I do this to myself so often - I watch a reality tv show, get hugely invested in a particular contestant, and feel very disappointed when that person doesn't win.
Such was the case with the first ever American edition of Celebrity Big Brother.
I wasn't going to watch because Omarosa was a contestant. But I changed my mind, and it was an entertaining, fast-paced competition. Some of the contestants were Big Brother superfans. A few contestants knew very little about the show, and that was evident from their game play, or lack thereof.
I was rooting for Ross Matthews from day one, and I absolutely think he was robbed. Marissa was my second choice, but a distant second.
For better or worse, to have any shot at winning Big Brother, there are a few things you have to do:
1) make multiple alliances, and then blindside members of those alliances
2) make promises and then break those promises
3) do anything you can to win competitions
If you make it to the final two in Big Brother, your fate is ultimately decided by the nine jurors, all of whom are evicted houseguests. So all the people you wronged, backstabbed, etc are now deciding if you should win the prize and the title. The jurors have one of two options:
1) They can be bitter and deny you the win.
2) They can reward your game play and award you the victory.
Marissa, Ross, Omarosa, and Shannon are self-identified superfans. They claim to have watched the show for years and know how to play it. Yet Omarosa and Shannon both voted for Marissa to win. That tells me that they were both bitter and voted for someone who didn't deserve to win. Shannon looked like an especially sore loser at the finale.
Marissa and Ross were a team pretty much from day one. Both made big moves and did what they needed to do to secure their safety from day to day. But here's the big difference: Ross was the mastermind. Ross came up with the big plays. Ross was the one who secured multiple alliances. Marissa simply went along with what he devised. And sometimes she struggled with those decisions, such as when Ross wanted her to form an alliance with James and Mark. She eventually did it, but it wasn't easy for her. In addition, Ross won multiple Head of Household and Power of Veto competitions. Marissa only won a single time, but it was undoubtedly the most important competition of the season: The final Head of Household.
There was something else going on this season: The women really wanted a female to win Celebrity Big Brother. There was all-girl alliance, although it only lasted for about five minutes. But there were more women than men this season, and ultimately all the women except Brandi voted for Marissa. I'm all for girl power, but not when it means that a female wins a competition solely because of her gender, and not because she deserved the title. Marissa played a good game, but she wasn't a stronger competitor than Ross.
Still, if Ross didn't win, then Marissa was my second choice. I honestly didn't feel like anyone else was worthy of the title. Mark, Metta, Chuck - cool guys, but not good Big Brother players at all. James - way too arrogant. Brandi - train wreck. Shannon started off so strong and then absolutely cratered when the house turned against her. Omarosa is a powerful personality but she lied and stirred the pot too much. Keshia also began the game in a good position but ultimately begged to be voted out (I won't comment on that.) Ariadna would have been my third choice to win. She played a decent game.
Thank goodness Ross at least came in second, and he won fan favorite too! Thank you Big Brother voters! The consensus I'm seeing on social media is that Ross should have won. I definitely concur. Still, congrats to Marissa. Ross, you were great! You did everything you could to win. I'm sorry you played with such bitter people who denied your rightful victory.
librarianintx
Monday, February 26, 2018
Wednesday, February 21, 2018
"Be on Time Chronicles" 2/21/18
When you ride on Metro Access, you have a choice of three types of vehicles.
Wait, let me re-phrase that.
There is no choice on para-transit.
You are placed in one of three types of vehicles.
Wait.
That's not true either.
It depends on your disability, and what kind of mobility device you use, and if you use one at all.
If you use a power wheelchair, you can only ride on what I call "the short bus." (I'm not the only one who uses that term)
If you use a manual wheelchair, then you will either ride on the short bus, or what I call the "refrigerator car" or "box car" (the actual name for the vehicle is "MV1".)
If you use a walker, or no mobility device, then you might ride on the short bus, the "refrigerator car" or the minivan.
My favorite vehicle is the minivan. It is the most comfortable, and the easiest one to enter and exit, unless you're wearing a winter coat and/or loaded down with bags / luggage, etc. Still, the minivan is the best. The "refrigerator car" is okay, but the bench seat can be crowded when three people sit there, and my feet don't touch the floor, which is annoying. My least favorite vehicle in the short bus. The steps are steep, and the bus doesn't handle potholes, speed bumps, road humps, or really any roads at all well. The short buses have lifts, and most of them rattle when the vehicle is in motion. Like, a lot.
