So You Think You Can Dance Season 15 Episode three 6/18/18

Here's a quick rundown of the auditions:

Emily Carr
The flexibility of the dancers this season is sickening!! She is also wonderful at interpreting the music.

Gabriel Alvarez
It was a captivating performance, but it looked more like an audition for Cirque du Soleil. I didn't see enough dancing, and I'm glad the judges felt the same. I agree with Twitch that Gabriel has charisma, and I hope he keeps working on his dancing.

Evan
Again, it's hard for me to get excited about tap. But he's obviously good at what he does. The judges loved his audition.

Rachel Blanchard
Her look is so intriguing - 80's throwback (I definitely see the "Baby"/Dirty Dancing resemblance).
But there needed to be more to her dancing. She was good but not spectacular. I understand why the judges put her through, but unless she really wows at the Academy, I don't see top 20 in her future - at least not this season.

Kyle Bennett Jr
I enjoyed the musicality and interpretation, but I wasn't as enthusiastic as the judges were on his audition.

Victoria Neukom
Again with the flexibility and control - oh my Jesus!
And shut up Nigel, I loved the gymnastic elements!

Gratsiela and Desislava Sandeva - twins from Bulgaria!
Gracie and Daisy - precious! - and much easier to spell and pronounce!
They are adorable, and their version of hip hop is entertaining, sexy, and would be accessible to a wider audience.
But I agree with the judges - the routine was not innovative enough.

Elan and Jordynn Lurie
Once again they saved the best for last in my opinion.
The tricks were so exciting!
The spins were so fast!
It was an awesome routine!
Okay, yeah, he had some trouble with the press lift, but whatever. He's a dancer, not a weight lifter! :)
The question is, will they be as memorable dancing with other partners?

librarianintx

So You Think You Can Dance Season 15 Episode Two 6/11/18

Well, there's a new episode tonight, so I'm a week behind.
Nothing new for me.
Here's a few quick reflections on last week:

Tessa:
Her flexibility is RIDICULOUS!!
She has a great personality too.

Jay Jay
Wow, those spins were lightning fast!!
He's a terrific performer.
I'm not surprised he's been touring with Travis Wall's "Shaping Sounds."

Nathan & Courtland
I disagree with the judges on these two.
I would not have put either of them through, especially Courtland.
And I'm surprised they were put through, given their critiques.
The judges said their dancing wasn't original or memorable.
So why were they sent to the Academy?
I'm confused.

Hannahlei
She also has ridiculous flexibility and power.
I also love her smile.

CJ
I agreed with the judges here, as hard as it was to see him not go through.
I am so sorry for all he has endured.
But this is a dance competition.
And his dancing was not strong enough.
No one should go to the Academy because they have a sad story, or because the judges feel sorry for them.
The good news is, he's young.
He could improve, and try again, and I hope he does.
I want to see him succeed, and I know the judges do too.

Dustin
I love his hands!

Nicole and Benji
BENJI!!
West Coast Swing!!
YESSSSSS!!
Their tricks were absolutely mind blowing!
It was not typical West Coast Swing music, but it totally worked for me.
Yes, I am completely biased. Benji Swimmer was the reason I fell in love with "So You Think You Can Dance." Benji and Heidi and Donyelle.
Audition of the season so far for me.

librarianintx

Thirty Day Writing Challenge: My Life in Seven Years

I honestly have no idea what my life will be like in seven years.
In a way I don't want to think of it, because I worry so much about the future.
I would hope that I would worry less as I got older, but that hasn't happened.

So I will say this:
A few hopes for the future:
I hope I'm still able to live independently.
I hope my health is at least stable, but I would prefer for it to be improved.
I hope I'm still working, and I would be very happy to still be employed at my current job.
I would like my financial situation to be better, but hopefully it's not worse.
I hope my family and friends are healthy and happy, and that I've been able to add to my social network.

I have dreams, but I don't have huge aspirations.
I don't think about being able to travel, but I wouldn't mind having the opportunity, if I could find someone willing to deal with my physical limitations and anxiety.
I still have a dream of writing a book some day. Maybe I'll get started on that in the next seven years. :)
I want to be even better at my job.

Here is what I hope most for the future. Not in seven years, but for the rest of my life:
I want to get into bed every night and know that I was my best self every single day. I want to end each day with the knowledge that I was productive and made good use of my time and didn't waste this life that I was given.
Every one should have their own definition of success, and that would be mine.
I want to do the best I can every day.
What I accomplish may not be revolutionary or newsworthy or important to anyone -
But I want it to be significant to me.
And I hope at least some of what I achieve is relevant and helpful to others.

"Make today so great that yesterday gets jealous."

librarianintx

So You Think You Can Dance Season 15 Auditions Episode 1

I don't look forward to "So You Think You Can Dance" in the same way that I get excited about "Dancing with the Stars." But I do enjoy the show. Any reality show is a big commitment to watch, and I don't know if I'll write a recap every week. This isn't a traditional recap where I make comments about every contestant. But I wanted to mention a few. Of course I am no dance expert. But I have watched the show for fourteen seasons (I missed the first one.) So I feel I'm qualified to a certain extent to judge the auditions.

Comment #1: Marcus / Magda / Allen ballroom thrupple audition
No, they're not really a thrupple. But I believe it is the first time that three people auditioned together. And yes, it was HOT! I'm sure the guys were good, but I could not take my eyes off Magda. Her outfit had a lot to do with it - big blue shirt that moved as she danced to reveal a black bra and black stockings. She is a spicy one for sure. It looks like there will be a lot of ballroom dancers competing for places in the top 20, so we'll have to see how well she can do with other dance genres. For sure she has ballroom down, and she will likely be a strong partner with whoever she is paired with. We already know she has experience dancing with multiple people.

Comment #2: Did Taylor, the girl with the prosthetic leg, deserve to go to the Academy?
In my opinion: No. The judges were right to send her home.
She is a good dancer. But she is not up to the caliber of a "So You Think You Can Dance" contestant. I think if the judges had put her through, it would be simply for the inspiration factor, and she would have been out of the Academy quickly. Taylor doesn't need a sympathy vote. She is doing great on her own. She is a dancer; she is an athlete. I'm glad she auditioned. But I think the judges made the right call.

Comment #3: Did Jay the drag queen deserve to go to the Academy?
In my opinion: No. The judges were wrong here. Well, three of them at least.
I agreed with Nigel. And even Twitch said her jazz wasn't strong enough. But he put her through anyway. I'm all for diversity, and I love her personality and determination. Her audition was entertaining. But it was not good enough from a dance perspective. And I think Mary, Vanessa, and Twitch knew it. I don't see Jay making it far at the Academy.

Comment #4: Alexis' audition
Alexis had one of the best auditions in the history of the show in my opinion. I think it was Twitch who said something like, "If you get cut, you come back and show us why we made a mistake." Alexis did just that. Her audition was powerful, sexy, and showed incredible flexibility and extension. If her audition is a true example of what she is capable of, she could go far in the competition. She is beautiful and the camera loves her. Bonus.

Comment #5: Eddie
We all know how much Nigel adores tap. It is my least favorite dance genre. But Eddie is so adorable; you can't help but root for him. His audition was very good, and he tugged at my heart when he was all flustered and shaking afterward. I have a thing for redheads too, including gay redheads. :) His personality really came out when he and Twitch engaged in the dance battle. If he shows that kind of star quality, likeability, and resolve at the Academy, he could go far as well. I see people voting for him - a lot.

librarianintx

"Be on Time Chronicles" Tuesday 5/29/18

A Tale of Two Drivers

On Friday, I was headed out of the town after work for the Memorial Day weekend, so I had luggage with me. My driver didn't smile, didn't say "hello" or "good morning," and stood there while I struggled to get my suitcase into the trunk. She looked put out when I requested a step stool. She acted this way with the two people we picked up on my way to work, so I know her mood wasn't personal towards me.

