When I first moved back to Vancouver long, long ago in 2002, I regularly rode the bus. It was how I got everywhere unless someone took pity on me and gave me a ride. And honestly? It wasn't that bad. Really. I know I complain about it sometimes, but overall, taking the bus in Vancouver is a fairly pleasant ordeal.
I met some very interesting people on the bus back in 2002. In those days, I worked downtown and the bus I got on started its route two stops before mine. So even though it was rush hour, I always got a seat. But getting a seat usually meant at some point I'd get a seat mate.
There was the "you are beautiful" guy. He was well known in Kits for getting on the bus and working his way slowly to the back telling every woman on the bus they were beautiful and then asking if they would be his girlfriend. Most women were gracious as they declined this offer - he was particularly in tune to not pissing off husbands and boyfriends. I kind of wonder if anyone ever agreed to be his girlfriend...
There was the very elderly lady who had "met" Prince William - who is a very well mannered young man, in case you're wondering - and he is devastated that his parents divorced and that his father remarried and that everyone had to see him walk behind his mother's coffin. And he makes a mean roast. Really. And if his father will be king before him, he might have to commit patricide. She was serious too.
J and I have recently started taking the bus to work most days - I had to start driving when she started daycare at the university because of the hours...if I dropped her off and left within 5 minutes of the daycare opening and got back at the absolute last minute to pick her up, I would be short a good half hour in my working day - the half hour trek across campus each way does that. So I started driving. Since J has moved centres and is a little bit older, the hours are extended by half an hour. It's cutting it close, but I can drop her off, put in my 8 hour day and pick her up before the daycare closes. It requires some very close attention to the minutes in the morning, but we're doing it...
I thought we'd get to meet some interesting people, but headphones seem to have done away with people talking on the bus...I did see a woman in a fluorescent pink crushed velvet leisure suit and bright white sneakers today. I thought she was an older woman, but when I got close enough to see her, she was young - maybe in her early 20s. I didn't know those things were back in style. I also saw a woman pacing up and down the sidewalk, walking backwards. She was there when I walked to my office and she was still there when I walked back to pick J up. She fell off the curb twice and bumped into three people...I don't really understand, but okay.
Maybe tomorrow we'll meet some interesting people on the bus?
Showing posts with label bus. Show all posts
Showing posts with label bus. Show all posts
Tuesday, June 12, 2012
Thursday, December 16, 2010
To the other people who use the road
Dear cars, buses, bikes, and pedestrians,
I'm not a perfect driver or a perfect bus rider or a perfect pedestrian, but I try not to do things to scare other people and make their drives, pedals, rides, or walks to work, school, home, or wherever a constant source of heart palpitations. Maybe you could try to do the same? Most of you are great at sharing the road, but some of you, well, maybe you need a reminder.
Dear cars,
You have these neat new fangled things on your car called signal lights and head lights.
SIGNAL LIGHTS: It's really great if you flip the little lever up or down before you turn so that the cars behind you know what you're doing. Not while you're already turning or when you're done turning, *before* you start turning.
HEAD LIGHTS: It's winter. That means it starts to get dark sometime not long after 4:00. And if it's raining or snowing or just a miserable Vancouver day, it can be dark much earlier than that. It usually doesn't get light until sometime after 8:00. Again, it can stay dark longer if it's raining or snowing or just a miserable Vancouver day. Please turn your head lights on so that the rest of us (other cars, buses, bikes, and pedestrians) can see you. Also, your high beams, those are for when there is no oncoming traffic or traffic directly in front of you. I think it's 100 m. Your high beams shining in my eyes or my rear view mirror don't help things.
In Vancouver we have a few kinds of ways to get through intersections. We have through intersections in one direction with stop signs or lights in the other. We have four way stops. We have through intersections with lights controlled by pedestrians and stops signs going the other way. We have roundabouts. We have intersections with traffic lights in all directions. I'm sure there are other ones too.
Please follow the signals and signs. And watch for pedestrians. I don't like almost getting run over when I'm crossing with the lights. I don't like getting honked at because I'm in the CROSSWALK. I don't like getting honked at because I'm not turning because I'm waiting for a pedestrian to cross the road. WITH THE LIGHT.
And when you're in the roundabout...follow the signs and rules. That means you need to yield to the vehicles IN the roundabout (to your left). Don't honk at me when I'm in the roundabout and you have to wait your turn. Signal when you're going to leave the roundabout so that people waiting to get in can and people behind you don't almost rear end you. Oh and pedestrians? They still have the right of way. Don't try to run them down in the crosswalk or honk at them.
And four way stops? First vehicle to stop has the right of way. If there are multiple vehicles, you yield to the right.
If you happen to drive in the area around the UBC daycare centres and UHill Secondary, those 30km/hour signs are there for a reason. Don't pass all the cars going 30 and then slam on your brakes because you almost hit a child in a crosswalk. Don't go faster than 30. There are lots and lots and lots of little kids around. Little kids and teenagers can be unpredictable. Just be patient (or take another route...people who tend to do these two things seem to be using the road as a way to avoid the centre of campus)
Those are just a few things that are annoying me today about cars...I'm sure there's more.
