If I can see your "gusset" thigh line, it means the skirt is too short. Just sayin'
But you do have nice legs. Oh, and I like your boots.
Thursday, November 10, 2011
Girl, you really gotta put on some pants
If I can see your "gusset" thigh line, it means the skirt is too short. Just sayin'
But you do have nice legs. Oh, and I like your boots.
Guitar? Check. Amp? Check. Wheelchair? Check? Ok, go!
NOTE. There is amp feedback at the beginning of this video so turn your speakers down.
Submitted by AO. Shot on the Bloor Danforth westbound line.
Hi C.J.
I was the one texting you about the "homeless crippled starving musician who hasn't eaten all day" who was panhandling on the TTC tonight with his electric guitar and amp.
He eventually got off the train - or so I thought... every time the doors would open at a new stop, I could hear his "rock" coming from the next car over!
Enjoy!!
This guy is all kinds of brilliance. I hope he made enough money for dinner. But most importantly, I hope he had a TTC musician licence. You know, to be fair.
Submitted by AO. Shot on the Bloor Danforth westbound line.
Hi C.J.
I was the one texting you about the "homeless crippled starving musician who hasn't eaten all day" who was panhandling on the TTC tonight with his electric guitar and amp.
He eventually got off the train - or so I thought... every time the doors would open at a new stop, I could hear his "rock" coming from the next car over!
Enjoy!!
This guy is all kinds of brilliance. I hope he made enough money for dinner. But most importantly, I hope he had a TTC musician licence. You know, to be fair.
Off Topic: Sophia Grace and Rosie. I love these girls ...
Original video here (yes the song is a little old for them, but really, they don't know what they're singing)
And when they were on the show:
Off topic: Seen this yet?
UPDATE
Apparently the person who wrote the letter has come clean.
Apparently the person who wrote the letter has come clean.
@ThisCrazyTrain CJ Smith
http://toronto.kijiji.ca/c-community-other-Looking-for-the-author-of-this-letter-see-image-W0QQAdIdZ327159744 Oshawa man looks to find kids pissed off he didn't shell out candy on Hween. Letter left in mailbox.
Go train ticketing
Submitted from KH
Saw the guy on your site complaining that GO doesn't ticket, just issues warnings. Well - the other morning I was coming to work after rush hour following a dr's appt. LSW train was pretty empty, 1 person to a quad. I got on at Clarkson. So this guy in the quad behind me apparently leaves from Port Credit or Long Branch, depending on the day, so he has 10-ride passes for both. This particular morning, he got on at Port Credit but accidentally punched the Long Branch pass, so paid a lesser fare than he should have. The ticket checker noticed this, asked for ID, started making notes. I thought oh, he's issuing a warning, as the guy was explaining that it was simple mistake, he grabbed the wrong pass. The cop doesn't say anything after asking for ID, is just writing, then all of a sudden tears off a sheet, says "ok, so it's a $100 ticket for not paying the full fare, you need to choose one of the options on the back within 15 days" and dude FREAKS OUT. Started yelling and swearing saying he's now done with GO for good and they've lost a rider etc. Wow. I was surprised because it did seem like an innocent mistake rather than someone deliberately not having paid anything. I did feel for him.
Saw the guy on your site complaining that GO doesn't ticket, just issues warnings. Well - the other morning I was coming to work after rush hour following a dr's appt. LSW train was pretty empty, 1 person to a quad. I got on at Clarkson. So this guy in the quad behind me apparently leaves from Port Credit or Long Branch, depending on the day, so he has 10-ride passes for both. This particular morning, he got on at Port Credit but accidentally punched the Long Branch pass, so paid a lesser fare than he should have. The ticket checker noticed this, asked for ID, started making notes. I thought oh, he's issuing a warning, as the guy was explaining that it was simple mistake, he grabbed the wrong pass. The cop doesn't say anything after asking for ID, is just writing, then all of a sudden tears off a sheet, says "ok, so it's a $100 ticket for not paying the full fare, you need to choose one of the options on the back within 15 days" and dude FREAKS OUT. Started yelling and swearing saying he's now done with GO for good and they've lost a rider etc. Wow. I was surprised because it did seem like an innocent mistake rather than someone deliberately not having paid anything. I did feel for him.
Where does a girl go to get blood drawn at Queen and Yonge?
I don't need to donate but I do need to give some to a nurse so it can be analyzed and my doctor can figure out why I can't shoot webs from my wrists anymore.
I know there's a hospital right across from my building but can I go there?
I also know a lot of you work right around where I work so someone knows something. Googling proved fruitless. Lifelabs doesn't have a facility in the core.
I'll even take something near Union.
I also need to eat. I've fasted for 14 hours so far. I don't know if I'm gonna make it. One of my co-workers gave me a bagel she didn't want and it's doing a mighty nice dance in a grass skirt right now with a come hither look in its eye, if it had one. And legs.
See, I'm delirious. Please help.
I know there's a hospital right across from my building but can I go there?
I also know a lot of you work right around where I work so someone knows something. Googling proved fruitless. Lifelabs doesn't have a facility in the core.
I'll even take something near Union.
I also need to eat. I've fasted for 14 hours so far. I don't know if I'm gonna make it. One of my co-workers gave me a bagel she didn't want and it's doing a mighty nice dance in a grass skirt right now with a come hither look in its eye, if it had one. And legs.
See, I'm delirious. Please help.
Last one in the pool is a rotten egg! A view from the LSE
If you have to mow your pool so you can swim in it... you just might be a redneck.
Some of these yards along the GO lakeshore east corridor are in dire need of a visit from the Weed Man.
Follow up to this post here. I'm telling you, my readers don't disappoint. Thanks to Mrs X. for the photo. I also like the two-colour shingle job on the homeowner's roof. Party in the back, business on the sides.
Wednesday, November 9, 2011
Park How I Want To - The Smackdown
Matthew M. writes:
Parking citations issued at Bramalea Station yesterday. I was waiting for the bus and noticed a large number of Park How I Want To’s blocking aisles. There was a PHIWT at the end of each row (both ends), and even in the hashed “no parking in this triangular shape here” areas.
I snapped this photo by the bus shelters, waiting for my bus to arrive. Thought it was sweet justice. I drew arrows to the tickets in case they are hard to see.
Those who ride the LSE know this is a hella true
It's fall and this means we all get a good view of the backyards of the homes along the LSE corridor between Scarborough GO and Danforth GO stations. Particularly the backyards of those who live along Raleigh Avenue in Scarborough.
My favourite backyard is the one with the weeds growing out of the above ground swimming pool. Oh yes, there's a photo.
In fact, it shocks me that no one has submitted a photo of some of these landscaping nightmares to GO's Facebook Gallery entitled, Views from the Train
It's too dark to see the yards during the evening express trains but pay attention tomorrow morning. It's pretty insane what people have in them.
Imma set my BlackBerry to record this hot mess for y'all tomorrow. Kay?
@ThisCrazyTrain It wasn't until I started to ride the GO Train that I realized I'm not the only one with a neglected backyard.
My favourite backyard is the one with the weeds growing out of the above ground swimming pool. Oh yes, there's a photo.
In fact, it shocks me that no one has submitted a photo of some of these landscaping nightmares to GO's Facebook Gallery entitled, Views from the Train
It's too dark to see the yards during the evening express trains but pay attention tomorrow morning. It's pretty insane what people have in them.
Imma set my BlackBerry to record this hot mess for y'all tomorrow. Kay?
I wanna sext you up
*Note. My replies are in green.From: 90572595XX
To: 19054427423
November 8 2011 04:40 PM
Hey. CJ? I just sent you a pic.
From: 19054427423
To: 90572595XX
November 8 2011 04:44 PM
I don't have any pic messages!
From: 90572595XX
To: 19054427423
November 8 2011 04:44 PM
I just sent it. Sorry. Hopefully it's not too big and stuck in bb purgatory. I'm on 4:25 LSE. This is good what I'm gonna share with you.
From: 19054427423
To: 90572595XX
November 8 2011 04:45 PM
It better be good. I don't like to be kept waiting. Wait ... it's here.
From: 19054427423
To: 90572595XX
November 8 2011 04:46 PM
Okay??? This is random.
