Sunday, February 3, 2013
Picking up where we left off...
All the time people bitch on Twitter about people riding the train to work sick with a cough or cold, but when a person makes an effort to keep his germs at bay, his photo winds up on Instagram for the world to poke fun at. Tsk.
This man deserves a medal, not ridicule.
This man deserves a medal, not ridicule.
Wednesday, January 30, 2013
Bye Howie. You were beautiful
October 1998 to January 2013
Never gonna forget a lawyer cat like you.
My husband and I were with him until the end. When he took his last breath, in my arms, and his body went limp and we laid him down on the couch in the vet's office, I stroked his fur and told him how much I loved him, how much he meant to me and that I was sorry I couldn't save him.
Thank you to everyone who supported me today. I'm so glad you're all here.
Please forgive me while I take a slight break to re-charge.
I need to mend my broken heart.
Something is wrong with Howard Bigfird
FINAL UPDATE
Howie has cancer in his lungs and stomach, according to the cardiologist based on what's showing on the x-rays and his blood work points to this. It's in all likelihood terminal. I have to go say goodbye.
I can't bring Howie home.
I'm so heartbroken.
Being a smart lawyer cat, Mr.Bigfird was wise to have pet insurance but his plan is limited, partly due to his aging. As he aged, certain conditions lost coverage. We're out some coin for his vet bill today but can claim the x-rays and a few other tests. We took him to a clinic in west Bowmanville based on an internet review of five stars out of five from 17 different patrons. I can't say enough about this Doctor so far and her staff. I was called to see how I was doing (How I was doing! I told the truth - lots of tears) Howie is stable (heart rate and body temperature) but we're waiting on the cardiology results. All signs point to a tough decision.
My husband and I are going to see if there's any possibility we can bring him home as an alternative to ... you know ... man, this is hard.
UPDATE - 11:15 AM
The vet called. We left him there for more tests and to be hydrated. A mass has been found on his right lung so the vet has stopped hydration because it could be fatal if his condition is heart related.
The mass could be cancer or fluid. Either way, it's not looking good for his heart. She's called in a cardiologist to review. I'll keep you all posted. They're keeping him warm in the meantime as his body temperature is very low.
For those not familiar with my lawyer cat, here's some history.
My lawyer (aka my cat) isn't doing well. I'll admit, I'm a wreck - not an easy thing to confess to most people, especially co-workers when most people don't understand the pet relationship.
My biggest fear is the day I have to say goodbye. And I really hope I'm just a blubbering mess for nothing at the moment. He sees a vet at 9 this morning.
Howie hasn't been himself since last week. He hasn't greeted me at the door when I come home, doesn't lie across the keyboard when I'm trying to use the computer, hasn't slept with me in at least a week and doesn't come when I call him. These are all things I just realized. Life is so busy that it isn't until you stop and really think, do you notice that something is amiss.
This morning, while getting ready for work, it just dawned on me that he'd made no effort to come upstairs and that's when I realized something is really wrong. It wasn't a gradual realization. It just hit me.
I found him in the basement, huddled under a stool. He didn't get up when he saw me. I picked him up and carried him upstairs to the living room. He purred but when I put him down on the couch, he remained motionless. Putting him on the floor showed he has difficulty walking. He keeps his hind quarters close to the floor and when he does walk, he's dragging his back paws. Needless to say, I knew I wouldn't be on a train this morning.
I've tried to work a little from home since 6:30 am and have done some tasks, but really, it's just been a means to pass the time until my husband comes to get me so we can get Howie to the vet.
I'm sharing because I'm scared. I don't think I can express how much I love this cat. I really need him to be okay. I've had Howie since he was a baby and he's almost 15 now. I can't imagine life without him and I certainly am not ready to let him go.
Here's my handsome boy sitting in my daughter's closet on a shelf, just one of his weird hiding places.
Howie has cancer in his lungs and stomach, according to the cardiologist based on what's showing on the x-rays and his blood work points to this. It's in all likelihood terminal. I have to go say goodbye.