So this morning I drew the short straw, in more ways than one. I struggled up the steps in my winter coat with my rather bulky bag and sat in the second row of seats. There are six rows of seats on the bus, with two seats per row. That's twelve seats for the arithmetic-challenged. I sat in the second row.
I calmly read a book on my phone as the driver navigated the wet, cold roads. We picked up a gentleman who settled into a seat in the row behind me. Not a problem.
And then we picked up a second guy, and his female companion. I continued reading my book, with my bag in the seat beside me.
All of a sudden, a slow, thick, deep voice rumbles beside me.
"Move your bag. I'm sittin' there."
Uh...what?
There's nine other seats, including three rows that are completely empty, so he could have two seats to himself.
But no.
He wants to sit next to me.
He insists to sit next to me.
Interestingly, he seemingly has no desire to sit beside the woman he is traveling with.
Sister?
Mother?
Caregiver?
I don't know.
None of my business.
She doesn't try to dissuade him from sitting next to me.
Thanks lady.
I pause a moment, then put my bag on my lap. Immediately he falls into the seat next to me, shoving me up against the window.
I am small.
He is not.
And he has a large lunch tote with him.
The driver takes a look at the inside of the bus before he returns to his seat.
Either he doesn't notice my resting bitch face, or he chooses to ignore my obvious unhappiness with the situation.
Said seatmate attempts to have a conversation with me, but I'm not having it. I respond to his queries with tight, one word responses.
"Where you goin?"
"Work"
"Where you work at?"
"library"
"What street that on?"
"Brazos"
I am being squished.
My arms are caught at my sides.
I can't hold my phone up to read anymore.
He is much too close for comfort.
And then...it's 45 degrees outside, and no heat on in the bus, but my new companion calls out, "Hey driver, could you turn on the AC?"
I'm channeling my inner drag queen as I scream inside my head, "Oh no you better don't!"
I want to suggest to him that he might cool off if he removes his heavy jacket, AND puts a little breathing space between the two of us. Translation, "Get the frack off me!"
I will survive this ride.
I will survive this ride.
I will survive this ride.
And I do.
We pull up to the library, and with a heavy sigh Mr. Friendly unlatches his seat belt and lets me exit.
I make my escape.
I could have been nicer.
It's true.
I'm just someone who needs personal space from strangers.
Especially in the morning.
No....
ANYTIME
librarianintx
Wait, let me re-phrase that.
There is no choice on para-transit.
You are placed in one of three types of vehicles.
Wait.
That's not true either.
It depends on your disability, and what kind of mobility device you use, and if you use one at all.
If you use a power wheelchair, you can only ride on what I call "the short bus." (I'm not the only one who uses that term)
If you use a manual wheelchair, then you will either ride on the short bus, or what I call the "refrigerator car" or "box car" (the actual name for the vehicle is "MV1".)
If you use a walker, or no mobility device, then you might ride on the short bus, the "refrigerator car" or the minivan.
My favorite vehicle is the minivan. It is the most comfortable, and the easiest one to enter and exit, unless you're wearing a winter coat and/or loaded down with bags / luggage, etc. Still, the minivan is the best. The "refrigerator car" is okay, but the bench seat can be crowded when three people sit there, and my feet don't touch the floor, which is annoying. My least favorite vehicle in the short bus. The steps are steep, and the bus doesn't handle potholes, speed bumps, road humps, or really any roads at all well. The short buses have lifts, and most of them rattle when the vehicle is in motion. Like, a lot.
So this morning I drew the short straw, in more ways than one. I struggled up the steps in my winter coat with my rather bulky bag and sat in the second row of seats. There are six rows of seats on the bus, with two seats per row. That's twelve seats for the arithmetic-challenged. I sat in the second row.
I calmly read a book on my phone as the driver navigated the wet, cold roads. We picked up a gentleman who settled into a seat in the row behind me. Not a problem.
And then we picked up a second guy, and his female companion. I continued reading my book, with my bag in the seat beside me.
