We've all heard the phone calls.
The ones the moms make at 7:25am. On the train.
The ones that go:
MOM: Are you up?
(pause)
MOM: Well you better get up.
(pause)
MOM: I'm gonna call back in 5 minutes and you better be up
---CALLS BACK---
MOM: Are you dressed?
(pause)
MOM:Did you find your pants on the dryer?
(pause)
MOM:I put them there last night.
MOM:Take off what you have on and go find the ones on the dryer.
(pause)
MOM: What are you eating for breakfast?
MOM: I left a bagel for you.
(pause)
MOM: I don't care. You better eat it.
(pause)
MOM: Pack your bag now while I am on the phone with you. I finished your two last math problems.
(pause)
You get it now, right?
Shauna sent this in. Her First Period
Wednesday, August 31, 2011
What we have here, is a failure to communicate
Dear CJ,
I’m not sure if you’re as passionate on your site about GO buses as you are about trains (Absolutely I am!).
I’ve only just become a dedicated reader this morning (Love at first site, huh?) but there is one thing that irks me about some drivers that I wanted to share, and I just happen to have an example from the other day (Aug 23rd @ 5:06PM).
So we’re traveling merrily along the 401 from Yorkdale on our way to the 400, when the driver begins to slow down. Then he stops. Now, I figured there was traffic or something, but as I shake myself out of my Android Phone induced oblivion, I realize we’re at the side of the road. By this time, everyone else is looking around at everyone else trying to get some semblance of “Oh, we’ve stopped, and its ok” which of course, no one is getting.
All of a sudden, the bus turns off. The door opens. The driver gets up. The driver exits the bus. The door closes. Silence. Now there is more looking around. I’ve come to understand this is actually everyone trying to figure out if anyone else is panicking, and whether or not they should also be panicking, since perhaps they don’t understand how panicky this situation should actually be.
Fortunately, no one is freaking out, so the silence continues (minus the uncomfortable seat-shifting that comes with uncomfortable non-obviously-panicky silences). The driver then walks around the bus a few times, opens the door, gets back in and we start our journey again.
Now, I’m glad that he apparently found that nothing was wrong, and I’m glad that I got home with minimal delay, but my biggest problem is very obviously that all of this occurred without as much as a glance back to the passengers. No smile. No announcement with a quick explanation. Not even so much as mouthing the words “False Alarm”.
Seriously, when did it happen that GO Transit, and/or the drivers themselves, decided that we don’t need to know what’s going on? Do they even realize we’re there anymore, or is it that once they check our ticket (if they check our ticket), their job is just to get the bus from point A to point B?
P.S. Thanks for providing a forum for me to be able to vent, if not on the site itself, at least in your Inbox!
Jason B.
Daily GO Commuter from Newmarket to Meadowvale for the last 5 years.
I don't have an answer for you Jason but I do have some illustrations to help you identify the only situation - just one - when your driver has to tell you why he's pulled over, gotten out and locked you all in the bus. Can you guess which one it is?
Jackie Chan
Inflatable Gorilla
Fire
I’m not sure if you’re as passionate on your site about GO buses as you are about trains (Absolutely I am!).
I’ve only just become a dedicated reader this morning (Love at first site, huh?) but there is one thing that irks me about some drivers that I wanted to share, and I just happen to have an example from the other day (Aug 23rd @ 5:06PM).
So we’re traveling merrily along the 401 from Yorkdale on our way to the 400, when the driver begins to slow down. Then he stops. Now, I figured there was traffic or something, but as I shake myself out of my Android Phone induced oblivion, I realize we’re at the side of the road. By this time, everyone else is looking around at everyone else trying to get some semblance of “Oh, we’ve stopped, and its ok” which of course, no one is getting.
All of a sudden, the bus turns off. The door opens. The driver gets up. The driver exits the bus. The door closes. Silence. Now there is more looking around. I’ve come to understand this is actually everyone trying to figure out if anyone else is panicking, and whether or not they should also be panicking, since perhaps they don’t understand how panicky this situation should actually be.
Fortunately, no one is freaking out, so the silence continues (minus the uncomfortable seat-shifting that comes with uncomfortable non-obviously-panicky silences). The driver then walks around the bus a few times, opens the door, gets back in and we start our journey again.
Now, I’m glad that he apparently found that nothing was wrong, and I’m glad that I got home with minimal delay, but my biggest problem is very obviously that all of this occurred without as much as a glance back to the passengers. No smile. No announcement with a quick explanation. Not even so much as mouthing the words “False Alarm”.
Seriously, when did it happen that GO Transit, and/or the drivers themselves, decided that we don’t need to know what’s going on? Do they even realize we’re there anymore, or is it that once they check our ticket (if they check our ticket), their job is just to get the bus from point A to point B?
P.S. Thanks for providing a forum for me to be able to vent, if not on the site itself, at least in your Inbox!
Jason B.
Daily GO Commuter from Newmarket to Meadowvale for the last 5 years.
I don't have an answer for you Jason but I do have some illustrations to help you identify the only situation - just one - when your driver has to tell you why he's pulled over, gotten out and locked you all in the bus. Can you guess which one it is?
Jackie Chan
Inflatable Gorilla
Fire
Incredible. Parking is already at a premium. Isn't it nice how these people care?
Langstaff GO
Submitted by MV
For September, you might want to consider Presto over a monthly pass
Strike deadline looms for GO Transit workers
The Canadian Press via The Star
A Sept. 19 strike deadline is looming in contract talks between GO Transit and the union representing its workers.
Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1587 President Ray Doyle says a strike will “most definitely” happen unless there’s a wage increase.
Doyle says GO has offered a zero per cent wage increase over the next two years.
The union has applied to the Ontario Ministry of Labour for a no board report, which starts the clock ticking toward a possible strike.
More ...
The Canadian Press via The Star
A Sept. 19 strike deadline is looming in contract talks between GO Transit and the union representing its workers.
Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1587 President Ray Doyle says a strike will “most definitely” happen unless there’s a wage increase.
Doyle says GO has offered a zero per cent wage increase over the next two years.
The union has applied to the Ontario Ministry of Labour for a no board report, which starts the clock ticking toward a possible strike.
More ...
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
Not a good scene - One dead, 13 injured in TTC bus crash
One passenger is dead and at least 11 others injured after the TTC bus they were travelling on collided with a construction truck Tuesday.
Emergency officials confirmed that one person was killed in the crash, which took place around 2:30 p.m.
More on the Toronto Star website or follow @TorontoStar
Emergency officials confirmed that one person was killed in the crash, which took place around 2:30 p.m.
More on the Toronto Star website or follow @TorontoStar
So you got no woman and there you are
Young MC (YMC) would like to report that he remains loveless on the Georgetown Line.
He overheard his GO Train Crush on Friday night telling someone on her phone that her husband had missed a dentist appointment.
I am sure I could feel him crying through his email.
And there's one more girl you won't be getting ... Sorry, I just *had* to.
So YMC likes the older ladies, girls! Unless she got married at 16 (insert dueling banjos) it appears he stays away from women 20 and under.
I hate starting over
Getting a new, "replacement" Blackberry is like starting a new relationship after you've been dumped without warning. Me and my old Blackberry? We had a good thing going. Or so I thought.
Nothing is familiar. The whole O/S is different. My Blackberry Restore failed. A lot good that did. Rogers said to call RIM. RIM said to call Rogers. For the first time in many, many, many years, I uttered the mother of all swear words. Yes, *that* one. On the phone.
The Rogers tech support guy asked me if I used Blackberry Protect. No, I said. I used the Blackberry Desktop Manager, which came with my first BlackBerry. He sort of chuckled and said it's not a backup, it's a Sync application. I was like, come again? There's a friggin' tab in the navigation menu of this software that says Device > Back Up. There's a Restore feature. I know how to RTFM!!! He says he doesn't support RIM products. So I said, if you don't support RIM products, why the hell are you asking me about Blackberry Protect?
I'd like to say at this point I threw my office chair through my office window so it shattered and that I stood on the ledge and dropped my replacement Blackberry. That I watched it fall 17 stories to the pavement below where it shattered into a million pieces. That when I turned around, an Apple Store guy was at my office door with a brand new iPhone 4G, but it was merely a Scooby-Doo dream sequence.
So having said all this, those of you who had me set up on Blackberry Messenger will have to add me again and those who don't, well you can add me too: 23737D42. The phone number for text messaging remains the same.
Nothing is familiar. The whole O/S is different. My Blackberry Restore failed. A lot good that did. Rogers said to call RIM. RIM said to call Rogers. For the first time in many, many, many years, I uttered the mother of all swear words. Yes, *that* one. On the phone.
The Rogers tech support guy asked me if I used Blackberry Protect. No, I said. I used the Blackberry Desktop Manager, which came with my first BlackBerry. He sort of chuckled and said it's not a backup, it's a Sync application. I was like, come again? There's a friggin' tab in the navigation menu of this software that says Device > Back Up. There's a Restore feature. I know how to RTFM!!! He says he doesn't support RIM products. So I said, if you don't support RIM products, why the hell are you asking me about Blackberry Protect?
I'd like to say at this point I threw my office chair through my office window so it shattered and that I stood on the ledge and dropped my replacement Blackberry. That I watched it fall 17 stories to the pavement below where it shattered into a million pieces. That when I turned around, an Apple Store guy was at my office door with a brand new iPhone 4G, but it was merely a Scooby-Doo dream sequence.
So having said all this, those of you who had me set up on Blackberry Messenger will have to add me again and those who don't, well you can add me too: 23737D42. The phone number for text messaging remains the same.
Monday, August 29, 2011
Found on Facebook. Careful what you wish for!
Get on the GO - The official GO Transit info page
Oooh boy. This is a dangerous request. I know Photoshop.
Anyone have ideas? I'll need a legit photo from your commute to work with.
- 2 people like this.
Oooh boy. This is a dangerous request. I know Photoshop.
Anyone have ideas? I'll need a legit photo from your commute to work with.
I'm too sexy for my shoes
Yep, it's a dude. Work it, girl. Look at how he caresses that polyester fabric with his toes.
(insert Herbert the Pervert voice from Family Guy)
"Hey there muscly legs. I've got some nice Popsicles in the freezer for ya."
Technical issues, please stand by
On Saturday, during a visit to the Peterborough Zoo (Riverview Park), my BlackBerry Curve decided to quit this bitch.