That didn't make things any easier.

When we arrived at the library, she again stood there while I tugged to get my suitcase out of the back. I didn't want to say thank you, but I did, because I consider myself a polite person. She didn't help me with my luggage, which is part of her job, but she did drive well and she delivered me to my destination safely and on time. So I thanked her, but I regretted saying it, because she didn't even bother to acknowledge it.

Not a good way to start the day.

I could have reported her for not helping me. I could have told her to her face that she wasn't doing her job properly. But I'm not a confrontational person.

Fast forward to this morning. The day after a holiday.

My driver was cheerful and chatty. She not only complimented my appearance and outfit, she practically gushed over me. She was polite, told me to take my time entering the vehicle, and offered to help me with my seat belt. We had a nice conversation on the trip in, which was surprisingly short due to no other pickups.

When we arrived at the library, I thanked her and she said she hoped I have a great day.

That is a good start to the day.

I understand that stuff happens. Maybe that driver was tired or not feeling well. Maybe she was just in a bad mood. I can relate. But no matter what is happening in your personal life, you can still be polite, and you should do the job you were hired to do.

librarianintx

Thirty Day Writing Challenge: My Morning Commute

I have discussed my commute to and from work frequently in my occasional blog series, "The Be On Time Chronicles."

My morning is similar to anyone's work day up to a point:
The alarm goes off (in my case, three alarms go off)
I eventually leave the bed.
I shower, dress, comb my hair, do my skin care routine, put on shoes and jewelry.
I pack my lunch bag, and don my sweater and work badge. In the winter, I add a coat and gloves.

That's where the similarity ends.
Instead of sliding into my car, walking to a bus stop, or carpooling with a friend or co-worker, I wait for my city's para-transit vehicle to arrive.

Sometimes I don't have to wait at all, because the vehicle is early.
More often, I'm waiting awhile....sometimes thirty minutes or longer.
My work day starts at 8:30 a.m.
But I have to be ready for my ride by 6:45 a.m.

I do various things while I wait:
Check Facebook or e-mail on my phone
Read on my phone
Play games on my phone
Shop on my phone
Look for new recipes on my phone
Do dishes
Hang up clothes or fold jackets
Lay out clothes for the next day
Journal
Go through mail
Take medicine
Go to the bathroom again

No matter what I'm doing, I have to stop continuously and look out the window.
The driver has a thirty minute window to pick me up: 6:45 - 7:15.
But no matter when they arrive during that window, I only have five minutes to board the vehicle, or they can leave without me.
So I have to be watchful.
And hope they aren't parked where I can't see them.

An UBER ride costs about $25 if I miss the para-transit ride.

Once I enter the vehicle, I become a part of the culture of that particular transit experience. The driver might be cheerful and chatty, or sullen and quiet. The other passengers could be either or as well. Some are sick, tired, cranky, and prone to complaining. Some are outgoing, morning people, and full of sunshine and conversation. Some are mentally or emotionally challenged and have no filter. Some love Jesus and have to praise him loudly. One or two of them feel the need to put their hands on you.

Sometimes I ride for 20 minutes. More likely I travel for an hour or more. Reading in the car can be a challenge, and watching Netflix on my phone can induce motion sickness. Audio books and Spotify music are my go-to ways to pass the time. If we have to wait for 15 minutes or more for another passenger, I have been known to journal or write a note to someone. Whatever I can do to be more productive and less frustrated.

This is the start to my work day.

librarianintx

Survivor Finale - My Thoughts

Wow, what a finish on Survivor! The finale had me on the edge of my seat. For the first time in Survivor history, the final tribal council ended in a tie vote - five votes each for the two men who dominated the game this season - Dominic and Wendell. The winner was determined by the woman who received no votes to win and therefore became the eleventh member of the jury - Laurel. When that happened, I don't think there was a doubt in any viewer's mind that Wendell would be declared the winner. Laurel may have been pissed off that Wendell didn't invite her to the the steak dinner he received after winning the penultimate immunity challenge, but otherwise she had been aligned with him for most of the game - and he gave her his hidden immunity idol to guarantee her place in the final four. She wasn't going to vote against him after that. She had been in an alliance with both Dominic and Wendell for much of the game, but you could tell she was closer to Wendell.

I am so torn about the results. I feel that Dominic deserved to win. Wendell proclaimed himself the mastermind of the season during the final tribal council, but that just wasn't true. Dominic was the one who ran the show. And for me, he did it without being evil or cutthroat. He was simply strategic. I don't like to see evil game play rewarded, but I do want to see good game play end in championship, and unfortunately, that didn't happen for Dom. But on the other hand, I can't declare that Wendell isn't a worthy winner. He and Dom were together from the beginning, and they made big moves together. Wendell came on very strong at the end, winning immunity challenges, although Dom won the last one. Wendell came across as an extremely likeable guy, a superfan of the show. I can't say I'm sorry he won. But I am very sorry that Dom lost.

I'm sure Dominic was second-guessing himself about not challenging Wendell in the fire-making challenge. But I just didn't see that as a smart move. If he had lost, he would have been out, with no chance at winning the million dollars. If he had succeeded, yes, he likely would have had clear sailing. Neither Laurel nor Angela deserved to win, and it would have been a travesty if either of them had beaten Dominic. "Go big or go home" had been Dominic's mantra for much of the season. In the end, his bravado, his brashness, his confidence, his theatrics caused enough bitterness on the jury that the vote ended in a tie. But his antics sure made for an entertaining season!

I wish it had been Donathan, Dominic, and Wendell as the final three. Donathan deserved to be there more than Laurel. I don't think he deserved to win. He tried to make big moves, but he was too impulsive; he gave himself away too many times. But at least he tried. Laurel was a big talker in front of the cameras but never followed through on her bold plans. Donathan did follow through, but he didn't have anyone to back him up. If Laurel, Angela, Kellen, and Sebastian had teamed up, they could have eliminated Dominic. But Donathan and Angela didn't know how to keep their mouths shut. Not that I wanted Dom to be eliminated. I'm just saying they could have pulled it off.

Dominic and Wendell both played so well.
I wish they both could have won.

librarianintx

Thirty Day Writing Challenge: Two Phrases that Make Me Laugh

When I was growing up, my father had two nicknames that he used - I think they were both for me but I can't remember for sure. Maybe one was for me and one was for my sister. But after he died when I was nine I remember my mom continuing to use one of the nicknames for me. Both of the nicknames totally cracked me up every time they used them, and they still bring a smile to my face. I don't know how he came up with them, but they are really funny. The nicknames were "Tandelea Schwartzcup" and "Geraldine McBoing Boing"

:)

My mom continued to use the nickname "Tandelea Schwartzcup" after he died. I don't know why that's the one that persisted. Up until the age of seven I had long, curly hair that I usually wore in pigtails, or "doggy tails" as my mom called them. So maybe my hair was how my dad came up with the nickname "Geraldine McBoing Boing."

librarianintx

30 Day Writing Challenge: Friendships

The actual topic for this writing challenge is relationships, but I've decided to write about friendships. I wrote in an earlier blog that the most important thing in life is motivation, and I still believe that. But friendships are very important too. Unfortunately, they can be hard to find, and even more difficult to maintain. Some people have friendships that endure for most of their lives. They meet as children, grow up together, grow old together. Those are very lucky individuals. Other people struggle to make and keep friends, for a number of factors.