From: 90572595XX
To: 19054427423
November 8 2011 04:47 PM
That man in that pic is currently sexting his gf. He's married. I know because he's mentioned his wife when he rides with his train buddy and the person he is sexting is not his wife because he just told his whore his wife is going to her mom's this weekend.
From: 90572595XX
To: 19054427423
November 8 2011 04:49 PM
He's not even attempting to hide the texts. So far I've read that he's found this leather outfit with holes in all the right places and he wants to dress her in.
From: 19054427423
To: 90572595XX
November 8 2011 04:49 PM
What? My eyes. They burn. Please, go on.
From: 90572595XX
To: 19054427423
November 8 2011 04:51 PM
OH GOOD JESUS! He just wrote her that he's had to shift his legs because she's made him hard as a rock thinking about her tongue and what she did last time.
From: 19054427423
To: 90572595XX
November 8 2011 04:51 PM
Girl! You are LYING!!!
From: 90572595XX
To: 19054427423
November 8 2011 04:53 PM
I swear it's true. She's describing in great detail some kind of helicopter manoeuver they have to try.
From: 19054427423
To: 90572595XX
November 8 2011 04:53 PM
No. Please no.
From: 90572595XX
To: 19054427423
November 8 2011 04:54 PM
And I am certain this guy has laid down some pipe because he's hunched over now as he types. I can't see what he's writing now. Dammit!
From: 19054427423
To: 90572595XX
November 8 2011 04:55 PM
You know what? Now is the perfect time to ask him to move so you can get up and go to the bathroom. Will you do it?
From: 90572595XX
To: 19054427423
November 8 2011 04:56 PM
Hells ya. Just a sec. You want me to try to snap a photo of his wood?
From: 19054427423
To: 90572595XX
November 8 2011 04:56 PM
ROTFL. Yes. I can't breathe. LOL. Do it.
From: 90572595XX
To: 19054427423
November 8 2011 04:57 PM
K. Gonna ask now.
From: 90572595XX
To: 19054427423
November 8 2011 04:58 PM
Ok, he didn't move. He just moved back and put his hands in his lap with the phone and the lady across from him got up to let me out. Shit. Guess I'm standing...
From: 19054427423
To: 90572595XX
November 8 2011 04:59 PM
No, just walk down and come up the other way and sit back down. Or, ask the guy to hold your seat for you.
From: 90572595XX
To: 19054427423
November 8 2011 04:59 PM
I have a bottle of water I can drop on his lap when the train jerks.
From: 19054427423
To: 90572595XX
November 8 2011 05:01 PM
No don't do that. Can you go back to the seat or are you standing?
From: 90572595XX
To: 19054427423
November 8 2011 05:03 PM
I'm just standing. Some other guy has my seat. Told the lady my butt was cramped so now I'm standing next to helicopter pilot. I can sort of see what he's texting.
From: 19054427423
To: 90572595XX
November 8 2011 05:03 PM
And ... ?
From: 90572595XX
To: 19054427423
November 8 2011 05:05 PM
He's telling her he can't get off this train fast enough so she can give him some sweet relief.
From: 19054427423
To: 90572595XX
November 8 2011 05:06 PM
The HELL?! LOL!
From: 90572595XX
To: 19054427423
November 8 2011 05:07 PM
Ok he looked up briefly because I guess he could tell I was boring a hole in his skull with my eyes. He's bouncing his left leg up and down.
From: 19054427423
To: 90572595XX
November 8 2011 05:07 PM
Well no wonder, all the blood has rushed from his leg to his other leg and I don't mean that leg. Tripod. Kickstand.
From: 90572595XX
To: 19054427423
November 8 2011 05:08 PM
She JUST sent him a pic. He looked at it pretty fast but it was either a green garden hose green or Christmas garland wrapped around her body.
From: 19054427423
To: 90572595XX
November 8 2011 05:08 PM
Wow. So definitely not the wife.
From: 90572595XX
To: 19054427423
November 8 2011 05:09 PM
No. No way. He's definitely cyber-cheating or actually cheating. Can't tell because you know people can hook up online and not really follow through. But he's making arrangements for her to come over to the house. Asking if she likes strawberries and chocolate and if she ever wanted to lick chocolate off ... I can't bring myself to type it.
From: 19054427423
To: 90572595XX
November 8 2011 05:11 PM
Ugh. Poor wife. Asshole.
From: 90572595XX
To: 19054427423
November 8 2011 05:11 PM
I know. It's okay. Karma will strike. It always does.
Oh hells naw. The last thing I need is some donkey using this app on his iPhone reading aloud a GO bus schedule at 7:30 in the am
"GO E-News Alert"
Do you want to get more GO information in the palm of your hand?
(Oh man! Is GO giving out crystal balls!?)
Starting today you can, with the launch of GO Mobile, stay in the know when on the GO!
(Can I blast asteroids with it?)
Developed in collaboration with Ryerson University, this new app allows you to view planned schedules, bookmark the schedule of your choice, check the Union Station platform departure information, and, by using GPS coordinates allows you to set arrival alerts for your destination and even use text to speech functions all from the comfort of your mobile phone.
(Ryerson University? As in engineers? Really? What's wrong with the Germans? I have a shammy at home that's all thing fantastic and it's fantastic because the guy that sold it to me over the tv said the Germans make good stuff.)
Visit http://www.gotransit.com/public/en/schedules/goapps/web/gomobile.aspx and download this app for free.
(No way. No German engineering, not gonna bother.)
Just another way we're making it easy to keep you in the know.
(I guess Twitter, Facebook, a website and email alerts just weren't enough. And still! No bar car. The hell.)
Do you want to get more GO information in the palm of your hand?
(Oh man! Is GO giving out crystal balls!?)
Starting today you can, with the launch of GO Mobile, stay in the know when on the GO!
(Can I blast asteroids with it?)
Developed in collaboration with Ryerson University, this new app allows you to view planned schedules, bookmark the schedule of your choice, check the Union Station platform departure information, and, by using GPS coordinates allows you to set arrival alerts for your destination and even use text to speech functions all from the comfort of your mobile phone.
(Ryerson University? As in engineers? Really? What's wrong with the Germans? I have a shammy at home that's all thing fantastic and it's fantastic because the guy that sold it to me over the tv said the Germans make good stuff.)
Visit http://www.gotransit.com/public/en/schedules/goapps/web/gomobile.aspx and download this app for free.
(No way. No German engineering, not gonna bother.)
Just another way we're making it easy to keep you in the know.
(I guess Twitter, Facebook, a website and email alerts just weren't enough. And still! No bar car. The hell.)
The Hell?
Via FacebookThe owner of all this luggage is sitting in the quad opposite of her personal storage locker. You can see her reflection in the window. She's sprawled out and foot riding the seat opposite her. The photographer is sitting next to her on the outside seat.
This was last Friday. The 6:47 am express LSE to Union. There was all kinds of happy from people boarding at stations after Oshawa.
She had fallen asleep at some point with earbuds in her ears. So someone went and told the CSA. I would have totally started moving her stuff and piling it near the door, especially after Pickering. Never mind fetching the CSA.
Trying to get to the first coach? Good luck
This is a daily occurance on the LSE. People who don't get off until Oshawa block and crowd the doors/stairways after the train leaves Ajax, resulting in people looking to get off at Whitby being backed into the aisles and fighting through these idiots to get off the train.
All this so these donkeys can run to a car only to line up again? Does this really save time?
Rant and peeves from the Georgetown line
Submitted
1. Why do the coaches smell like halitosis even when they are empty? It’s gross enough getting on the train in the morning and smelling everyone’s gingivitis, but when the coach is empty?
2. Why are commuters able to line up at the far end of the platform, but crowd like pigs to the trough at the end near the locomotive (forward end of the platform)?
3. Why does the Georgetown train arriving at Union at 8:45 (ish) unload on platform 26, when there aren’t any other trains occupying platforms 1-13? Do the track engineers get a giggle watching the CCTV at all of us trying to squeeze under the 4-ft wide shelter? I get excited when I happen to take this train, and the CSA announces a track change on our way into Union. I mean, it can only be a lateral move (to Platform 27) or an improvement to one of the closer (and always empty) platforms.
4. How often to the GO-stapo actually hand out tickets? Every time I see them talking with someone, they issue a warning only. Never a fine. “You say it’s your first incident? Okay, here’s a warning.”.... “You are a student, where’s your student card? Oh, didn’t know you needed a GO-issued card? Warning.” Etc...