The only thing I can do with the device is receive and make phone calls. Other than that, I've got the white screen of death. It's only because I have the functions committed to memory that I can make outgoing calls. Thankfully, I was smart enough to take advantage of Rogers' extreme text messaging feature where copies of texts sent to my mobile number are emailed to me. I just can't reply. Here's hoping Chez Fry Guy reads my post in reply to his ridiculous text message from this afternoon.
My replacement phone should show up by Friday. Send photos and messages to cj@thiscrazytrain.com if you have content to share this week. Thanks again for your continued support of this website.
The only thing I can do with the device is receive and make phone calls. Other than that, I've got the white screen of death. It's only because I have the functions committed to memory that I can make outgoing calls. Thankfully, I was smart enough to take advantage of Rogers' extreme text messaging feature where copies of texts sent to my mobile number are emailed to me. I just can't reply. Here's hoping Chez Fry Guy reads my post in reply to his ridiculous text message from this afternoon.
My replacement phone should show up by Friday. Send photos and messages to cj@thiscrazytrain.com if you have content to share this week. Thanks again for your continued support of this website.
McCrazy's friend is angry
Text message from 905260XXXX
29 AUG 11
1:03:17 PM
hey. listen asshol. saw ur site with apic of a guy i know. bro willl lay a spliff 4 u in a heartbeat. give teh shrt off his back. no reasson to snakc him up over a fuckin bag,bro. if id been there i would of slapped da bag outta ur hand and told u to mind ur own business bitch. peace.
I always love it when people write mean, hateful emails or threatening text messages and end their vitriol with "cheers!" or "thanks for your time" or "peace" as if they just sold flowers to my Nan and are bidding her adieu.
The hell?
This text message made me laugh out loud. I had no idea that being able to roll a marijuana joint in seconds flat, or lend me a t-shirt that surely wouldn't fit me, qualified someone as a polite, upstanding citizen who I had no right to take issue with because he couldn't be bothered to throw away his trash.
29 AUG 11
1:03:17 PM
hey. listen asshol. saw ur site with apic of a guy i know. bro willl lay a spliff 4 u in a heartbeat. give teh shrt off his back. no reasson to snakc him up over a fuckin bag,bro. if id been there i would of slapped da bag outta ur hand and told u to mind ur own business bitch. peace.
I always love it when people write mean, hateful emails or threatening text messages and end their vitriol with "cheers!" or "thanks for your time" or "peace" as if they just sold flowers to my Nan and are bidding her adieu.
The hell?
This text message made me laugh out loud. I had no idea that being able to roll a marijuana joint in seconds flat, or lend me a t-shirt that surely wouldn't fit me, qualified someone as a polite, upstanding citizen who I had no right to take issue with because he couldn't be bothered to throw away his trash.
Please remove the stink
Originally, I snapped this photo because Friday's 7:29pm LSE (delayed!) train was filling fast and getting crowded but no one was sitting near this guy because his McDonald's dinner reeked. Three elderly women had originally sat in his quad only to get up and move into the one behind me. Once they settled in, they spent the next 20 minutes discussing how smelly McDonald's food is.
When this young man finished his dinner, he put his garbage on the seat next to him.
As the train pulled into Oshawa, he got up and left his bag behind.
I did ask him to please take his garbage but his music was too loud. So I grabbed his bag and drink, and stood behind him while we were waiting for the doors to open. For whatever reason, he turned around and he noticed I had his garbage.
The minute he was through the train doors, he took off like his ass was on fire. I did notice that his face had turned red when he realized what I was doing. But the running?
Did he think I was going to beat him with his garbage, after I tackled him?
All I was doing was tossing his garbage so the people getting on at Oshawa didn't have to deal with his leftovers. But I see he got my point.
Friday, August 26, 2011
Thursday, August 25, 2011
Terrorist Sausage
My Tweets tell the story:
ThisCrazyTrain
Whatever dude has in this box reeks to high heaven!Smells like 30 day old beer with a cig butt in it
2 hours ago
ThisCrazyTrain
@MelissaLou5 I'm getting wafts of BO as well. Jesus Christ, it's these damn CNE junkies. Not loving the mix of stale cigarettes either
2 hours ago
ThisCrazyTrain
This asshole & his stinky CNE food did not get off at Pickering. Am now preparing 2 punt the box out of his hands when the doors open @ Ajax
2 hours ago
ThisCrazyTrain
@shawnaga Can't wait to photoshop 'traditional southern GARBAGE' on the pic with squiggles of fumes later 2night for the website
2 hours ago
ThisCrazyTrain
@elleinad_ I don't think what was in that box was pizza. He probably ate the pizza and then picked up some roadkill for the ride home
16 minutes ago
This is what it feels like when GO passengers bring stinky food on board.
It's an assault to the nose!
Run Forrest! Runnn!
from: oshgoshitsoshawajosh
to cj@thiscrazytrain.com
date Fri, Aug 19, 2011 at 6:52 PM
subject GO Face Plant
Hey CJ!
Longtime reader. I have been patiently waiting for months for some action to happen around me worthy of an email to you.
Well I guess the stars aligned because I got my wish tonight. Not that I would wish anything bad on anyone but one thing I can't stand are the friggen GO parking lot Olympiads who line up to exit at Oshawa, from as early as Ajax, so they can jump out when the doors open and hurdle themselves across the platform and into their cars.
However, a total win, are those steel gates they've got at Oshawa for the VIA construction is severely cramping the style of some of these people.
Anyways ... I'm walking from the forth from the last car, when this woman books it past me at Mach7, when all of a sudden, she makes this weird leap over the three-seater bench and does this spectacular face plant.
I searched all over YouTube for one just like the one she made but alas, came up empty.
BUT! This was the closest I could find. She fell in a similar fashion.
I hustled over to see if she was okay. A few other people joined me. After laying on the ground for several seconds, she jumped up, ignored us all, grabbed the stuff that fell out of her pockets and hobbled off. I was certain she'd broken something.
I kept an eye on her as I walked to my car. She had managed to pull out a cellphone. She was crying so I was positive she hurt herself. I went up to her, ready to offer to go get some ice, and she turned away from me. Into her phone she said, "There's this creep who keeps trying to talk to me."
Nice, huh? I hope she lost some teeth.
- Josh
to cj@thiscrazytrain.com
date Fri, Aug 19, 2011 at 6:52 PM
subject GO Face Plant
Hey CJ!
Longtime reader. I have been patiently waiting for months for some action to happen around me worthy of an email to you.
Well I guess the stars aligned because I got my wish tonight. Not that I would wish anything bad on anyone but one thing I can't stand are the friggen GO parking lot Olympiads who line up to exit at Oshawa, from as early as Ajax, so they can jump out when the doors open and hurdle themselves across the platform and into their cars.
However, a total win, are those steel gates they've got at Oshawa for the VIA construction is severely cramping the style of some of these people.
Anyways ... I'm walking from the forth from the last car, when this woman books it past me at Mach7, when all of a sudden, she makes this weird leap over the three-seater bench and does this spectacular face plant.
I searched all over YouTube for one just like the one she made but alas, came up empty.
BUT! This was the closest I could find. She fell in a similar fashion.
I hustled over to see if she was okay. A few other people joined me. After laying on the ground for several seconds, she jumped up, ignored us all, grabbed the stuff that fell out of her pockets and hobbled off. I was certain she'd broken something.
I kept an eye on her as I walked to my car. She had managed to pull out a cellphone. She was crying so I was positive she hurt herself. I went up to her, ready to offer to go get some ice, and she turned away from me. Into her phone she said, "There's this creep who keeps trying to talk to me."
Nice, huh? I hope she lost some teeth.
- Josh
Assholes. They drive with us. They park with us. They ride with us. They damage our cars ...We threaten to damage their cars ...
Paul parks at the Whitby GO Station.
Paul enjoyed parking at the Whitby GO Station.
One day, the gates of Hell were opened via a portal known as the "parking garage".
Paul writes:
I pay for a monthly parking spot at the Whtiby GO. Prior to being moved (no choice) into the three-level death trap GO constructed, it was a fairly peaceful affair. However; since being moved into the parking garage my car has been hit twice. The latest (yesterday) will require some significant cash to fix. (See pics).
My advice to those GO riders that have monthly parking where a garage has been proposed, or is being constructed, do not allow them to move your spot into the garage. It ups your risk and your stress level immensely. Drivers routinely slalom diagonally through the garage at 30-40K. Pedestrians are constantly running for their lives, as these neanderthal monkeys in heat take the shortest distance between two points to navigate to their desired parking spot. Remember this: Garage = Cage.
I'm sure you'll be surprised, but no note was left on my windshield either time after I was hit. Go figure.
Soon to be cageless (I hope)
Comedy Gold!
Read Rebeccah and I's previous email exchange here
from: rebeccah t*bi*s
to: cj@thiscrazytrain.com
Thu, Aug 25, 2011 at 7:09 AM
subject: my dad
hi again. i showed my dad ur website after u emailed me. i also showed a few other friends. i guess i was just in a bad mood. they think ur site is funny.
my dad siad it was funny. im sry if i made u mad or made u think i was mean. he told me uyr site is settire and siad it reminded him of pink floyd. i also want to mentin that i do speak english. i just type 2 fast. im 19 btw. one day i might find ur site funny.
bye.
from: cj@thiscrazytrain.com
to: rebeccah t*bi*s
Thu, Aug 25, 2011 at 8:46 AM
subject: Re: my dad
Dear Rebeccah,
Did you mean satire?
I'm not sure I understand the comparison to Pink Floyd but I'll take it as a compliment regardless.
You didn't make me mad. I don't think you're mean.
Thank you for continuing to provide some great material for me.
Looking forward to reading some comments from your dad!
-CJ
from: rebeccah t*bi*s
to: cj@thiscrazytrain.com
Thu, Aug 25, 2011 at 7:09 AM
subject: my dad
hi again. i showed my dad ur website after u emailed me. i also showed a few other friends. i guess i was just in a bad mood. they think ur site is funny.
my dad siad it was funny. im sry if i made u mad or made u think i was mean. he told me uyr site is settire and siad it reminded him of pink floyd. i also want to mentin that i do speak english. i just type 2 fast. im 19 btw. one day i might find ur site funny.
bye.
from: cj@thiscrazytrain.com
to: rebeccah t*bi*s
Thu, Aug 25, 2011 at 8:46 AM
subject: Re: my dad
Dear Rebeccah,
Did you mean satire?
