This will be my view until then. The weather will be hot. The alcohol will be plenty.
No kid. No husband. No trains. No buses. Just the ocean and sweet Dominican hospitality.
Friday, November 27, 2015
See y'all in 10 days!
This will be my view until then. The weather will be hot. The alcohol will be plenty.
No kid. No husband. No trains. No buses. Just the ocean and sweet Dominican hospitality.
I was so disappointed to learn this wasn't the wheel of excuses
Miss this mornings' @GOTransit Passenger Charter 5 Year Anniversary Booth? It'll be back during the afternoon rush pic.twitter.com/v3DOiTg4f2
— Bryan Noble (@GONOBLE164) November 25, 2015
Here's the wheel for those who don't know.
The never-ending saga of personal drama, data and intimate details shared on the bus
There's so much I've been missing apparently while cocooned in music, movies and games.
Lately I've been forgoing the headphones so I can listen to the conversations around me on the bus.
Nothing is sacred.
NOTHING.
I don't know if it's just the demographics of my bus route but they are a real cast of characters and they put on an impressive show.
Yesterday morning, Shauna called up someone at 6:41 am to vent about her ex. She told the entire bus her name when she said it to the person who answered. She also named her ex. I think I heard "Kent"... maybe "Ken"? Shauna talked loudly and quickly. Trust me when I say not a single care was given as she detailed how her ex lifted her credit card information, including "that number on the back you need to confirm online purchases" and spent close to $3000 on Monday on "stuff I don't know but I have to call and see if they can tell me". Shauna then began to hatch a plan to steal her ex's dog that afternoon since she still has a key to the house they once shared. "He will go with me, no problem," she said. "And even if he changed the locks, I can still get him out through the kitchen window because the BBQ is right there, I can stand on it, and he never locks that window." She planned to hold the dog hostage until he returned whatever he bought.
Shauna exited the bus at a stop before the GO station so none of us got a chance to ask her why she's not calling the police as opposed to fighting a crime with a crime.
Two weeks ago, Connie did a great job bringing all of us on the bus with her that night up to speed on her current living situation. I blogged about it if you want to catch up yourself.
We all got to meet Rhonda a week later when she and Connie discussed their current alcohol preferences and what type of coolers Rhonda's grandmother prefers.
Last night, we were all introduced to two young lads with unlit joints in their mouths carrying 24 packs of Coors and pulling a wheelie-cooler. Some major football game was being watched at "Toopie's" (?) house and he could use the company since his truck was stolen and "he's a wreck". The whole thing was a surprise for Toopie. They even tried to get a "door stripper" but when they called her, she had no idea where Newcastle was so that wasn't gonna happen. They asked the driver (twice) when the last bus from Newcastle was so they could get back to Oshawa, but the driver was unable to tell them as this wasn't his normal route and the schedules that were on the bus were for the 407. But the driver did tell them they could use the mobile app or the website. Our two friends weren't happy "after spending a fortune on fare" to have to use data to get the time. "It shouldn't cost us money, man, to know when the last bus is." So I offered to find the info for them which resulted in an offer of a cold beer to take home. I politely declined. We got to learn a lot about Toopie's life, including his recovery from ear surgery last summer and the fact that Brenda was back in town and looking to "keep his bed warm".
I have never been able to bring myself to have a conversation on my phone on a bus or train about anything personal, including taking calls from contractors or setting up doctor appointments. These things aren't so urgent, in my mind, that I have to invite strangers. So I am always gobsmacked at what people *will* discuss.
I'm still traumatized by the woman who had discussed IUD options with her doctor's office on a bus ride home in the middle of the day this past October. My stomach rolled over when she asked "if it touches the cervix". I don't handle medical details well (I can't look at reproductive charts or watch operations) and even just typing that caused me to feel faint.