When I was very young, my family moved frequently, so it was next to impossible for me to maintain friendships. Until the age of 10, I moved four times - from Orlando, Florida, where I was born, to Sherman, Texas; then to Corpus Christi, Texas; then to San Antonio, Texas; then finally to Houston, Texas.

Unfortunately, my school and college days made it hard for me to develop friendships. I have a disability and chronic illnesses, so I spent much of my high school years on homebound and half-day programs. I didn't go to football games, movies, the mall, the beach, and out to eat like other kids. I lived in the dorm in college, so I did develop friendships there, but I had to concentrate more on my classes and projects than most students because of my health issues. I also went home every weekend when I was an undergrad, so I missed out on any weekend social activities. Graduate school was a time when I was the most social. I lived in a different city from my family, so I didn't go home every weekend. Dorm life had it's challenges, but for the most part I loved it, because I could hang out with people without having to get anywhere. We would have parties in the common area, gather in rooms for television shows and movies, order pizzas, etc. On weekends we would go to clubs, movies, and out to eat. I was concerned when I started graduate school that my disability would keep me from making friends, but the friends I had were very accepting, and treated me like everyone else.

As an adult, I have had to focus on work, doctor appointments, and taking care of myself and my surroundings. There isn't much energy or time left for a social life. I envy co-workers and other people I know who can go out on weeknights - dinners, parties, movies, concerts - and make it to work the next day. I have joined a few meet-up groups, but many of the activities occur during the week, so I can't go. My weekends are often spent catching up on rest and doing chores that I couldn't get done during the week. I also have a caregiver who comes at least three times a week, so I have to keep a schedule with her.

Maintaining friendships when you have a chronic illness is very difficult. People like to go out and do social activities - few people want to come over and just hang out at your apartment. Making plans is tough because I don't know how I'm going to feel and if I'm going to have the energy to do anything. Transportation is another huge hurdle for me. It can take literally hours for me to get somewhere to attend a function. Many people do not like to give rides - it takes up their time and maybe they're worried about liability as well.

I do have friends, and I do have a social life to a certain extent - I go to concerts and movies occasionally, and I have attended a few meet-up events. My roommate and I have friends who come over for television shows and special events like the Academy Awards. We also gather for friends birthdays. But I would like to have more social interaction. My health is better than it used to be, and if I had better transportation and was more connected to people I think I could get out more, especially on the weekends. It's something I'm working on, and definitely not giving up trying to achieve. I also endeavor not to focus on my lack of friendships. That only causes frustration and depression. I fight my fatigue and fill my time as much as I can with solitary pursuits that I enjoy - reading, blogging, journaling, and playing games.

librarianintx

"Dancing with the Stars" Athletes Edition Finale

I can't believe it's already time for the finale!
This is the shortest season in "Dancing with the Stars" history.

Round One

1) Tanya and Sasha
Viennese Waltz
This was a very traditional Viennese Waltz - flowing, sweeping, although it didn't cover as much of the dance floor as I'd like. Sasha sometimes ends his choreography a little early, which I find rather annoying. I want to see dancing from start to finish, not just the dancers standing at the end and making little curtsies. The dances are short enough as it is. Anyway, overall it was a nice routine.
Len: "elegance, sophistication, control"
Bruno: "born again Tanya, rejuvenated, radiant"
Carrie Ann: "every movement has real meaning - but you looked nervous"
Scores: 8, 9, 9
My score: 8

2) Josh and Sharna
Foxtrot
Sad face because Josh wasn't shirtless. :(
But what a leading man he has become in only four weeks!
He and Sharna have a wonderful partnership.
This was a beautiful dance - both passionate and tender, grand, sweeping, wonderful turns and extensions, excellent musicality and interpretation.
I loved it.
Yes, I saw the incident with Sharna's skirt, but it didn't interrupt the flow of the dance for me.
Bruno: "dashing, debonair, self-assured"
Carrie Ann: "competitive, excellence, poetry"
Len: "elegance, style"
Scores: 9, 9, 9
My score: 9

3) Adam and Jenna
Jazz
It was a really cute routine, showing off the playful personalities and the bond these two have developed in just a few short weeks. I would have liked to see more lifts and tricks, but it was a solid routine. I enjoyed it but I wasn't as enthusiastic as the crowd was.
Carrie Ann: "wonder twins of dance, Broadway"
Len: "fantastic"
Bruno: "exquisitely theatrical, wit, humor, technically brilliant"
Scores: 10, 10, 10
My score: 9

Freestyle Round!

1) Tanya and Sasha
NOW THAT WAS A FREESTYLE!!
Holy cow!!
Tanya, I am SO impressed!!
She was in it to win it, and I don't think she could have possibly done any more.
I mean, she came down from the rafters standing on a disk, she did cartwheels, she let Sasha whirl her around by her ankles, she danced by herself - she did it all.
She was surrounded by professional dancers, but hands down she was the star of that routine.
I am amazed by her strength, her power, her athleticism, the gymnastic elements - remember, everyone, she is 47 years old!!
What a dynamic routine!
And the fact that she danced to "I Will Survive" - icing on the cake!
I am so thrilled for you, Tanya!
Len: "full of fun, energy, joy, terrific!"
Bruno: "ultimate Disco Diva!"
Carrie Ann: "So awesome! I love you! So much joy! You made an impact!"
Scores: 10, 10, 10
My score: 10
During the judges' comments, Tanya said, "I wanted to show I deserve to be here." You showed it, girl!

2) Josh and Sharna
Josh completely shirtless - thank you Sharna!! :)
I appreciated the abs...and the ass in those tight football pants.
Like Tanya, Josh gave it everything he had in this performance.
Like Tanya, he danced with a group of professionals, but he was the star of the routine.
He was powerful, fierce, determined, exuberant, triumphant.
Ultimately I enjoyed Tanya's freestyle more. It was more entertaining to me. But I definitely appreciate and applaud Josh's talent, tenacity, and work ethic.
Bruno: "strong, heroic, powerful performance, master and commander of the situation"
Carrie Ann: "incredible piece of choreography; I saw a champion"
Len: "great, loved the power, the drama, the lifts"
Scores: 10, 10, 10
My score: 10

3) Adam and Jenna
Mmmmmm......
Um......
It was one of the more unusual Freestyles on "Dancing with the Stars".
The costumes and music choice reminded me of something I saw on "So Think You Can Dance" years ago.
It was good, and I totally love him, but honestly, it didn't blow me away.
The music was a little repetitive.
The lasers made it hard to see the dancers at times.
There was decent energy and power, but compared to Tanya and Josh, I didn't see Adam going for it the way his competitors did.
It was just okay for me, and a Freestyle is supposed to be amazing.
For me, it was more style over substance.
I'll remember the look of it, the costumes, the hair, but I won't remember the dancing.
Just as an aside, did anyone think that Adam totally looked like Johnny Weir in that wig?
Carrie Ann: "style was incredible, brave, but seemed out of sync"
Len: "modern and inventive"
Bruno: "high style freestyle, absolutely fabulous"
Score: 9, 9, 10
My score: 9

Results:
Adam and Jenna won, and I'm very happy for them. I wasn't a fan of their Freestyle, but I love the two of them together, and they definitely danced well enough throughout the short competition to win the mirrorball.

Happy summer dance fans!
See you in the fall!
librarianintx

"Dancing with the Stars" Athletes Edition Week 3

Yep, I'm a week behind.
But I'm still doing a recap.