Dear buses,
See notes to cars.
Also, I know I have to yield to you when you pull away from the curb. And really, I'm happy to do it. I don't want to argue with you...your bus will cause more damage to my car than my car will to your bus. BUT...if I'm right beside you and you signal that you want to pull away from the curb, signal and then pull away, don't just pull away and signal and assume we'll all be able to stop. Sometimes we can't because the car behind us isn't paying attention. Also, if I'm beside you, I might have to keep going because there isn't enough room in front of me for your big bus to fit.
And even though I HAVE to stop, it's nice of you to acknowledge that I DID stop with a little wave.
Dear bus riders,
It sucks to take the bus when it's wet out...mostly because it's crowded and steamy and wet. Please don't shake your umbrella off in the bus. Please don't open your umbrella into the crowd of people waiting to get on when you get off. Wait until you're a safe distance away. Your backpack doesn't need a seat. Your backpack makes a good weapon, so please take it off before you decapitate someone with it as you shove your way through the crowd. Those seats at the front? Give them to people with mobility issues (even if they're not in a wheelchair or using crutches or a cane or some other mobility device) Give them to people with a disability or injury. Give them to pregnant women, people with young children, and the elderly. The fact that you didn't get enough studying done before your exam today doesn't mean that you get to sit there to study. That's what the library is for. Be courteous. Please.
Dear bikes,
You are not glorified pedestrians. Stay off the sidewalk. If you're uncomfortable riding on the road, ride on a bike street or don't ride at all. I don't like almost getting knocked down by you or the near misses my little girl has had.
You are a vehicle. And like cars and trucks and motor bikes and buses, you are subject to all of the laws pertaining to a vehicle (ahem, stay off the sidewalk). You need to stop at stop signs. Don't give me a dirty look when you almost slam into my car that is legally in an intersection because you decided not to stop at the stop sign. Four way stops...those pertain to you too. Stopping for pedestrians in a crosswalk? Oh yeah, that's for you too. Don't stop your bike in my blind spot and bang on my car to tell me you're there. I probably know you're there because some of you are kamikazes so I keep a close eye on you. You could pull up closer or stay a bit further back and avoid my blind spot too...and if I'm stopped, I'm not going anywhere, so don't bang on my car. It scares my daughter.
And you need to turn your lights on. Or get some lights. One light on the back of your bike doesn't help me see you at all when you're coming towards me and you're wearing dark clothes and it's dark out. Reflectors are great, but lights are essential.
Dear pedestrians,
Yes, you have the right of way. Do you also have a death wish? Because a lot of you seem to think you're invincible. You're not. A car is a lot bigger and heavier than you and if anyone "wins" in a car vs a pedestrian, it's not usually the pedestrian.
Please don't j-walk. Especially if you're going to hide between SUVs with tinted windows so I can't see you and then just jump into traffic. Come on. There are street lights and crosswalks for a reason. And most of the worst offenders are only a car length or two from the corner.
Be aware of your space, your umbrella, and the people with you. If you're taking up the whole sidewalk, it's practically impossible for people coming the other way to walk. Don't give them dirty looks when you need to move over so they can pass.
Dear cars, buses, bikes, and pedestrians,
Mostly, please just be courteous and aware of what's going on around you. And be patient. I'm talking to you, black car that zoomed around me when I slowed down because someone was parking. I ended up right beside you at the stop light a block and a half away...it didn't save you a single second! I'll do my best to do the same...I just want to get where I'm going in one piece!
Thank you.
I'm not a perfect driver or a perfect bus rider or a perfect pedestrian, but I try not to do things to scare other people and make their drives, pedals, rides, or walks to work, school, home, or wherever a constant source of heart palpitations. Maybe you could try to do the same? Most of you are great at sharing the road, but some of you, well, maybe you need a reminder.
Dear cars,
You have these neat new fangled things on your car called signal lights and head lights.
SIGNAL LIGHTS: It's really great if you flip the little lever up or down before you turn so that the cars behind you know what you're doing. Not while you're already turning or when you're done turning, *before* you start turning.
HEAD LIGHTS: It's winter. That means it starts to get dark sometime not long after 4:00. And if it's raining or snowing or just a miserable Vancouver day, it can be dark much earlier than that. It usually doesn't get light until sometime after 8:00. Again, it can stay dark longer if it's raining or snowing or just a miserable Vancouver day. Please turn your head lights on so that the rest of us (other cars, buses, bikes, and pedestrians) can see you. Also, your high beams, those are for when there is no oncoming traffic or traffic directly in front of you. I think it's 100 m. Your high beams shining in my eyes or my rear view mirror don't help things.
In Vancouver we have a few kinds of ways to get through intersections. We have through intersections in one direction with stop signs or lights in the other. We have four way stops. We have through intersections with lights controlled by pedestrians and stops signs going the other way. We have roundabouts. We have intersections with traffic lights in all directions. I'm sure there are other ones too.
Please follow the signals and signs. And watch for pedestrians. I don't like almost getting run over when I'm crossing with the lights. I don't like getting honked at because I'm in the CROSSWALK. I don't like getting honked at because I'm not turning because I'm waiting for a pedestrian to cross the road. WITH THE LIGHT.