All of a sudden, a slow, thick, deep voice rumbles beside me.
"Move your bag. I'm sittin' there."
Uh...what?
There's nine other seats, including three rows that are completely empty, so he could have two seats to himself.
But no.
He wants to sit next to me.
He insists to sit next to me.
Interestingly, he seemingly has no desire to sit beside the woman he is traveling with.
Sister?
Mother?
Caregiver?
I don't know.
None of my business.
She doesn't try to dissuade him from sitting next to me.
Thanks lady.
I pause a moment, then put my bag on my lap. Immediately he falls into the seat next to me, shoving me up against the window.
I am small.
He is not.
And he has a large lunch tote with him.
The driver takes a look at the inside of the bus before he returns to his seat.
Either he doesn't notice my resting bitch face, or he chooses to ignore my obvious unhappiness with the situation.
Said seatmate attempts to have a conversation with me, but I'm not having it. I respond to his queries with tight, one word responses.
"Where you goin?"
"Work"
"Where you work at?"
"library"
"What street that on?"
"Brazos"
I am being squished.
My arms are caught at my sides.
I can't hold my phone up to read anymore.
He is much too close for comfort.
And then...it's 45 degrees outside, and no heat on in the bus, but my new companion calls out, "Hey driver, could you turn on the AC?"
I'm channeling my inner drag queen as I scream inside my head, "Oh no you better don't!"
I want to suggest to him that he might cool off if he removes his heavy jacket, AND puts a little breathing space between the two of us. Translation, "Get the frack off me!"
I will survive this ride.
I will survive this ride.
I will survive this ride.
And I do.
We pull up to the library, and with a heavy sigh Mr. Friendly unlatches his seat belt and lets me exit.
I make my escape.
I could have been nicer.
It's true.
I'm just someone who needs personal space from strangers.
Especially in the morning.
No....
ANYTIME
librarianintx
Monday, February 12, 2018
30 Day Writing Challenge: Someone Who Fascinates You and Why
I'm back to the 30 Day Writing Challenge! :)
Growing up, I have been fascinated by three women in particular: Laura Ingalls Wilder, Anne Frank, and Helen Keller. They are my historical triumvirate.
I was obsessed with the "Little House on the Prairie" franchise growing up. I still am. I have read all the books in the series, I watched the TV show, the made-for-tv movies, and I'm still reading books that are being published about Laura and her family. I read a biography about her daughter, Rose Wilder Lane, and I read at least one of the children's books based on her life that was written by Rose's "adopted" son. It has been a dream of mine to visit one of the museums, to see Pa's fiddle and Mary's organ and the items from the house on Rocky Ridge Farm. I have mixed emotions about the recent allegations that Rose likely was the principle author of the "Little House" series. Being an aspiring author myself, it would be sad to me if Laura received all the acclaim for books she didn't actually write. But anyway, I love the books, the illustrations, the story of a girl living during such a period of change in our nation's history. She witnessed the treatment of the Native Americans, the prairie turning into cities, the effects of weather on farming, the Industrial Revolution, the invention of cars and planes, etc.
I have also had an interest in Holocaust literature during much of my life, and Anne Frank's diary was the start of that obsession. I have also read books written by other people about her, including what her life was like in the concentration camps. She was an ordinary girl who lived an extraordinary existence for more than two years, and chronicled her and her family's struggle for historical purposes. I am especially fascinated by the fact that she started re-writing her diary when she thought the war was close to an end. Even at her young age, she understood the significance of her time in forced isolation, and how popular and interesting her story could be. I know that Anne died only weeks before the Bergen-Belsen concentration camp was liberated. I firmly believe that if she had known she was close to freedom, and especially if she had knowledge that her father was still alive, she would have survived.
Helen Keller was perhaps the first person to become famous because of a disability. She became blind and deaf as a child, but went on to become a famous writer, speaker, and activist. She traveled the world, met many famous people, became instrumental in the development of the American Foundation for the Blind, and even starred in a movie. Yet as well-known and influential as she was, she was still constrained by the times she lived in. Her mother had archaic views of people with disabilities, and never allowed her daughter to date or marry. Helen also had strong political views, but her beliefs were often suppressed by the people around her, who believed that the public would only be interested in her disability and philanthropic-related activities. Helen was a woman who enjoyed the fun side of life - bawdy jokes and junk food - but the people in her company felt she needed to be more of a role model, a woman of decorum, grace, and charity. So I find her fascinating not only because of the life she lived and her many accomplishments, but also the struggles she faced to be her own person.