Guest judge: David Ross
Mentors:
Nastia Liukin
Von Miller
Meryl Davis

Round One: Individual dances

1) Mirai and Alan
Quickstep
She doesn't need extra dancers!!
It was an extra quick, flashy, sparkly Quickstep. They flew all over that dance floor. It was glitzy, glamorous, she had great footwork and a great frame.
She's a star.
The routine was very Hollywood, very Broadway, and very entertaining.
David: "You are a boss!"
Len: "You mean business, but you lost your posture"
Bruno: "firefly in full flight, perfect timing"
Carrie Ann: "She did very well (spoken in Japanese to Mirai's mother), fantastic"
Scores: 9, 9, 8, 9
My score: 10

2) Jennie and Keo
Viennese Waltz
She's a country girl and she danced to a country song that she really likes, so you could tell she was comfortable and more connected to the dance and the music this week. I don't know if it was the song or the choreography, but this dance did not have the fluidity that I'm used to seeing in a Viennese Waltz. It was too choppy; the movement was cut off in places. They didn't sweep across the floor. It was okay, it was pretty, but it wasn't a proper Viennese Waltz to me.
Len: "ease and elegance, needed more fluidity and bars in hold"
Bruno: "you're relaxed and trusting your partner more, some balance problems"
Carrie Ann: "I love the joy, you're growing, storytelling:
David: "super impressive"
Scores: 7, 8, 7, 7
My score: 8

3) Chris and Witney
Foxtrot
Extra dancers - ugh!
Except for his mom at the end - that was sweet.
Witney did pull out all the stops for this number.
He was suave, debonair, with good partnering skills.
Witney's leap off the piano into his arms was very exciting.
He had a good frame too.
It was an enjoyable routine.
Bruno: "razzle dazzle, so dashing"
Carrie Ann: "show stopper, well done Mom, but there was a lift!"
David: "great catch, loved the routine"
Len: "not a lot of rhythm in the beginning, but full of entertainment overall"
Scores; 8, 9, 7, 9
My score; 9

4) Tanya and Sasha
Rumba
Tanya is known for her power and her strength. I didn't feel the sexiness or sensuality that I usually feel in a Rumba. It was a lovely dance, but not enough hip action, not enough body contact. The ending was a little awkward too. But I'm still rooting for you, Tanya (and voting).
Carrie Ann: "danced with your heart; we're all in your corner"
David: "very inspiring and emotional"
Len: "light and shade, needed more hip action"
Bruno: "improvement in your lines"
Scores: 8, 9, 8, 8
My score: 8

5) Adam and Jenna
Contemporary
"I know why the caged bird sings"
It was a wonderful routine - sensual, beautiful lines, there is such a connection between these two.
But I thought they were in the cage for too long, and that frustration made me like the dance less.
Overall, though, it was lovely, emotional, spiritual, ethereal
David: "beautiful, so connected"
Len: "loved the emotion, control with flair"
Bruno: "two birds of paradise, can't tell who's the professional"
Carrie Ann: "pure perfection"
Scores: 10, 10, 9, 10
My score: 9

6) Josh and Sharna
Contemporary
WOW!!
This routine had everything that I look for in a Contemporary dance:
sensuality
connectedness
beautiful lines
amazing lifts
It had more fluidity and movement than Adam and Jenna's dance did.
Josh showed fantastic control, strength, partnering skills, and gentleness.
It was breathtaking.
Len: "beautiful fluidity; lifts were seamless"
Bruno: "strong, assured, confident, impressive lifts"
Carrie Ann: "sure-footedness, confident, you're on fire"
David: "smooth, beautiful, elegant"
Scores: 9, 9, 9, 9
My score: 10

Round Two: Side by Side Dance-Offs

1) Tanya and Sasha vs Jennie and Keo
Mentor: Nastia
Cha Cha
It's hard for me to judge the dance offs when they dance side by side. I like it better when they take turns.
I thought they were pretty even through much of the dance, but toward the end Tanya and Sasha had more speed, fluidity, and content.
I give the edge to Tanya and Sasha.
Carrie Ann: Tanya and Sasha
David: Jennie and Keo
Len: Tanya and Sasha
Bruno: Tanya and Sasha
America: Jennie and Keo
So Tanya and Sasha get the points.

2) Mirai and Alan vs Adam and Jenna
Mentor: Meryl
Jive
Oh my goodness, this is SO hard!
They are both SO awesome!
I give the edge to Mirai and Alan. Mirai's kicks and flicks were stronger, and she and Alan had more exciting lifts and tricks.
Carrie Ann: Adam and Jenna
David: Mirai and Alan
Len: Mirai and Alan
Bruno: Adam and Jenna
America: Adam and Jenna
So Adam and Jenna get the points.

3) Chris and Witney vs Josh and Sharna
Mentor: Von
Salsa
That was so much fun to watch!
Len might not like the shirts being ripped off, but I definitely do, and so does Bruno. :)
I think Josh has more natural rhythm and hip action, but I certainly enjoyed Chris' attempt.
I give the edge to Josh and Sharna
Carrie Ann: Chris and Witney
David: Josh and Sharna
Len: Josh and Sharna
Bruno: Josh and Sharna
America: Chris and Witney
So Josh and Sharna get the points.

Elimination:
WHAT?!?!?!
Mirai didn't make the finals?!?!?
Travesty!!
She absolutely deserved to be there, and she had a very good chance of winning.
That is just so wrong.
But I have to take responsibility to a certain extent.
I voted for Tanya to make it. I didn't vote for anyone else.
I wanted to Tanya to make it to the finals.
But she doesn't deserve to be there over Mirai.
Mirai is a better dancer.
But Josh is great too, and I'm happy that he and Sharna will dance again.
This is so difficult!
I can't believe the season is almost over!

librarianintx

"Be on Time Chronicles" 5/10/18

Two consecutive days of fellow passengers oversharing have left me cranky and confused. Why do some people enter the vehicle and somehow think they are sitting in their therapist's office - or on a stool with a drink in their hand and a bartender's ear nearby? Metro drivers are not getting paid to hear your troubles - and neither am I. I feel like I'm a caring person who is more than willing to help someone in need, but to verbally vomit your life story to a stranger you've never met - or a driver you see every once in awhile - it just seems unnecessary. Are you going into all of this because you need advice and support - or do you just like to hear yourself talk, and you think what you have to say is more interesting and important that anything the driver or other passengers would have to share? Now, its true, nothing in my life can compare to some of the risque, illegal, and heartbreaking tales that I've heard while riding around the city. But if I had anything like that going in my life, I just don't think I would blurt it out to a car full of strangers.

Maybe some people do this because they can't afford a therapist.
Or perhaps they are a narcissist.
Or they just like being the center of attention.
It could be they enjoy telling a shocking story. 

Personalities are various, and obviously some people are more of an open book than others.
It's up to each individual person how much they want to share about themselves, their friends and their family.
The driver has every right to say, "I'm sorry, I need to concentrate on my driving," or "I'd rather not hear about that."
I think the passengers who overshare do so because they know they are in the presence of a caring driver who will listen and be understanding and empathetic.
I have every right to put in my earbuds and tune them out.
Which I know I should do instead of being irritated and frustrated.

I mean, I DO talk in the van. And I share life events. Nieces' graduations and weddings. Birthday celebrations. Accomplishments at work. Maybe I even talk about minor illnesses sometimes. So other passengers COULD be annoyed with me on occasion. But I usually only share in response to a driver's question. And I don't go into great detail, or share intimate details about myself, my family, or my friends.

Perspective.

librarianintx

"Dancing with the Stars" Athletes Edition Week 2 5/8/18

We're already halfway through the season, what?! :-(

But yay for guest judge Rashad Jennings!