And when you're in the roundabout...follow the signs and rules. That means you need to yield to the vehicles IN the roundabout (to your left). Don't honk at me when I'm in the roundabout and you have to wait your turn. Signal when you're going to leave the roundabout so that people waiting to get in can and people behind you don't almost rear end you. Oh and pedestrians? They still have the right of way. Don't try to run them down in the crosswalk or honk at them.
And four way stops? First vehicle to stop has the right of way. If there are multiple vehicles, you yield to the right.
If you happen to drive in the area around the UBC daycare centres and UHill Secondary, those 30km/hour signs are there for a reason. Don't pass all the cars going 30 and then slam on your brakes because you almost hit a child in a crosswalk. Don't go faster than 30. There are lots and lots and lots of little kids around. Little kids and teenagers can be unpredictable. Just be patient (or take another route...people who tend to do these two things seem to be using the road as a way to avoid the centre of campus)
Those are just a few things that are annoying me today about cars...I'm sure there's more.
Dear buses,
See notes to cars.
Also, I know I have to yield to you when you pull away from the curb. And really, I'm happy to do it. I don't want to argue with you...your bus will cause more damage to my car than my car will to your bus. BUT...if I'm right beside you and you signal that you want to pull away from the curb, signal and then pull away, don't just pull away and signal and assume we'll all be able to stop. Sometimes we can't because the car behind us isn't paying attention. Also, if I'm beside you, I might have to keep going because there isn't enough room in front of me for your big bus to fit.
And even though I HAVE to stop, it's nice of you to acknowledge that I DID stop with a little wave.
Dear bus riders,
It sucks to take the bus when it's wet out...mostly because it's crowded and steamy and wet. Please don't shake your umbrella off in the bus. Please don't open your umbrella into the crowd of people waiting to get on when you get off. Wait until you're a safe distance away. Your backpack doesn't need a seat. Your backpack makes a good weapon, so please take it off before you decapitate someone with it as you shove your way through the crowd. Those seats at the front? Give them to people with mobility issues (even if they're not in a wheelchair or using crutches or a cane or some other mobility device) Give them to people with a disability or injury. Give them to pregnant women, people with young children, and the elderly. The fact that you didn't get enough studying done before your exam today doesn't mean that you get to sit there to study. That's what the library is for. Be courteous. Please.
Dear bikes,
You are not glorified pedestrians. Stay off the sidewalk. If you're uncomfortable riding on the road, ride on a bike street or don't ride at all. I don't like almost getting knocked down by you or the near misses my little girl has had.
You are a vehicle. And like cars and trucks and motor bikes and buses, you are subject to all of the laws pertaining to a vehicle (ahem, stay off the sidewalk). You need to stop at stop signs. Don't give me a dirty look when you almost slam into my car that is legally in an intersection because you decided not to stop at the stop sign. Four way stops...those pertain to you too. Stopping for pedestrians in a crosswalk? Oh yeah, that's for you too. Don't stop your bike in my blind spot and bang on my car to tell me you're there. I probably know you're there because some of you are kamikazes so I keep a close eye on you. You could pull up closer or stay a bit further back and avoid my blind spot too...and if I'm stopped, I'm not going anywhere, so don't bang on my car. It scares my daughter.
And you need to turn your lights on. Or get some lights. One light on the back of your bike doesn't help me see you at all when you're coming towards me and you're wearing dark clothes and it's dark out. Reflectors are great, but lights are essential.
Dear pedestrians,
Yes, you have the right of way. Do you also have a death wish? Because a lot of you seem to think you're invincible. You're not. A car is a lot bigger and heavier than you and if anyone "wins" in a car vs a pedestrian, it's not usually the pedestrian.
Please don't j-walk. Especially if you're going to hide between SUVs with tinted windows so I can't see you and then just jump into traffic. Come on. There are street lights and crosswalks for a reason. And most of the worst offenders are only a car length or two from the corner.
Be aware of your space, your umbrella, and the people with you. If you're taking up the whole sidewalk, it's practically impossible for people coming the other way to walk. Don't give them dirty looks when you need to move over so they can pass.
Dear cars, buses, bikes, and pedestrians,
Mostly, please just be courteous and aware of what's going on around you. And be patient. I'm talking to you, black car that zoomed around me when I slowed down because someone was parking. I ended up right beside you at the stop light a block and a half away...it didn't save you a single second! I'll do my best to do the same...I just want to get where I'm going in one piece!
Thank you.
Thursday, October 15, 2009
You know you're a mommy (and probably sleep deprived) when...
it takes every ounce of restraint you've got not to say "Look at the puppy. See the puppy outside? What does the puppy say? The puppy says woof woof" to the guy sitting next to you on the bus.
Wednesday, September 09, 2009
Braving the B-line
I had an appointment yesterday morning and so I didn't take the B-line to work. I also didn't take the B-line home because our network decided to crash, so T from work dropped me off on her way home so that we could both try to work from home.
Anyway.