My preferred drama will always be GO bus fights. Adrenalin immediately kicks in and I'm ready to diffuse the situation if necessary. I always worry about how this impacts the driver and scares other passengers. I was a "mall cop" (I really hate that term) when I was putting myself through university and the training has stuck with me. I don't fear confrontation and I'm very self aware. I'm also not stupid. No situation is worth my life, 911 is my best friend, and I feel no guilt for walking away.
Some people just can't be helped.
Lately I've been forgoing the headphones so I can listen to the conversations around me on the bus.
Nothing is sacred.
NOTHING.
I don't know if it's just the demographics of my bus route but they are a real cast of characters and they put on an impressive show.
Yesterday morning, Shauna called up someone at 6:41 am to vent about her ex. She told the entire bus her name when she said it to the person who answered. She also named her ex. I think I heard "Kent"... maybe "Ken"? Shauna talked loudly and quickly. Trust me when I say not a single care was given as she detailed how her ex lifted her credit card information, including "that number on the back you need to confirm online purchases" and spent close to $3000 on Monday on "stuff I don't know but I have to call and see if they can tell me". Shauna then began to hatch a plan to steal her ex's dog that afternoon since she still has a key to the house they once shared. "He will go with me, no problem," she said. "And even if he changed the locks, I can still get him out through the kitchen window because the BBQ is right there, I can stand on it, and he never locks that window." She planned to hold the dog hostage until he returned whatever he bought.
Shauna exited the bus at a stop before the GO station so none of us got a chance to ask her why she's not calling the police as opposed to fighting a crime with a crime.
Two weeks ago, Connie did a great job bringing all of us on the bus with her that night up to speed on her current living situation. I blogged about it if you want to catch up yourself.
We all got to meet Rhonda a week later when she and Connie discussed their current alcohol preferences and what type of coolers Rhonda's grandmother prefers.
Last night, we were all introduced to two young lads with unlit joints in their mouths carrying 24 packs of Coors and pulling a wheelie-cooler. Some major football game was being watched at "Toopie's" (?) house and he could use the company since his truck was stolen and "he's a wreck". The whole thing was a surprise for Toopie. They even tried to get a "door stripper" but when they called her, she had no idea where Newcastle was so that wasn't gonna happen. They asked the driver (twice) when the last bus from Newcastle was so they could get back to Oshawa, but the driver was unable to tell them as this wasn't his normal route and the schedules that were on the bus were for the 407. But the driver did tell them they could use the mobile app or the website. Our two friends weren't happy "after spending a fortune on fare" to have to use data to get the time. "It shouldn't cost us money, man, to know when the last bus is." So I offered to find the info for them which resulted in an offer of a cold beer to take home. I politely declined. We got to learn a lot about Toopie's life, including his recovery from ear surgery last summer and the fact that Brenda was back in town and looking to "keep his bed warm".
I have never been able to bring myself to have a conversation on my phone on a bus or train about anything personal, including taking calls from contractors or setting up doctor appointments. These things aren't so urgent, in my mind, that I have to invite strangers. So I am always gobsmacked at what people *will* discuss.
I'm still traumatized by the woman who had discussed IUD options with her doctor's office on a bus ride home in the middle of the day this past October. My stomach rolled over when she asked "if it touches the cervix". I don't handle medical details well (I can't look at reproductive charts or watch operations) and even just typing that caused me to feel faint.
My preferred drama will always be GO bus fights. Adrenalin immediately kicks in and I'm ready to diffuse the situation if necessary. I always worry about how this impacts the driver and scares other passengers. I was a "mall cop" (I really hate that term) when I was putting myself through university and the training has stuck with me. I don't fear confrontation and I'm very self aware. I'm also not stupid. No situation is worth my life, 911 is my best friend, and I feel no guilt for walking away.
Some people just can't be helped.
Thursday, November 26, 2015
TBT to when GO Transit had turnstiles
Credit Dan Dl'Uo-- The (recently closed) Union Station Bay St. Concourse originally opened in 1979 with short-lived fare...