These are my three historical figures of interest; now here are some present-day people that fascinate me:
1) Zach Anner
Zach has Cerebral Palsy, the "sexiest of the palsies" in his words. He is a comedian, author, show writer, and YouTube sensation. He was a co-winner of Oprah's reality show, "Oprah's Search for the Next TV Star," which helped break him into the mainstream. Since then he has hosted a travel show on the OWN network, written a book called If At Birth You Don't Succeed, become a writer for the tv show "Speechless," and continued to create You Tube series. Zach is hilarious! He has a brilliant way of taking what he doesn't do well and creating success and humor from adversity, such as his comedic YouTube series "Workout Wednesdays."
2) Lizzie Velasquez
Lizzie became famous when she was horrifically labeled "The Ugliest Woman in the World" on social media in response to her YouTube videos. Lizzie has a very rare genetic disorder, a type of Marfan Syndrome. Instead of letting the insults defeat her, Lizzie has faced hate and ignorance with uncommon courage, strength, kindness, and forgiveness. She has traveled the world as a motivational speaker, written four books, and become a powerful force in the anti-bullying movement. Where she once was ridiculed and ostracized, Lizzie is now celebrated and admired. She is a shining example that you can triumph over hardship and succeed despite enormous obstacles. Choosing Happiness and Dare to be Kind are the titles of two of her books.
3) Chris Colfer
Chris was a young, unknown actor when he was cast in Ryan Murphy's wildly popular television show "Glee." He originally read for the role of an established character, but Ryan was so impressed by him that he created a new character just for Chris...Kurt, a boy with big dreams, a big singing voice, and big hopes that the football team will quit tossing him in a dumpster. Kurt becomes a main character on the show and we watch his metamorphosis as he makes friends, comes out to his father, triumphs over bullying, becomes a leader in the Glee club, and falls in love. Chris has not only acclimated to stardom and become a role model for gay youth, and youth in general, he has also branched out in the world of entertainment and become a bestselling author with his "Land of Stories" fantasy series. The first book is being made into a movie, with Chris directing. With all the unfortunate tales of young actors squandering their opportunities, I am so impressed by Chris' seeming boundless energy and drive to succeed in Hollywood.
librarianintx
Growing up, I have been fascinated by three women in particular: Laura Ingalls Wilder, Anne Frank, and Helen Keller. They are my historical triumvirate.
I was obsessed with the "Little House on the Prairie" franchise growing up. I still am. I have read all the books in the series, I watched the TV show, the made-for-tv movies, and I'm still reading books that are being published about Laura and her family. I read a biography about her daughter, Rose Wilder Lane, and I read at least one of the children's books based on her life that was written by Rose's "adopted" son. It has been a dream of mine to visit one of the museums, to see Pa's fiddle and Mary's organ and the items from the house on Rocky Ridge Farm. I have mixed emotions about the recent allegations that Rose likely was the principle author of the "Little House" series. Being an aspiring author myself, it would be sad to me if Laura received all the acclaim for books she didn't actually write. But anyway, I love the books, the illustrations, the story of a girl living during such a period of change in our nation's history. She witnessed the treatment of the Native Americans, the prairie turning into cities, the effects of weather on farming, the Industrial Revolution, the invention of cars and planes, etc.
I have also had an interest in Holocaust literature during much of my life, and Anne Frank's diary was the start of that obsession. I have also read books written by other people about her, including what her life was like in the concentration camps. She was an ordinary girl who lived an extraordinary existence for more than two years, and chronicled her and her family's struggle for historical purposes. I am especially fascinated by the fact that she started re-writing her diary when she thought the war was close to an end. Even at her young age, she understood the significance of her time in forced isolation, and how popular and interesting her story could be. I know that Anne died only weeks before the Bergen-Belsen concentration camp was liberated. I firmly believe that if she had known she was close to freedom, and especially if she had knowledge that her father was still alive, she would have survived.