Part I: Individual dances

1) Josh and Sharna (football)
Paso Doble
Well, of course I didn't like the extra dancers. Sigh.
Josh had good shaping and lines, which are necessary in a successful Paso. His attack was decent. The problem for me was that I felt he was more running back and forth between dancers rather than actually dancing. It was a step back for me this week. He's still super hot though.
Rashad: "you took control"
Len: "equally good Paso"
Bruno: "going for total domination - but need to sustain lines"
Carrie Ann: "grounded, effective, passionate"
Scores: 7, 7, 8, 8
My score: 7

2) Jennie and Keo (softball)
Cha Cha
She really tried, but the latin dances are not going to be her thing. I think she's a country girl at heart, and this R&B song was not her vibe. I wonder what song she ultimately refused to dance to. She didn't get down and dirty; she basically just went through the steps. There was musicality, but the feeling wasn't there; there was no connection to the music or the routine. She didn't get her groove on. It was way too safe. And there were extra dancers. Ugh.
Len: "competent performance, but lacked rhythm and lost timing"
Bruno: "off timing"
Carrie Ann: "didn't have a strong connection to the music"
Rashad: "performed well"
Scores: 6, 7, 7, 6
My score; 6

3) Kareem and Lindsay (basketball)
Salsa
His father was a dancer, so this performance was an homage to him. At times Kareem was better than last week. He still stood there for part of the dance and let the EXTRA DANCERS salsa around him. But there was improvement. There were some basic latin steps. Very basic. Unfortunately, the man has no hips to shake. But I think he did his best, and that's all he can do. The man is 71 years old, 7 foot tall, and has no meat on his bones. The music was great, and huge kudos to the fearless team of Haley and Lindsay! Lindsay was on Haley's shoulders for part of the dance, and Haley was hidden under Lindsay's skirt, dancing completely blind. So imaginative, and dangerous!
Bruno: "clever, well constructed"
Carrie Ann: "lovely tribute to your father - you shimmied!"
Rashad: "father is proud"
Len: "far more content and rhythm"
Scores: 7, 7, 6, 6
My score: 6

4) Chris and Witney (luge)
Viennese Waltz
Chris showed off some very good partnering skills in this routine! He looked like a leading man. They had a very good flow of movement around the floor. His frame wasn't great and his footwork looked a little sloppy to me at times. But he had some very nice lines. When the lights weren't blinding me, I thought it was a lovely, mostly successful dance.
Carrie Ann: "so impressed, nuanced, finesse"
Rashad: "amazing, good heel leads"
Len: "good sway in hold, competent"
Bruno: "leading man, waltzing heartthrob"
Scores: 9, 8, 8, 8
My score: 7

Am I cranky tonight?

5) Tanya and Sasha (skating)
Quickstep
I am cranky no more!
Holy cow, what a Quickstep!
Way to go Tanya!
She had energy and personality out the ying yang from the moment the dance started, and she did not wane through the entire routine!
I'm so impressed!
I could tell that she was totally feeling that song!
Great speed and footwork - outstanding!
The bear was super annoying, but otherwise, I loved the performance!
Rashad: "loved it - showing the world a whole new chapter in your life"
Len: "liked the energy - felt good"
Bruno: "great fun, high energy, didn't lose the timing"
Carrie Ann: "strength, powerful"
Scores: 8, 9, 8, 8
My score; 9

6) Mirai and Alan (skating)
Foxtrot
OMG, she is amazing!
That was a wonderful Foxtrot!
She looked like a princess - The dress, the jewelry, her hair and makeup - stunning!
The extra dancers were completely unnecessary.
She was floating across the floor.
Perfect lines, beautiful frame, so much musicality
FLAWLESS
Perfection on Week 2!
Len: "best dance so far"
Bruno: "gorgeous, radiant, fairytale princess"
Carrie Ann: "gorgeous"
Rashad: "great, graceful, peaceful"
Scores: 9, 10, 9, 9
My score: 10!

7) Arike and Gleb (basketball)
Foxtrot
Yay, she looked like a real dancer this week - lovely dress and heels!
Her frame was very good.
You can tell that she is still trying to find her footing.
Not as much movement as a typical Foxtrot.
And I thought Gleb's choreography was a little lazy at the end.
But I love the song.
Overall I saw improvement from last week.
Bruno: "posture was much better"
Carrie Ann: "magic, powerful"
Rashad: "performed under pressure"
Len: "fantastic footwork"
Scores: 8, 9, 8, 8
My score: 7 (almost an 8)

8) Adam and Jenna (skating)
Quickstep
The routine was a little short because it took them awhile to start dancing. Still lots of flash and panache, great speed and a good frame. A solid Quickstep. Overall this performance was a little less exciting for me because I wasn't as big a fan of the song as I was last week. But Adam is definitely still a frontrunner. And there's still amazing chemistry between him and Jenna.
Carrie Ann: "You better work! Tight, in sync, but room for growth"
Rashad: "love the outfit and the chemistry"
Len: "so much content, speed, and clarity of movement"
Bruno: "no messing round or distractions [what he means is no extra dancers, yay!], timing is impeccable"
Scores: 9, 9, 9, 10
My score: 9

Part II: Group dances

1) Team 50's Tennis
Jive
Kareem and Lindsay, Josh and Sharna, Tanya and Sasha, Chris and Witney
Overall cute, but the best parts were when the individual couples danced. They had very good tricks and Jive content.
The group struggled with synchronicity and timing.
And Kareem just standing there at times was glaringly obvious to me.
Len: "tight and together"
Bruno: "witty, imaginative, creative"
Carrie Ann: "felt like a team dance"
Rashad: "had a great time"
Scores: 8, 9, 8, 8
My score: 8

2) Team 70's Football
Disco
Mirai and Alan, Adam and Jenna, Arike and Gleb, Jennie and Keo
I was very impressed!
They were SO tight and together as a group!
And they only had one short rehearsal with Arike!
Amazing!
Really fun too.
I loved the guys' afros!
Jennie and Arike looked surprisingly comfortable.
Great job!
Bruno: "Monday night fever!"
Carrie Ann: "fantastic!"
Rashad: "entertaining"
Len: "loved it!"
Scores: 9, 10, 9, 9
My score: 9

Elimination:
Arike and Gleb and Kareem and Lindsay were sent home.
I think Arike was actually relieved, except for the fact that she is a competitor.
I was relieved to see Kareem go. I was just worried for his safety.

Only two weeks left dance fans!

librarianintx

This Past Weekend

"Accept challenges, so that you may feel the exhilaration of victory." George S. Patton

This quote was the epitome of my weekend, on a small scale.

For the past several weeks I have been dealing with another inner ear flare up. This occurs nearly every spring. Inner ear disorders often come to life during peak allergy season. I have not tested high enough to need allergy shots, but I have noticed that when the mold counts are soaring, that is when I'm suffering the most.

Inner ear disorders can cause a myriad of uncomfortable and often disabling physical and emotional symptoms. Nearly every spring I struggle with making it to work and social engagements due to some combination of vertigo, fatigue, nausea, dizziness, headaches, anxiety, and other ailments. It is a frustrating, exhausting, debilitating disorder, with no cure, although certain medications and in some cases physical therapy, including eye and head movement exercises, can help.

This weekend I had a rather full schedule on tap, and I wondered how, or if, I would be able to make it to any of my planned activities.

But what I have learned this season in particular, is that I can be the boss of this disorder. I can manage this illness and not let it take over my life. I'm not saying that I won't ever have to call in sick to work or change my plans because of how I'm feeling. That is still going to happen, unfortunately. But I can have the upper hand more than I think I'm able to.

This weekend was a challenge. But I was able to do everything on my schedule. On Saturday I attended the memorial service of a co-worker's father. I went out to dinner afterward with another co-worker / friend. I enjoyed a rejuvenating manicure and pedicure. On Sunday I volunteered at a chorus concert and listened to the beautiful music. Later I had a friend over for dinner and a television show. I was able to eat, ride in cars, sit in church pews, walk down uneven streets, talk to people, cook, and through it all manage any uncomfortable symptoms that reared their ugly heads.