Posted by Vintage Toronto on Sunday, October 11, 2015
Tuesday, November 24, 2015
Monday's "switch failure was not weather-related"
GO Transit president Greg Percy appeared on CBC Radio's Metro Morning Tuesday, one day after a switch failure on the Lakeshore East line caused hours-long delays and cancellations that had passengers fuming during the morning commute.
"I don't blame [passengers] one iota about being upset, about being late getting to work" Percy told host Matt Galloway in an interview this morning. "We all have commitments ... and when you're late for those, absolutely you should get upset."
Percy said the delays were caused by the failure of a single switch — a piece of track with moveable points that allows trains to transfer from one line to another. There are hundreds of switches on GO's network but the one that seized and later broke Monday is located in a critical spot, near where there Lakeshore East and Stouffville corridors come together.
"It couldn't have happened in a worse place," said Percy. The switch failed at around 6 a.m., before the heaviest rush-hour traffic, but it meant that trains east of the switch on two lines had to wait in place as repair crews worked. Some trains had to head back to stations, others were cancelled. It wasn't long before the delay had a "cascading effect," leading to delays on the busy Lakeshore West corridor.
Ontario government wants railways to make room for GO transit
The province wants Canada’s new federal Liberal government to join it in pushing private railways to make room for more passenger trains on the Milton and Kitchener GO lines.
Ontario Transportation Minister Steven Del Duca said it’s time to formalize discussions on rationalizing the Kitchener and Milton tracks, which are still owned in sections by CN…
Monday, November 23, 2015
Anonymous commenting disabled until further notice
Dear Readers,
Due to the unfortunate abuse of the anonymous comment feature, I have to restrict commenting to Google accounts. You will need to sign in as yourself if you want to comment.
I apologize for the inconvenience this may cause.
Cj
Due to the unfortunate abuse of the anonymous comment feature, I have to restrict commenting to Google accounts. You will need to sign in as yourself if you want to comment.
I apologize for the inconvenience this may cause.
Cj
Free coffee tomorrow at Oshawa GO
@Just_LoriAnn please RT! The Coffee Fairies are giving free coffee at the Oshawa GO train station tomorrow 6-7:30am https://t.co/wgyjoeSxNs
— Durham Improv (@DurhamImprov) November 23, 2015The broken switch that caught everyone off guard
Well, that sucked. But it got fixed and I'm sure it was a sobering wake-up call that winter has arrived.
A fellow passenger who boarded the 5:53 am LSE Whitby to Union train was still on that train as of writing this posting (9:05 am). Her train had to travel back from Guildwood to Scarborough so it could run on another track. My train passed her's and I waved out the window in solidarity at those passengers caught in this mess. It's anticipated her train will arrive at Union by 9:30 am. That's three and half hours on a train.
And how was your morning?
A fellow passenger who boarded the 5:53 am LSE Whitby to Union train was still on that train as of writing this posting (9:05 am). Her train had to travel back from Guildwood to Scarborough so it could run on another track. My train passed her's and I waved out the window in solidarity at those passengers caught in this mess. It's anticipated her train will arrive at Union by 9:30 am. That's three and half hours on a train.
And how was your morning?
Cold weather leads to GO train delays: Metrolinx https://t.co/kadrYL0234 pic.twitter.com/98wNMsRSwy
— CTV Toronto (@CTVToronto) November 23, 2015Friday, November 20, 2015
Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ... "out of business" ... like I make any money from this
The whole fine for footriding is big news on the toronto subreddit. This site was mentioned.
People making themselves at home on public transit isn't going to be deterred by a fine. Look at the smoking situation ... and the drinking. And let's not forget parking. But I am flattered people think I'll be put out of business.
Truth be told, if this new bylaw were truly enforced, GO Transit wouldn't need to raise fares and if Metrolinx were to get really serious about the smoking infractions, they could buy a new double decker bus every year just from the revenue the fines would generate.