I did take the B-line this morning and it took almost twice as long as it usually does. It didn't help that it was pouring rain and felt like winter, but I'm not sure how thrilled I'm going to be about commuting from our place. This is the first time I've had to commute from the new place during term. We moved during the summer and then Jocelyn arrived, so this is a new experience for me.
I'm not even going to get started on the horrific bus etiquette some of my fellow bus riders had today!
NOT looking forward to the ride home. Sigh. Wish me luck!
Anyway.
I did take the B-line this morning and it took almost twice as long as it usually does. It didn't help that it was pouring rain and felt like winter, but I'm not sure how thrilled I'm going to be about commuting from our place. This is the first time I've had to commute from the new place during term. We moved during the summer and then Jocelyn arrived, so this is a new experience for me.
I'm not even going to get started on the horrific bus etiquette some of my fellow bus riders had today!
NOT looking forward to the ride home. Sigh. Wish me luck!
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
The *ONLY* thing worse
...than a crowded bus on a hot day, is a crowded bus on a rainy, muggy day when the bus riders think rain=cold which means the windows should be shut.
The sun is going to come back, right?
Stay tuned for the next chapter in our lives...we'll be back in a few days and maybe there will be some sort of regular posting or something like that!
The sun is going to come back, right?
Stay tuned for the next chapter in our lives...we'll be back in a few days and maybe there will be some sort of regular posting or something like that!
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
To the people on the bus - Part 2
First of all, maybe I should just stop taking the bus. Then I wouldn't complain so much. Complaining isn't good. Or so I've heard.
Dear people on the bus who sit at the front and don't need to,
Like I mentioned last time, it's uncool to pretend to sleep, study or just not see the people who get on who need to sit down. And I'm not talking about me. How about the guy with the crutches the other day or elderly lady yesterday?
Dear people on the bus who sit at the front and speak in stage whispers,
I can hear you. Especially when I'm only one person away from you. And the only reason I didn't say anything to you was because I was too hot and tired and really couldn't be bothered talking to people like you. And no, I'm not "too pregnant to be out in public and on the bus." I know my presence on the bus wasn't hurting me or my baby. I can't imagine how it was hurting you. And I still had three months to my due date when you whispered that to your husband. Just you wait. I'm gonna get bigger. I PROMISE!
Dear lady on the bus who claims she was going to give the two girls who were (a) pretending to sleep and (b) pretending to study heck for not giving me their seats,
I know that (a) was pretending to sleep because once I sat down she "woke up" and was alert for the rest of the trip and I know that (b) was pretending to study because once I sat down, she stopped studying for the rest of the trip, but if you were going to say something, you should have said something when I got on or offered me your seat if you were that concerned, not eight or ten stops later when I sat down in a vacant seat. I wasn't concerned. If I needed to sit, I would have asked someone to move. I made it ten or so stops plus a bridge without fainting, falling over, banging into anyone etc. And when I did sit down, it was because there was a seat empty and no one in it - I'm pregnant, not an invalid - I could have managed the next six stops no problem too!
To the people who insist on standing in the doorways when there is space in the aisles,
Please move when the bus stops. I am pregnant. My belly is huge. I cannot get through the narrow little space that a three year old could maybe get through. Even if I wasn't pregnant. Six inches just isn't enough space for a grown up body. I'm sorry if I'm disturbing you, but I'd like to get off at my stop, not yours. And if you're on a B-Line, get out of the way so the people can get on...three door boarding and all, you know!
To the bus driver who waited until I got to my seat at the back of the bus,
Thank you! I might not be an invalid, but my balance isn't what it used to be and riding buses when I'm not holding tight to something could be dangerous!
To the people who roll their eyes and groan when someone gets on the bus who might take a little longer to board,
Chill out! You kinda suck...and you never know when a split second event could occur and that person who needs a courtesy seat, a few extra seconds to get to their seat, or who is in a wheelchair could be you. (Go read the last bus rant post and you'll see what I'm talking about - scroll to the end.)
And now the sun is shining and the birds are chirping so I'm going to try not to complain anymore..at least not until it starts tobe winter in June rain again.
Dear people on the bus who sit at the front and don't need to,
Like I mentioned last time, it's uncool to pretend to sleep, study or just not see the people who get on who need to sit down. And I'm not talking about me. How about the guy with the crutches the other day or elderly lady yesterday?
Dear people on the bus who sit at the front and speak in stage whispers,
I can hear you. Especially when I'm only one person away from you. And the only reason I didn't say anything to you was because I was too hot and tired and really couldn't be bothered talking to people like you. And no, I'm not "too pregnant to be out in public and on the bus." I know my presence on the bus wasn't hurting me or my baby. I can't imagine how it was hurting you. And I still had three months to my due date when you whispered that to your husband. Just you wait. I'm gonna get bigger. I PROMISE!
Dear lady on the bus who claims she was going to give the two girls who were (a) pretending to sleep and (b) pretending to study heck for not giving me their seats,
I know that (a) was pretending to sleep because once I sat down she "woke up" and was alert for the rest of the trip and I know that (b) was pretending to study because once I sat down, she stopped studying for the rest of the trip, but if you were going to say something, you should have said something when I got on or offered me your seat if you were that concerned, not eight or ten stops later when I sat down in a vacant seat. I wasn't concerned. If I needed to sit, I would have asked someone to move. I made it ten or so stops plus a bridge without fainting, falling over, banging into anyone etc. And when I did sit down, it was because there was a seat empty and no one in it - I'm pregnant, not an invalid - I could have managed the next six stops no problem too!