5. Got to Bramalea last week and tried to tap my presto card to pay my fare. 4 presto readers. First machine I came to, not in service. Second machine, not in service. Third? You betcha. 4th machine finally worked. The hell?! 4 machines and 75% of them are DOA?
6. GO offers a student discount for 10-ride and monthly passes, but not for single passes. Normally I wouldn’t care, but when I took my son to work with me for Take Your Kids To Work Day, I wasn’t overly thrilled about paying a full adult fare for a 14 yr old kid, when there are adults who aren’t paying a full adult fare (see #4 above).
1. Why do the coaches smell like halitosis even when they are empty? It’s gross enough getting on the train in the morning and smelling everyone’s gingivitis, but when the coach is empty?
2. Why are commuters able to line up at the far end of the platform, but crowd like pigs to the trough at the end near the locomotive (forward end of the platform)?
3. Why does the Georgetown train arriving at Union at 8:45 (ish) unload on platform 26, when there aren’t any other trains occupying platforms 1-13? Do the track engineers get a giggle watching the CCTV at all of us trying to squeeze under the 4-ft wide shelter? I get excited when I happen to take this train, and the CSA announces a track change on our way into Union. I mean, it can only be a lateral move (to Platform 27) or an improvement to one of the closer (and always empty) platforms.
4. How often to the GO-stapo actually hand out tickets? Every time I see them talking with someone, they issue a warning only. Never a fine. “You say it’s your first incident? Okay, here’s a warning.”.... “You are a student, where’s your student card? Oh, didn’t know you needed a GO-issued card? Warning.” Etc...
5. Got to Bramalea last week and tried to tap my presto card to pay my fare. 4 presto readers. First machine I came to, not in service. Second machine, not in service. Third? You betcha. 4th machine finally worked. The hell?! 4 machines and 75% of them are DOA?
6. GO offers a student discount for 10-ride and monthly passes, but not for single passes. Normally I wouldn’t care, but when I took my son to work with me for Take Your Kids To Work Day, I wasn’t overly thrilled about paying a full adult fare for a 14 yr old kid, when there are adults who aren’t paying a full adult fare (see #4 above).
Tuesday, November 8, 2011
I have to stop this train ride for a sec and pay homage to Heavy D. Passes away at 44
@ThisCrazyTrain CJ Smith
Girlsy girls they love me. Coz I'm da overweight lovah Heavy D. In hindsight, perhaps that wasn't something 2 brag about #RIPHeavyD
Just let me re-live 1987 with Mr. Big Stuff. I was 13.
I was a fan for all of the 90s as well. Some of you might remember this song:
Foot ridin' on the TTC
Via a Facebook friendNot sure if you want to use this on your blog or not (it's obviously not from a GO Train), but figured I'd send it along just in case. This was taken on the Yonge subway line this morning around 6:30, and Lazy Susan over there decided to take up three spots. Train wasn't packed to the gills yet (this was at Sheppard, and it didn't fill up till Eglinton), but she certainly didn't have anyone's okay to Occupy TTC. Eventually, someone tried to sit down where her feet were resting and gave up on the effort because she was "sleeping".
The evil eye and throwing my bag on the seat didn't give Grinch here the hint
Dammit, the photo doesn't show her Grinch socks.
This lady threw her feet up on the seat after an annoying, yawning lady I was sitting beside got off at Ajax.
Twitter tells the story:
Your pet peeve for today
From Matt
Only downtown commuters would really appreciate this, even though it’s unrelated to transit.
Why do people who arrive last to wait for an elevator feel that they should be allowed to be the first to board?
I was just downstairs at my office building waiting for an elevator with about 15 other people, and this woman came around the corner just as the elevator arrived, never broke stride, and cut in front of about 4 other people who were about to get on the elevator and were CLEARLY closer to the open doors than she was.
I had yet to make a move towards the elevator, but it was obvious to me anyway that she should not be shoving her way to the front of the line. In fact, she should have waited for the next elevator. You could play the chivalry card...but there were about 8 other women whom this broad also deemed herself more important than.
All kinds of rude
Last night on the 5:10 LSE, the guy in the tank top decided he'd listen to rap music with explicit lyrics and all kinds of profanity using the external speaker of his BlackBerry. He was holding it up to his right ear like some kind of micro boombox. Like it's 1968 and he just bought himself a super cool Transistor radio for the beach.
Eminem is known for his lyrical, rapping prowess but most of his rap songs are laced with profanity especially the song, Superman. At some point, dude realized that perhaps not all of us were comfortable with the f-bomb being dropped every 20 seconds and he shut his music off.
Now, see the guy standing in the green shirt? He came upstairs searching for a seat after the train pulled out of Pickering. What he didn't see was the woman who reached down and threw her bag on the seat beside her. Why the hell do people do that? So it was okay on the floor and now it isn't? When the guy made his way over to what he thought was an empty seat and with this chick perpetuating that she's asleep, he pretends to fiddle with his iPod because he's been stopped cold. I almost spoke up and asked the woman to move her damn bag but I recognize her and didn't want to make it awkward, for myself and the guy in the green shirt.
He did snag a seat after the Ajax elephants got up to charge the aisle for the wait-by-the-doors-maneuver they're infamous for.
The way I see it is this: Your bags belong on your lap or on the floor during rush hour. You wanna bag ride? Take the 10:13 and stretch out your stuff all you want but quit this nonsense on the express trains. There's no excuse for it and people shouldn't have to ask you permission to sit in a seat they damn well paid for.
Monday, November 7, 2011
Please hang up and try your text again
From: 41660485XX
To: 19054427423
November 5 2011 04:54 PM
so as you know christmas is coming.
From: 19054427423
To: 41660485XX
November 5 2011 04:54 PM
Have we not done away with that damn holiday yet?
From: 41660485XX
To: 19054427423
November 5 2011 04:55 PM
as far as i know the church has made no effort to do away with anything. i wanted to ask you about the bake sale
I know this is cruel. I know I should tell this person they've texted the wrong number but just simmer down and play along. You know I never disappoint.
From: 19054427423
To: 41660485XX
November 5 2011 04:56 PM
I can't remember what I made last year. Was it matzo balls?
From: 41660485XX
To: 19054427423
November 5 2011 04:57 PM
um no.... you made a trifle. fr george was hoping you would make again but not put so much sherry in it. he found it too strong and said he got a big headache
From: 19054427423
To: 41660485XX
November 5 2011 04:57 PM
Well maybe he should not have eaten the whole trifle.
From: 41660485XX
To: 19054427423
November 5 2011 04:58 PM
ha ha, no kidding. so can you make another trifle? but no sherry
From: 19054427423
To: 41660485XX
November 5 2011 04:59 PM
No way, no dice. I have to put a wee bit of sherry in it. It's what gives it that kick. Besides, it's the Queen's own recipe. I would feel awful if I deviated from hundreds of years of tradition.
From: 41660485XX
To: 19054427423
November 5 2011 05:01 PM
really? i'll have to rember to put that on the price tag that's a royal family favourite. i like the sound of that. do you have other royal recipes?
From: 19054427423
To: 41660485XX
November 5 2011 05:02 PM
Man, you triflin'. All I can manage right now is the trifle. When do you need it by?
From: 41660485XX
To: 19054427423
November 5 2011 05:14 PM
you don't sound yourself. are you sick or something. fr. george would like all the baked goods in by tonight by 10pm. the kitchen is open just go through the back
From: 19054427423
To: 41660485XX
November 5 2011 05:17 PM
What is the exact address of the church? I only know it to look at it but I've been meaning to get the full address for some other stuff I'm doing. Complete. With postal code.
From: 41660485XX
To: 19054427423
November 5 2011 05:17 PM
sure. i can email you the complete address later. can you be there by 8?
From: 19054427423
To: 41660485XX
November 5 2011 05:24 PM
Just give me the address now. This way I can program it into my friend's new GPS so I can show her how it works
From: 41660485XX
To: 19054427423
November 5 2011 05:24 PM
i don't know the postal code after by heart but it's 51 King Street. you better start baking.
And here I was hoping it would be some unique address that I could google because I had every intention of making a trifle and bringing it by just to see the reaction...
