check her out and make her feel better. The commute itself is an extra 45 mins to and from but it gives me more time to read and I do love to read. Days like today though are days I miss the WCE (which I take on Fridays to treat myself sometimes) painfully so.
First-I get on the bus and it's freezing because the bus hasn't warmed up yet.
Second-My usual seat is taken so I take the seat on the opposite side of where I usually sit.
Third-The floor is wet so I keep my bag beside me instead of putting it on the floor.
Fourth-The bus starts to warm up.
Fifth - I...SMELL...PEE...
Now if you have pets then you would have been doing exactly what I was doing at this point which is mentally thinking about weather it's possible that your cat or dog could have peed on anything that you are now carrying.
Bag - nope Smokey slept on it but no pee.
Jacket - Nope hanging up on a chair
Clothing - Nope nothing like the dreaded Skunk incident.
So now I'm on the bus shyly sniffing myself to try and see where the pee smell is coming from because it smells like cat pee and now I'm worried...until I put my foot down and it slipsand not just slips it was like have slimy and slippery. That's when I realize that it wasn't me... but pee... on the floor... at the back of the bus. (Insert retching sounds here) and then that was all I could focus on the whole rest of the ride, well that and not putting my feet on that part of the floor again and better late than never checking my seat itself.
Welcome to Monday! Bus peeing and all! Is it springtime yet? Did the groundhog see it's shadow? Will this day ever END!
Have a great week guys!
See Ya
S
Tuesday, November 25, 2014
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 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
Tuesday, June 24, 2014
Beer, Sweat And A Mixed Up Band Guy.
It's a good day today!
T has Graduated!
She should have graduated last year with Bean but you know having a baby kind of puts that stuff on hold but she did it very well! As Valedictorian she was very nervous but pulled off an inspirational speech and made people laugh at the same time. She walked proudly across the stage with Peanut in tow and excepted her new path...off the stage...and running to the bathroom.
Hey a girl has to pee even at Grad!
Now let's back up a moment to my trip to her Graduation.
I had to Skytrain/bus to the theater where the ceremony was held so I ask to scoot out about 10 mins early and that was all good with the boss and then head to the Skytrain station. Now Burrard station always smells really bad to me. I call it Sewer Ass Station I think it's the mixture of all of the restaurant food smells. Anyway...I run down to the lower platform almost forgetting to do that because I usually head out on the opposite train to get the WCE home.
I get on my train and find a seat! Ooooo I felt like this was a good thing until Beer and Sweat guy sat down beside me. I'm thinking hopefully he'll get off in a few stops and I can breathe because I had about 20 I had to go through before I could get to the next leg of my trip. He was a quiet guy not ravingly drunk so I was alright and then...I don't even know what to call this guy but he's a larger fellow wearing an NY Yankees jersey and hat, board shorts, every finger had a large ring on it, a necklace made of thick silver links and a NY Yankees pendant as big as his fist, BRIGHT blue shoes ( you could see them from space bright ) with orange laces ( oh god really ) and headphones that covered his ears.
With that a newspaper...a newspaper I wanted to take away and beat him with because that's all he did for 15 stops was beat this paper across his thighs to the beat of whatever ( and I'm guessing but I think I'm right ) HEAVY METAL GUITAR LADEN music. I say this because a couple of times he pretended to play the air bass ( judging by his finger movements and positioning ).
So Beer and Sweat guy is clearly annoyed just as everyone else is and starts talking to the guy across from him that I'm pretty sure he didn't know and I'm wondering if there might be an intervention being planned as the both scoot forward and stare at Mixed Up Band Guy ( looks like a rapper but acts like a rocker ) and then the head banging against the door started and both men must have changed their minds and figured this was way too dangerous a task. Mixed Up Band Guy got off 2 stops before mine and just before he got up he appeared to straighten himself up and check his clothes before he got off...?
The kicker for me to this whole thing is that when Beer and Sweat guy got off ( at my stop ) unnoticed by me as he stepped in front of me, he had rolling luggage...probably full of beer but still.
I got on the bus that has changed routes recently hoping that Sese was right as she instructed me to get on this bus to go to the Red Robinson Theater next to the Hard Rock Casino. The bus driver wasn't helpful at first but I made it before my entire family except for T and I thought they would be waiting for me to show up.
At least I can stay entertained!
Have a great week guys!
See Ya
S
T has Graduated!
She should have graduated last year with Bean but you know having a baby kind of puts that stuff on hold but she did it very well! As Valedictorian she was very nervous but pulled off an inspirational speech and made people laugh at the same time. She walked proudly across the stage with Peanut in tow and excepted her new path...off the stage...and running to the bathroom.
Hey a girl has to pee even at Grad!
Now let's back up a moment to my trip to her Graduation.
I had to Skytrain/bus to the theater where the ceremony was held so I ask to scoot out about 10 mins early and that was all good with the boss and then head to the Skytrain station. Now Burrard station always smells really bad to me. I call it Sewer Ass Station I think it's the mixture of all of the restaurant food smells. Anyway...I run down to the lower platform almost forgetting to do that because I usually head out on the opposite train to get the WCE home.
I get on my train and find a seat! Ooooo I felt like this was a good thing until Beer and Sweat guy sat down beside me. I'm thinking hopefully he'll get off in a few stops and I can breathe because I had about 20 I had to go through before I could get to the next leg of my trip. He was a quiet guy not ravingly drunk so I was alright and then...I don't even know what to call this guy but he's a larger fellow wearing an NY Yankees jersey and hat, board shorts, every finger had a large ring on it, a necklace made of thick silver links and a NY Yankees pendant as big as his fist, BRIGHT blue shoes ( you could see them from space bright ) with orange laces ( oh god really ) and headphones that covered his ears.
With that a newspaper...a newspaper I wanted to take away and beat him with because that's all he did for 15 stops was beat this paper across his thighs to the beat of whatever ( and I'm guessing but I think I'm right ) HEAVY METAL GUITAR LADEN music. I say this because a couple of times he pretended to play the air bass ( judging by his finger movements and positioning ).
So Beer and Sweat guy is clearly annoyed just as everyone else is and starts talking to the guy across from him that I'm pretty sure he didn't know and I'm wondering if there might be an intervention being planned as the both scoot forward and stare at Mixed Up Band Guy ( looks like a rapper but acts like a rocker ) and then the head banging against the door started and both men must have changed their minds and figured this was way too dangerous a task. Mixed Up Band Guy got off 2 stops before mine and just before he got up he appeared to straighten himself up and check his clothes before he got off...?
The kicker for me to this whole thing is that when Beer and Sweat guy got off ( at my stop ) unnoticed by me as he stepped in front of me, he had rolling luggage...probably full of beer but still.
I got on the bus that has changed routes recently hoping that Sese was right as she instructed me to get on this bus to go to the Red Robinson Theater next to the Hard Rock Casino. The bus driver wasn't helpful at first but I made it before my entire family except for T and I thought they would be waiting for me to show up.
At least I can stay entertained!
Have a great week guys!
See Ya
S
Monday, February 3, 2014
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
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
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