I can't bring Howie home.
I'm so heartbroken.
UPDATE - 2:45 PM
Got another call from the vet and here's where I need to comment... over the years, I've patronized several animal clinics in Durham Region. One in particular, I hold accountable for the untimely death of my cat, Nala, at the age of 8. Some are in it for the kick-backs of pushing food and merchandise, some are in it for the money and some are in it because they understand the reality of shallow pocketbooks and work to find a delicate balance between love and money.Being a smart lawyer cat, Mr.Bigfird was wise to have pet insurance but his plan is limited, partly due to his aging. As he aged, certain conditions lost coverage. We're out some coin for his vet bill today but can claim the x-rays and a few other tests. We took him to a clinic in west Bowmanville based on an internet review of five stars out of five from 17 different patrons. I can't say enough about this Doctor so far and her staff. I was called to see how I was doing (How I was doing! I told the truth - lots of tears) Howie is stable (heart rate and body temperature) but we're waiting on the cardiology results. All signs point to a tough decision.
My husband and I are going to see if there's any possibility we can bring him home as an alternative to ... you know ... man, this is hard.
UPDATE - 11:15 AM
The vet called. We left him there for more tests and to be hydrated. A mass has been found on his right lung so the vet has stopped hydration because it could be fatal if his condition is heart related.
The mass could be cancer or fluid. Either way, it's not looking good for his heart. She's called in a cardiologist to review. I'll keep you all posted. They're keeping him warm in the meantime as his body temperature is very low.
For those not familiar with my lawyer cat, here's some history.
My lawyer (aka my cat) isn't doing well. I'll admit, I'm a wreck - not an easy thing to confess to most people, especially co-workers when most people don't understand the pet relationship.
My biggest fear is the day I have to say goodbye. And I really hope I'm just a blubbering mess for nothing at the moment. He sees a vet at 9 this morning.
Howie hasn't been himself since last week. He hasn't greeted me at the door when I come home, doesn't lie across the keyboard when I'm trying to use the computer, hasn't slept with me in at least a week and doesn't come when I call him. These are all things I just realized. Life is so busy that it isn't until you stop and really think, do you notice that something is amiss.
This morning, while getting ready for work, it just dawned on me that he'd made no effort to come upstairs and that's when I realized something is really wrong. It wasn't a gradual realization. It just hit me.
I found him in the basement, huddled under a stool. He didn't get up when he saw me. I picked him up and carried him upstairs to the living room. He purred but when I put him down on the couch, he remained motionless. Putting him on the floor showed he has difficulty walking. He keeps his hind quarters close to the floor and when he does walk, he's dragging his back paws. Needless to say, I knew I wouldn't be on a train this morning.
I've tried to work a little from home since 6:30 am and have done some tasks, but really, it's just been a means to pass the time until my husband comes to get me so we can get Howie to the vet.
I'm sharing because I'm scared. I don't think I can express how much I love this cat. I really need him to be okay. I've had Howie since he was a baby and he's almost 15 now. I can't imagine life without him and I certainly am not ready to let him go.
Tuesday, January 29, 2013
Take up a whole quad on a morning express train? Don't mind if I do
No one had any idea who this luggage belonged to but their owner (or owners) weren't obvious. It wasn't until the train got to Union did I learn it was two females sitting two quads away. I really should have stood up and used my "I am IMPORTANT" voice and asked for the bags to be moved.
Friday, January 25, 2013
She's sleeping... hardcore
- Submitted
Oh yes, people who do this are douchebags
This was the only spot left at Rouge Hill GO Station this morning according to a reader.
I can understand why no one tried to park there, but me? I would have backed my car in as close to that Cadillac as I could, so that its running boards were practically kissing my paint, and exited through my back lift gate.
I totally would have done it. Of course, this means that the car you see on the right would have resulted in its driver having to climb in through the passenger side but I would have left a note and maybe a ten-spot.
People suck. No doubt about it.
