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Not a blowup, just a pout.
Mar. 23rd, 2006 12:14 amI promised the next post would be a brilliant essay.
Some other day.
Just feeling frustrated.
1) Feel like....no, KNOW...that I am wasting money everytime I miss taking my morning train, or schedule my life so that I have to take the car for events afterwards.
For those that don't know (and I assumed most people knew, but damned if there isn't always someone suprised by where I live and how I get there)....
I work in Davis, and live in Fairfield. 40 minutes, door to door folks. I started taking the train in 2004. Various reasons, some other time. Environment, gas prices, car maintenance. My back, my reading.
Cost: Payroll deducts $80 from my paycheck, pre tax. Then then give me a $100 voucher to bring to Amtrak. Which I do, and then give an additional $70. That's $150.00 a month to ride the train. About $7.30 a day. Which is better than if I did it directly through Amtrak, at $9.00....one way. Yes, from Fairfield to Davis. $18.00 round trip.
So, if I don't train, I waste $7.30 a day. Use up the gas on a '94 Mercury tracer, which is often loaded down with crap. And pay $6.00 a day for parking. (Well, it depends on what time I get to Davis. If I leave early, I MIGHT still find a parking space at Amtrak, and I have a permit. But that really should be used by people taking the train...and they usually have it filled up by then. OR, now, if I have time, I park at the 4th & G parking structure, pay $3.00 and and then hoof it to Dutton.
And it aggravates me know end, if I have these spates of mornings where I'm trying to catch up on one last project before running out to the car to get to the Suisun station....KNOWING that I should not trust I'm looking at the right time, or that something won't go wrong in the morning to delay me. I learned this yesterday. Even if you think you have 15 mintues to spare....you won't. You only have time to spare if all your gear is near the front door, ready to roll. Because the cats will find time to spill their water bowl, or you've got to clean up spousal units breakfast dishes so the cats don't get there first.
Something will happen. And then you will feel like a disorganized, airheaded creature incapable of being a responsible adult. And feel like a jerk for the rest of the morning.
2)BUT....
Since 2004, Amtrak controls my time. In the morning, the rush feels annoying and stressful. But it's the evening. It's not having had time to stop off at my friend Mira's place....because she and the horses live in Dixon out on the farm roads. And I can't meet her for cheap tacos....because I can't get to the labs on old davis road and back in time.
Last summer I hardly hung out in the Arboretum. That's sacrilage.
And I keep to the schedule of always meeting the train. I can't stay past 8:30pm anywhere, else I can't get home. And yes, many have offered to give me a place to crash....but you can't keep saying to folks "Oh, by the way, I need a last minute place to crash tonight....can I impose?" That gets old.
And you have to pack toiletries, and a few 'changes in the overload backpack. And why is is overloaded? Because I can't leave things stashed out in my car, and run out to the parking lot at lunch. There's times I've brought paperwork, or craft work with me....and hesitated to hang out after work anywhere, because I look like a damned packmule. And feel like one. And it's a drag taking a train to ease your back....and you just end up carrying more stuff.
(Yeah, I know, don't carry more stuff.)
I hate finding out about stuff last minute, and can't go---because events run late. Or wanting to meet with folks, or arrange to hang out with pryanksters....and I can't, because I've got a train that doesn't run late at night. Stupid government train. And no buses tween Solano and Davis. (Last leaves shortly after 5 or 5:30pm)
*****************
I want to get my stuff organized this weekend. Find toiletries to keep at work (yes, I *do* occasionally use hair tools and hair drugs....and yes, I own a makeup kit!). I want to keep two sets of each kit, one for work, and once for home and weekends. No more lugging kits, however small. Toiletries and maybe some overnight stuff in a small bag in my desk drawer. And bring the spring jogging bag back to work, with my favorite sneakers. I need playdates and slumber parties. Even on school nights. Occasionally. Not often.
I WANT OUT. Last time I was at the Delta was watching some blonde beat a drum for Culann's Hounds. I've never sat at Mishka's after work. Cafe Roma, maybe twice.