To the people who insist on standing in the doorways when there is space in the aisles,
Please move when the bus stops. I am pregnant. My belly is huge. I cannot get through the narrow little space that a three year old could maybe get through. Even if I wasn't pregnant. Six inches just isn't enough space for a grown up body. I'm sorry if I'm disturbing you, but I'd like to get off at my stop, not yours. And if you're on a B-Line, get out of the way so the people can get on...three door boarding and all, you know!
To the bus driver who waited until I got to my seat at the back of the bus,
Thank you! I might not be an invalid, but my balance isn't what it used to be and riding buses when I'm not holding tight to something could be dangerous!
To the people who roll their eyes and groan when someone gets on the bus who might take a little longer to board,
Chill out! You kinda suck...and you never know when a split second event could occur and that person who needs a courtesy seat, a few extra seconds to get to their seat, or who is in a wheelchair could be you. (Go read the last bus rant post and you'll see what I'm talking about - scroll to the end.)
And now the sun is shining and the birds are chirping so I'm going to try not to complain anymore..at least not until it starts to
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
To the people on the bus
Dear people on the bus who sit at the front and don't need to,
Pretending not to see the little old lady who was super stooped get on the bus is pretty lame. Pretending not to see her once she's on the bus (ie looking the other way, at the ground, closing your eyes, fiddling with your MP3 player/cellphone) is even more lame.
Dear people on the bus standing at the front,
Not getting out of the way of the little old lady mentioned above when she's trying to sit down, after the bus driver asked you to move, you're lame too. It wouldn't hurt you to squish up for a minute or give her hand as support.
Dear both groups of people,
You never know when you might be the one that needs the courtesy seats. I figured it would be years before I would need to sit there, but last year I spent a good number of months needing to sit up there because I walked slower than a snail who had molasses for breakfast, I carried a cane and for a good amount of time, I was sore. I know it can be a long way from where you get on to where you get off and standing for that long can be uncomfortable, but if you're able, get up...those people who are injured, frail, sick, dependent on a cane or other device to get around often also might not have the strength or the stability to ride the bus standing up, even for a couple of stops.
Pretending not to see the little old lady who was super stooped get on the bus is pretty lame. Pretending not to see her once she's on the bus (ie looking the other way, at the ground, closing your eyes, fiddling with your MP3 player/cellphone) is even more lame.
Dear people on the bus standing at the front,
Not getting out of the way of the little old lady mentioned above when she's trying to sit down, after the bus driver asked you to move, you're lame too. It wouldn't hurt you to squish up for a minute or give her hand as support.
Dear both groups of people,
You never know when you might be the one that needs the courtesy seats. I figured it would be years before I would need to sit there, but last year I spent a good number of months needing to sit up there because I walked slower than a snail who had molasses for breakfast, I carried a cane and for a good amount of time, I was sore. I know it can be a long way from where you get on to where you get off and standing for that long can be uncomfortable, but if you're able, get up...those people who are injured, frail, sick, dependent on a cane or other device to get around often also might not have the strength or the stability to ride the bus standing up, even for a couple of stops.
Monday, February 18, 2008
What's up with the buses?
Umm...yeah, on to bus accident number three in the last ten months or so...the first one was scary, the second one was a bit of an inconvenience, this one was just stupid. Some people should just not be allowed to drive cars. That's all. Just don't let them drive. At least this time the bus wasn't damaged - I didn't even see any paint transfer - and we pretty much were only delayed by about 15 minutes, but still...how annoying!
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
Snow + ice + Vancouver = CHAOS
It snowed yesterday. Lots, for Vancouver. Then it warmed up just a little so the snow started to melt. Then it froze.
Remember last spring? I was in a bus accident? Well, last night the bus I was taking home had an argument with the ice that led to an argument with a street post and a sign. Which led to me walking home. Granted it was only three short blocks, but man, it was super slippery and I feared for my back! Oh well, I made it. And this accident wasn't nearly as spectacular as the last one...barely even a bang!
Oh the joys of living in a city that can't cope with snow (too bad we get a few good snowstorms EVERY winter!)
Remember last spring? I was in a bus accident? Well, last night the bus I was taking home had an argument with the ice that led to an argument with a street post and a sign. Which led to me walking home. Granted it was only three short blocks, but man, it was super slippery and I feared for my back! Oh well, I made it. And this accident wasn't nearly as spectacular as the last one...barely even a bang!
Oh the joys of living in a city that can't cope with snow (too bad we get a few good snowstorms EVERY winter!)
Sunday, December 02, 2007
what happens in vancouver when it snows...
Cars spin their bald tires. Cars slide backwards while in drive. Cars come close to clobbering other cars. Buses skid and slide and line up...
