Thursday, February 7, 2013
Friday, February 1, 2013
Wednesday, October 10, 2012
{insert metro line} to hell
It's a cold world, particularly when you rely on Washington, DC's public transit system.
It seems that something so flawed, so widely known for its mishaps, failure to comply with regulations, and reputation for being EVERYTHING BUT reliable would be an easy candidate for reform and accountability. However...it's not. WMATA seems to be above any kind of regulatory system. It's like the mafia of public transportation.
Where do we start?
I've been verbally assaulted by next bus agents...presumably for calling and interrupting their convo; hit on even during pregnancy, by metro employees "can I help you with the next one?"; assaulted by a passenger; and continuously robbed by constant fare hikes. I, currently, live 5 stops from work. It takes me 30 minutes and costs nearly $4 in the mornings. The equivalent of when I lived 13 stops from work.
I find myself often taking time to assist other passengers with farecard and smartrip machines. Once, a station manager came to praise me on my "excellent job" after he sat in the booth and watched the entire thing. Why is this ok? Where else is it ok to make customers assist each other while you take no interest in fulfilling your duties?
On another occasion, a station manger denied my mentally challenged daughter use of the rest room at Fort Totten. She watched as she danced and hopped indicating that she really had to go only to be disgusted when my daughter urinated where she stood. Disgusted vs humiliated...and wet?
Every day I read horror stories on twitter by following the hashtag WMATA...it's CRAZY! The spectrum of crazy is remarkable.
When I started this entry, I was awaiting a response from WMATA regarding my son's lost phone...that he left on an offloaded train seat...that had a walk through...before leaving the station...TWO WEEKS ago.
When I returned to this post, I'd been pushed (forcefully and maliciously) by a full grown man on my commute home. I live in Rockville.
What is it going to take? A "no ride" day? If so...I'm game!
It seems that something so flawed, so widely known for its mishaps, failure to comply with regulations, and reputation for being EVERYTHING BUT reliable would be an easy candidate for reform and accountability. However...it's not. WMATA seems to be above any kind of regulatory system. It's like the mafia of public transportation.
Where do we start?
I've been verbally assaulted by next bus agents...presumably for calling and interrupting their convo; hit on even during pregnancy, by metro employees "can I help you with the next one?"; assaulted by a passenger; and continuously robbed by constant fare hikes. I, currently, live 5 stops from work. It takes me 30 minutes and costs nearly $4 in the mornings. The equivalent of when I lived 13 stops from work.
I find myself often taking time to assist other passengers with farecard and smartrip machines. Once, a station manager came to praise me on my "excellent job" after he sat in the booth and watched the entire thing. Why is this ok? Where else is it ok to make customers assist each other while you take no interest in fulfilling your duties?
On another occasion, a station manger denied my mentally challenged daughter use of the rest room at Fort Totten. She watched as she danced and hopped indicating that she really had to go only to be disgusted when my daughter urinated where she stood. Disgusted vs humiliated...and wet?
Every day I read horror stories on twitter by following the hashtag WMATA...it's CRAZY! The spectrum of crazy is remarkable.
When I started this entry, I was awaiting a response from WMATA regarding my son's lost phone...that he left on an offloaded train seat...that had a walk through...before leaving the station...TWO WEEKS ago.
When I returned to this post, I'd been pushed (forcefully and maliciously) by a full grown man on my commute home. I live in Rockville.
What is it going to take? A "no ride" day? If so...I'm game!
Monday, October 8, 2012
Bubbly, sushi, and potty songs!
I'm winding up my day off...from the paying gig. Though, I've been "connected" all day...I actually took some time to myself.
Though I didn't have to go in to the office today, my day still began early. Up at 6:00am to get #1 up and ready for her 6:40 bus, beg and plead with #2 to realize that morning has fallen and he should awaken, and play servant girl to #3 as he hands me various articles of clothing that he wants to wear. Today? Onesie. Long sleeve shirt that read "dude". Diaper. Croc boots. *shrug*
I've made breakfasts (yes 3 different), lunch, afternoon snacks, dished out cookies, and now planning dinner. The day is finally over.
Though I was rewarded with sushi and a bottle of bubbly and managed to snag a TWO HOUR nap, I now lay...tired. Remembering what it was like to use the toilet alone. Not having a toddler shoving toilet paper in the toilet, flushing the toilet, and even trying to nurse while I TRY to use the potty...I'm so glad to have had the day off. I'm even happier to return to my paying job tomorrow!
Though I didn't have to go in to the office today, my day still began early. Up at 6:00am to get #1 up and ready for her 6:40 bus, beg and plead with #2 to realize that morning has fallen and he should awaken, and play servant girl to #3 as he hands me various articles of clothing that he wants to wear. Today? Onesie. Long sleeve shirt that read "dude". Diaper. Croc boots. *shrug*
I've made breakfasts (yes 3 different), lunch, afternoon snacks, dished out cookies, and now planning dinner. The day is finally over.