I'm not sure I understand the comparison to Pink Floyd but I'll take it as a compliment regardless.
You didn't make me mad. I don't think you're mean.
Thank you for continuing to provide some great material for me.
Looking forward to reading some comments from your dad!
-CJ
Observations from this morning's LSE
Just gonna throw these out there:
1. Go newbies. Saw one this morning with a black blanket draped from her neck to her feet. Neck pillow. Black, rounded, sunglasses. All settled nice and cozy in an outside seat of a quad. Originating in Oshawa. Too bad she didn't realize how many times she'd have to move that blanket and herself to let three people sit in her quad as they boarded at Whitby, Ajax and Pickering. Perhaps she should have taken VIA.
2. Man in white t-shirt and jeans, holding a laptop briefcase on his lap, quietly weeping and looking incredibly sad. Either his wife left him or he's suffering from allergies somethin' fierce. At one point, I did want to approach him but second-guessed myself. What the hell would I have said? "Dude, I hate this fucking train ride as much as you, but this too, shall pass."
3. I tried in vain to get a photo but I saw my first Bike Rider. No, not a Bag Rider or a Foot Rider, but a person who brought his big, mountain bike on-board the 7:53-Oshawa (which GO politely asks people not do) and parked it so the handlebars hogged the backrest of an outside quad seat. No one at Whitby, Ajax or Pickering asked him to move his bike, choosing instead to stand near the doors. Hey buddy, that's where your bike should have been moved to once the train became express.
1. Go newbies. Saw one this morning with a black blanket draped from her neck to her feet. Neck pillow. Black, rounded, sunglasses. All settled nice and cozy in an outside seat of a quad. Originating in Oshawa. Too bad she didn't realize how many times she'd have to move that blanket and herself to let three people sit in her quad as they boarded at Whitby, Ajax and Pickering. Perhaps she should have taken VIA.
2. Man in white t-shirt and jeans, holding a laptop briefcase on his lap, quietly weeping and looking incredibly sad. Either his wife left him or he's suffering from allergies somethin' fierce. At one point, I did want to approach him but second-guessed myself. What the hell would I have said? "Dude, I hate this fucking train ride as much as you, but this too, shall pass."
3. I tried in vain to get a photo but I saw my first Bike Rider. No, not a Bag Rider or a Foot Rider, but a person who brought his big, mountain bike on-board the 7:53-Oshawa (which GO politely asks people not do) and parked it so the handlebars hogged the backrest of an outside quad seat. No one at Whitby, Ajax or Pickering asked him to move his bike, choosing instead to stand near the doors. Hey buddy, that's where your bike should have been moved to once the train became express.
Wednesday, August 24, 2011
Chanisaw Recipe: Two parts stupid to one part dumb. Mix well
from: rebeccah t*bi*s
to: cj@thiscrazytrain.com
Tue, Aug 23, 2011 at 9:51 PM
subject: chanisaw website
helllo. im writing because i saw ur site thru a link on twitter.
i dont know who u think u are but ur cartoon at the top is offensive and discusting to anyone who is 1)an ampuutee 2)bin injured by a chainsaw accidnt like my dad who lost his leg and is on disability 3)people whove bin murdered.
it's sic. ur sic in the head! dont u think someone can come to ur site and be appawled? what does this make me say of u? there's nothing funy about sawing off someone's leg.
thank u for ur time.
r.
from: cj@thiscrazytrain.com
to: rebeccah t*bi*s
Tue, Aug 23, 2011 at 10:27 PM
subject: Re: chanisaw website
Dear Rebeccah,
I am sorry to hear what happened to your father.
I would like to point out that my website is not about chanisaw. Is that an ethnic dish? Is it any good?
May I ask how old you are?
from: rebeccah t*bi*s
to: cj@thiscrazytrain.com
Tue, Aug 23, 2011 at 10:32 PM
subject: Re: chanisaw website
I meant chainsaw. I know its not about chainsaws. Its none of ur business how old I am. u remove the cartoon. TY
from: cj@thiscrazytrain.com
to: rebeccah t*bi*s
Tue, Aug 23, 2011 at 11:04 PM
subject: Re: the website that is not about chainsaws
Dear Rebeccah,
I regret to inform "u" that I am not removing the cartoon. It is not meant to make fun (or offend) any of the following:
1)an ampuutee
2)(people who have) bin injured by a chainsaw accidnt like my dad who lost his leg and is on disability
3)people whove bin murdered
Let's focus on #3 for a second. How is this even possible?
I'm still waiting on Rebeccah's reply...
UPDATE
Here it is!
to: cj@thiscrazytrain.com
Tue, Aug 23, 2011 at 9:51 PM
subject: chanisaw website
helllo. im writing because i saw ur site thru a link on twitter.
i dont know who u think u are but ur cartoon at the top is offensive and discusting to anyone who is 1)an ampuutee 2)bin injured by a chainsaw accidnt like my dad who lost his leg and is on disability 3)people whove bin murdered.
it's sic. ur sic in the head! dont u think someone can come to ur site and be appawled? what does this make me say of u? there's nothing funy about sawing off someone's leg.
thank u for ur time.
r.
from: cj@thiscrazytrain.com
to: rebeccah t*bi*s
Tue, Aug 23, 2011 at 10:27 PM
subject: Re: chanisaw website
Dear Rebeccah,
I am sorry to hear what happened to your father.
I would like to point out that my website is not about chanisaw. Is that an ethnic dish? Is it any good?
May I ask how old you are?
from: rebeccah t*bi*s
to: cj@thiscrazytrain.com
Tue, Aug 23, 2011 at 10:32 PM
subject: Re: chanisaw website
I meant chainsaw. I know its not about chainsaws. Its none of ur business how old I am. u remove the cartoon. TY
from: cj@thiscrazytrain.com
to: rebeccah t*bi*s
Tue, Aug 23, 2011 at 11:04 PM
subject: Re: the website that is not about chainsaws
Dear Rebeccah,
I regret to inform "u" that I am not removing the cartoon. It is not meant to make fun (or offend) any of the following:
1)an ampuutee
2)(people who have) bin injured by a chainsaw accidnt like my dad who lost his leg and is on disability
3)people whove bin murdered
Let's focus on #3 for a second. How is this even possible?
I'm still waiting on Rebeccah's reply...
UPDATE
Here it is!
Tuesday, August 23, 2011
So rude
It never ceases to amaze me the disrespect others have for cleanliness.
Check out this mess sent in by KS. She writes:
About 3 weeks ago I came across this mess...an abandoned coffee and Tim's treat. The bag still had a muffin or donut in it!
What kind of panic was this person in to leave a nearly full cup of coffee (on a very unstable seat) and food behind?!
Check out this mess sent in by KS. She writes:
About 3 weeks ago I came across this mess...an abandoned coffee and Tim's treat. The bag still had a muffin or donut in it!
What kind of panic was this person in to leave a nearly full cup of coffee (on a very unstable seat) and food behind?!
Shake, rattle and roll
Didja feel that?
An earthquake for about 5 seconds shook my office tower here at Queen and Bay at 1:51 pm.
Of course, I took to Twitter and learned I wasn't the only one to feel it.
How about you? Called my hubby at the golf course where he works and he felt nothin' ...
Maybe it's because I'm 17 floors up.
Here's more info on what was felt.
An earthquake for about 5 seconds shook my office tower here at Queen and Bay at 1:51 pm.
Of course, I took to Twitter and learned I wasn't the only one to feel it.
How about you? Called my hubby at the golf course where he works and he felt nothin' ...
Maybe it's because I'm 17 floors up.
Here's more info on what was felt.
In the city ladies look pretty
For those who don't know the rap song, "Bust a Move", read the lyrics first and then come back to this post.
Part of the fun of having this site, as I've mentioned before, is that I allow for people to call and text me. Often the text exchanges are worthy of publishing. This came in this morning. I've nicknamed the sender Young MC or YMC for short.
My replies are in green.
YMC: Hey CJ?
Yeah?
YMC: You on the train?
Yep.
YMC: Got some time to help me with a dilema?
Does it involve food?
YMC: LOL no. It involves a girl. I don't know if you're up for some romantic advice.
Hell, I'm up for anything seeing as this stupid movie I downloaded to my BB decided to suck ass. What's the problem?
YMC: I like this girl.
Ooh boy. Ain't that a tale for all the fellas?
YMC: She usually sits near me every morning. Some days I swear she runs right for the seat becasue I'll catch her staring at me.
You packing grapefruit?
YMC: LOL no.
Okay just checking. Just want to make sure she's not merely shopping for a banana.
YMC: How can I approach her? Like, what should I do.
How old are you?
YMC: 20. Why?
(Note: I asked because I wanted to have fun with the guy since I had Young MC's "Bust a Move" in my head. The song is pretty old.)
No reason. Just curious.
YMC: How old are you?
Old enough to know more than you.
YMC: Ha ha. Ok. By the way, I love your site. I hope you don't mind me bothering you with this.
Sounds like you're on a mission to cure your lonely condition
YMC: You could say that.
I know how it goes. A chick walks by, you wish you could sext her but you stand by the wall like you was Pointdexter
YMC: Um ok ... ? I wouldn't sext a girl I don't know. Are you calling me a nerd?
Good. That's good to know and no...By the way, is she on the train now?
YMC: Yeah.
So you've spotted a fine woman sitting in your row. Hopin' she says, hello, come sit next to me you fine fellow?
YMC: No, she doesn't talk to me.
(pause)
YMC: Why are you writing in rhyme?
Wasn't intentional. (By now I'm giggling to myself ... others are staring at me as I type away ... I'm hoping to Christ he doesn't begin to recognize the song.)
Some guys tell jokes so they can seem witty... why not try that? For god's sake, you have to say hello to start!
YMC: I don't think I'm funny enough to just start a conversation with a joke
Listen fatso, don't just stand there, bust a move.
YMC: Ha ha. I just wish I had the nerve. By the way, I'm nice and slender.
Are you one of those guys who looks for love in all the wrong places?
YMC: You could say that.
No fine girls, just ugly faces?
YMC: I like to think I have good taste when it comes to women.
You got money?
YMC: I do all right.
You got a car?