Some other day.
Just feeling frustrated.
1) Feel like....no, KNOW...that I am wasting money everytime I miss taking my morning train, or schedule my life so that I have to take the car for events afterwards.
For those that don't know (and I assumed most people knew, but damned if there isn't always someone suprised by where I live and how I get there)....
I work in Davis, and live in Fairfield. 40 minutes, door to door folks. I started taking the train in 2004. Various reasons, some other time. Environment, gas prices, car maintenance. My back, my reading.
Cost: Payroll deducts $80 from my paycheck, pre tax. Then then give me a $100 voucher to bring to Amtrak. Which I do, and then give an additional $70. That's $150.00 a month to ride the train. About $7.30 a day. Which is better than if I did it directly through Amtrak, at $9.00....one way. Yes, from Fairfield to Davis. $18.00 round trip.
So, if I don't train, I waste $7.30 a day. Use up the gas on a '94 Mercury tracer, which is often loaded down with crap. And pay $6.00 a day for parking. (Well, it depends on what time I get to Davis. If I leave early, I MIGHT still find a parking space at Amtrak, and I have a permit. But that really should be used by people taking the train...and they usually have it filled up by then. OR, now, if I have time, I park at the 4th & G parking structure, pay $3.00 and and then hoof it to Dutton.
And it aggravates me know end, if I have these spates of mornings where I'm trying to catch up on one last project before running out to the car to get to the Suisun station....KNOWING that I should not trust I'm looking at the right time, or that something won't go wrong in the morning to delay me. I learned this yesterday. Even if you think you have 15 mintues to spare....you won't. You only have time to spare if all your gear is near the front door, ready to roll. Because the cats will find time to spill their water bowl, or you've got to clean up spousal units breakfast dishes so the cats don't get there first.
Something will happen. And then you will feel like a disorganized, airheaded creature incapable of being a responsible adult. And feel like a jerk for the rest of the morning.
2)BUT....
Since 2004, Amtrak controls my time. In the morning, the rush feels annoying and stressful. But it's the evening. It's not having had time to stop off at my friend Mira's place....because she and the horses live in Dixon out on the farm roads. And I can't meet her for cheap tacos....because I can't get to the labs on old davis road and back in time.
Last summer I hardly hung out in the Arboretum. That's sacrilage.
And I keep to the schedule of always meeting the train. I can't stay past 8:30pm anywhere, else I can't get home. And yes, many have offered to give me a place to crash....but you can't keep saying to folks "Oh, by the way, I need a last minute place to crash tonight....can I impose?" That gets old.
And you have to pack toiletries, and a few 'changes in the overload backpack. And why is is overloaded? Because I can't leave things stashed out in my car, and run out to the parking lot at lunch. There's times I've brought paperwork, or craft work with me....and hesitated to hang out after work anywhere, because I look like a damned packmule. And feel like one. And it's a drag taking a train to ease your back....and you just end up carrying more stuff.
(Yeah, I know, don't carry more stuff.)
I hate finding out about stuff last minute, and can't go---because events run late. Or wanting to meet with folks, or arrange to hang out with pryanksters....and I can't, because I've got a train that doesn't run late at night. Stupid government train. And no buses tween Solano and Davis. (Last leaves shortly after 5 or 5:30pm)
*****************
I want to get my stuff organized this weekend. Find toiletries to keep at work (yes, I *do* occasionally use hair tools and hair drugs....and yes, I own a makeup kit!). I want to keep two sets of each kit, one for work, and once for home and weekends. No more lugging kits, however small. Toiletries and maybe some overnight stuff in a small bag in my desk drawer. And bring the spring jogging bag back to work, with my favorite sneakers. I need playdates and slumber parties. Even on school nights. Occasionally. Not often.
I WANT OUT. Last time I was at the Delta was watching some blonde beat a drum for Culann's Hounds. I've never sat at Mishka's after work. Cafe Roma, maybe twice.