Helen Keller was perhaps the first person to become famous because of a disability. She became blind and deaf as a child, but went on to become a famous writer, speaker, and activist. She traveled the world, met many famous people, became instrumental in the development of the American Foundation for the Blind, and even starred in a movie. Yet as well-known and influential as she was, she was still constrained by the times she lived in. Her mother had archaic views of people with disabilities, and never allowed her daughter to date or marry. Helen also had strong political views, but her beliefs were often suppressed by the people around her, who believed that the public would only be interested in her disability and philanthropic-related activities. Helen was a woman who enjoyed the fun side of life - bawdy jokes and junk food - but the people in her company felt she needed to be more of a role model, a woman of decorum, grace, and charity. So I find her fascinating not only because of the life she lived and her many accomplishments, but also the struggles she faced to be her own person.
These are my three historical figures of interest; now here are some present-day people that fascinate me:
1) Zach Anner
Zach has Cerebral Palsy, the "sexiest of the palsies" in his words. He is a comedian, author, show writer, and YouTube sensation. He was a co-winner of Oprah's reality show, "Oprah's Search for the Next TV Star," which helped break him into the mainstream. Since then he has hosted a travel show on the OWN network, written a book called If At Birth You Don't Succeed, become a writer for the tv show "Speechless," and continued to create You Tube series. Zach is hilarious! He has a brilliant way of taking what he doesn't do well and creating success and humor from adversity, such as his comedic YouTube series "Workout Wednesdays."
2) Lizzie Velasquez
Lizzie became famous when she was horrifically labeled "The Ugliest Woman in the World" on social media in response to her YouTube videos. Lizzie has a very rare genetic disorder, a type of Marfan Syndrome. Instead of letting the insults defeat her, Lizzie has faced hate and ignorance with uncommon courage, strength, kindness, and forgiveness. She has traveled the world as a motivational speaker, written four books, and become a powerful force in the anti-bullying movement. Where she once was ridiculed and ostracized, Lizzie is now celebrated and admired. She is a shining example that you can triumph over hardship and succeed despite enormous obstacles. Choosing Happiness and Dare to be Kind are the titles of two of her books.
3) Chris Colfer
Chris was a young, unknown actor when he was cast in Ryan Murphy's wildly popular television show "Glee." He originally read for the role of an established character, but Ryan was so impressed by him that he created a new character just for Chris...Kurt, a boy with big dreams, a big singing voice, and big hopes that the football team will quit tossing him in a dumpster. Kurt becomes a main character on the show and we watch his metamorphosis as he makes friends, comes out to his father, triumphs over bullying, becomes a leader in the Glee club, and falls in love. Chris has not only acclimated to stardom and become a role model for gay youth, and youth in general, he has also branched out in the world of entertainment and become a bestselling author with his "Land of Stories" fantasy series. The first book is being made into a movie, with Chris directing. With all the unfortunate tales of young actors squandering their opportunities, I am so impressed by Chris' seeming boundless energy and drive to succeed in Hollywood.
librarianintx
Thursday, February 08, 2018
Procrastination
There are three main reasons why I am procrastinating less:
1) I've changed my thinking.
This is such a simple and apparently effective trick. When a thought comes into my head about something I need to do, and my mind lazily says, "Oh, I'll do that later," I immediately say to myself, "No. Stop. Do it now. Do it right now." So I do it. And then it's done. This can be anything from taking my medicine to scheduling my rides for the next day to unloading the dishwasher. It's amazing how much calmer and more focused I am when I'm able to put the kabosh on my procrastination and accomplish what I need to. I feel better about myself. I'm taking care of stuff. Not putting off tasks and running the risk of forgetting to do something important, like making a ride or refilling a prescription.
2) I am changing up my routine.