I did not have to cancel my weekend.
I did not have to lament and rail against two days of missed opportunities to enjoy life.
I was able to celebrate tiny victories.
I am very grateful for that.

librarianintx

The most important thing in life

This is strictly my opinion.
To me, there is a singular aspect in life that is key to a happy, successful existence.
What do you think it is?
Family?
Friends?
A career?
Education?
Money?

All of these are important in someone's life. Some carry greater weight than others, depending on your personality. Some people are loners, so family and friends may not be paramount. But in my opinion, none of these are the main factor in a life of accomplishment.

What is?
Purpose

Having a purpose makes your life successful and meaningful.
That purpose can be lifelong education, or a career, but it doesn't have to be.
Your purpose can be helping others
Taking care of animals
Raising children
Traveling the world
Inventing something

Some people have a purpose from an early age - a goal they want to achieve
Winning an Olympic medal
Curing a disease
Writing a bestseller
Getting elected to higher office

Other people struggle for years, decades even, with what their purpose in life is.

Some people have one goal in mind, then change to another goal.
Many people have multiple goals in their lifetime.
Getting a degree
Raising a family
Achieving job promotions
Traveling after retirement

The key is to always have a purpose, and keep working to make it happen.
Motivation is a crucial factor in the success of a goal.
You have to WANT something and strive to attain your desired objective

Having a purpose makes life interesting, meaningful, consequential
Not having a purpose can make life bleak, boring, depressing, dreary

Don't despair if you're struggling with purpose and motivation
Work at it
Think about what's important to you and what you want to achieve in life
Get help if you're struggling with depression and anxiety
A joyful, busy, triumphant life is possible, even in the face of difficult circumstances such as disability, illness, or financial problems.

Success is always within reach.

librarianintx

"Dancing with the Stars" Athletes edition Week 1 4/30/18

YAY!
Dancing with the Stars is back!
Boo that it's only four weeks long this season!

Here we go...

1) Chris Mazdzer (luge) and Witney
Salsa
He was not terrible!
First of all, he's hot.
There is no second of all.
He's just hot.
He did rush, so his timing was off. He doesn't have great rhythm, at least not yet. But he's hot. He looked great out there. The lifts and tricks were very exciting, and pretty well-executed, after the first one, which bordered on disaster.
And did I mention he's smokin' hot?
Len: "so impressed with you - style, confidence"
Bruno: "broke the ice nicely, good hip action, very exciting"
Carrie Ann: "You are incredible - choreography was jam-packed - star quality"
Scores: 7, 7, 7
My score: 7 (for the dancing, 9 for the hotness)

2) Kareen Abdul-Jabbar (basketball) and Lindsay
Cha Cha
He is 7'1''; she is 5'4'' (Oh my!)
Extra dancers - ugh!!
Um...honestly the performance pained me. He is SO tall and SO thin. I just had horrible visions of him falling and shattering into dozens of pieces on the dance floor. I certainly hope he's on bone-building medication (get your minds out of the gutter, I'm talking about osteoporosis!) He smiled and looked happy, but his dancing had no rhythm or musicality. He basically stood there and let the women dance around him. Yikes. Not good. I'm sorry.
Bruno: "simple, dignified"
Carrie Ann: "You entertained us but you need to get groovier"
Len: "You gave it your all but you need to loosen up" 
Scores: 6, 5, 6
My score: 5
He's 71 years old AND a cancer survivor?! Now I feel bad about my comments and my score. But I have to judge the dance.

3) Jennie Finch-Dagle (softball) and Keo
Foxtrot
Given Keo's unfortunate track record with ballroom partners, I'm so happy to see him paired with someone who can dance! It was a solid performance - nice frame, musicality, and ease of movement. It was a sweet, down-home on the farm dance with a cameo by her three kids at the end. "Dancing with the Stars" viewers will likely eat that up like it was apple pie topped with Blue Bell ice cream (my Texas roots are showing).
Carrie Ann: "a joy to watch, good student"
Len: "elements of control and flair, good job"
Bruno: "airy breeze and fresh quality - needed more control"
Scores: 7, 7, 7
My score: 7

4) Jamie Anderson (snowboarding) and Artem
Viennese Waltz
Yay for the return of Artem's natural hair color!
I was not a fan of the blond phase.
Okay, she was clearly nervous, she was hesitant, but Artem's strong arms - I mean partnering skills - and a great song elevated this performance. She was a bit clumsy at times, but she looked elegant, and there were moments of gracefulness. Overall good for a first dance.
Len: "a little skippy, but elegance and personality"
Bruno: "hit a slippery patch - never lose the flow"
Carrie Ann: "beauty, artistry, but you were nervous and rushing"
Scores: 6, 7, 6
My score: 6

5) Mirai Nagasu (skating) and Alan
Salsa
Oh hell yeah, she's a star on the dance floor now too!
Fantastic routine!
Sexy, hot, terrific tricks, musicality, star quality
They look amazing together and have wonderful chemistry.
Mirai is a contender for sure!
Go girl!
I loved it!
Bruno: "spicy, crispy-cracker of a salsa!"
Carrie Ann: "you're a boss - You owned that dance!"
Len: "full of vigor and vitality"
Scores: 7, 8, 8
My score: 8

6) Arike Ogunbowale (basketball) and Gleb
Salsa
Well, the extra dancers and her choice of footwear made me grumpy. This is a dance competition - She should have been in heels. It was also a rather short dance so I'm struggling to critique it. She did not do nearly as well as Mirai and the powers that be should not have put two Salsa numbers back to back when one was obviously so much stronger than the other. She had good energy, but that's about all I can say about the performance. The dance was just not very memorable for me, except for negative aspects like the extra dancers.
Carrie Ann: "You've got your own style - but you need heels"
Len: "energetic, but needed more hip action"
Bruno: "shaking it up"
Scores: 7, 6, 7
My score: 7

7) Adam Rippon (skating) and Jenna
Cha Cha
OMG, Adam dancing to RuPaul's "Sissy That Walk" was everything!!!
I don't know how mainstream "Dancing with the Stars" America will feel about the song and the performance, but I was gagging! (I predict less than three people who read this review are "Drag Race" fans that will understand what that means. Translation: It was off the chain! Second translation: It was fantastic!)
He had amazeballs chemistry with Jenna, his strutting (I mean dancing) was crisp and tight; it was a high energy, exciting routine.
He owned that catwalk! (I mean dance floor!)
Yes, I did see him fall out of the pirouette. I don't care. He was still the bomb.
Work it!
Bruno will lose his shit, I guarantee.
Len: "good, sharp, crisp, clear, lots of Cha Cha content"
Bruno: "hip action of a devil, great synchronicity with Jenna"
Carrie Ann: "You were born to do this show"
Scores: 8, 8, 8
My score: 8

8) Johnny Damon (baseball) and Emma
Foxtrot
Not a disaster, but definitely a work in progress. Too rushed, sloppy, bad footwork, very hunched frame in places - but he's a hoot and it was an entertaining routine. I bet he's a super fun dad.
I was worried for Emma a few times, but she appeared to survive the dance unscathed.
Bruno: "happy, shuffling along"
Carrie Ann: "You're adorable"
Len: "difficult, but I salute you"
Scores: 6, 6, 6
My score: 6