From: 19054427423
To: 41660485XX
November 5 2011 05:25 PM
So to confirm it's 76 King Street Rimdhstd, Ontario ajdklue sdju 0:jjk ROGERS SYS OP ERROR // 6785
I was hoping this would frustrate the person and they would type in the complete address, but no ...
From: 41660485XX
To: 19054427423
November 3 2011 05:26 PM
what?! Elaine? i think there's something wrong with your phone???
From: 19054427423
To: 41660485XX
November 5 2011 05:27 PM
This is Rogers text support. The customer you are trying to reach is not within your zone. Pleas e wait 15 minutes and try contacting the customer again.
From: 41660485XX
To: 19054427423
November 5 2011 06:50 PM
is your phone fixed now?
From: 19054427423
To: 41660485XX
November 5 2011 06:54 PM
I didn't know it was broken. How can I help you?
From: 41660485XX
To: 19054427423
November 5 2011 06:54 PM
is elaine there?
From: 19054427423
To: 41660485XX
November 5 2011 06:55 PM
This is Cindy. I think you have the wrong number.
From: 41660485XX
To: 19054427423
November 5 2011 06:56 PM
oh ok. there were some problems before. i think your number got crossed with a friend of mine. do you know Elaine?
From: 19054427423
To: 41660485XX
November 5 2011 06:58 PM
No I can't say I do. Sorry I can't help.
From: 41660485XX
To: 19054427423
November 5 2011 06:58 PM
so you don't know how to make a trifle?
From: 19054427423
To: 41660485XX
November 5 2011 06:59 PM
I can make a trifle but I don't think I'm the person you're looking for to help with a trifle.
From: 41660485XX
To: 19054427423
November 5 2011 07:03 PM
well can you bake and most importantly, are you christian?
From: 19054427423
To: 41660485XX
November 5 2011 07:03 PM
Do I have to be Christian to make a good trifle?
From: 41660485XX
To: 19054427423
November 5 2011 07:21 PM
it's for a church bake sale so i think it would help. we're always looking for volunteer bakers.
From: 19054427423
To: 41660485XX
November 5 2011 07:21 PM
So a trifle made by an Atheist wouldn't be accepted?
From: 41660485XX
To: 19054427423
November 5 2011 07:23 PM
the priest would hope that you at least have some faith but i guess if you're a good baker but not a christian, beggers can't be choosers
From: 19054427423
To: 41660485XX
November 5 2011 07:24 PM
Before I commit to anything, have the priest call me and we'll chat about what is acceptable and not acceptable baked goods depending on religious affiliation
From: 41660485XX
To: 19054427423
November 5 2011 07:25 PM
he call you at this number?
From: 19054427423
To: 41660485XX
November 5 2011 07:25 PM
He sure can.
From: 41660485XX
To: 19054427423
November 5 2011 07:26 PM
ok, i will tell him. thank you for your help
I never got a phone call. I don't think I've ever been so offended in my entire life. My trifle is awesome and I went ahead and made one anyway. And ate it all by myself.
YOUR LOSS. MY WIN.
To: 19054427423
November 5 2011 04:54 PM
so as you know christmas is coming.
From: 19054427423
To: 41660485XX
November 5 2011 04:54 PM
Have we not done away with that damn holiday yet?
From: 41660485XX
To: 19054427423
November 5 2011 04:55 PM
as far as i know the church has made no effort to do away with anything. i wanted to ask you about the bake sale
I know this is cruel. I know I should tell this person they've texted the wrong number but just simmer down and play along. You know I never disappoint.
From: 19054427423
To: 41660485XX
November 5 2011 04:56 PM
I can't remember what I made last year. Was it matzo balls?
From: 41660485XX
To: 19054427423
November 5 2011 04:57 PM
um no.... you made a trifle. fr george was hoping you would make again but not put so much sherry in it. he found it too strong and said he got a big headache
From: 19054427423
To: 41660485XX
November 5 2011 04:57 PM
Well maybe he should not have eaten the whole trifle.
From: 41660485XX
To: 19054427423
November 5 2011 04:58 PM
ha ha, no kidding. so can you make another trifle? but no sherry
From: 19054427423
To: 41660485XX
November 5 2011 04:59 PM
No way, no dice. I have to put a wee bit of sherry in it. It's what gives it that kick. Besides, it's the Queen's own recipe. I would feel awful if I deviated from hundreds of years of tradition.
From: 41660485XX
To: 19054427423
November 5 2011 05:01 PM
really? i'll have to rember to put that on the price tag that's a royal family favourite. i like the sound of that. do you have other royal recipes?
From: 19054427423
To: 41660485XX
November 5 2011 05:02 PM
Man, you triflin'. All I can manage right now is the trifle. When do you need it by?
From: 41660485XX
To: 19054427423
November 5 2011 05:14 PM
you don't sound yourself. are you sick or something. fr. george would like all the baked goods in by tonight by 10pm. the kitchen is open just go through the back
From: 19054427423
To: 41660485XX
November 5 2011 05:17 PM
What is the exact address of the church? I only know it to look at it but I've been meaning to get the full address for some other stuff I'm doing. Complete. With postal code.
From: 41660485XX
To: 19054427423
November 5 2011 05:17 PM
sure. i can email you the complete address later. can you be there by 8?
From: 19054427423
To: 41660485XX
November 5 2011 05:24 PM
Just give me the address now. This way I can program it into my friend's new GPS so I can show her how it works
From: 41660485XX
To: 19054427423
November 5 2011 05:24 PM
i don't know the postal code after by heart but it's 51 King Street. you better start baking.
And here I was hoping it would be some unique address that I could google because I had every intention of making a trifle and bringing it by just to see the reaction...
From: 19054427423
To: 41660485XX
November 5 2011 05:25 PM
So to confirm it's 76 King Street Rimdhstd, Ontario ajdklue sdju 0:jjk ROGERS SYS OP ERROR // 6785
I was hoping this would frustrate the person and they would type in the complete address, but no ...
From: 41660485XX
To: 19054427423
November 3 2011 05:26 PM
what?! Elaine? i think there's something wrong with your phone???
From: 19054427423
To: 41660485XX
November 5 2011 05:27 PM
This is Rogers text support. The customer you are trying to reach is not within your zone. Pleas e wait 15 minutes and try contacting the customer again.
From: 41660485XX
To: 19054427423
November 5 2011 06:50 PM
is your phone fixed now?
From: 19054427423
To: 41660485XX
November 5 2011 06:54 PM
I didn't know it was broken. How can I help you?
From: 41660485XX
To: 19054427423
November 5 2011 06:54 PM
is elaine there?
From: 19054427423
To: 41660485XX
November 5 2011 06:55 PM
This is Cindy. I think you have the wrong number.
From: 41660485XX
To: 19054427423
November 5 2011 06:56 PM
oh ok. there were some problems before. i think your number got crossed with a friend of mine. do you know Elaine?
From: 19054427423
To: 41660485XX
November 5 2011 06:58 PM
No I can't say I do. Sorry I can't help.
From: 41660485XX
To: 19054427423
November 5 2011 06:58 PM
so you don't know how to make a trifle?
From: 19054427423
To: 41660485XX
November 5 2011 06:59 PM
I can make a trifle but I don't think I'm the person you're looking for to help with a trifle.
From: 41660485XX
To: 19054427423
November 5 2011 07:03 PM
well can you bake and most importantly, are you christian?
From: 19054427423
To: 41660485XX
November 5 2011 07:03 PM
Do I have to be Christian to make a good trifle?
From: 41660485XX
To: 19054427423
November 5 2011 07:21 PM
it's for a church bake sale so i think it would help. we're always looking for volunteer bakers.
From: 19054427423
To: 41660485XX
November 5 2011 07:21 PM
So a trifle made by an Atheist wouldn't be accepted?
From: 41660485XX
To: 19054427423
November 5 2011 07:23 PM
the priest would hope that you at least have some faith but i guess if you're a good baker but not a christian, beggers can't be choosers
From: 19054427423
To: 41660485XX
November 5 2011 07:24 PM
Before I commit to anything, have the priest call me and we'll chat about what is acceptable and not acceptable baked goods depending on religious affiliation
From: 41660485XX
To: 19054427423
November 5 2011 07:25 PM
he call you at this number?
From: 19054427423
To: 41660485XX
November 5 2011 07:25 PM
He sure can.