I used to be such a creature of habit. If I did anything different, I would feel anxious, too different. But at the same time, I would balk at doing certain daily things. I was in a rut. And I think I was setting myself up to fail, so I could beat myself up for not accomplishing everything on my list. Now I like to feel good about myself. It feels wonderful to get to the end of the day and think, "I got stuff done and I didn't put anything off." I mean, there are a finite number of hours in the day, and I'm certainly not saying I always get everything done. But I have much less of a tendency to be mad at myself if it's a factor of running out of time and not because I procrastinated about doing a task. Anyway, one thing I've found that helps is to change my routine, especially in the morning. I tend to be quicker and finish faster if I switch things up a bit, vary the routine. Also, when I get home in the afternoon, I try to start right in on getting ready for the evening and the next day: preparing food, selecting my outfit, etc. If I sit down, turn on the tv, and/or look at my phone, that's it. Procrastination creeps in. Fatigue and a "don't care" attitude can wash over me, and before I know it, it's 9:30 and I haven't done a thing to get ready for the next day. I have so much more time and energy when I don't procrastinate.
3) I'm feeling very motivated this year to accomplish more, and be happier.
"Life is too precious to waste doing anything less than what makes you happy. You get to be happy." This is a quote from a recent "Grey's Anatomy" episode. Even before I heard this, I had said to someone, "It's time for me to be happy." This is a transformative year for me. I've wasted so much time being frustrated, stuck, unhappy, scared. It's time for me to be focused, motivated, happy. I need to calculate my own definition of success, and achieve it.
Design the life you want, and live it.
Do what makes you feel fulfilled.
Create your own lane, and don't look backward or sideways, only forward.
librarianintx
Wednesday, February 07, 2018
"Be on Time Chronicles" 2/7/18
I talk quite a bit about when Metro gets it wrong.
But it's important to mention when they get it right, too.
They got it right on Sunday, February 4th.
Megabus broke down that afternoon. Luckily it happened at my boarding location, Katy Mills Mall. The coolant was busted, or something like that. We had to wait over an hour for the mechanic, and then he had to fix it, but luckily he was able to do that, so we didn't have to wait for a replacement bus. We departed nearly two hours late, and I figured with having to delay my Metro ride, I would likely be home three or four hours later than usual. I typically get picked up from the Megabus station between 5 - 5:30, and arrive home thirty minutes to an hour after that.
So we left Katy shortly before 4 pm, and arrived at the station before 6:30. When I called Metro to delay my open return, the dispatcher said, "If you can, call me when you're on the outskirts of town, and I'll start a vehicle heading your way."
So I called when the bus was about ten - fifteen minutes from the station. I had only been inside for less than five minutes when the van pulled up. And the driver said she was taking me right home! Amazing! I was home by 7, not that much later than on a typical Sunday night.
Sometimes it can take as long as an hour for the van to arrive on a reactivated open return. And then the driver could have been in the middle of a busy pick off / drop off schedule. But the odds were in my favor on Super Bowl Sunday. I got home in time to halfway unpack, have dinner, watch JT strut his stuff on the halftime show, and bawl my way through "This is Us."
It could have been a long and frustrating evening. But it wasn't.
Thank you, Metro Access.
librarianintx
But it's important to mention when they get it right, too.
They got it right on Sunday, February 4th.
Megabus broke down that afternoon. Luckily it happened at my boarding location, Katy Mills Mall. The coolant was busted, or something like that. We had to wait over an hour for the mechanic, and then he had to fix it, but luckily he was able to do that, so we didn't have to wait for a replacement bus. We departed nearly two hours late, and I figured with having to delay my Metro ride, I would likely be home three or four hours later than usual. I typically get picked up from the Megabus station between 5 - 5:30, and arrive home thirty minutes to an hour after that.
So we left Katy shortly before 4 pm, and arrived at the station before 6:30. When I called Metro to delay my open return, the dispatcher said, "If you can, call me when you're on the outskirts of town, and I'll start a vehicle heading your way."
So I called when the bus was about ten - fifteen minutes from the station. I had only been inside for less than five minutes when the van pulled up. And the driver said she was taking me right home! Amazing! I was home by 7, not that much later than on a typical Sunday night.
Sometimes it can take as long as an hour for the van to arrive on a reactivated open return. And then the driver could have been in the middle of a busy pick off / drop off schedule. But the odds were in my favor on Super Bowl Sunday. I got home in time to halfway unpack, have dinner, watch JT strut his stuff on the halftime show, and bawl my way through "This is Us."
It could have been a long and frustrating evening. But it wasn't.