Though I was rewarded with sushi and a bottle of bubbly and managed to snag a TWO HOUR nap, I now lay...tired. Remembering what it was like to use the toilet alone. Not having a toddler shoving toilet paper in the toilet, flushing the toilet, and even trying to nurse while I TRY to use the potty...I'm so glad to have had the day off. I'm even happier to return to my paying job tomorrow!
Sunday, September 9, 2012
My baby...the terrorist
I've come to realize just how precious life is since my son began to walk.
It seems like he knows the most sure fire ways to attempt to off himself. HR is, literally, into everything. When he's not taking a dip in the toilet he's in my pantry lapping up wasted sugar. He doesn't eat veggies but he WILL eat out of the trash.
I recall a time last month when I was trying to prepare dinner, I could hear his frantic voice right behind me. He sounded like he was panicking. So when I turned around and discovered him crawling in place...cooking oil preventing him from moving...I thought I'd lose it.
I quickly scooped him up, tossed him in the tub, bathed and dressed him, threw a towel into the mess, and went back to my lambchops.
5 minutes later *CRASH*. He comes staggering into the kitchen with hands full of his clothes that he got from turning over a clothing bin.
Lawd help me. We ain't gon make it.
It seems like he knows the most sure fire ways to attempt to off himself. HR is, literally, into everything. When he's not taking a dip in the toilet he's in my pantry lapping up wasted sugar. He doesn't eat veggies but he WILL eat out of the trash.
I recall a time last month when I was trying to prepare dinner, I could hear his frantic voice right behind me. He sounded like he was panicking. So when I turned around and discovered him crawling in place...cooking oil preventing him from moving...I thought I'd lose it.
I quickly scooped him up, tossed him in the tub, bathed and dressed him, threw a towel into the mess, and went back to my lambchops.
5 minutes later *CRASH*. He comes staggering into the kitchen with hands full of his clothes that he got from turning over a clothing bin.
Lawd help me. We ain't gon make it.
Wednesday, September 5, 2012
I had a baby...now what?
Well? It's been 14 months since I entered this adventurous life of "new mom"...again...after 12 years. What can I say? I've traded my Gucci boots for old navy flip flops, my Georgetown blowouts for the "wet look", my vodka club soda for...well...vodka and whatever the hell is in the fridge, and 2am bedtimes for 2am diaper checks.
With that said, I love my son (just ask my fb/twitter/instagram friends) but sheesh he has NO MERCY!
Lucky for me has, recently, decided to walk which has relieved me from toting 30lbs of adorable bossiness EVERYWHERE he wants to go.
We recently took brysie to get fitted for his first pair of shoes. After getting the size 5WW on his paws...I mean feet, this baby stood in place, stared at his feet, and HOLLERED. :-|. He wouldn't walk for ANYTHING. This continued for days. I'd put his shoes on. He'd stand in place. Cry. Then drop to the floor and crawl. Until...I caught him throwing them in the trash.
Aye, aye, aye! I love him BUT I have his receipts.
With that said, I love my son (just ask my fb/twitter/instagram friends) but sheesh he has NO MERCY!
Lucky for me has, recently, decided to walk which has relieved me from toting 30lbs of adorable bossiness EVERYWHERE he wants to go.
We recently took brysie to get fitted for his first pair of shoes. After getting the size 5WW on his paws...I mean feet, this baby stood in place, stared at his feet, and HOLLERED. :-|. He wouldn't walk for ANYTHING. This continued for days. I'd put his shoes on. He'd stand in place. Cry. Then drop to the floor and crawl. Until...I caught him throwing them in the trash.
Aye, aye, aye! I love him BUT I have his receipts.
Friday, January 6, 2012
Happy New Year! Zzzzzzzzzzz....
Well? Where do I start? LOL
We're ending up the first week of 2012 and I gotta tell you, I'm getting nervous about this Zombie Apocolypse.
Last Saturday, I turned 33 and for the first time ever SLEPT through the new year. I feel so violated and gipped every time I say that out loud. As a New Years Eve baby I have NEVER EVER EVER missed the ball dropping. Well? That I can remember, which doesn't say much.
I usually prepare for my birthday shindigs by partying the WHOLE month. That dwindled to a whole week a few years back. Evidently, this year my goal was just to stay alive. This makes me giggle as I reflect on a recent FB conversation:
FB Friend: So what are the plans for the Bday?
Me: Well this will be my first time getting out in forever so I'm making a full day of it. I'm starting off getting my hair done in Georgetown. My girlfriend is going to meet me for a few drinks. Then I'll probably get a little shopping done and I'm going to end the night bowling
*clicks submit*
*scratches head*
Me: Wow, that sounded much more fun in my head
FB Friend: Yeah, you're definitely a mom now.
LOL
Anywho...Zombie Apocolypse. I definitely don't stand a chance. If we were to experience some sort of Resident Evil, 28 Days Later, I Am Legend, Dawn of the Dead type takeover. Me and my family's asses are grass! 11:30pm on NYE I took my newly prescribed spectacles off, struggled to get my 80 year old knees into bed, turned on Dick Clark and evidently slept the year away. :-l
Happy EFFin New Year. I sure hope those Zombies, Polar Shift, and/or rapture can hold off another year. I want a do over.
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