YMC: I do. It's not great ... but I'd like to think I could get a woman to be interested in me for me and not just coz I have some cash and wheels
Here's the thing. Some girls are sophistic. Materialistic. Looking for a man makes them opportunistic. You see them lyin' on the beach, working on a tan? That's so a brother with money can be their man.
YMC: I don't think she's a gold digger.
Well, every dark tunnel has a light of hope...
YMC: You rhyme a lot. It's weird. It's like chatting with Dr. Suess.
(I say nothing ... )
YMC: I think tomorrow I'll try sitting in the same quad that she likes to sit in
If you want it ...
YMC: I should go for it?
You got it ...If you look at this girl and your heart starts thumpin' ... who knows, maybe she wants to dance to a different groove?
YMC: You lost me
Bust a move
YMC: Ok, thanks!
No problem.
Monday, August 22, 2011
Ripley's Believe It or Not
from: Muskoka Dan
to: cj@thiscrazytrain.com
date: Sat, Aug 20, 2011 at 10:25 PM
subject: barbershop
Tonight my girlfriend and I were taking the train back to Oshawa after a day at the Ex and this broad gets on at Danforth. My girlfriend and I are talking and I notice the woman begins playing with her hair. Then, without warning, she pulls off her hair - her wig - and sets it on her lap in front of her. Her real hair looked like it had been caked to her head with glue. She reaches into her bag and pulls out nail clippers and starts trimming her wig right in front of us. There is hair (?) falling to the floor. She then gets a comb out and starts styling it. I wanted to take a picture so bad but my phone makes a loud sound and I didn't want to bring attention to me. My girlfriend is stunned!!! We keep making WTF? looks at each other. Then the lady pulls out a can of hairspray. This is when my girlfriend decided to say something. There was no way she was going to allow this woman to spray aresol hair stuff in closed quarters. So Jen (my girlfriend) asks the woman to go to the bathroom if she wants to spray hairspray. This set the woman off. She stood up, gathered all her stuff and as she started to climb the stairs to the upper level from where we were sitting, she squatted down, turned around, and sprayed her hair spray right in our direction. Then she stalked off. My girlfriend was incensed!!! We had no idea people like this woman existed. Isn't that crazy?!
to: cj@thiscrazytrain.com
date: Sat, Aug 20, 2011 at 10:25 PM
subject: barbershop
Tonight my girlfriend and I were taking the train back to Oshawa after a day at the Ex and this broad gets on at Danforth. My girlfriend and I are talking and I notice the woman begins playing with her hair. Then, without warning, she pulls off her hair - her wig - and sets it on her lap in front of her. Her real hair looked like it had been caked to her head with glue. She reaches into her bag and pulls out nail clippers and starts trimming her wig right in front of us. There is hair (?) falling to the floor. She then gets a comb out and starts styling it. I wanted to take a picture so bad but my phone makes a loud sound and I didn't want to bring attention to me. My girlfriend is stunned!!! We keep making WTF? looks at each other. Then the lady pulls out a can of hairspray. This is when my girlfriend decided to say something. There was no way she was going to allow this woman to spray aresol hair stuff in closed quarters. So Jen (my girlfriend) asks the woman to go to the bathroom if she wants to spray hairspray. This set the woman off. She stood up, gathered all her stuff and as she started to climb the stairs to the upper level from where we were sitting, she squatted down, turned around, and sprayed her hair spray right in our direction. Then she stalked off. My girlfriend was incensed!!! We had no idea people like this woman existed. Isn't that crazy?!
9:08 ... better than nothin'
From: "GO E-News Alert" alerts@enews-gotransit.com
Monday, August 22, 2011 07:33PM
Subject: Schedule Changes
Lakeshore East Passengers: To meet the continuing demand for service on your line beginning on September 6th, we will add two new peak time trains on your line.
A new eastbound trip will depart Union at 07:50 making all stops arriving Oshawa GO at 08:48 and a new westbound all stops train will leave Oshawa GO at 09:08 and arrive Union at 10:11.
In addition, the eastbound train trip that departs Union at 15:45 has been extended to now make all stops to Oshawa arriving Oshawa at 16:46 and the return trip therefore will now originate in Oshawa at 16:56 making all stops to Pickering and express there after, arriving Union at 17:45.
Connecting buses at Oshawa have also been adjusted to allow passengers to connect with these trains.
Good call on the 3:45pm all stops eastbound to Oshawa. I don't fully understand the science and logistics behind train scheduling but at least now there's a train between 8:38am and 9:38am from Oshawa.
Monday, August 22, 2011 07:33PM
Subject: Schedule Changes
Lakeshore East Passengers: To meet the continuing demand for service on your line beginning on September 6th, we will add two new peak time trains on your line.
A new eastbound trip will depart Union at 07:50 making all stops arriving Oshawa GO at 08:48 and a new westbound all stops train will leave Oshawa GO at 09:08 and arrive Union at 10:11.
In addition, the eastbound train trip that departs Union at 15:45 has been extended to now make all stops to Oshawa arriving Oshawa at 16:46 and the return trip therefore will now originate in Oshawa at 16:56 making all stops to Pickering and express there after, arriving Union at 17:45.
Connecting buses at Oshawa have also been adjusted to allow passengers to connect with these trains.
Good call on the 3:45pm all stops eastbound to Oshawa. I don't fully understand the science and logistics behind train scheduling but at least now there's a train between 8:38am and 9:38am from Oshawa.
Computer use on GO Train?
Found on RedFlagDeals.com
I don't see many people using computers on the train except maybe the odd doorknob watching a movie... but does anyone remember how a few years ago (maybe longer) the GO train was experimenting with special seats for computer users? What happened to it? I don't think I have ever seen it.
Can you even plug anything in on the GO train?
I was sitting next to this lady once who was trying to ram her computer plug into that weird-shaped electrical socket on the wall in the mid-level area... she was trying for like 3 minutes to make it fit but it wasn't a 110V outlet (dunno why that wasn't obvious).
Any guess if WiFi will ever be available? They have it on VIA, right?
It seems like with iPads and the coming tablet revolution (?) there might be more demand for WiFi because it's far easier to use in the cramped quarters of the GO train.
If you have time, you can read the responses to the aforementioned question on Redflagdeals.com
A big thank you to Andrew R. for the content submissions for today's posts.
I don't see many people using computers on the train except maybe the odd doorknob watching a movie... but does anyone remember how a few years ago (maybe longer) the GO train was experimenting with special seats for computer users? What happened to it? I don't think I have ever seen it.
Can you even plug anything in on the GO train?
I was sitting next to this lady once who was trying to ram her computer plug into that weird-shaped electrical socket on the wall in the mid-level area... she was trying for like 3 minutes to make it fit but it wasn't a 110V outlet (dunno why that wasn't obvious).
Any guess if WiFi will ever be available? They have it on VIA, right?
It seems like with iPads and the coming tablet revolution (?) there might be more demand for WiFi because it's far easier to use in the cramped quarters of the GO train.
If you have time, you can read the responses to the aforementioned question on Redflagdeals.com
A big thank you to Andrew R. for the content submissions for today's posts.
Dear Big Boys
If you're tall, taller than 6 feet or you have legs that go on forever ... please sit sideways.
Respectfully,
The Ladies who aren't interested in staring at your fruit basket all the way to Union
Respectfully,
The Ladies who aren't interested in staring at your fruit basket all the way to Union
Sunday, August 21, 2011
For MissyChick. By request. File under train buddies
Easy gourmet potato salad
1 small bag of PC Lil Gems Yellow Mini Potatoes (check Loblaws/No Frills)
1 small bag of PC Lil Gems Ruby Red Mini Potatoes (link here)
Bunch of fresh dill
1 tsp paprika
4 strips side bacon
6 shallots (look for them in the produce section)
1.5 cup Hellmanns' Olive Oil mayonnaise
3 tbsp Maille's Dijon Mustard (ok to use more, add to taste)
1 clove of garlic, finely chopped
Juice of 1 lemon
Salt and pepper to taste
Directions
Scrub and wash the potatoes. Do not peel. Cut into quarters. Boil til soft, about 20 minutes.
While potatoes cook, fry the bacon until it's crispy, almost burnt. Drain on paper towels and set aside.
Finely chop the garlic. Set aside.
Slice the shallots. Do not dice them.
Finely chop the dill til you can fill a 1/2 cup measuring cup. Reserve the remainder of the dill.
In a small bowl, combine the mayonnaise, Dijon mustard and paprika and whisk with a fork til well blended. Fold in the garlic and shallots.
Crumble the bacon using your fingers and drop it into the mixture. Whisk in the lemon juice. Stir in the dill. Add salt and pepper to taste. Refrigerate.
Once the potatoes are cooked, drain them well and rinse them using cold water to stop the cooking process. Dump them into a serving bowl. Let them cool, for about an hour, in the fridge.
Add the sauce to the potatoes, coating well. Coarsely chop the remainder of the dill. Sprinkle over top. Refrigerate for at least 8 hours allowing the sauce to saturate the potatoes.
Serve cold.
Friday, August 19, 2011
By Request, an encore performance of the Foot Rider logo banner
I've gained a bigger audience over the past two weeks thanks to Twitter and your continued support of sharing this site throughout the web.
A big hit is the logo gallery. By request, I am giving a repeat performance of the Foot Rider.
Others asked that I put a caption under each logo to explain its background and I will. Soon.
Again, suggestions are always welcome. I'm always up for new ideas. I do owe the Presto haters a round.
A big hit is the logo gallery. By request, I am giving a repeat performance of the Foot Rider.
Others asked that I put a caption under each logo to explain its background and I will. Soon.
Again, suggestions are always welcome. I'm always up for new ideas. I do owe the Presto haters a round.
Best transit sign ever
BDSM - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BDSM
Not helpful? You can block en.wikipedia.org results when you're signed in to search.en.wikipedia.org
You +1'd this publicly. Undo
BDSM is a continuum of erotic practice and expression involving the consensual use of restraint, intense sensory stimulation, and fantasy power role-play. ...
Check out this little scam artist
The hell?
Why does this woman get a free ride?
Someone needs to slap an ankle bracelet on this cretin, draw up some Wanted posters and ban her ass from the system! In fact, she should have been escorted off at the next station. Wrong, wrong, wrong!
Lady in Pink writes:
Aug 17, 2011
5:06 PM
Barrie North @ 440...