Thank you, Metro Access.
librarianintx
Tuesday, February 06, 2018
"Be on Time" Chronicles 2/6/18
I WAS on time.
At the appointed time of 7:41, I was seated at the dining room table in my apartment, the blinds of the large window open so I can clearly see the street. If the vehicle pulls up to the step near the staircase, I can see them. If the vehicle pulls up to the walkway next to the disabled parking sign, I can see them. I have an unobstructed view from inside my apartment. Metro wants me standing on the curb, in any manner of weather - hot, cold, windy, rainy, etc. But there's no need for me to stand in the elements (emphasis on STAND and ELEMENTS), sometimes for as long as thirty minutes, when I can sit inside and wait. I have five minutes to board when they arrive. It does not take me five minutes to gather what I'm taking with me, close the blinds, turn off the lights, and lock the door.
Okay, full disclosure. I was in my seat at 7:43. I checked the street slightly before 7:40, then I went to the restroom one more time. But even at 7:43, I was still within my five minute window. There was no vehicle waiting outside.
The minutes ticked by. This situation occurred last Thursday, so I don't remember exactly what I did during those thirty minutes. I'm sure I was looking at my phone - scrolling through Facebook, checking my e-mail, maybe even buying something on Amazon. But I know I looked outside frequently. There is absolutely no way that I let five minutes pass without looking up from my phone and viewing the street.
The clock said 8:11. My ride window had officially closed. Time to call and find out the scoop. I figured they would tell me the driver was running late. Scheduling problems. Traffic. Maybe a problem with a vehicle. Or it was a new driver learning the ropes - someone who had never been to my apartment and was searching for my building.
Nope.
I heard the dreaded words.
I had been no-showed.
The driver had arrived, waited the standard five minutes (allegedly), then left without attempting to locate me.
The dispatcher gave it to me straight. It was a weekday morning. Schedules are always tight. They had no other vehicle available to pick me up. I was on my own to find transportation to my doctor appointment.
I was due there in an hour.
When a driver no-shows a passenger, they must provide the dispatcher with three visual cues in the area, as a way to show that they are in the right place. The dispatcher told me the three items that the driver communicated to him: staircase, orange building, carports. The last word should have immediately caused me to say, "The driver was in the wrong place!" Because my building is not next to carports. It is next to a set of garages. But in my frustration and anxiety over my looming appointment, I didn't listen close enough to what the dispatcher was telling me. I didn't have time. I had to find a way to the doctor.
Thank goodness I now have a more reliable and quicker back-up plan than a cab. I picked up my phone, opened one of my TNC (transportation network company aka ride share) apps, typed in my destination address, and hit the "confirm ride" button. In less than five minutes, I was in a vehicle, and less than thirty minutes after that, I was at my doctor's office. My driver was pleasant, helpful (opened the car door for me), and drove safely and patiently. I feel very fortunate that as a non-visually impaired disabled person who rarely needs a mobility device, I have no trouble using a ride-share. I can access the app and I don't need a specialized vehicle. The ride share was cheaper than a cab, arrived quicker, and the driver was nicer than many (but not all) cab drivers.
The downside, of course, was that the ride cost money. If Metro had not failed me, I would have been able to use my monthly pass to travel. I also wouldn't have had to scramble to find transportation.
There are three places ways to enter and exit my apartment building. Two are on one side of the street; the other is around the corner. I can't be in three places at once. If I was waiting on the curb, I could see one of the other entrances, but not both. So even if I was waiting outside, there is still a possibility I could get no-showed.
In the end, I got where I needed to go, and I wasn't late. Which is great. But I still think the "curb to curb" level of para-transit service that I receive results in extra stress for me and often confusion and frustration for the drivers. Wouldn't it be easier for the driver to get out of the vehicle and check the apartment numbers, rather than having to sit and wait for five minutes and then go through the no-show process?