From: 41660485XX
To: 19054427423
November 5 2011 07:26 PM
ok, i will tell him. thank you for your help
I never got a phone call. I don't think I've ever been so offended in my entire life. My trifle is awesome and I went ahead and made one anyway. And ate it all by myself.
YOUR LOSS. MY WIN.
This is pretty horrid, if it's true
Did you hear about the Ottawa bus driver who allegedly lost his mind when an autistic man began to recite a play he wrote aloud on the bus? What makes me sad, angry and upset is this man felt forced to tell the driver he had a mental illness. Autism is NOT a mental illness. This is all kinds of wrong!
The video doesn't prove it was the driver who was yelling but who else could it be? The man who was the subject of the tirade, 20-year-old Matthew Taronno, told the CBC it was the driver. The union says there's no proof. What!? So the word of an autistic man has no merit?! This is ridiculous.
If the "harassment" or "noise" from this passenger was so intolerable, why not just pull over? Call the police, but to launch into a profanity-laced tirade is unprofessional and deplorable. It's disgusting.
The Toronto Star has more on this story.
The video doesn't prove it was the driver who was yelling but who else could it be? The man who was the subject of the tirade, 20-year-old Matthew Taronno, told the CBC it was the driver. The union says there's no proof. What!? So the word of an autistic man has no merit?! This is ridiculous.
If the "harassment" or "noise" from this passenger was so intolerable, why not just pull over? Call the police, but to launch into a profanity-laced tirade is unprofessional and deplorable. It's disgusting.
The Toronto Star has more on this story.
And if you're hearing impaired?
The Question of the Day on Get on the GO's facebook page is "If GO was to have special audio announcements at train stations and bus terminals, which type of announcement would you like to hear most?"
Great question, but what if you're hearing impaired? Don't forget improved signage.
More platform/parking lot 100+ metre dash stories
From Matt
From Melissa
From Tyler
From Sandra
From Giovanni
Catching the train at Bramalea leaves me with very few “parking lot Olympic” or similar stories which would otherwise be available from waiting for a train to depart. I do take the 7:38 which starts at Bramalea, but where I get on the train, my view does not afford me prime real estate to see late commuters running the naked mile. I have seen several 6pm sprints which were quite memorable, mind you. My best “morning” story was when a girl (might have been 21 or 22 yrs old) had a seizure at the exact moment the train started dinging the “here I come!” warning bell. I’m talking she went from vertical, to horizontal taser-shakes inside of 0.5 seconds. Two good Samaritans were trying to help her, looking for a medic alert bracelet, etc. Someone jumped on the first available coach and pressed the alarm strip. Fortunately, the Go-stapo were checking fares and abandoned that endeavour to tend to the poor girl. I say fortunately, because I assume they have some sort of first-aid/CPR training. We then had to wait for the ambulance, which I found odd considering the girl wasn’t on the train (she was on the platform). Of course, the paramedics went to the wrong parking lot so we had to wait for them to drive all the way around to the other lot. This whole episode resulted in the train being delayed by 60 minutes. For something that happened on the platform. I can only assume she was all right.
From Melissa
I was late and running across the tundra that is the Whitby south lot, before the parking garage was built. All of a sudden my bra strap gave out and I had the one boob bounce and to my horror, the one boob slap sound effect (it was summer, I was in a tank top). So I clamped my hand to my breast and kept on running. I must have looked like I was having a heart attack because I held my boob the whole time I was on the train. Two people asked me if I was all right. Worst morning ever.
From Tyler
You know how people run from the trains especially at Oshawa to make a mad dash for their cars to be the first out of the lot? This guy was booking it and he didn't realize or paid attention to the fact that construction gates had been put at the end of the Oshawa platform and he ran right into one only to be bounced back and thrown flat on his ass. His glasses and laptop bag went flying. It didn't help that other people were running and this one dude actually hurdled over the guy instead of stopping and offering to help. I never did find the guy's glasses but he was happy his macbook was okay. People are f*cking insane!!!
From Sandra
I once vaulted over a Vespa that I didn't see parked as I rounded a corner of a car while running for the train at Pickering one morning. I landed hard on my knees and scraped my knees and ripped my pants. I don't run for trains anymore. People who do are just asking for trouble.
From Giovanni
Years ago I watched this guy run like hell for the train at Langstaff along what was a rural road in Thornhill before the 407. He hit a pot hole and went down like a pile of bricks and was nearly run over by a dumptruck. A whole bunch of us watched this unfold from the train and we actually did stand up collectively to see if we could see him get up. Eventually someone left the train and ran over to see if he was okay. Both those people missed the train.
Why wait for the crossing arms to go up?
Here are some donkeys with a Stand By Me death-wish. The train is actually being pushed by the locomotive, meaning it's leaving the crossing and not approaching. But still ... debris flies off those trains. Wait 'til the gates go up and the bells stop ringing! Stupid people.
Sunday, November 6, 2011
I like when GO gets all dramatic and stuff when trying to make a point
Personally, I feel this still image from the movie, Stand By Me, is much more effective.
Let's tighten the shot a little.
Yes, much better.
Make it so, people at GO.
Some GO lots just weren't built for Hummers ...
At the Oshawa GO parking lot, the lines are too narrow, so if you show up in a Hummer, you have to try to find the end of a row so you can shunt over. Otherwise, you'd be so boxed in, you'd have to climb in and out through the trunk. Of course, when there's a parking donkey next to you who has already encroached on his own real estate, you have to move over even more.
Why do people still drive these tanks? Is it for financial punishment at the pumps? If you own one, or even if this is yours, do tell.
Thanks to David for the pic. Oshawa GO Station
**Some** transit riders willing to pay extra for better service
I added "some" to this Toronto Star story headline because for all of us who board at the beginning of a line, seating isn't at a premium, so we're spoiled.
And no, I wouldn't pay more for a priority coach where I'd have a seat reserved with my name on it.
Now, if I got on at Ajax, well, that's a whole different story.
And no, I wouldn't pay more for a priority coach where I'd have a seat reserved with my name on it.
Now, if I got on at Ajax, well, that's a whole different story.
The lady in red
Last week, I took an early train home and ran into a woman I hadn't seen since the summer of 2008 after she'd been laid off from the law firm she had worked at for 15 years.
We got all caught up and she's now working downtown again, obviously.
As we're talking, she suddenly switches gears, slaps my arm and mentions this GO train "weblog" a co-worker told her about and asks if I'd seen it. I decided to play dumb. So she whips out her iPhone and shows it to me. First, she explains how the lady who owns it changes the graphic at the top from time to time and then tells me, and tries to find, her favourite stories.
She's on a roll now and suddenly bursts out with, "Oh my God, you have to tell this blogger about the lady we saw that one morning. The one you said was pulling a Ben Johnson through the parking lot."
I'd completely forgotten about that. She has me pull out my BlackBerry and tells me to email the story. RIGHT NOW. So I write an email to myself. Seriously. She was leaning into me as I was typing.
It was Spring. I was sitting on the second coach from the engine, lower level, opposite of the woman forcing me to email this story, to myself.
I was staring out the window, in the direction of the parking lot, when all of a sudden I spot this woman, in heels and wearing a red trench coat, flying down the main roadway that separates the parking lots at Oshawa. She had at least two purses bouncing against her rib cage and had her arms pumping hard. In one hand, she was holding one of those old, kettle-bell shaped Tim Horton's coffee mugs which she swung with each arm pump. She was running so fast her heels weren't touching the ground. She's running full-tilt on the balls of her feet. Girlfriend had to catch the 755 (now the 753) something fierce.
It was so riveting a scene that all that was missing is the time-counter, ticket-tape graphic shown at the bottom of the t.v. screen when the Olympics are on.
For reasons only she knows, and with one minute left to departure, she veers towards the bus loop. I was almost certain she was going to pull a Bionic Woman and vault herself onto the bus shelter, and then Super Mario it onto the train, making sure to fist-pump the floating box with a question mark on it, gain five minutes as her reward, and then jump to the platform where she would vault herself through an open door of a coach.
She loses her footing, stumbles, regains her balance but loses her grip on her coffee mug. Her mug goes flying and implodes against the windshield of an idling GO bus, scaring the shit out of the driver. Coffee and plastic pieces fly everywhere. The woman stops and throws her bags to the ground and starts gathering what's left off her mug.
