June 16, 2000

 So now it's official.  i've been here six months and the sun is shining today.  Being the slightly superstitious and eternally optimistic soul that i am, i'm taking that as a good sign.  

     Only down side is i am spending the larger part of the day by myself, as Himself was scheduled to work.  Darn.  

     i ventured out on the streetcar/subway system again today.  i have to admit it is getting easier, although i still don't like it very much.  i was late getting up this morning, so took a cab to the doctor's appointment i had, and asked the driver where the subway station was, for when i was finished.  Lucky me, or silly me, it was within viewing distance of the building. Certainly not hard to find.

     To the station i go.  Down the stairs for the southbound train (i figured that was the right direction cause i had to go the opposite direction from the lake, hence north, to get to the appointment.  South had to be the way back)  Thank gawd for the signs.  

     i put my little ticket into the right spot and then move toward the gate.  i pick one that doesn't move.  The guy in the booth snickers and points to where i am supposed to be.  i giggle like an idiot.  (sigh)

     i find where i'm supposed to wait for the train and discover that this station is not enclosed.  i'm standing outside.  And it's windy which means my hair is standing straight up, which causes me anxiety because my hair is thinning (heredity) and i'm afraid people will notice.  How i feel about my hair is an issue to be discussed some other time.  (sigh)

     The train arrives.  i get on.  So far, that's pretty easy.  Once i'm actually sitting, i usually enjoy this part because i can indulge my people-watching habit.  i only look silly once, when i'm craning my neck and twisting around, trying to find that map they have showing the different stops.  It's to my immediate left, behind my shoulder.  i slip on the edge of the seat as i'm turning.  (sigh)

     The train stops at the Queen Street station.  Perfect.  That was pretty quick and i didn't have to fight my way past people to get out.  There's a young couple walking in front of me and i notice them stop at a machine that says "transfers".  They take some, so i do too.  The ticket says "not valid at Queen Station", which i am assuming means i should have taken a transfer ticket at the station where i first boarded the train.  i dig around in my purse to see if i have another ticket for the streetcar.  While i'm doing this, a teenager approaches me.  He says "excuse me, miss".  Miss?  Me?  Heh, i like him already.  i look up ... way up ... and a good looking face, wearing a toque, is smiling at me, showing me a club letter of some sort and he's asking for donations to support it.  Isn't it a bit hot for a toque?  i say no thanks, and then feel guilty at his let-down expression.  (sigh)

     i find a ticket, follow the sign that says Queen Streetcars, East, and then i'm outside.  But the street sign says Queen West and i'm lost.  i haven't a clue whether i'm supposed to turn left or right.  i check out the buildings and decide i should turn right because it seems there are less big ones that way.  It still took me a few moments of deciding however.  i truly wasn't interested in having to come all the way back if i was wrong.  i wasn't.  i find a streetcar stop, and twenty minutes later i am home.  (smile)

     i dream of the day i become a weary-eyed and jaded traveler-of-the-transit system.