I can understand why no one tried to park there, but me? I would have backed my car in as close to that Cadillac as I could, so that its running boards were practically kissing my paint, and exited through my back lift gate.
People suck. No doubt about it.
This Crazy Train's Presto Chronicles, Chapter 22: PRESTO machines struggle to operate in cold weather
| from: | xxxxxxxxxx@rbc.com | ||
| to: | cj@thiscrazytrain.com | ||
| date: | Wed, Jan 23, 2013 at 7:11 AM | ||
| subject: | frozen presto machine |
| from: | xxxxxxxxxx@gmail.com | ||
| to: | cj@thiscrazytrain.com | ||
| date: | Wed, Jan 23, 2013 at 10:31 AM | ||
| subject: | Presto machines not working |
Did your presto work this morning? Did you hear from any other people? Yellow light flashed when I tapped but no beep and didn't show balance. Same with guy in front. Same with my colleague. Train was leaving in one minute. No time to mess around. I checked my transaction history on the website and it didn't show today's transaction but it's the first time I've been on the site and I don't know if it would show up after only 2 hours. Presto machines don't work when it's -20? Bonus. I'll take -20 for the rest of the winter.
| from: | xxxxxxxxxx@live.com | ||
| to: | cj@thiscrazytrain.com | ||
| date: | Wed, Jan 23, 2013 at 11:54 AM | ||
| subject: | ha ha presto is frozen |
hi cj. LOL. what a joke. no one could get any of the presto machines to work this morning. i got a light but no sound or reading. what a piece of crap.
PRESTO card @PRESTOcard A service call may be needed along the Barrie corridor stations. :)
CJ Smith How hard is it to take a bunch of machines, throw them in a freezer at a local M&M Meat Shops, turn down the thermostat, and run a weather stress test? C'mon ... really?
Wednesday, January 23, 2013
Just browsing through the site logs seeing what Google searches gave me traffic when suddenly...
You're a passenger on a GO train. Does this make you qualified to be a firefighter?
I learned of this story second-hand through a person who rode the Barrie train yesterday morning.
At some point during the trek to Union Station, a set of doors on one of the coaches was experiencing an electrical short. Nothing major, I'm told, and a passenger on the coach had gone off to alert the CSA.
Apparently pulses of electricity cause some people to act like it's the end of the world because some dude who clearly watched way too much A-Team and Magnum PI as a kid, jumped up and hauled ass to fetch the on-board fire extinguisher. Before anyone could stop this man, whom I am certain can count to potato without difficulty, he pulled the safety pin and sprayed the shit out of the door.
Frickin' GO Transit's own Rambo, folks. At your service.
You know what happens when you spray a fire extinguisher in closed quarters?
On the next coach, passengers were convinced the train was on fire due to the white smoke filling the coach opposite.
No, there wasn't mass 'pandelerium' but the CSA couldn't make it through Rambo's leftover pixie dust and came back to the Accessibility coach to call for back-up.
I have no idea if people on the coach with wannabe Fire Marshall Bill faced huge dry cleaning bills. I can only imagine.
I have nothing against people with grandiose ambitions of heroism but in this case, it clearly wasn't warranted.
Just keep this guy away from candles.
UPDATE. The story IS true. The fire department was called in to save the day. I hope they took the time to talk to Fire Marshall Bill.
I realize some of you are lost on the Fire Marshall Bill reference. See below
At some point during the trek to Union Station, a set of doors on one of the coaches was experiencing an electrical short. Nothing major, I'm told, and a passenger on the coach had gone off to alert the CSA.
Apparently pulses of electricity cause some people to act like it's the end of the world because some dude who clearly watched way too much A-Team and Magnum PI as a kid, jumped up and hauled ass to fetch the on-board fire extinguisher. Before anyone could stop this man, whom I am certain can count to potato without difficulty, he pulled the safety pin and sprayed the shit out of the door.
Frickin' GO Transit's own Rambo, folks. At your service.
You know what happens when you spray a fire extinguisher in closed quarters?
On the next coach, passengers were convinced the train was on fire due to the white smoke filling the coach opposite.