I didn't realize I had spoken aloud at that point. Apparently I stood up, too. "Forget the mug, lady!" I yelled (as if she could hear me). "Run! Keep running ... !" This girl was either her high school track star or she'd made running for the train a lifelong hobby. This girl was fast. Not even to this day, have I seen anyone match her stride for stride when hauling ass for a platform.
I can't remember if I was that engrossed in what I was witnessing that I actually stood and started cheering her on, but according to my 2008 train buddy, I did. She started to look out the window with me and I quickly explained what happened. By now, the doors of the train had closed and the train began its slow pull-away from the station. I'll never forget the look at that woman's face. It was pure dejection. All that effort only to be taken out by a coffee mug.
Anyhow, it was that incident that got myself and Michelle talking. Michelle, I am the Crazy Train lady.
Hello.
Friday, November 4, 2011
No time
I have to go mad-vaccum my SUV for the end of lease inspection appt. I have at the dealership at 4 and I had hoped to get some posting done today, but it will probably get done on the weekend.
In the meantime, I share with you this photo from my doctor's office. A play on the saying "a bun in the oven". This is new to his decor and I laughed out loud when I first walked in.
Oven mitts to cover the stirrups.
Nope, I'm not baking anything and didn't go in for any recipes either.
In the meantime, I share with you this photo from my doctor's office. A play on the saying "a bun in the oven". This is new to his decor and I laughed out loud when I first walked in.
Oven mitts to cover the stirrups.Nope, I'm not baking anything and didn't go in for any recipes either.
Are we not train friends? One coach removed
First, let me begin by saying how emotionally choked up I got by all of you who emailed, BBM'd and texted me offering to assist with the purchase of a Prince concert ticket. Blew me away. Especially from those I hadn't heard from yet - complete strangers. Is this what it takes to finally hear from you? A crisis? Over concert tickets?
Sadly, none of you know Prince personally where you could snag a dinner date for me or at least, arrange to let me join him on stage and play the drums, but that's okay. I forgive you.
And some of you say you don't have time, nor care for train friends. Well, you're a train friend to me.
Sadly, none of you know Prince personally where you could snag a dinner date for me or at least, arrange to let me join him on stage and play the drums, but that's okay. I forgive you.
And some of you say you don't have time, nor care for train friends. Well, you're a train friend to me.
This can't be happening!
For the love of all things unfair!
I have to be in Thornhill for 10:30 to see my family doc to discuss all the things wrong with me. It's hard to get appointments and my health is more important than concert tickets, but still.
I won't be near a computer or a phone at 10 am. I will be on a highway so I did the next best thing. I called my dad. In a panic.
Dad: What are you doing home? (Seriously!?)
Me: Dad, you know Prince?
Dad: Who?!
Me: Prince! The singer!
Dad: You mean the little guy in boots?
Me: What?!
Dad: The little guy, wears the heels. The one people think is gay but he was always with those ladies who were hot drummers.
This threw me a bit but at the same time, my dad is retired and spends a lot of time on the internet.
Dad: You know, if you kept going with the drums maybe you could be playing the drums with Prince.
Me: Okay Dad ... so stop playing. He's coming to Toronto and tickets go on sale at 10.
Dad: So. I'm not going with you.
Me: Did I say you were? I need you to buy me a ticket.
Dad: What about (Mr. Crazy Train)?
Me: He won't go. I don't want him to go. I want one ticket because if I buy one ticket it will be the best ticket.
Dad: Why can't you buy the ticket?
Me: I have to go to the doctor's.
Dad: What's wrong with you now?
Me: Jesus Dad. Can you buy the damn ticket or not?
Dad: If you think I'm gonna drive downtown ...
Me: You can use the computer.
Dad: That sounds too complicated. I just figured out Facebook.
Me: Dad! Ok. Can you phone and order the ticket?
Dad: I need a credit card?
Me: Yes!
Dad: Well I'll have to phone mommy and ask her ...
Me: What? Don't you have your own credit card?
Dad: Yes but I don't know how to use it.
Me: Oh my god. Ok, look, I'm going to give you my credit card number and the other information you will need when you phone.
Dad: Why can't you call?
Me: Because I don't use the phone in the car.
Dad: So call the onStar lady. I'm sure she'll help you buy a ticket. I saw those commercials. They can find your car in the middle of the night, off a cliff and send helicopters so I think they can help you buy a concert ticket.
Me: Dad!
Dad: Ok. Ok. Give me your credit card number. Just one ticket?
Me: Yes! And you have to call at 10 am. I'll give you the number ...
Dad: There's no way this can't wait?
Me: Dad it could sell out and I would be heartbroken
Dad: You young people. All worked up like this when there's people who don't even have milk in the fridge.
Me: Dad!
Dad: I'll do it. Then I'll do some online shopping.
Me: Dad!
Dad: Hee, hee, hee.
Thursday, November 3, 2011
Lonely island gets a ticket
Earlier today:
I kinda feel bad for the person. What if it was a VIA customer? Then again, there's always the parking garage at Whitby and the brief train ride back to Oshawa, right?
The hell? This is all kinds of wrong ...
Woman’s use of TTC Request Stop program denied
CityNews.ca
Heather Hobbs told CityNews she was going home on a TTC bus on Halloween night, and requested the bus driver let her off between stops, which is allowed under the Request Stop program.
But the female driver refused to let her off because another woman had already requested a stop there. Under the program, only one person can get off at an unscheduled stop at the same time.
Continue reading ...
CityNews.ca
Heather Hobbs told CityNews she was going home on a TTC bus on Halloween night, and requested the bus driver let her off between stops, which is allowed under the Request Stop program.
But the female driver refused to let her off because another woman had already requested a stop there. Under the program, only one person can get off at an unscheduled stop at the same time.
Continue reading ...
Off Topic: By request
My daughter, who is 6, asked me to post this picture she took of her cat Georgy to the GO train site so "all the people can see how beautiful he is". If you hate cats, surf away!
This Crazy Train's Presto Chronicles, Chapter 13: Sick today? Going on vacation this month? Can you still claim the Transit Pass tax credit for Presto
My train friend Jill did something on her taxes this year that thousands of GO transit customers do, usually on the advice of their accountants. She claimed her 10-ride tickets as part of the Transit Pass tax credit.
Revenue Canada said, "Oh hells no" and sent her a letter stating her 10-ride tickets were ineligible because they don't allow for unlimited travel.
As in:
Exactly, ride the damn train for more than 41 times in a month. But to get the tax credit, you have to ride 32 times. In a row. Not randomly throughout the month.
But what about those of us who gave up monthly passes for Presto cards because we didn't want to pay for a full month's worth of rides if we know we're on vacation (or plan for a strike) or have a sick child at home? Revenue Canada says, "Ha ha ha ... suckers ..." :
January
February
March
April
May
June
July
August
September
October
November
December
Right? 2012 will be the first year for many people claiming Presto on their 2011 tax year so I really hope someone can clear this up.
I should have stuck with the monthly pass.
Revenue Canada said, "Oh hells no" and sent her a letter stating her 10-ride tickets were ineligible because they don't allow for unlimited travel.
As in:
You can also claim the cost of shorter duration passes if:I'm listening to her as we walked up Bay Street this morning and I'm thinking, as she's talking, how in the hell is a Presto card any different because there's no unlimited travel? Unlike a monthly pass where one whose pass is zoned for Oshawa to Union could ride back and forth between the two stations several times in one day if needed, us Presto people have to tap each time, however, one could then ride the last week of a month for zero fare as the discounts would have been exhausted ... but it's not "unlimited". It becomes unlimited within the zone once the discount is exhausted. And to exhaust the discount, you have to do what?
- each pass entitles you to unlimited travel for an uninterrupted period of at least 5 days; and
- you purchase enough of these passes so that you are entitled to unlimited travel for at least 20 days in any 28-day period.
Exactly, ride the damn train for more than 41 times in a month. But to get the tax credit, you have to ride 32 times. In a row. Not randomly throughout the month.
But what about those of us who gave up monthly passes for Presto cards because we didn't want to pay for a full month's worth of rides if we know we're on vacation (or plan for a strike) or have a sick child at home? Revenue Canada says, "Ha ha ha ... suckers ..." :
Electronic payment cards if:I have a few months this year where I did interrupt 32 one-way trips by taking vacation days. Actually more than a few... why? Because I don't work weekends. So, every five days which equals 10 one-way trips, I create an "interruption". So following Revenue Canada's logic, I won't be able to claim for:
- the card is used to make at least 32 one-way trips during an uninterrupted period not exceeding 31 days; and
- the card is issued by a public transit authority that records and provides a receipt for the cost and usage of the card.