I got on at union. train isn't overly packed...there are go train transit safety officers everywhere...on the train and on the platform...
They are checking tickets...and presto cards...the go train officers get to one woman and he taps her card on the machine and nothing....he tries again...nothing...she pipes up that she's had problems with this card before and she tells him she tapped on at union and which machine....he calls the switch board and they radio back that this woman has 7 infractions and 6 tickets for the same thing... You'd think she'd learn!
He tells her that she should go get her card checked and gives her a warning... And walks away...I was shocked she didn't get a ticket...
Why does this woman get a free ride?
Someone needs to slap an ankle bracelet on this cretin, draw up some Wanted posters and ban her ass from the system! In fact, she should have been escorted off at the next station. Wrong, wrong, wrong!
Lady in Pink writes:
Aug 17, 2011
5:06 PM
Barrie North @ 440...
I got on at union. train isn't overly packed...there are go train transit safety officers everywhere...on the train and on the platform...
They are checking tickets...and presto cards...the go train officers get to one woman and he taps her card on the machine and nothing....he tries again...nothing...she pipes up that she's had problems with this card before and she tells him she tapped on at union and which machine....he calls the switch board and they radio back that this woman has 7 infractions and 6 tickets for the same thing... You'd think she'd learn!
He tells her that she should go get her card checked and gives her a warning... And walks away...I was shocked she didn't get a ticket...
Because you didn't believe me ...
Last night I went to the Kenny Chesney concert at the ACC. I had bought only a ticket for myself and because I waited 'til the last minute, I managed to snag a floor seat - 24 rows from the front of the stage for $102 (not that it meant anything once Kenny hit the stage ... seats? What seats?)
I didn't use a scalper. I used ticketmaster.ca. Sometimes they will release tickets hours before a show, primarily single-sell so be prepared to sit alone. PS. Some women have no business wearing Daisy Dukes. I'm just sayin' ...
I met some crazy women in my section on the floor and rode the LSE train home with five of these insane country girls. I mentioned that I had a website where I chronicled GO Train adventures, but there was one who refused to believe I was who I said I was. In fact, she was being somewhat of a b*tch about it. I guess she's met a lot of strangers in her life who've spun a few tall tales here and there.
Well, Cathy? Take **this** and put it in your pipe and smoke it!
Thanks ladies (no, not you Cathy!) for a fun night. Keep reading!
Thursday, August 18, 2011
Hey! Don't crowd me, bro
Had a big boy sittin' across from me this morning (7:53 Oshawa-Union).
He got busy reading his newspaper, carefully, from front to back. He also got busy spreading himself across the quad I was in. Had his legs splayed wide open giving me a great view of his grapefruit bag, with a banana tucked in just so.
The woman next to him was trapped. She and I spent most of the train ride not even trying to hide we were talking about this man and his girth. He had 100% managed to tune us out.
I will tell you though, his pants were on so tight that those grapefruit of his were gonna be producing juice pretty soon.
He got busy reading his newspaper, carefully, from front to back. He also got busy spreading himself across the quad I was in. Had his legs splayed wide open giving me a great view of his grapefruit bag, with a banana tucked in just so.
The woman next to him was trapped. She and I spent most of the train ride not even trying to hide we were talking about this man and his girth. He had 100% managed to tune us out.
I will tell you though, his pants were on so tight that those grapefruit of his were gonna be producing juice pretty soon.
Wednesday, August 17, 2011
All this space, are belong to me
VanessaLSW shares this pic with us today.
She sat in a corner seat on her train ride home the other night, only to be barricaded by the belongings of a woman sitting across from her.
Tuesday, August 16, 2011
It started out innocent enough ...
It's been a while since I've received a text exchange I would consider post-worthy.
Like the one I had tonight.
My replies are in green.
Text message from 416604XXXX
To 9054427423
8:01:43 PM 8-16-11
if u don't mind me asking...whose ur cell carrier?
Text message from 9054427423
To 416604XXXX
8:05:02 PM 8-16-11
Rogers
Text message from 416604XXXX
To 9054427423
8:05:14 PM 8-16-11
what kind of plan do u have?
Text message from 9054427423
To 416604XXXX
8:24:08 PM 8-16-11
BB My 10 Unlimited text/social networking
Text message from 416604XXXX
To 9054427423
8:25:40 PM 8-16-11
Ahh, that explains ur number being on your site
Text message from 9054427423
To 416604XXXX
8:26:00 PM 8-16-11
Of course. I'd be hemorrhaging my bank account if I didn't have a good plan.
Text message from 416604XXXX
To 9054427423
8:26:44 PM 8-16-11
Ever get any psycho text messages?
Text message from 9054427423
To 416604XXXX
8:27:09 PM 8-16-11
Occasionally. But nothing that's been alarming or the like
Text message from 416604XXXX
To 9054427423
8:28:12 PM 8-16-11
Death threats?
Text message from 9054427423
To 416604XXXX
8:28:33 PM 8-16-11
That wouldn't be very smart over a cell phone seeing as numbers can be traced etc.
Text message from 416604XXXX
To 9054427423
8:29:03 PM 8-16-11
Right but someone could go and buy a disposable phone and text you and then toss it afterwards. I saw that on a Law and Order episode.
Text message from 9054427423
To 416604XXXX
8:29:57 PM 8-16-11
That seems like a lot of trouble to go through
Text message from 416604XXXX
To 9054427423
8:30:10 PM 8-16-11
Yeah. But I could see someone doing that.
Text message from 9054427423
To 416604XXXX
8:30:50 PM 8-16-11
Speaking of psychos ...
Text message from 416604XXXX
To 9054427423
8:35:02 PM 8-16-11
No...wait. I didn't mean that I would
Text message from 416604XXXX
To 9054427423
8:35:34 PM 8-16-11
Hello?
Text message from 9054427423
To 416604XXXX
8:37:27 PM 8-16-11
I'm trying to watch Master Chef. Jennifer is about to make a ravioli. Shhh.
Text message from 416604XXXX
To 9054427423
8:38:01 PM 8-16-11
Uh. Okay. I jsut want to make sure we're cool.
Text message from 9054427423
To 416604XXXX
8:52:44 PM 8-16-11
Absolutely.
Text message from 416604XXXX
To 9054427423
8:53:02 PM 8-16-11
Good. I was worried there for a second.
Text message from 416604XXXX
To 9054427423
8:53:26 PM 8-16-11
You probably think I'm a dork.
Text message from 9054427423
To 416604XXXX
8:59:04 PM 8-16-11
Yep.
Like the one I had tonight.
My replies are in green.
Text message from 416604XXXX
To 9054427423
8:01:43 PM 8-16-11
if u don't mind me asking...whose ur cell carrier?
Text message from 9054427423
To 416604XXXX
8:05:02 PM 8-16-11
Rogers
Text message from 416604XXXX
To 9054427423
8:05:14 PM 8-16-11
what kind of plan do u have?
Text message from 9054427423
To 416604XXXX
8:24:08 PM 8-16-11
BB My 10 Unlimited text/social networking
Text message from 416604XXXX
To 9054427423
8:25:40 PM 8-16-11
Ahh, that explains ur number being on your site
Text message from 9054427423
To 416604XXXX
8:26:00 PM 8-16-11
Of course. I'd be hemorrhaging my bank account if I didn't have a good plan.
Text message from 416604XXXX
To 9054427423
8:26:44 PM 8-16-11
Ever get any psycho text messages?
Text message from 9054427423
To 416604XXXX
8:27:09 PM 8-16-11
Occasionally. But nothing that's been alarming or the like
Text message from 416604XXXX
To 9054427423
8:28:12 PM 8-16-11
Death threats?
Text message from 9054427423
To 416604XXXX
8:28:33 PM 8-16-11
That wouldn't be very smart over a cell phone seeing as numbers can be traced etc.
Text message from 416604XXXX
To 9054427423
8:29:03 PM 8-16-11
Right but someone could go and buy a disposable phone and text you and then toss it afterwards. I saw that on a Law and Order episode.
Text message from 9054427423
To 416604XXXX
8:29:57 PM 8-16-11
That seems like a lot of trouble to go through
Text message from 416604XXXX
To 9054427423
8:30:10 PM 8-16-11
Yeah. But I could see someone doing that.
Text message from 9054427423
To 416604XXXX
8:30:50 PM 8-16-11
Speaking of psychos ...
Text message from 416604XXXX
To 9054427423
8:35:02 PM 8-16-11
No...wait. I didn't mean that I would
Text message from 416604XXXX
To 9054427423
8:35:34 PM 8-16-11
Hello?
Text message from 9054427423
To 416604XXXX
8:37:27 PM 8-16-11
I'm trying to watch Master Chef. Jennifer is about to make a ravioli. Shhh.
Text message from 416604XXXX
To 9054427423
8:38:01 PM 8-16-11
Uh. Okay. I jsut want to make sure we're cool.
Text message from 9054427423
To 416604XXXX
8:52:44 PM 8-16-11
Absolutely.
Text message from 416604XXXX
To 9054427423
8:53:02 PM 8-16-11
Good. I was worried there for a second.
Text message from 416604XXXX
To 9054427423
8:53:26 PM 8-16-11
You probably think I'm a dork.
Text message from 9054427423
To 416604XXXX
8:59:04 PM 8-16-11
Yep.
Le Sigh. Licoln Pickup vs. Pontiac Vibe
Matt writes:
Remember the Dukes of Hazard? Well the owner of this truck must have climbed out of his sunroof and used the Pontiac as a stepstool because there is no way he got his door open wide enough.
All jokes aside, you can tell who was in the wrong. The driver of the Lincoln didn't even try to park properly. The owner of the Vibe did it right. Screw 'em, right? But that pickup driver is still gonna use that Vibe as a stepstool!
- Oshawa Go Station
Monday, August 15, 2011
One for the GO Bus riders!
Check this pic out.
According to @MisterProctor, he was on a GO bus where this woman talked for over an hour, on her cell, on speakerphone.
Oh my god, I need to lie down
There are so many people on Twitter who share my frustrations (other people call it "whining" but it's not). But not at GO/MetroLinx - this site was never about the "man". It's about our frustrations with the people who ride the "man" (Ha!).
The more I drive this site forward, the more I envision a movement. No, not that kind. One where more and more people find their voice and ask those bags to be moved. Demand that people put their damn feet on the floor. Ask that others respect the "No Smoking" signs. Request that people find their library voice and use it when carrying on marathon phone conversations at 6:20 am. Request that the volume be turned down on iPods.