Last night we went out with some friends who suggested we grab a bite to eat and then they'd drop us off at home. Well, we got to Vine and decided that they shouldn't try to go down the little hill there and we would get out and walk. Good thing...the street was a mess and people were being idiots trying to get up the hill and around the bus and going down the hill WAY TOO FAST and almost crashing into parked cars. It was definitely a fun day out and an interesting walk home. We're glad we were walking...it wasn't even safe to be on the bus!
Ooops...check this one out...
Amazing it didn't hit anything!
And there's all the buses waiting to go up the hill. I think there were six. You can see three in the picture.
Ahh...walking in a winter wonderland is an adventure in Vancouver!
Last night we went out with some friends who suggested we grab a bite to eat and then they'd drop us off at home. Well, we got to Vine and decided that they shouldn't try to go down the little hill there and we would get out and walk. Good thing...the street was a mess and people were being idiots trying to get up the hill and around the bus and going down the hill WAY TOO FAST and almost crashing into parked cars. It was definitely a fun day out and an interesting walk home. We're glad we were walking...it wasn't even safe to be on the bus!
Ooops...check this one out...
Amazing it didn't hit anything!
And there's all the buses waiting to go up the hill. I think there were six. You can see three in the picture.
Ahh...walking in a winter wonderland is an adventure in Vancouver!
Friday, April 27, 2007
Why the bus should also have seatbelts
The bus I was on this morning had a big accident just a few blocks after I got on and sat down. Thank goodness it wasn't too crowded because most people were seated.
The bus clipped the back of a taxi which plowed into a car in the oncoming lane. A few people who were standing lost their balance and a few people fell off their seats, but somehow no one was hurt.
The taxi driver is another story entirely. He was thrown across the car and was in the passenger seat. His head knocked the window out. He was alive and responsive when they took him away, but it took five or six people to get him out and onto the back board. When they opened the passenger door, the inside was totally caved in from the impact of his body.
I think the lady in the other car was in shock, but otherwise okay.
It was scary and there are lots of insensitive people out there. Most people were great, but one guy had his camera phone out and was taking pictures of everything. They stopped all the traffic going both ways and eventually re-routed the buses, but the people in some of the car were super grouchy that they also had to detour. Some of the people who got off the buses were mad they had to walk a few blocks.
Anyway, after seeing the injured cab driver and seeing the people tumble off the seats in the bus, I wonder when we'll see seatbelts in the buses...
I feel lucky today and hope the cab driver and the lady in the other car have speedy recoveries.
The bus clipped the back of a taxi which plowed into a car in the oncoming lane. A few people who were standing lost their balance and a few people fell off their seats, but somehow no one was hurt.
The taxi driver is another story entirely. He was thrown across the car and was in the passenger seat. His head knocked the window out. He was alive and responsive when they took him away, but it took five or six people to get him out and onto the back board. When they opened the passenger door, the inside was totally caved in from the impact of his body.
I think the lady in the other car was in shock, but otherwise okay.
It was scary and there are lots of insensitive people out there. Most people were great, but one guy had his camera phone out and was taking pictures of everything. They stopped all the traffic going both ways and eventually re-routed the buses, but the people in some of the car were super grouchy that they also had to detour. Some of the people who got off the buses were mad they had to walk a few blocks.
Anyway, after seeing the injured cab driver and seeing the people tumble off the seats in the bus, I wonder when we'll see seatbelts in the buses...
I feel lucky today and hope the cab driver and the lady in the other car have speedy recoveries.
Wednesday, March 28, 2007
Spring in the city
So, it's obvious to me that spring is here. Not only is it a bit warmer (as in, I put my coat in my bag, just in case it rained, but it was warm enough to just wear a sweater warmer), the flannel sheets have been banished until next fall, flowers are starting to grow. And the Vancouver spring garb has hit the streets!
I was waiting at the bus stop for what felt like an eternity this morning. That bus is never consistent. Either it's there when I get to the stop or I wait fifteen minutes for it...and it's a bus that is supposed to come every 2-3 minutes in the morning. There is an effective way to make the bus come though, and that is to randomly see a friend you haven't seen in a long time. Then the bus will miraculously appear over the crest of the hill to whisk you away before your conversation progresses much past "Hi, how are you? It's been a while." Anyway, the bus is not the point of the story.
The point of the story is what the above friend was wearing, which to me is as much a sign of spring as the buds blooming and the rains retreating. While he refrained from the favoured West Coast footwear of leather sandals and wool socks, he was wearing shorts. I thought it was a little chilly for that, but then I'm always cold. He's a walker and often grows a beard in the winter to protect him from the evil wind that blows across the Burrard Street bridge. While he wasn't in full beard mode, there was definitely more than a few days growth on his face. But what made the outfit the quintessential Vancouver spring outfit was the toque....where else would you see that!
Anyway...spring is here, I got to have a brief conversation with a friend I haven't seen for ages, the sun is out, it's Wednesday so we're half way through the week...it's going to be a good day!
I was waiting at the bus stop for what felt like an eternity this morning. That bus is never consistent. Either it's there when I get to the stop or I wait fifteen minutes for it...and it's a bus that is supposed to come every 2-3 minutes in the morning. There is an effective way to make the bus come though, and that is to randomly see a friend you haven't seen in a long time. Then the bus will miraculously appear over the crest of the hill to whisk you away before your conversation progresses much past "Hi, how are you? It's been a while." Anyway, the bus is not the point of the story.
