Ok, so I knew what I was getting into when I decided to return my leased car and not purchase/lease another. I was going to become a full-time mass transitter. I was OK with that. I figured "Hey, they have bus schedules that I can check. As long as I plan for the buses to come at the scheduled time +/- 5 minutes I'll have this all under control."
That was before Christmas came. I know what you're thinking.. "It's not been but 2 weeks and already she's complaining? Looks like trouble!" Well, I think I have a valid complaint here. (I think all of my complaints are valid anyhow ;-)) So back to my story.....
I'm not sure if everyone knows, but I started a new job in November. I'm working back in the West End of town and I work Friday, Saturday, Sunday only and the hours are from 10am until 10pm. It's not bad. I work 36 hours in 3 days and get paid for 40, it's no stress and when I leave, the job doesn't come home with me.
So this morning, ensuring that I'm prepared for the Christmas bus schedule, I check www.octranspo.com again (about the 5th time.. I really don't want to be late at a new job) and confirm that yes, the bus is running on a reduced schedule today. Instead of coming by every 7 minutes the #2 is running every 10 minutes this morning. The bus I want to catch should be at my stop at about 8:41am and that will get me at the Rideau Centre at 8:55am where I have 12 minutes to wait until my transfer. No problem. I am in a bit of a panick because I am actually running a little late but I make it out the door with time to spare, slide across solid ice down to the street and quickly look up and down the street to ensure the bus hasn't yet passed. Nope, no bus. I can see about 4 minutes down the road where it would be if it had passed and there are others waiting at the bus stops along my route. Whew.. no problem. It sure be here any minute. I look up the road toward where the bus should be coming from.... nothing. Hmmm... I hope it comes soon. I have a transfer to catch.
After 10 minutes I realized, i'm in trouble! I have to get to the Rideau Centre and I have to get there now! I walked up the street to the Taxi Stand and figured I'd just take a cab. No problem! It's a taxi stand and there is ALWAYS at least 3 cabs sitting and waiting. Nope. Not this morning. Not a single cab.
Needless to say, I had no choice but to stand in the cold with my fellow passengers and wait. The bus finally arrived at 8:57am. Great. I have 10 minutes until my next bus comes and goes without me. Somehow the bus managed to arrive at 9:05am and I ran like crazy to get up to the 3rd floor and to the other side of the mall. Just as I arrived at the MacKenzie King Brigde the 96 pulled up. What luck is THAT? I ran out and onto the bus where I proceded to remove layers of clothing that had been keeping me warm outside and were now threatening to make me pass out from overheating when I realized that I clearly do not get enough cardio type excersize. I was sure I was going to throw up if my lungs didn't explode and kill me first!
I survived and I'll be sure to be out even earlier tomorrow. I'll also have the number for the taxi programmed into my cell phone... just in case. ;-)
Merry Christmas to all!
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