Put away that stinky egg salad sandwich!
Re-claim the train!
Following up to 80 people on Twitter is like randomly inviting 80 strangers to your house for an impromptu neighborhood meeting. It's incredibly overwhelming.
Anger Management. I don't have it
I took the 4:53 Union-Oshawa tonight.
The two people sitting across from me, a man and a woman, were already deep in transit comas before the train even rolled out of the station.
Every blip, shake, cough, rattle, etc would jolt the woman awake. The constant head bob/body shake, akin to being shocked by a cattle prod, was distracting as all hell.
At one point, my phone vibrated. It was my husband. Normally I don't bother with phone calls due to my intense hatred for the on-the-train-cell-conversations-about-how-amy-can't-make-it-to-red-lobster-and-i-dont-know-where-to-go-and-no-we're-not-going-to-milestones variety, but I answered it. My husband only calls when it's super important - like our kid's gone missing. That kind of thing.
He had swung by our childcare provider's home only to discover no one was home and this concerned him. It concerned me, too. She's picked up by 4:30, every day.
My husband asked me to tell him our childcare provider's phone number because his mobile was dead and his in-car Sync system doesn't have her number programmed.
Because the train was clacking and rocking loud and hard, I had to raise my voice so he could hear me say the number. This resulted in the death stares of all death stares from both the man and the woman who had snapped awake and the man muttered, "Talk loud enough?".
I heard him. It completely set me off. There's a reason why my husband calls me "Hulk". It's a running joke between us and of course, I've spun it numerous times into this site.
Really? No, c'mon, really?!
So I said even louder, "Sorry, you'll have to text me because I'm disturbing other peoples' naps. I guess sleep is more important than figuring out where our 6 year old daughter is." And I hung up.
I threw my phone into my bag and stared out the window.
I was pissed. The woman looked away. Embarrassed. Damn straight.
Let me put it this way, if I have something to say to someone, I'll say it. People who know me know this is true. Don't mutter. Speak your piece.
After Ajax, doesn't the asshat sitting across me get a phone call himself! From his wife. About, you guessed it, what to have for dinner. After 45 seconds of him instructing her to go to Quizno's to pick up subs and then him nattering off a list of all the toppings he wanted, I tapped his knee and said, "How about you text your list of toppings? I'm trying to think."
Then I grabbed my Blackberry from my bag, moved over one quad and called my husband and talked as loud as I could to find out if he had located our daughter. The man got up, shook his head, and went into the other coach.
Good riddance.
PS. My daughter is okay. That's all that really matters.
Construction worker Jesus blesses this mess
Yes, his jeans smelled as dirty as they looked. But that's the nature of the business, I guess.
Is it wrong that I had this massive desire to braid his beard? I mean, look at it!
It's like Santa!
PS. I have no idea why my thumb is so hairy. That's a little disturbing. Unless it's my forearm. I had contorted myself using my stealth Ninja skills to snap the picture and I really can't recall what body part got in the way.
Yet another reason to walk underground from Union Station to work
Falling glass!!!
These condos/office towers are falling apart faster than Britney on a bender.
More at the Star's website.
These condos/office towers are falling apart faster than Britney on a bender.
More at the Star's website.
And now for something completely random
1. I like to walk underground to work which I know irks my friends who like to walk above ground. The truth is, I can't handle cigarette smoke and because the crowds are so tight heading north on Bay, I will inhale it. I already have asthma. I don't want lung cancer, too. I'm not about to start bitching about people who smoke outside. Smoke 'em if you got 'em.
2. Why in the hell are people wearing winter coats today? Is there a frost warning I missed?
3. I painted my fireplace mantel this weekend after sanding and priming the hell out of it. I can't lift my arms any higher than my boobs. On the train, a friend commented that I move like a robot.
4. For those who carry three purses, briefcase bags, satchels and backpacks, can I ask you be mindful of those sitting on the outside seats of quads? I don't like being smacked in the shoulder, arm or head with your dirty bag that you've dragged all over Durham-Toronto - where it's been placed on the floors of bathroom stalls, etc...
5. I walked behind a woman in the GO parking lot this morning who was engaged in a loud conversation on her mobile about her dog's knee surgery. Coincidentally, Delia texted me about a woman talking on the train about her dog and its knee surgery all the way to Union. I wound up behind this same woman again in the GO Concourse and she was still talking about her dog. Sixty minutes. A dog. Conversations before 9am should be outlawed for some people.
6. Is it coincidence that gum packs now mimic cigarette packs in their designs? Is this a psychological effort? I've drawn this conclusion because chewing gum was how my dad quit smoking.
2. Why in the hell are people wearing winter coats today? Is there a frost warning I missed?
3. I painted my fireplace mantel this weekend after sanding and priming the hell out of it. I can't lift my arms any higher than my boobs. On the train, a friend commented that I move like a robot.
4. For those who carry three purses, briefcase bags, satchels and backpacks, can I ask you be mindful of those sitting on the outside seats of quads? I don't like being smacked in the shoulder, arm or head with your dirty bag that you've dragged all over Durham-Toronto - where it's been placed on the floors of bathroom stalls, etc...
5. I walked behind a woman in the GO parking lot this morning who was engaged in a loud conversation on her mobile about her dog's knee surgery. Coincidentally, Delia texted me about a woman talking on the train about her dog and its knee surgery all the way to Union. I wound up behind this same woman again in the GO Concourse and she was still talking about her dog. Sixty minutes. A dog. Conversations before 9am should be outlawed for some people.
6. Is it coincidence that gum packs now mimic cigarette packs in their designs? Is this a psychological effort? I've drawn this conclusion because chewing gum was how my dad quit smoking.
Friday, August 12, 2011
Too close for comfort. Car on left is a SUV. Not sure how its driver is gettin' in? Can opener.
Reader submitted. Oshawa GO Station.
Thursday, August 11, 2011
TTC gatekeepers
Tonight I left the office at 5:36. My building connects with the Queen subway and I keep tokens on me so I figured I'd use the subway to hustle and catch the 5:53 LSE since walking to Union takes me 15 minutes (I walk slow as I suffer from chronic heel pain) and I wanted to catch the train with minutes to spare so I could cop a seat.
5:38: Myself and another gent drop our tokens into the TTC gatekeeper's box.
What's a TTC gatekeeper, you ask? These are the guys (primarily) who sit in their ergonomic chairs (God forbid they stand like the men and women working 8-hour shifts at the grocery store and do their job) and make sure you put your fare in the box, provided they're paying attention. Sometimes they're busy chatting up a co-worker, or working a crossword puzzle, or sleeping ...
Usually, you'll see them reclined back, sometimes with a foot up on the gate or on the fare box. It is so blatantly rude - disrespectful - that it makes my blood boil. They say nothing, just stare at the box, or the wall, or the floor. No smile. No hello. They remind me of trolls minus the short stature and scaly skin.
You know ... these people:
Photo credit: Valentine Makhouleen
Back when I was in high school, there was a TTC fare collector (I'll use the correct term because this guy truly enjoyed his job and did it with grace and style) who worked the Jane subway in the morning (I grew up in Toronto's Bloor West Village). He said good morning, complimented people on their hair, colour of clothing, thanked people for riding the rocket, politely answered questions, smiled, tried to remember names, etc.
At Christmas, people would bring him baked goods, mickeys, mugs ... I knew when his birthday was and one year my bus buddies and I serenaded him Happy Birthday.
His name was Ron. This man truly loved his job. When I told him during my last year of high school that I wasn't going to my prom because no one asked - I went to an all girls high school, getting a date was a tad difficult - he said his son would go with me. I scoffed and went to school and gave it no further thought. The following morning, he had his son, Jason, come to the station to introduce me to him. He was one year younger than me, shy, but cute as a button.
We didn't go to my prom (which I really didn't want to go to even with a date). We went to see a movie (Encino Man) instead.
I went away to school in the Fall and it became impossible for Jason and I to stay in touch. Deep down, I knew I wasn't really his type, but he was still sweet all the same.
I don't know where Ron is today but I suspect he's long retired and living out in the country somewhere.
Anyhoo, back to tonight's troll. At the very precise second my token clinked and touched metal with the bottom of the fare box, a message was blasted across the PA system that southbound train service was stopped due to a malfunctioning train at Bloor. Trains weren't running. We weren't informed when service would resume. I turned to a woman standing near me and asked her how long she'd been waiting. She said 6 minutes or so. I asked her if this was the first announcement. She said no. I saw red.
Maybe I have high expectations but this troll could have said something to those of us paying cash or token fares. You know, like back in the good ol' days when TTC employees actually gave a sh-t about customer service and would tell you before you paid your fare there were delays and you may want to consider surface transportation, or walk. I rode the TTC from 1987 to 1999, six days a week, sometimes multiple times a day. I remember the collectors who were gracious and spoke up. They were younger then. Before they became bitter trolls.
I'm not saying all TTC gatekeepers are bad but it's primarily those who are close to retirement who have simply stopped caring. I can probably psycho-analyze why because working with the public and dealing with millions of personalities, language barriers, general rudeness, bad attitudes can beat down the best of people but you know what? They signed up for the job - good and bad. No one forced them into public service.
I approach the gatekeeper. He looks like he's been doing this for a very long time.
I tap him on the shoulder and say, "It's not the same is it?"
He looked at me. I waved my hand around me. "This ... the job."
I continued. "Because if it was, you would have covered your hand over the box, looked at me with eyes connected to a soul that cared, that took me for a woman with places to go, trains to catch and told me there was a delay and asked where I was headed. Not just me, but the man behind me, too. I was hoping to catch a 5:53 GO train and if I'd known, I would have saved my token and walked. At least I'd be sure to catch the 6:18 train instead of waiting around here for service to start up again."
He looked away, said nothing. I said, "Well thanks anyway."
I walked back out of the station, forfeiting my paid ride, and headed for the stairs. I wasn't going to miss the 6:18. I wanted to go home. I hate being late. Rolling in at nearly 8 pm isn't fair to my daughter who listens for the garage door and runs downstairs each night to greet me, holding the interior garage door open with a big smile on her face. It's the best feeling and I hate making her wait or missing sitting down to dinner with her and my husband.