The point of the story is what the above friend was wearing, which to me is as much a sign of spring as the buds blooming and the rains retreating. While he refrained from the favoured West Coast footwear of leather sandals and wool socks, he was wearing shorts. I thought it was a little chilly for that, but then I'm always cold. He's a walker and often grows a beard in the winter to protect him from the evil wind that blows across the Burrard Street bridge. While he wasn't in full beard mode, there was definitely more than a few days growth on his face. But what made the outfit the quintessential Vancouver spring outfit was the toque....where else would you see that!
Anyway...spring is here, I got to have a brief conversation with a friend I haven't seen for ages, the sun is out, it's Wednesday so we're half way through the week...it's going to be a good day!
Tuesday, October 10, 2006
ok, so they're not IDENTICAL
Monday, October 02, 2006
the wheels on the bus go round and round
and the people on the bus are dumb, dumb, dumb....
And Shannon is grumpy. On my way back from the dentist, I got on the bus at its first stop. I was the third of six people on the (empty) bus, so I took a seat towards the back, next to the window, knowing I'd be on the bus until three stops before the end of the route.
The fifth person got on the bus and where did she sit? Not in one of the many empty seats, she sat right next to me. And she was one of those people who sits RIGHT NEXT TO YOU...like almost on top of you and definitely over that little cord that determines where the middle of the seat is.
Then a lady got on and sat next to the man in front of me. She was the opposite of the lady next to me...she's one of those people who sits half off the seat and into the aisle. She proceeded to trip the next two people who got on the bus. I originally thought she also had a large bag with her, but no, she tripped them with her leg which was all the way in the aisle.
THEN the man next to her tried to get off, and not only is she a half-aisle-sitter, she's also a swivel-in-the-seat-to-let-people-by-sitter...and she didn't swivel quite far enough. And the man had a large bag and he was probably about 6'6" and so he asked her if she could stand, and she just glared at him. And then almost tripped him and had him land on top of her. He did knock her in the head with his bag when he lost his balance, but I figure it served her right for not standing for all of three seconds.
This is why I HATE the bus...courtesy isn't so hard and makes everyone's day a little better...
And Shannon is grumpy. On my way back from the dentist, I got on the bus at its first stop. I was the third of six people on the (empty) bus, so I took a seat towards the back, next to the window, knowing I'd be on the bus until three stops before the end of the route.
The fifth person got on the bus and where did she sit? Not in one of the many empty seats, she sat right next to me. And she was one of those people who sits RIGHT NEXT TO YOU...like almost on top of you and definitely over that little cord that determines where the middle of the seat is.
Then a lady got on and sat next to the man in front of me. She was the opposite of the lady next to me...she's one of those people who sits half off the seat and into the aisle. She proceeded to trip the next two people who got on the bus. I originally thought she also had a large bag with her, but no, she tripped them with her leg which was all the way in the aisle.
THEN the man next to her tried to get off, and not only is she a half-aisle-sitter, she's also a swivel-in-the-seat-to-let-people-by-sitter...and she didn't swivel quite far enough. And the man had a large bag and he was probably about 6'6" and so he asked her if she could stand, and she just glared at him. And then almost tripped him and had him land on top of her. He did knock her in the head with his bag when he lost his balance, but I figure it served her right for not standing for all of three seconds.
This is why I HATE the bus...courtesy isn't so hard and makes everyone's day a little better...
Sunday, September 17, 2006
Saturday excursion
waiting for the bus to come...
mmmm....coffeeThen it was off to procure some fabric for some pretty new kitchen curtains...and we bought ourselves some new dining room furniture. Now we just need to rid the house of the cookies...goodbye cookies...
beautiful day
riding the bus...
still riding the bus...
more riding the bus...yes... we were bored on the bus...
cheap gas
MMMmmm....yuck...our house smelled like vinegar, causing our taste buds to crave things like salt and vinegar chips and fish and chips and things like that...but some of our shelves are now SUPER clean and de-mothed...
We picked Kelsey up from the bus and the first thing she did when she got to the house was discover this creature in the sink. See the candle next to it...YUP, it was HUGE....PS the candle is for scale...it doesn't live in the sink...
Tuesday, May 09, 2006
Riding the bus irks me!
It drives me crazy...and I have to ride it everyday....
Some of the things that drive me nuts:
1. Some stops people line up and other stops they don't. That doesn't bother me. I can figure out which stop is a line up stop and which stop is a free-for-all-cram-on-the-bus-in-a-great-big-bunch stop. And actually I don't prefer one over the other. What drives me nuts is when people ignore the obvious line up (hello, it's about 30 people long, how did you miss it) and try to cram their way on the bus.
2. People who try to push their way onto the bus when a wheelchair or stroller is obviously trying to get off.
3. People who are way back there in the bus and have to even pass the other door to get to the front door to get off the bus, even though the signs say, USE THE BACK DOORS.