No, there wasn't mass 'pandelerium' but the CSA couldn't make it through Rambo's leftover pixie dust and came back to the Accessibility coach to call for back-up.
I have no idea if people on the coach with wannabe Fire Marshall Bill faced huge dry cleaning bills. I can only imagine.
I have nothing against people with grandiose ambitions of heroism but in this case, it clearly wasn't warranted.
Just keep this guy away from candles.
UPDATE. The story IS true. The fire department was called in to save the day. I hope they took the time to talk to Fire Marshall Bill.
I realize some of you are lost on the Fire Marshall Bill reference. See below
Nice one, jerk
This is a situation where you pick up the bag, put it on the floor and sit down on the seat.
- Submitted
Bicycle douche
So I'm on the 21:43 LSW heading home (west). It's relatively empty.
This guy comes on with his bike. Leaves it at the trio of seats at the door. Comes into the middle of the car with full winter gear, takes off his giant Goretex coat, plops down and puts his slushy wet shoes up.
I'm alone in the car with this guy and while I could take him in hand-to-hand combat, it's been a long day and I just want to passive-aggressive his ass. Hence the pic.
Tuesday, January 22, 2013
Monday, January 21, 2013
I've forgotten what COLD was like
We've been so spoiled since 2006 with mild winters. Then again, I had a car up until December of 2011, so maybe all this bus waiting is what makes me feel the cold more than years past.
I love snow, hate the cold. I like 1C weather and soft falling snow.
I do not like wind-so-cold-my-ass-goes-numb kind of cold.
I do not like hold-up-the-entire-line-to-get-on-the-bus-to-chat-about-Presto cold.
I do not like bus-is-not-on-time-because-the-driver-is-a-personal-GPS-for-you-as-you-try-to-figure-out-how-to-get-to-the-airport cold.
I do not like train-is-late-all-platform-shelters-are-full cold.
I do not like idle-the-train-with-the-doors-open-for-10-minutes-at-Pickering cold.
This week is gonna suck.
I love snow, hate the cold. I like 1C weather and soft falling snow.
I do not like wind-so-cold-my-ass-goes-numb kind of cold.
I do not like hold-up-the-entire-line-to-get-on-the-bus-to-chat-about-Presto cold.
I do not like bus-is-not-on-time-because-the-driver-is-a-personal-GPS-for-you-as-you-try-to-figure-out-how-to-get-to-the-airport cold.
I do not like train-is-late-all-platform-shelters-are-full cold.
I do not like idle-the-train-with-the-doors-open-for-10-minutes-at-Pickering cold.
This week is gonna suck.
Thursday, January 17, 2013
Well THAT was embarrassing!
Ugh.
UGH. UGH. UGH.
I fell. Down the stairs at Union Station. I'm okay but my purse is not and neither is my lunch.
I'm not sure what happened but the strap of my purse caught on something, eventually snapped and I went airborne. We're talking knees first to the pavement, glasses flying off and purse contents scattering.
I owe a lot to the people around me. A lady saved my glasses (thank god!) and another lady helped me gather up my lunch - what we found of it. My crap was EVERYWHERE. I never did find my Purell, nor my pride.
I had to buy a new bag. That's one of the benefits of working downtown and having the PATH at your feet. Shopping at 8 am isn't a problem. Thank you, Danier Leather.
UGH. UGH. UGH.
I fell. Down the stairs at Union Station. I'm okay but my purse is not and neither is my lunch.
I'm not sure what happened but the strap of my purse caught on something, eventually snapped and I went airborne. We're talking knees first to the pavement, glasses flying off and purse contents scattering.
I owe a lot to the people around me. A lady saved my glasses (thank god!) and another lady helped me gather up my lunch - what we found of it. My crap was EVERYWHERE. I never did find my Purell, nor my pride.
I had to buy a new bag. That's one of the benefits of working downtown and having the PATH at your feet. Shopping at 8 am isn't a problem. Thank you, Danier Leather.
Wednesday, January 16, 2013
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