January
February
March
April
May
June
July
August
September
October
November
December
Right? 2012 will be the first year for many people claiming Presto on their 2011 tax year so I really hope someone can clear this up.
I should have stuck with the monthly pass.
News that will bring you all kinds of happy
Because I like to be the one to bring you the news last, my GO bus fans can rest easy tonight and for hundreds of nights after now that the drivers who ferry you jokers around accepted the contract offered to them.
The contract and its terms have not been made public but I sure hope at least one driver was smart enough to throw in a toilet clause, that all buses be retrofitted with bathrooms by 2012 and ones where the doors actually stay shut. I took a Greyhound to Montreal once and the whole damn ride the door to the bathroom would sway open and close, wafting us all with a fragrant septic smell. Eventually the driver lost his mind and asked if any of us on board had rope, bungee cords, string, dental floss, anything?
The scary part is there was this guy who offered up a bundle of boat rope, you know, the thick corded kind? The kind one would tie someone up with. The driver even joked with the dude asking if he had duct tape, too. No one laughed when he pulled out a roll.
The contract and its terms have not been made public but I sure hope at least one driver was smart enough to throw in a toilet clause, that all buses be retrofitted with bathrooms by 2012 and ones where the doors actually stay shut. I took a Greyhound to Montreal once and the whole damn ride the door to the bathroom would sway open and close, wafting us all with a fragrant septic smell. Eventually the driver lost his mind and asked if any of us on board had rope, bungee cords, string, dental floss, anything?
The scary part is there was this guy who offered up a bundle of boat rope, you know, the thick corded kind? The kind one would tie someone up with. The driver even joked with the dude asking if he had duct tape, too. No one laughed when he pulled out a roll.
Wednesday, November 2, 2011
You know what's all kinds of awesome?
Getting on the highway near Oshawa on the 401 at 5:40 am in an attempt to be at Queen and River by 6:30 am for a conference, only to be greeted with a wall of traffic that crawled for 2 hours all the way to the DVP and Bayview Avenue. All the while watching four westbound GO trains pass you from the highway.
No crashes. No construction. Just volume. I have driven in before, also around the same time and never, ever, have I had such an experience.
If I didn't have to then go west, after the conference, for an appointment at 6pm that I had to keep, I would have exited the highway and driven to the nearest GO station.
I don't care what you car lovers profess about the benefits of privacy and comfort in personal space compared to shared space, two hours to get downtown when a train trip is less than an hour is not worth the aggravation and frustration.
Then again, the train can lose a wheel, be put out of service and also make a commute more than a hour. But at least I can read, sleep, play a game, stare out the window, read emails and write text messages without needing two hands on a wheel and eyes on a road.
No crashes. No construction. Just volume. I have driven in before, also around the same time and never, ever, have I had such an experience.
If I didn't have to then go west, after the conference, for an appointment at 6pm that I had to keep, I would have exited the highway and driven to the nearest GO station.
I don't care what you car lovers profess about the benefits of privacy and comfort in personal space compared to shared space, two hours to get downtown when a train trip is less than an hour is not worth the aggravation and frustration.
Then again, the train can lose a wheel, be put out of service and also make a commute more than a hour. But at least I can read, sleep, play a game, stare out the window, read emails and write text messages without needing two hands on a wheel and eyes on a road.
5:20pm LSE CSA
From: 1416938XXXX
To: 19054427423
November 02 2011 05:23 PM
Ok
the csa just announced his name is burly
what, as in big lumberjack type??
Anyone care to comment? Is it really Burley?
Unique, for sure.
To: 19054427423
November 02 2011 05:23 PM
Ok
the csa just announced his name is burly
what, as in big lumberjack type??
Anyone care to comment? Is it really Burley?
Unique, for sure.
This is why I love website traffic metrics
My "feature song" was "Pour Some Sugar on Me" and I liked men who blew kisses. Hated men who knitted. Favourite food was tacos.
Twitter tweets = food
All kinds of reedonkeylous on the LSE Tuesday night.
The problem started when things went awry on the 4:10 train and it came to a dead stop west of Rouge Hill. Then the 4:25 was delayed. Then the 4:10 was terminated. Then the 4:25 was used to ferry the 4:10 folk past Rouge Hill. I was on the 4:30. This fiasco delayed my train by almost 30 minutes. We picked up a few of the 4:10 stragglers at Rouge Hill and also at Ajax (I can't figure that one out).
The Whitby and Oshawa lots were a mess as the 4:10/4:25/4:30 people pretty much arrived within minutes of each other. I didn't have to drive out of the gong show as I took the bus. I arrived home at 6:40. I left Queen and Yonge at 4:05 pm. You do the math. Balls.
However, there was a silver lining. Not that I was dropping clues on Twitter or anything but a follower of mine strung together my tweets and figured out who I was once she made her way to my coach which I had mentioned in a tweet. I was all kinds of hungry (no lunch) and she had leftover Halloween booty which she shared with me. Of course, I was hoping for a burger but one can't be too picky.
The problem started when things went awry on the 4:10 train and it came to a dead stop west of Rouge Hill. Then the 4:25 was delayed. Then the 4:10 was terminated. Then the 4:25 was used to ferry the 4:10 folk past Rouge Hill. I was on the 4:30. This fiasco delayed my train by almost 30 minutes. We picked up a few of the 4:10 stragglers at Rouge Hill and also at Ajax (I can't figure that one out).
The Whitby and Oshawa lots were a mess as the 4:10/4:25/4:30 people pretty much arrived within minutes of each other. I didn't have to drive out of the gong show as I took the bus. I arrived home at 6:40. I left Queen and Yonge at 4:05 pm. You do the math. Balls.
However, there was a silver lining. Not that I was dropping clues on Twitter or anything but a follower of mine strung together my tweets and figured out who I was once she made her way to my coach which I had mentioned in a tweet. I was all kinds of hungry (no lunch) and she had leftover Halloween booty which she shared with me. Of course, I was hoping for a burger but one can't be too picky.
PSA ... Applying mascara on a moving train is dangerous
Sam sent this pic in. The make-up in motion ladies (Hey! A new TCT meme!) are my idols. I truly mean that. Sure, there are people who can't stand the Mary Kay mornings but I'm just fascinated that any girl can manage this in public.
I've blurred her face as much as I can so you can still see she's brushing on the lash paint.
If this is you, just snap your fingers above your head and remember how fierce you is. Work it. Covergirl.
Did you see this? Dangerous.
Tuesday, November 1, 2011
Big. I mean, really BIG shoutout to Transit.Toronto!
The gents over at Transit Toronto have discovered Ride This Crazy Train.
I don't have a blogroll but I guess I should get moving on that so I can reciprocate.
I'm honoured. I feel like I've "arrived".
I've been a fan on Transit Toronto for a long time. If you're a transit junkie or just like transit history, this site is right up your track. I was gonna say alley but that's all kinds of wrong. I don't friggin' bowl. Do you?
I ride a train, dammit.
I don't have a blogroll but I guess I should get moving on that so I can reciprocate.
I'm honoured. I feel like I've "arrived".
I've been a fan on Transit Toronto for a long time. If you're a transit junkie or just like transit history, this site is right up your track. I was gonna say alley but that's all kinds of wrong. I don't friggin' bowl. Do you?
I ride a train, dammit.
There are some things I just don't want back. Artificial nails are one of them
Had a nice quiet ride in this morning. Took the 7am train from Oshawa after hubby was kind enough to chauffeur me to the station because he's worried about my temper after reading about yesterday's bus ride. I'm serious when I say Mr. Crazy Train has a sock full of bills specifically saved for my bail money.
You know, I hope one day my daughter does bless me with grandchildren so I can gather them 'round and tell them all about commuting on public transit during the olden days. So when they come visit me when I'm old and frail, they'll tell me I have the best train stories.
Today's story will not disappoint. I was excited about the prospect of being at my desk by 8am (which is rare and really nice) so I whipped out the Presto card and tapped my way onto the subway.
