Wednesday, October 19, 2005

Bus Adventures, Part 2

So, for Day 2 of "Allen's Bus Adventures," I get out to the bus stop a little early.

I catch the bus.

I catch the bus on the wrong side of the street...

...going the wrong way.

I will spare you the story of the friendly woman talking to the bus driver who's every other phrase was "you know what I'm sayin'?"

I got to work 45 minutes late, but my boss was understanding and the time can be made up today.

Lesson learned: Get on the bus going in the direction you need to go.

Best Wishes,
Allen

Tuesday, October 18, 2005

Comedy Of Errors, But With A Happy Ending

So, my wife has a new job and takes our vehicle to work now. Today was my first time taking the bus to work. So I call and get the time and location for the bus stop. I get out the door right before the appointed time and as I'm approaching the right street (about half a block from my house), I hear the bus going by. But, it was an hour before work and most buses are on 15 to 30 minute routes, so I figured I'd catch it at 9:00 am.

9:00 am came and went. About 9:07 am I decide to walk back to the house to call and confirm the times for the bus. No sooner do I get a quarter block from the bus stop than the bus comes (I hear it first then see it -- too late). I say to myself "fine, I'll just go to the bus stop across the street. It'll probably be by in a few minutes."

Several minutes went by and nothing. I was getting discouraged and was considering leaving again when something told me to give it until 9:15 (it was about 9:10). I did not want to repeat my previous mistake. Sure enough, right at 9:15, the bus shows up. I arrive about a block from my work approximately 6 minutes later and am in the door on time.

And to top it off, it's an "Ozone Action Day" in Austin, so the ride was free.

Can't beat that with a stick, eh?

My wife will be picking me up from work each evening (I'm doing a 4-day, 10 hour a day schedule now), so I only have to ride the bus in the mornings. No biggie.

Best Wishes,
Allen