9) Tanya Harding (skating) and Sasha
Foxtrot
Tanya possesses such an interesting mix of bravado and insecurity. She said she's not graceful, but that was a lovely, elegant, and in my opinion, inspirational dance. Tanya has been alienated from the sport she loved for years. Her passion as well as her livelihood were stripped from her. Now she's getting the chance to compete again, and competing she is - with her heart and her talent. Good for you, Tanya! I'm rooting for you! That was a beautiful routine. My one picky comment has nothing to do with her dancing, or the choreography. My gripe is with the wardrobe department. Who decided to put her in that Waltons-era drab housewife dress? It was such a boring costume. This is Dancing with the Stars, people, and as we know, Tanya is no stranger to a glitzy performance outfit.
Carrie Ann: "You are a beautiful dancer, blew me away"
Len: "charming dance, lovely performance"
Bruno: "lyrical quality"
Scores: 8, 8, 7
My score: 8

10) Josh Norman (football) and Sharna
Cha Cha
Did I see a lot of Cha Cha content?
No
Did I care?
Not really
The choreography made him look like a dancer.
The red jacket with no shirt made him look damn fine.
His chemistry with Sharna was blazing.
It all worked for me.
They can have more content next week.
If they want to
Len: "full or rhythm and style"
Bruno: "star quality, charisma, sex appeal, natural musicality"
Carrie Ann: "X-factor, fly guy"
Scores: 8, 8, 8
My score: 8

Jamie and Artem and Johnny and Emma were eliminated at the end of the show.
In my opinion, it should have been Johnny and Kareem.
Tanya and Sasha were in the bottom as well. Travesty!

Thanks for reading dance fans!
librarianintx

"Be on Time Chronicles" 4/4/18

There was good and bad news in para-transit land for me yesterday.

The good: I didn't have to ride with my least favorite driver. Or should I say: One of my least favorite drivers. Luckily, I like most of the drivers. There are a few that get on my nerves for various reasons. My usual Tuesday morning driver irritates me because she constantly complains about the traffic and other drivers, laughs at her own joke attempts in an annoying way, and generally has a running stream of consciousness commentary during the ENTIRE trip. It is impossible to drown out this woman with an audio book or music. Her voice is rather loud and shrill. One of my favorite trips was last week, when she spent most of the ride telling the passengers how sick she was, complete with barking coughs and graphic descriptions of her trips to the bathroom. When we arrived at the library, I tried to hold my breath as I exited the vehicle and thanked her, then hurried inside to wash my hands. If I could have hosed myself down with Lysol I would have.

The bad news of yesterday's excursion was that I had a new driver who was pretty much completely lost. He arrived more than twenty minutes after my ride window closed, which means I was waiting nearly an hour. The reason why he was so late? He was following his tablet GPS religiously, as most new drivers do. The problem is, the GPS on these tablets must be from around the time that GPS systems were first invented. Translation: They suck! The GPS says to turn right when you need to turn left. It sends you in all kinds of crazy ass zigzags, circles, and roundabouts. The GPS always becomes confused around my apartment complex. If we are coming from one direction, it says to make a u-turn when we are fifty yards from the destination. From the other direction, it tells us to turn right when the correct answer is left. So this driver was meandering around at 7 am, when it was still dark, trying to find where I live. And unfortunately, most new drivers are too worried about getting in trouble to admit that they're lost.

The situation did not improve once I finally boarded the vehicle. Because then the driver's tablet went on the fritz. Even though the GPS had failed him repeatedly, he was still panicked to lose access to the piece of crap. So for awhile he was repeatedly looking at his tablet, trying to get it to work, tapping various icons and attempting to restart the device. This was all happening while he was DRIVING in heavy traffic ON THE FREEWAY. I wanted to snatch the tablet and toss it out the window.

About halfway to work, the tablet was resurrected and the GPS resumed spewing its useless information. So I made an executive decision and took over GPS duties. Which anyone who knew me years ago would laugh at, because I used to be the worst at giving directions. I was baffled by north, south, east, west, right, left, sideways - all of it. If you asked me how to get from one place to another, I would look at you as if you were speaking a foreign language. But now I can not only give directions, I can actually provide options for different routes! Take that older-than-dirt GPS!

Miracle of miracles, I arrived at work on time (barely), and physically intact (although more than a little harried). So in the end, which was better: annoying female or clueless male driver?

Hard to say.

librarianintx

Season Finale of RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars Season 3 - My Thoughts

For me, last night's finale Drag Race All Stars Season 3 can be summarized in two words:

EPIC FAIL

The finale was right up there with other reality show disastrous reveals:
When Gretchen beat Mondo on "Project Runway."
When Kris Allen bested Adam Lambert on "American Idol."
When Josh won over Paul in "Big Brother."
and again when Marissa was crowned the winner of "Celebrity Big Brother" over Ross.

All painful memories.
Some more recent than others.

Just about everyone who watches a reality show picks a favorite and cheers for them.
So I know there are people out there celebrating this morning that Trixie is now in the Drag Race Hall of Fame.

But I also believe there were many more people cursing at their televisions (or tablets, computers, phones, etc) that Shangela was denied her rightful crown.

All season there have been two front runners on this show:
Shangela and Ben De La Creme (also known as Ben or De La)
Between them, they won the majority of the challenges.
Which meant that they also had the power to eliminate fellow queens from the competition.
And therein lies the problem.

If RuPaul had kept the power for herself, with the final four queens to choose from, I absolutely believe that Shangela would be waking up this morning with the crown and scepter.

But Ru allowed six bitter bitches to eliminate two of the four.
They denied Shangela the opportunity to compete in the final lip sync.
Which she would have slayed of course.

I love De La, but I don't have much sympathy for her.
She didn't win because she quit.
Her choice.
Shangela didn't quit.
She fought and worked until the very end.
She deserves the title.

Luckily, most of the contestants on Drag Race have huge fan bases, and build successful careers for themselves.
Shangela was a star before "All Stars," and a star she will continue to be.
If anything she could shine even brighter, because so many people will feel she was robbed.

Thorgy, Aja, Morgan, Chi Chi, Milk, even De La - y'all might need to be a little worried.
Bitter don't glitter.

librarianintx 

"Be on Time Chronicles" 3/16/18

There is no way to put this delicately.
I almost missed my ride this morning because I had to take a dump.

Para-transit doesn't wait for anything.
Not for meetings that run long.
Not for fire drills at work.
Not for Mother Nature.

And if you miss your ride, you're not guaranteed another one.

I had to make a choice.
Risk an uncomfortable ride...
perhaps even a stomach emergency on the way...
or take of business.

Honestly, my gastrointestinal system decided for me.

Luckily it was a fairly quick process this morning.
But there were housekeeping duties to attend to, if you know what I mean.
And I am a religious hand washer, especially after THAT activity.

Luckily, it all worked out.
The bus WAS outside when I came out of the bathroom.
I don't know when it arrived.
But evidently I was within my five minute window.

My apologies if this post is TMI.
Just telling it like it is.
I am fortunate.
At least I have alternative sources for transportation.
But they all involve spending money...
extra time...
and relying on strangers...
which is always a gamble.
And no transportation is 100% reliable of course. 

I was groggy and shuffling when I first got up.
My eyes would barely stay open. 
Being faced with losing your ride to work and having to pay for alternate transportation wakes you up quick.
I grabbed my bag and moderately sprinted out the door.
Success! (in more than ways than one)

librarianintx

Thirty Day Writing Challenge: A Fruit You Dislike

This is an easy one.
No disrespect to the fruit itself, or to the people who relish it.
I cannot stand coconut.

Just the word makes me shudder.
It's in my top five most hated foods, sharing space with beets, liver, brussel sprouts, and stewed okra and tomatoes (fried okra is perfectly acceptable and I'm a big of fan of tomatoes, but not that slimy concoction that's created from combining the two)

I have never liked coconut, and at this point it's unlikely I ever will.
I would not make it as a contestant on Survivor, when about all you get to eat is coconut, white rice, and occasionally a morsel of fish, unless you win reward challenges.
Of course there are many other reasons why Survivor is not for me: running, diving, climbing, solving puzzles, sunburns, fear of storms, fear of bugs, sleeping outside, being on camera wearing a buff as a shirt / bra, no soap or toothpaste, blindsiding fellow tribe members, the list goes on and on.