4. Bus drivers who honk and yell at anything that moves on the street. Buses are not the only vehicles on the street!
5. Bus drivers who are idiots and make me fall over...like the one who drove the 22 that I took one dark, rainy night. I got on the bus. It was slippery from the rain. I reached out to hold onto a grab bar and the driver jammed on the accelerator and then slammed on the brakes 15 metres later. Because the light was red. The light had been red since I got on the bus. My hand hadn't quite made it to the grab bar. I felt my legs fly out in front of me. I felt like I was lying in the air. Then my head (and body) made hard and sudden contact with the floor. Then there was yelling. Lots of yelling and then the bus was moving and then it stopped suddenly again. The yelling was all the passengers who saw what happened telling the bus driver exactly what they thought of him. The sudden stop was him checking to see if I had died. Just as I started to get up and regain my balance, zoom, he was off again and I was teetering, but some little old lady grabbed my elbow and pulled me into the seat. Yeah. I'm not kidding. Stupid bus driver.
6. People who don't take their gi-normous backpacks that are almost as big as they are off when the bus is crowded. These are the same people who forget they are wider from front to back than usual and try to decapitate people with said bags.
7. People who eat stinky food like salami or bananas on the bus.
8. People who yell loudly into their cell phones. I don't care what you're having for dinner, who got lucky last night, what minor drama played out at work this morning or what was in the baby's diaper. If you must talk on your cell phone, use your inside voice. I don't care about your life, I don't care that you have a cell phone. I have one too. I usually choose not to use it on the bus.
9. People who attack bus drivers because they think they shouldn't have to pay full fare. Pay full fare and get over it. Our transit prices aren't that bad. Have you ever been to London or Sydney? Be nice to the bus drivers. Seriously.
But I will continue to take the bus...for the time being anyway...because there are only three alternatives: walk, ride a bike or drive. Walking would be okay but would likely take two hours because of the evil hill. I don't have a bike. I don't have a car. I don't like driving, I don't like parking and I certainly don't like $1.195 for a litre of gas. At that price, I'd have to take out a second mortgage to pay for my commute. And it's a short one. And I don't have a first mortgage so I'm out of luck on the second one. But Translink will drive me where I need to go, I don't have to find parking, they just drop me off and they even fill up the tank when necessary...
Some of the things that drive me nuts:
1. Some stops people line up and other stops they don't. That doesn't bother me. I can figure out which stop is a line up stop and which stop is a free-for-all-cram-on-the-bus-in-a-great-big-bunch stop. And actually I don't prefer one over the other. What drives me nuts is when people ignore the obvious line up (hello, it's about 30 people long, how did you miss it) and try to cram their way on the bus.
2. People who try to push their way onto the bus when a wheelchair or stroller is obviously trying to get off.
3. People who are way back there in the bus and have to even pass the other door to get to the front door to get off the bus, even though the signs say, USE THE BACK DOORS.
4. Bus drivers who honk and yell at anything that moves on the street. Buses are not the only vehicles on the street!
5. Bus drivers who are idiots and make me fall over...like the one who drove the 22 that I took one dark, rainy night. I got on the bus. It was slippery from the rain. I reached out to hold onto a grab bar and the driver jammed on the accelerator and then slammed on the brakes 15 metres later. Because the light was red. The light had been red since I got on the bus. My hand hadn't quite made it to the grab bar. I felt my legs fly out in front of me. I felt like I was lying in the air. Then my head (and body) made hard and sudden contact with the floor. Then there was yelling. Lots of yelling and then the bus was moving and then it stopped suddenly again. The yelling was all the passengers who saw what happened telling the bus driver exactly what they thought of him. The sudden stop was him checking to see if I had died. Just as I started to get up and regain my balance, zoom, he was off again and I was teetering, but some little old lady grabbed my elbow and pulled me into the seat. Yeah. I'm not kidding. Stupid bus driver.
6. People who don't take their gi-normous backpacks that are almost as big as they are off when the bus is crowded. These are the same people who forget they are wider from front to back than usual and try to decapitate people with said bags.
7. People who eat stinky food like salami or bananas on the bus.
8. People who yell loudly into their cell phones. I don't care what you're having for dinner, who got lucky last night, what minor drama played out at work this morning or what was in the baby's diaper. If you must talk on your cell phone, use your inside voice. I don't care about your life, I don't care that you have a cell phone. I have one too. I usually choose not to use it on the bus.
9. People who attack bus drivers because they think they shouldn't have to pay full fare. Pay full fare and get over it. Our transit prices aren't that bad. Have you ever been to London or Sydney? Be nice to the bus drivers. Seriously.
But I will continue to take the bus...for the time being anyway...because there are only three alternatives: walk, ride a bike or drive. Walking would be okay but would likely take two hours because of the evil hill. I don't have a bike. I don't have a car. I don't like driving, I don't like parking and I certainly don't like $1.195 for a litre of gas. At that price, I'd have to take out a second mortgage to pay for my commute. And it's a short one. And I don't have a first mortgage so I'm out of luck on the second one. But Translink will drive me where I need to go, I don't have to find parking, they just drop me off and they even fill up the tank when necessary...
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