It's only two stops north to Queen so I didn't bother sitting, but unfortunately, I lost my balance when the train jerked to a stop mid-tunnel between King and Queen.
In a panic, I reached out for a pole, only to miss it and slammed all five of my artificial nails on my left hand (French manicure fyi, or as my husband says, "hooker fab") against the edge of the Plexiglass divider, near the doors, and next thing I know, the thumb nail and the pinky nail go sailing through the air.
I have no idea where the thumb nail went but the pinky landed in some guy's lap. He was all fancy with a dark suit and a disgusted look on his face as he stared down at his crotch area where his jacket was slightly bunched. He managed to put two and two together as I was standing right in front of him and he saw me staring at my hand.
"Excuse me," he says, his nose scrunched up. He looks absolutely horrified. I went a thousand shades of red. "Can you get your nail off me?"
I tell him I don't want it back. He says you better grab it.
The subway pulls into Queen and I lean down quickly and swipe it off his jacket and bolt from the train.
Amazeballs. Told you so. Best stories. Right here, baby.
You know, I hope one day my daughter does bless me with grandchildren so I can gather them 'round and tell them all about commuting on public transit during the olden days. So when they come visit me when I'm old and frail, they'll tell me I have the best train stories.
Today's story will not disappoint. I was excited about the prospect of being at my desk by 8am (which is rare and really nice) so I whipped out the Presto card and tapped my way onto the subway.
It's only two stops north to Queen so I didn't bother sitting, but unfortunately, I lost my balance when the train jerked to a stop mid-tunnel between King and Queen.
In a panic, I reached out for a pole, only to miss it and slammed all five of my artificial nails on my left hand (French manicure fyi, or as my husband says, "hooker fab") against the edge of the Plexiglass divider, near the doors, and next thing I know, the thumb nail and the pinky nail go sailing through the air.
I have no idea where the thumb nail went but the pinky landed in some guy's lap. He was all fancy with a dark suit and a disgusted look on his face as he stared down at his crotch area where his jacket was slightly bunched. He managed to put two and two together as I was standing right in front of him and he saw me staring at my hand.
"Excuse me," he says, his nose scrunched up. He looks absolutely horrified. I went a thousand shades of red. "Can you get your nail off me?"
I tell him I don't want it back. He says you better grab it.
The subway pulls into Queen and I lean down quickly and swipe it off his jacket and bolt from the train.
Amazeballs. Told you so. Best stories. Right here, baby.
Hijinks on the 5:53 LSE
Submitted by text message to 19054427423
From anonymous
10/31/2011 06:19 PM
Some guys just pulled the red emergency cord beside the door. FYI These were professional, mature men not youngins. But don't rush to judgement there MUST have been good reason. What was the urgency?
They were about to miss their stop. Yes, Rouge Hill was about to be a distant memory. However, they defended their stupidity by saying "...well the doors didn't open in the other carriage" and "...what? Were we supposed to go all the way to Pickering then walk back?"
Walk back? It's a crying shame that the trains don't go both ways on a schedule.
From anonymous
10/31/2011 06:19 PM
Some guys just pulled the red emergency cord beside the door. FYI These were professional, mature men not youngins. But don't rush to judgement there MUST have been good reason. What was the urgency?
They were about to miss their stop. Yes, Rouge Hill was about to be a distant memory. However, they defended their stupidity by saying "...well the doors didn't open in the other carriage" and "...what? Were we supposed to go all the way to Pickering then walk back?"
Walk back? It's a crying shame that the trains don't go both ways on a schedule.
Moral dilemma
from Kathy xxxxxxxxx@hotmail.com
to cj@thiscrazytrain.com
subject free parking
Mon, Oct 31, 2011 at 3:06 PM
Hi CJ!
I've been reading your blog for quite awhile now, submitted one story to you and have started being a more active commenter. I have a bit of an issue you might want to put to your readers (and of course give your own opinion on).
I travel to Union from (name of station withheld) every day. In the south parking lot, there are many reserved (paid for) parking spots. I have a friend who has one right close to the doors. For months she noticed that the spot right beside her never got used - the point is that she told me about it, assuming that GO made a mistake and has not allocated the spot after someone stopped using it (although we don't know if that's true). Being the goody-two-shoes type of person that I am, I felt horribly guilty when I used the spot a couple of times just because it was raining. I used it a few more times only because of having a morning doctor's appt. etc., when leaving for work later in the morning, and feeling that was better than no spot at all. I honestly haven't used it in months, I just don't feel right about cheating (my mom raised me to be HONEST... crap).
My friend also told another train friend of hers about this spot, and he now parks in it EVERY SINGLE DAY. I see his car there every morning when I walk up, and I get there when there are spots left to catch the morning express, so obviously there are plenty of spots available if he is arriving before me. I have never met the man myself.
So - should I do something? say something? It ticks me off because he is advantage of it more so than necessary. Is it sour grapes because I'm not beating him to it? I don't think so - but I can see how people could judge me that way... I think sometimes I should alert GO so that if the spot is available, they should offer it to someone who is willing to pay for it, I think there is a waiting list for these spots and they are expensive.
What do you think?????
Kathy
Reply
from cj@thiscrazytrain.com
to Kathy
5:05 PM (4 hours ago)
Mmm, instead of using the word cheating, let's call it a moment of opportunity that you've merely used to your advantage. I have to question why your friend would volunteer this info seeing as she pays when she could just cancel her contract and use the free one. This makes me wonder if she's really paying for her spot.
My take on this is that the dude now parking there has over-stayed his welcome.
I'm surprised either of you got away with it as the vehicles parked there are to be checked and verified against the plate numbers recorded on the parking contract (so I've been told).
He's due for a tow and it's only a matter of time.
You can't rat him out for doing something you did but I have to question the morals of your friend.
It would be interesting to hear what the regulars think.
to cj@thiscrazytrain.com
subject free parking
Mon, Oct 31, 2011 at 3:06 PM
Hi CJ!
I've been reading your blog for quite awhile now, submitted one story to you and have started being a more active commenter. I have a bit of an issue you might want to put to your readers (and of course give your own opinion on).
I travel to Union from (name of station withheld) every day. In the south parking lot, there are many reserved (paid for) parking spots. I have a friend who has one right close to the doors. For months she noticed that the spot right beside her never got used - the point is that she told me about it, assuming that GO made a mistake and has not allocated the spot after someone stopped using it (although we don't know if that's true). Being the goody-two-shoes type of person that I am, I felt horribly guilty when I used the spot a couple of times just because it was raining. I used it a few more times only because of having a morning doctor's appt. etc., when leaving for work later in the morning, and feeling that was better than no spot at all. I honestly haven't used it in months, I just don't feel right about cheating (my mom raised me to be HONEST... crap).
My friend also told another train friend of hers about this spot, and he now parks in it EVERY SINGLE DAY. I see his car there every morning when I walk up, and I get there when there are spots left to catch the morning express, so obviously there are plenty of spots available if he is arriving before me. I have never met the man myself.
So - should I do something? say something? It ticks me off because he is advantage of it more so than necessary. Is it sour grapes because I'm not beating him to it? I don't think so - but I can see how people could judge me that way... I think sometimes I should alert GO so that if the spot is available, they should offer it to someone who is willing to pay for it, I think there is a waiting list for these spots and they are expensive.
What do you think?????
Kathy
Reply
from cj@thiscrazytrain.com
to Kathy
5:05 PM (4 hours ago)
Mmm, instead of using the word cheating, let's call it a moment of opportunity that you've merely used to your advantage. I have to question why your friend would volunteer this info seeing as she pays when she could just cancel her contract and use the free one. This makes me wonder if she's really paying for her spot.
My take on this is that the dude now parking there has over-stayed his welcome.
I'm surprised either of you got away with it as the vehicles parked there are to be checked and verified against the plate numbers recorded on the parking contract (so I've been told).
He's due for a tow and it's only a matter of time.
You can't rat him out for doing something you did but I have to question the morals of your friend.
It would be interesting to hear what the regulars think.
The Contortionist
This girl across from me, diagonally, had a bizarre case of the fidgets. At one point, she had woven her legs into a pretzel underneath her before doing a half-ass foot ride, albeit on her own seat, before crossing her legs and swinging one in the space between me and the lady across from me.
It was ALL. KINDS. OF. ANNOYING.
I wanted to punch her. But I didn't. Because I don't like jail.
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