As I walked away, the troll called out after me. I'd like to say he grew a heart but instead he hollered, "Lady, if you want a refund, call customer service!"
Funny, I thought I had.
5:38: Myself and another gent drop our tokens into the TTC gatekeeper's box.
What's a TTC gatekeeper, you ask? These are the guys (primarily) who sit in their ergonomic chairs (God forbid they stand like the men and women working 8-hour shifts at the grocery store and do their job) and make sure you put your fare in the box, provided they're paying attention. Sometimes they're busy chatting up a co-worker, or working a crossword puzzle, or sleeping ...
Usually, you'll see them reclined back, sometimes with a foot up on the gate or on the fare box. It is so blatantly rude - disrespectful - that it makes my blood boil. They say nothing, just stare at the box, or the wall, or the floor. No smile. No hello. They remind me of trolls minus the short stature and scaly skin.
You know ... these people:
Photo credit: Valentine Makhouleen
Back when I was in high school, there was a TTC fare collector (I'll use the correct term because this guy truly enjoyed his job and did it with grace and style) who worked the Jane subway in the morning (I grew up in Toronto's Bloor West Village). He said good morning, complimented people on their hair, colour of clothing, thanked people for riding the rocket, politely answered questions, smiled, tried to remember names, etc.
At Christmas, people would bring him baked goods, mickeys, mugs ... I knew when his birthday was and one year my bus buddies and I serenaded him Happy Birthday.
His name was Ron. This man truly loved his job. When I told him during my last year of high school that I wasn't going to my prom because no one asked - I went to an all girls high school, getting a date was a tad difficult - he said his son would go with me. I scoffed and went to school and gave it no further thought. The following morning, he had his son, Jason, come to the station to introduce me to him. He was one year younger than me, shy, but cute as a button.
We didn't go to my prom (which I really didn't want to go to even with a date). We went to see a movie (Encino Man) instead.
I went away to school in the Fall and it became impossible for Jason and I to stay in touch. Deep down, I knew I wasn't really his type, but he was still sweet all the same.
I don't know where Ron is today but I suspect he's long retired and living out in the country somewhere.
Anyhoo, back to tonight's troll. At the very precise second my token clinked and touched metal with the bottom of the fare box, a message was blasted across the PA system that southbound train service was stopped due to a malfunctioning train at Bloor. Trains weren't running. We weren't informed when service would resume. I turned to a woman standing near me and asked her how long she'd been waiting. She said 6 minutes or so. I asked her if this was the first announcement. She said no. I saw red.
Maybe I have high expectations but this troll could have said something to those of us paying cash or token fares. You know, like back in the good ol' days when TTC employees actually gave a sh-t about customer service and would tell you before you paid your fare there were delays and you may want to consider surface transportation, or walk. I rode the TTC from 1987 to 1999, six days a week, sometimes multiple times a day. I remember the collectors who were gracious and spoke up. They were younger then. Before they became bitter trolls.
I'm not saying all TTC gatekeepers are bad but it's primarily those who are close to retirement who have simply stopped caring. I can probably psycho-analyze why because working with the public and dealing with millions of personalities, language barriers, general rudeness, bad attitudes can beat down the best of people but you know what? They signed up for the job - good and bad. No one forced them into public service.
I approach the gatekeeper. He looks like he's been doing this for a very long time.
I tap him on the shoulder and say, "It's not the same is it?"
He looked at me. I waved my hand around me. "This ... the job."
I continued. "Because if it was, you would have covered your hand over the box, looked at me with eyes connected to a soul that cared, that took me for a woman with places to go, trains to catch and told me there was a delay and asked where I was headed. Not just me, but the man behind me, too. I was hoping to catch a 5:53 GO train and if I'd known, I would have saved my token and walked. At least I'd be sure to catch the 6:18 train instead of waiting around here for service to start up again."
He looked away, said nothing. I said, "Well thanks anyway."
I walked back out of the station, forfeiting my paid ride, and headed for the stairs. I wasn't going to miss the 6:18. I wanted to go home. I hate being late. Rolling in at nearly 8 pm isn't fair to my daughter who listens for the garage door and runs downstairs each night to greet me, holding the interior garage door open with a big smile on her face. It's the best feeling and I hate making her wait or missing sitting down to dinner with her and my husband.
As I walked away, the troll called out after me. I'd like to say he grew a heart but instead he hollered, "Lady, if you want a refund, call customer service!"
Funny, I thought I had.
From now on I expect drawings of every kind of crazy sh*t you see, m'kay?
MS sent this in. Drawings are better than photographs. Period.
She writes: Well it finally happened to me. I have a GO story to share! A donkey who thought it was okay to put her bare feet on the seat.
My coworker and I were on the 5:20pm LSE last night. We sat down in a quad with one other fellow. Then just before we left Union, a woman settled into the fourth seat. At Danforth, the fellow left and after we left Danforth, the woman proceeded to remove her shoes and put her feet up on the seat.
This woman must have thought she was on the couch at home. She was just all sprawled right on out. My coworker was getting agitated and who could blame her? One, it's gross, and two, it's stinky! (Skunks might have been offended by the odour emanating from her feet.)
My coworker finally had enough and asked her put her feet down. Very politely at first. The woman asked why. So my coworker jams her finger on the sign that shows no feet on the seats and says "That's why!"
The woman ignored her and she repeated her request.
The woman claims she wasn't feeling well and needed to put her feet up. Again she was asked to put her feet down. No dice. Then the woman proceeds to have a one-way conversation with herself about how she's getting a headache because of the talking by the two women in her area (that would be my coworker and me. Yes we were chatting but using our library voices).
I just rolled my eyes at my coworker and said "I sense a shout out or the crazy train." She agreed. Then we both burst out into a fit of giggles and couldn't stop for about 10 minutes.
Had the woman actually gone to sleep I might have tried for a picture but couldn't do it. However, I did put my "artistic" drawing skills to good use. This is my drawing of my coworker's reaction.
Click to enlarge.
She writes: Well it finally happened to me. I have a GO story to share! A donkey who thought it was okay to put her bare feet on the seat.
My coworker and I were on the 5:20pm LSE last night. We sat down in a quad with one other fellow. Then just before we left Union, a woman settled into the fourth seat. At Danforth, the fellow left and after we left Danforth, the woman proceeded to remove her shoes and put her feet up on the seat.
This woman must have thought she was on the couch at home. She was just all sprawled right on out. My coworker was getting agitated and who could blame her? One, it's gross, and two, it's stinky! (Skunks might have been offended by the odour emanating from her feet.)
My coworker finally had enough and asked her put her feet down. Very politely at first. The woman asked why. So my coworker jams her finger on the sign that shows no feet on the seats and says "That's why!"
The woman ignored her and she repeated her request.
The woman claims she wasn't feeling well and needed to put her feet up. Again she was asked to put her feet down. No dice. Then the woman proceeds to have a one-way conversation with herself about how she's getting a headache because of the talking by the two women in her area (that would be my coworker and me. Yes we were chatting but using our library voices).
I just rolled my eyes at my coworker and said "I sense a shout out or the crazy train." She agreed. Then we both burst out into a fit of giggles and couldn't stop for about 10 minutes.
Had the woman actually gone to sleep I might have tried for a picture but couldn't do it. However, I did put my "artistic" drawing skills to good use. This is my drawing of my coworker's reaction.
Click to enlarge.
Wednesday, August 10, 2011
Ay yi yi, Papi! Have you see this? Tell Maria to put the rosary away, her prayers have been answered!
August 10, 2011 10:30 AM
McGuinty Government Investing In Public Transit
CHECK OUT THE ORIGINAL POST AND PHOTO OPS
Starting next year, GO train riders will get a refund if their train is more than 15 minutes late.
Ontario families want to know that when they choose GO Transit they are going to get to where they need to be, on time. With GO's 15-minute guarantee, customers will be able to receive one-way fare refunds automatically through their PRESTO cards or from a customer sales rep.
Passengers will get refunds for all train delays except those caused by extreme weather, police investigations, accidents and medical emergencies.
Nearly 90 per cent of GO riders who completed an online survey support the money back guarantee. It's just one more way GO is working hard to improve their passengers' experience.
Investing in Ontario's infrastructure -- our roads, highways, transit, hospitals and schools -- is part of the government's plan to create jobs and ensure that the province remains strong and competitive.
You see that passage I've highlighted in bold? Let's talk about that for a minute.
The so called exemptions can embody so many different things. A pile of wet leaves has been known to cause rail slippage on some corridors and trains crawl at a snail's pass in the Fall after heavy rain. Is this "extreme weather"?
I once had to get off a train due to malfunctioning doors and wait for another train that was 25 minutes late and I was over an hour late for work. So how do we know malfunctioning doors won't translate to a police investigation? A medical emergency?
What's an accident? The only true definition of an accident is a meteor falling out of the sky, landing on the rails and obstructing rail traffic. A driver who has driven his vehicle onto the tracks into the path of an oncoming GO train is a person who created a caused occurrence, through negligence on his part.
Failing to stop, choosing to speed, choosing to ignore signal equipment, failing to safely maintain a vehicle's brakes, driving too fast on the highway so one loses control, rolls, clears a fence and lands upside down on the tracks, these actions caused a crash, not an accident. An accident is an an event with no apparent cause. Driving your pick-up in front of an oncoming train is not an accident. Sorry. You were just driving stupid. Give me my refund.
Pedestrians don't just accidentally wind up on the tracks. Many of you had a whole discussion about rail safety when a CN employee was tragically killed last month near Pickering. But it wasn't an accident. Someone screwed up. Human error.
We've covered people who jump in front of trains in a bid to end whatever pain they are in. That isn't accidental in nature ...
But it just seems petty to demand a refund when you know someone just lost their life.
Let's face it, the only time any of us will be seeing a refund is when a switch fails or signals stop working.
I guess we can expect to hear a lot less of those announcements next year. Amma right?
McGuinty Government Investing In Public Transit
CHECK OUT THE ORIGINAL POST AND PHOTO OPS
Starting next year, GO train riders will get a refund if their train is more than 15 minutes late.
Ontario families want to know that when they choose GO Transit they are going to get to where they need to be, on time. With GO's 15-minute guarantee, customers will be able to receive one-way fare refunds automatically through their PRESTO cards or from a customer sales rep.
Passengers will get refunds for all train delays except those caused by extreme weather, police investigations, accidents and medical emergencies.
