Lo and Behold

This is why I keep all of my old notebooks.

Here's a poem I found in a notebook from 2006... I don't even remember writing it.

With a newcomer's eye
The city looks beautiful
And unclean
And Unseen
Looking up to see the tops of sky-coloured towers
and down to see homeless feet sticking out from beneath pavement-coloured blankets
The Attractions and Distractions
The city's full of them
The ride on the streetcar
Jolting and cramped
Wonderful
Not annoying as it is to all the regular riders
Getting a crick in the neck from looking out
But not a pain in the neck
The city remains interesting
No matter if seen with fresh or old, rotten eyes
And the inspiration (the gentleman one seat ahead)
Dismounts at Portland
Have a nice night

LOLOL... man, what a difference two years can make.

Labels: poem, streetcar, toronto

posted by Unknown @ 6:28 p.m.

The Day That Nothing Worked (except the printer)

So, I just got home from walking all the way from Spadina. Stupid streetcar I was on kicked everyone off, so it could push the broken down streetcar in front of it off the road. Man. What the hell is wrong with the TTC today?

And at work, our inventory program SUCKED ASS. I only got three listings done, where normally, I should be getting about 14-15! But I did get a "lemon" printer up and running this afternoon, which I might be able to buy for cheap! Woot!

Labels: computers, frustration, rant, streetcar, TTC, work

posted by Unknown @ 7:03 p.m.

I Think I've Been Fairly Tolerant...

... with the TTC, until now. I'm usually very logical and lenient with the flaws of the TTC, and I normally blame the other TTC riders for how miserable the ride can be now and then. However, this morning, I couldn't believe how bad the service was!

Bex and I arrived at the stop at our normal time, around 8:30am. Just as we were walking to the stop, a car went by. I had a sinking feeling that we should've run to catch the car, but alas. A few minutes later (more minutes than usual), another streetcar came along, but it was out of service.

A couple minutes later, another car came, with another car behind it. The first car was PACKED, but the second car was also out of service, so we tried to squeeze onto the back of the car in front. A tinny voice via intercom said, "Young lady, please step away from the back door of the streetcar." Apparently, I wasn't allowed on! Not sure why- it better have been because the car was already too full, because there are signs clearly posted saying the King car runs on a P.O.P. system- you can mount the car through the rear doors if you've got a valid pass or transfer.

The next car pulled up to the light, and everyone started to de-board. Apparently, this car was out of service as well. I asked the driver why and he pointed to some control panel that was opened up, and said it was too cold for it to operate. What??

Anyways- long story short, Bex and I scrambled around, trying to decide if we should just hop in a cab (except we couldn't find one available), or if we should just hop on one of the SIX streetcars piled up at King and Dufferin now. It was 8:54am by the time we finally got onto a streetcar, and 9:30 by the time we got to Church Street. The car we were on announced they were short turning on Church, too.

So- all in all, I saw FOUR streetcars this morning that were out of service! We live in Canada folks! It gets cold! Why do I pay $100 a month to ride on streetcars that break down as soon as it gets cold? And why were only some of the cars out of order? Don't they have like, a huge block heater or something?!?!?

Anyways- it was frustrating, to say the least. I was a half-hour late for work again today. Good thing no one keeps track!

Labels: bex, rant, streetcar, TTC, weather, work

posted by Unknown @ 11:42 a.m.

Questioning My Sincerity

This morning on the streetcar, I accidentally hit this woman in the head (repeatedly) with my elbow- but my coat is so thick, I honestly didn't feel it. Well- she 'gave it to me good', and so I apologized profusely. Just then, Becky said, "Yeah Kari, keep your elbows to yourself," and we all laughed. The woman got so angry, and refused to believe that I was truly sorry. I didn't know what else to say!

If I were her, I probably would've gotten pissed too... but man- some people have to lighten up!

In spirit of streetcar boogies everywhere, Bex has compiled a list of streetcar etiquette. It's pretty extensive. Check out her list!

Labels: bex, conversation, rant, streetcar

posted by Unknown @ 9:17 p.m.

A Conversation About Fish

I was sitting in my usual spot today on the streetcar (very back, window seat), and this Asian fellow sits beside me, all huffing and puffing... he cracked open a can of Coke (which I was sure would burst all over me- thankfully it didn't), and he said, "It's very freezing outside!"

I thought to myself, "Finally!" (Regarding the weather, not the Asian guy.) I was also hoping the guy wouldn't try to start up a conversation with me. Alas.

We talked about fish. About how he just came from the Bay-Bloor library, where he was looking for books about fish. About how the biggest fish he ever caught was 9 lbs. (it's true, he showed me a video on his phone). About how he's going to drive to Vancouver, and catch a 120 lb. halibut, and mount it on his wall. And about how the biggest mackerel on record was bigger than the streetcar.

I told him I didn't believe him about the 120 lb. halibut. My grandpa sold halibut at his fish and chip shop (London Pride Fish and Chips), and they were only like, 2 lbs., if that. But as I was looking for a pic to put in this post, I found this:

http://www.afsc.noaa.gov/RACE/behavioral/halibut_fbe.htm

I had no idea.

I'm always wary about talking to people on the streetcar... I'm a bit shy around new people. But this conversation wasn't that bad! LOL

Labels: conversation, fish, randomness, streetcar

posted by Unknown @ 7:22 p.m.