I digress.

Coconut is good for you. The fruit is a nutritious source of fiber, vitamins, minerals, and amino acids. It has tons of calcium, potassium, and magnesium, as well as plenty of electrolytes. (I googled it). Plus for people who cut their own coconut (mainly Survivor contestants I would think) getting the shell open is quite a workout. So for people who consume it - good for you! You're eating healthy. I'll be getting my calcium, potassium, and fiber from other sources. And I'll be finding another way to get some exercise.

Now, for the next question:
Is coconut a fruit? 
I sure hope so. 
Otherwise this post was a waste of time, and I have to choose another fruit. 
I can't think of another fruit I dislike more than coconut. 
So hopefully I'm right. 

Back to Google I go!
Okay, I'm in luck!
A coconut is considered a fruit, a nut, and a seed. 
Works for me! 

Still not eating it. Ever.

librarianintx

Thirty Day Writing Challenge: Ageism

Well, obviously I'm against ageism.

My birthday was five days ago. I am 50 now. They used to say that your life is over at 50. The best years are behind you. But now many say that life begins at 50. I think a metamorphosis can occur when you turn 50. There can be a feeling of wanting to get your life balanced, and accomplish the goals you have for your life. That is the way I'm feeling. I feel like I've wasted a lot of my life being sick, afraid of failure, afraid of success, anxious about everything. Now is my time is my new mantra. Stop worrying and live my life.

Do what you enjoy, no matter what age you are. If you're over 50, but you love to roller skate, then roller skate. Don't stop doing it because you think it's an activity just for kids. Do what makes you happy, what keeps you fulfilled and loving life. Cross stitching. Hip hop dancing. Playing the piano. Skiing. Baking. Whatever.

And definitely continue to learn and try new things. That keeps you young: physically, mentally, and emotionally, and gets you excited about life every day. Learn a language. Play a new game. Seek out free classes on topics that interest you. Stay current with technology. Meet new people. Be as physically active as you can. Make taking care of you a top priority: mind, body, and spirit.

NEVER say to yourself:
I'm too old to do this.
or
I'm too old to learn how to do this.

Stay positive
Believe in your abilities
Don't procrastinate
Accomplish your goals - and then come up with new ones
LIVE

It's a cliche, but it's true:
Age is only a number.

Look young.
Act young
Feel young

librarianintx

Thirty Day Writing Challenge: One Book You Loved, and One You Didn't

I don't read as much as I'd like to, and I don't read as much as some of my friends, but I am a pretty avid reader, and I enjoy it very much. I like fiction, non-fiction, biography, young adult, dystopian, and some science fiction.

I cannot pick a very favorite book. That would be too difficult. But I can mention one I didn't like. It is rare for me to give up on a book. I can usually power through it, even if I'm not totally enjoying it. But there is one book that I simply could not get through. No offense to the author, because she is wildly successful, although admittedly controversial. The book is Fifty Shades of Grey.

I'm not a prude. The sex scenes didn't make me stop reading. It was the dialogue. Especially the dialogue of the female lead character. I could not stand her stammering and indecision and self-consciousness. Nearly every page was filled with, "Wow...um...gee..gosh...well...I don't know..." At least that's the way I remember it. I tried to read it a number of years ago, and gave up. I don't recall what chapter I was on, and I don't care enough to go back and look.

I am NOT a literary snob. I don't read many classics. I'm fine with smut. One of my favorite books that I read last year was Tampa by Alissa Nutting. That is one of the dirtiest books I've ever read. But it was an interesting story. The book had flow. It wasn't filled with useless, plodding dialogue between the sex scenes.

I know a lot of people feel the way that I do about the Fifty Shades of Grey series.
But many people also adore the books.
Nothing wrong with that.
Everyone is entitled to their opinion.

There are millions of books out there.
No need to waste your time plodding through something that you don't like.
Move on to another read.

librarianintx

"Be on Time Chronicles" 3/13/18

Attitude isn't everything, but it is important. Attitude can have a big effect on how you deal with a situation. So can humor.

Last Thursday I was at the grocery store after work. I was tired. My ride was late. I had groceries to get into the refrigerator. I was irritated. I called, and was informed by ride would be there is about two minutes.

Luckily it was one of my favorite drivers. He is a nut. We have fun teasing each other. When I saw him, I blamed him for being late, even though we both know it's not his fault. It's the schedule. As I was getting in the vehicle, he said, "I have more bad news for you. We have another pickup."

On any other day, that statement would have made me even more upset than I already was. I live less than a mile from the grocery store. We hardly ever have to pick up someone else; I almost always get dropped off right away. The ride was already late, my groceries needed to get in the refrigerator, I wanted to go home!! But since I was riding with my favorite driver and we have so much fun together, my frustration ebbed away. Plus, I just decided: what can I do about the situation? Can I force him to take me home first? No. He has to follow his manifest. Can I pitch a fit so loud and forceful that he HAS to take me home first? Nope. Can I call Metro, demand to speak to a supervisor, and scream and yell until I get my way? Nada. The schedule is what it is. Occasionally, it can be altered, but not usually. The supervisor and the driver would have simply repeated the Metro Access mantra to me: "THIS IS A SHARED RIDE SERVICE." So what was the point of continuing to be upset?

So we traveled across the freeway and picked up a gentleman at the credit union on the west side of Parmer Lane. We arrived in less than five minutes. On the way, I was entertained with my driver's stories of his recent cruise to Jamaica. When the gentleman we were there for entered the van, I said, "You know, sir, that when you get picked up from a bank you need to have enough cash for everyone in the vehicle." Now, humor can be a very subjective thing. Not everyone "gets" funny. He could have become angry when I said that. Luckily, he had a sense of humor, and we all burst into laughter. He then said, "Next time I'll make my pickup from the KFC across the street." "That won't help you much," I retorted quickly. "Then you'll be expected to have a bucket of chicken for everyone."

I arrived home giggling and less tired than I was fifteen minutes earlier.
The power of humor.
And a positive attitude. 

librarianintx

30 Day Writing Challenge: Tattoos

I don't have any tattoos. Honestly, I'm not a fan of them. I think one or two small ones are okay. But I don't understand covering yourself in tattoos. I don't think most of them are attractive or appealing. Just my opinion.

Having said all that, I have entertained the idea of getting a tattoo, but not seriously. Sometimes I think of doing something that for me would be wild and crazy, but then the feeling passes. I never follow through.

If I did get a tattoo, it would likely be a butterfly. The problem is, I would want it to show of course, so people could see it, but I wouldn't want it to be prominent, or interfere with what I'm wearing. For example, I could get a small tattoo on my ankle, which might look cute when I'm dressed casually in capris pants or a summer dress. But I wouldn't necessarily want the tattoo to show if I was dressed for a wedding or work event. Maybe the tattoo could be covered up with make-up sometimes. I don't know.

Another problem is that I have a low tolerance for pain. I'm a wuss, a weanie. I don't think I could do it. Not even a small one.

So I'm not saying never. But I am saying probably not.

librarianintx

Celebrity Big Brother finale - My Thoughts

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

"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
 

 

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

  

Procrastination

The calendar only says February, so it's too soon to pronounce that I have conquered my sometimes crippling procrastination. I don't think I should ever make that announcement, in fact. Because it could always return. But for now, I'm so pleased to say that I am procrastinating much less than I used to. It hasn't vanished, but it's definitely significantly diminished.

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

"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

"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