Nearly 90 per cent of GO riders who completed an online survey support the money back guarantee. It's just one more way GO is working hard to improve their passengers' experience.
Investing in Ontario's infrastructure -- our roads, highways, transit, hospitals and schools -- is part of the government's plan to create jobs and ensure that the province remains strong and competitive.
You see that passage I've highlighted in bold? Let's talk about that for a minute.
The so called exemptions can embody so many different things. A pile of wet leaves has been known to cause rail slippage on some corridors and trains crawl at a snail's pass in the Fall after heavy rain. Is this "extreme weather"?
I once had to get off a train due to malfunctioning doors and wait for another train that was 25 minutes late and I was over an hour late for work. So how do we know malfunctioning doors won't translate to a police investigation? A medical emergency?
What's an accident? The only true definition of an accident is a meteor falling out of the sky, landing on the rails and obstructing rail traffic. A driver who has driven his vehicle onto the tracks into the path of an oncoming GO train is a person who created a caused occurrence, through negligence on his part.
Failing to stop, choosing to speed, choosing to ignore signal equipment, failing to safely maintain a vehicle's brakes, driving too fast on the highway so one loses control, rolls, clears a fence and lands upside down on the tracks, these actions caused a crash, not an accident. An accident is an an event with no apparent cause. Driving your pick-up in front of an oncoming train is not an accident. Sorry. You were just driving stupid. Give me my refund.
Pedestrians don't just accidentally wind up on the tracks. Many of you had a whole discussion about rail safety when a CN employee was tragically killed last month near Pickering. But it wasn't an accident. Someone screwed up. Human error.
We've covered people who jump in front of trains in a bid to end whatever pain they are in. That isn't accidental in nature ...
But it just seems petty to demand a refund when you know someone just lost their life.
Let's face it, the only time any of us will be seeing a refund is when a switch fails or signals stop working.
I guess we can expect to hear a lot less of those announcements next year. Amma right?
Just throwing this out there ...
Let's say you were bullied by a girl (or boy) older than you for the entire time you were in Grades 7, 8, 9 and 10. You never did anything to this person. Never could understand why she hated you so much.
Now, imagine you're at the GO Concourse on your way home (tonight) and a woman walks into you and her bag falls to the floor. You bend to help her pick her stuff up and your eyes lock. You see a flicker of recognition in her eyes but for you, all of a sudden it's like the station went small and you were sucked into a vortex, and it's December 1990, and you're running down a hall to get away from this bitch who spent the past 10 minutes making fun of your hair in front of a dozen girls from a different school invited to partake in a volleyball tournament.
"Do I know you from somewhere?" She asks.
I don't know what came over me. I stood up and said, "F*ck you." And I walked off. I was so rattled that I nearly took the wrong train home as I went to the wrong platform.
For the past two hours I've been replaying the whole scene over in my mind. And I'm pissed that I'm letting this get to me. I bet she thought the whole situation was amusing. Bullies never stop being bullies.
I know this much is true.
Now, imagine you're at the GO Concourse on your way home (tonight) and a woman walks into you and her bag falls to the floor. You bend to help her pick her stuff up and your eyes lock. You see a flicker of recognition in her eyes but for you, all of a sudden it's like the station went small and you were sucked into a vortex, and it's December 1990, and you're running down a hall to get away from this bitch who spent the past 10 minutes making fun of your hair in front of a dozen girls from a different school invited to partake in a volleyball tournament.
"Do I know you from somewhere?" She asks.
I don't know what came over me. I stood up and said, "F*ck you." And I walked off. I was so rattled that I nearly took the wrong train home as I went to the wrong platform.
For the past two hours I've been replaying the whole scene over in my mind. And I'm pissed that I'm letting this get to me. I bet she thought the whole situation was amusing. Bullies never stop being bullies.
I know this much is true.
Holy Satan on a biscuit! Does this mean when I load my card, I'll no longer have to wait 24 hours for a monkey to start its shift?
From: "GO E-News Alert"
Wednesday, August 10, 2011 07:14PM
Subject: PRESTO Website Upgrade - August 12 -13
PRESTO is undergoing improvements that will make using the card even easier and more convenient. As this work is being done, some interactive features of the PRESTO website will not be available August 12 - 13. For information visit www.prestocard.ca.
During this time, you will continue to be able to use your PRESTO card to pay your fare and will still be able to load money onto your card at any GO station.
We appreciate your patience during this time and thank you for getting on board with PRESTO!
Wednesday, August 10, 2011 07:14PM
Subject: PRESTO Website Upgrade - August 12 -13
PRESTO is undergoing improvements that will make using the card even easier and more convenient. As this work is being done, some interactive features of the PRESTO website will not be available August 12 - 13. For information visit www.prestocard.ca.
During this time, you will continue to be able to use your PRESTO card to pay your fare and will still be able to load money onto your card at any GO station.
We appreciate your patience during this time and thank you for getting on board with PRESTO!
This is why you're a Space Pig. This is why I carry a blow torch
Thanks S.M. for the pic. I hate these assholes.
Tuesday, August 9, 2011
The hell?
Honest to God. What is it with these people who stand in front of the Presto card readers rummaging around for their card? Just move to the side and when you find your card, walk up to the machine and tap it. But holy hell, did this woman not go postal on a man tonight because he leaned in front of her and tapped his card while she was tearing her purse apart.
"Wait your turn asshole," she yelled as his walked away. "Can't you see I'm disabled!"
If she was, it wasn't apparent. All that was apparent is that she was body-blocking the machine. Because I'm an ass, I stood behind her and waited. Other people approached only to sigh, roll their eyes and scurry off to another machine. Eventually she realizes I'm behind her, turns her head and tells me there are other machines. Using a Rain Man voice I tell her this one is my favourite. A woman comes running along and slaps her hand into the space between the machine and the woman and books it for the doors. "Why is everyone so f*cking rude?" The woman yells.
Finally after she starts tearing into another bag, I did this fantastic Ninja-Matrix move and tap my card. My leg actually cleared her head. The woman turns and goes apeshit on me as I hightail it for the stairs. And you know what she yelled after me?
"F*ck you, you retard." So she's seen Rain Man I gathered.
I'm not sure what to call people like her. I should have stopped and "brought it" with this woman but I didn't. Karma knows its role.
"Wait your turn asshole," she yelled as his walked away. "Can't you see I'm disabled!"
If she was, it wasn't apparent. All that was apparent is that she was body-blocking the machine. Because I'm an ass, I stood behind her and waited. Other people approached only to sigh, roll their eyes and scurry off to another machine. Eventually she realizes I'm behind her, turns her head and tells me there are other machines. Using a Rain Man voice I tell her this one is my favourite. A woman comes running along and slaps her hand into the space between the machine and the woman and books it for the doors. "Why is everyone so f*cking rude?" The woman yells.
Finally after she starts tearing into another bag, I did this fantastic Ninja-Matrix move and tap my card. My leg actually cleared her head. The woman turns and goes apeshit on me as I hightail it for the stairs. And you know what she yelled after me?
"F*ck you, you retard." So she's seen Rain Man I gathered.
I'm not sure what to call people like her. I should have stopped and "brought it" with this woman but I didn't. Karma knows its role.
Another topic that should be off-limits when on the train and you speak at a decibel level best suited for a night club
Debating whether the "Jewish Holocaust" really happened and that desecrating a Synagogue with hate messages written in spray paint isn't news and that "Jews need to get over it".
If I walked into a Church and destroyed the altar, spray-painted Jesus blue and spilled all the Holy Water, I'm sure this would be equally awful and upsetting and would be just as "news-worthy" to ANYONE.
I'm done. End of rant. Wish I never bore audio witness to the conversation.
If I walked into a Church and destroyed the altar, spray-painted Jesus blue and spilled all the Holy Water, I'm sure this would be equally awful and upsetting and would be just as "news-worthy" to ANYONE.
I'm done. End of rant. Wish I never bore audio witness to the conversation.
Monday, August 8, 2011
Tucking in your side-view mirror doesn't excuse your suck-ass parking job
Here's hoping the donkey in the GMC drove home before the owner of the Nissan.
Oshawa GO lot.
Friday, August 5, 2011
More GO Survey Fun
The post below this one (or before it depending on how you read ThisCrazyTrain.com) is a bit of a downer and you might need some cheering up.
Why not mosey over to GoTransitBites for a peek at yet another GO Customer Satisfaction Survey and the responses submitted by its resident angry GO rider?
It's worth the read. She's hilariously funny with her interpretations.
Why not mosey over to GoTransitBites for a peek at yet another GO Customer Satisfaction Survey and the responses submitted by its resident angry GO rider?
It's worth the read. She's hilariously funny with her interpretations.
Thursday, August 4, 2011
To the sick person who left a kitten to die in the Oshawa GO Parking Lot. Rot in hell
Poor Jill. She saw the kitten before I did as we walked across the lot tonight after getting off the 5:20 Union-Oshawa LSE. She's a hardcore animal lover and the sight of this baby animal, its eyes half open, lying on its side, caused her to burst into tears.
I guess I was in shock myself because I couldn't believe what I was seeing. I didn't cry. I just got super angry. The kitten had no signs of obvious trauma. It didn't look like it had been hit by a car. It looked like it had been placed. Abandoned. Left for dead.
One of the CSAs from the station was heading over to where we were standing as Jill didn't want to leave until she knew the kitten would be picked up by an animal control agency. Turns out, numerous GO patrons had gone to the ticket counters to tell the GO employees about the gruesome find. Both the GO CSA and myself felt the kitten had been put there by some heartless person who had either killed it, or, for some reason, left the kitten in a hot car, where it died and then was left in the lot.
Where the Oshawa GO lot is located is not urban, nor residential. It's bounded by Highway 401, rail lines, industrial parks and a car dealership. It's extremely rare, according to the GO CSA I spoke to, to see stray cats wondering about. Rare.
You be the judge. This kitten was defenseless. Animals are meant to be loved, not left for dead in a commuter parking lot.
Thank the Catholics
I missed something uber-important with the new logo banner.
Sharp-eyed Catholics and even bigger Exorcist fans than me were all over this. The holy water sprinkler!
It's in. Thanks!
Sharp-eyed Catholics and even bigger Exorcist fans than me were all over this. The holy water sprinkler!
It's in. Thanks!