I can call and argue against a no-show, and I plan to do that today. I will not be compensated for the cost of the ride share. But the service keeps track of no-shows, and if you accrue a certain number (a percentage based on how often you ride), you can be suspended from the service for a few days. Habitual no-shows can result in permanent suspension. Always, the burden of proof is on the passenger. It will be my word against the driver's. And if I tell them I was not waiting at the curb, that will likely be enough ammunition to make the no-show stand.
librarianintx
At the appointed time of 7:41, I was seated at the dining room table in my apartment, the blinds of the large window open so I can clearly see the street. If the vehicle pulls up to the step near the staircase, I can see them. If the vehicle pulls up to the walkway next to the disabled parking sign, I can see them. I have an unobstructed view from inside my apartment. Metro wants me standing on the curb, in any manner of weather - hot, cold, windy, rainy, etc. But there's no need for me to stand in the elements (emphasis on STAND and ELEMENTS), sometimes for as long as thirty minutes, when I can sit inside and wait. I have five minutes to board when they arrive. It does not take me five minutes to gather what I'm taking with me, close the blinds, turn off the lights, and lock the door.
Okay, full disclosure. I was in my seat at 7:43. I checked the street slightly before 7:40, then I went to the restroom one more time. But even at 7:43, I was still within my five minute window. There was no vehicle waiting outside.
The minutes ticked by. This situation occurred last Thursday, so I don't remember exactly what I did during those thirty minutes. I'm sure I was looking at my phone - scrolling through Facebook, checking my e-mail, maybe even buying something on Amazon. But I know I looked outside frequently. There is absolutely no way that I let five minutes pass without looking up from my phone and viewing the street.
The clock said 8:11. My ride window had officially closed. Time to call and find out the scoop. I figured they would tell me the driver was running late. Scheduling problems. Traffic. Maybe a problem with a vehicle. Or it was a new driver learning the ropes - someone who had never been to my apartment and was searching for my building.
Nope.
I heard the dreaded words.
I had been no-showed.
The driver had arrived, waited the standard five minutes (allegedly), then left without attempting to locate me.
The dispatcher gave it to me straight. It was a weekday morning. Schedules are always tight. They had no other vehicle available to pick me up. I was on my own to find transportation to my doctor appointment.
I was due there in an hour.
When a driver no-shows a passenger, they must provide the dispatcher with three visual cues in the area, as a way to show that they are in the right place. The dispatcher told me the three items that the driver communicated to him: staircase, orange building, carports. The last word should have immediately caused me to say, "The driver was in the wrong place!" Because my building is not next to carports. It is next to a set of garages. But in my frustration and anxiety over my looming appointment, I didn't listen close enough to what the dispatcher was telling me. I didn't have time. I had to find a way to the doctor.
Thank goodness I now have a more reliable and quicker back-up plan than a cab. I picked up my phone, opened one of my TNC (transportation network company aka ride share) apps, typed in my destination address, and hit the "confirm ride" button. In less than five minutes, I was in a vehicle, and less than thirty minutes after that, I was at my doctor's office. My driver was pleasant, helpful (opened the car door for me), and drove safely and patiently. I feel very fortunate that as a non-visually impaired disabled person who rarely needs a mobility device, I have no trouble using a ride-share. I can access the app and I don't need a specialized vehicle. The ride share was cheaper than a cab, arrived quicker, and the driver was nicer than many (but not all) cab drivers.
The downside, of course, was that the ride cost money. If Metro had not failed me, I would have been able to use my monthly pass to travel. I also wouldn't have had to scramble to find transportation.
There are three places ways to enter and exit my apartment building. Two are on one side of the street; the other is around the corner. I can't be in three places at once. If I was waiting on the curb, I could see one of the other entrances, but not both. So even if I was waiting outside, there is still a possibility I could get no-showed.
In the end, I got where I needed to go, and I wasn't late. Which is great. But I still think the "curb to curb" level of para-transit service that I receive results in extra stress for me and often confusion and frustration for the drivers. Wouldn't it be easier for the driver to get out of the vehicle and check the apartment numbers, rather than having to sit and wait for five minutes and then go through the no-show process?
I can call and argue against a no-show, and I plan to do that today. I will not be compensated for the cost of the ride share. But the service keeps track of no-shows, and if you accrue a certain number (a percentage based on how often you ride), you can be suspended from the service for a few days. Habitual no-shows can result in permanent suspension. Always, the burden of proof is on the passenger. It will be my word against the driver's. And if I tell them I was not waiting at the curb, that will likely be enough ammunition to make the no-show stand.
librarianintx
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