Thursday, November 19, 2015
Putting your feet on the seat now carries a $75 fine
On November 5, 2015 the Chief Justice of Ontario ordered the by-law update of the Metrolinx Part 1 – Provincial Offences Act, By-Law No. 2 Regulation of Regional Transit System (Metrolinx).
Included amongst the new or increased fines for various infractions, is the offence of “Place foot on vehicle seat” which is a set fine of $75.00.
For more information visit the GO Transit website page Rules & Regulations, under GO Transit’s By-Laws, By-law No. 2 or the Ontario Court of Justice website.
I can't ... I ...
However, it's discretionary and up to Transit Safety Officers to enforce. They can warn a passenger, or write the ticket, but still...
Man robbed at Pickering GO Station pedestrian bridge
Police are searching for a male suspect who pulled a knife after the toy gun he initially brandished did not fool the victim.
On Wednesday, November 18, 2015, at approximately 2:00 p.m., officers from West Division responded to the Pickering GO pedestrian bridge for an armed robbery. A 21-year-old male was walking northbound across the bridge when a male suspect stepped in front of him, pointing a toy gun at him and demanding his belongings. The victim initially did not comply with the demand as he recognized the gun to be a toy. The suspect then pointed a small pocket knife at him and the victim handed over a quantity of cash. The suspect then fled on foot towards the Pickering Town Centre.
The victim was not physically injured during the robbery.
The suspect is described as male, black, 20 to 30 years old, and wearing a camo-style jacket with a fur-lined hood, low-riding jeans and work boots.
Anyone with new information about this investigation is asked to contact Det. Derusha of the West Division Criminal Investigations Bureau at 1-888-579-1520 ext. 2535.
Anonymous information can be sent to Durham Regional Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or online at www.durhamregionalcrimestoppers.ca and tipsters may be eligible for a $2,000 cash reward.
Credit
On Wednesday, November 18, 2015, at approximately 2:00 p.m., officers from West Division responded to the Pickering GO pedestrian bridge for an armed robbery. A 21-year-old male was walking northbound across the bridge when a male suspect stepped in front of him, pointing a toy gun at him and demanding his belongings. The victim initially did not comply with the demand as he recognized the gun to be a toy. The suspect then pointed a small pocket knife at him and the victim handed over a quantity of cash. The suspect then fled on foot towards the Pickering Town Centre.
The victim was not physically injured during the robbery.
The suspect is described as male, black, 20 to 30 years old, and wearing a camo-style jacket with a fur-lined hood, low-riding jeans and work boots.
Anyone with new information about this investigation is asked to contact Det. Derusha of the West Division Criminal Investigations Bureau at 1-888-579-1520 ext. 2535.
Anonymous information can be sent to Durham Regional Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or online at www.durhamregionalcrimestoppers.ca and tipsters may be eligible for a $2,000 cash reward.
Credit
Offensive comment directed towards Muslim women written on GO train
The comment, scribbled as graffiti, resulted in the train immediately being taken out of service.
In an article in the Toronto Star, Anne Marie Aikins, spokesperson for Metrolinx said, “People were very upset. We will not tolerate this behaviour and we deeply apologize to anybody hurt by this.”
This incident does not appear to be related to another incident that happened last night on a TTC subway train were two men and a woman called out two women wearing hijabs and accused them of being terrorists. One of the victims was pushed.
Both Metrolinx and the TTC have launched an investigation.
In an article in the Toronto Star, Anne Marie Aikins, spokesperson for Metrolinx said, “People were very upset. We will not tolerate this behaviour and we deeply apologize to anybody hurt by this.”
This incident does not appear to be related to another incident that happened last night on a TTC subway train were two men and a woman called out two women wearing hijabs and accused them of being terrorists. One of the victims was pushed.
Both Metrolinx and the TTC have launched an investigation.
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