So much has happened since then. Obviously. It's been almost a year, after all. But I spent a portion of today reading through my old blogs. And you know what? I'm kind of a good writer. I made myself laugh and I made myself cry. At least a couple of times each. So I've decided to try to pick it up again.
Things I haven't blogged about:
Wyatt Jesse Camden was born on May 3, 2008
Shawna & Long married on May 17, 2008
Rachel & Ryan married on June 8, 2008
Lily Arwen McKay was born on July 19, 2008 (I blogged this when it happened, but I don't want her to feel left out)
Frankie moved to Vegas (sometime in the summer, I think)
My office moved (finally!) to Burbank on October 31, 2008 (while I was preparing for my wedding!)
Cason Niell Caines was born on November 23, 2008
Heather & John moved to Germany in early March 2009
Benjamin Zeke McKay was born on July 9, 2009
Eva Isabella Rampacek was born on July 12, 2009
I think that's everything of note. Please don't be offended if I've forgotten anything. Just drop me a line and I'll make proper mention of it.
Jason & I celebrate our first wedding anniversary in 23 days!
Since I can't do justice to everything that's happened since my last post, I'm going to start with something that happened very recently.
I started carpooling to work with my dad 3 weeks ago. He works at a company that occupies Hangar One at the Burbank-Bob Hope Airport. Last week, he had to fly to Fairbanks, Alaska on business - Tues am through Tues pm, a week later. I decided to take the train while he was gone, instead of battling traffic by myself.
So I bought a 10-trip ticket for the Metrolink from Union Station to Burbank Airport. Our Transportation Department at work advised that the monthly Metrolink pass allows passage on the Metro light rail & buses, too. I tried to convince myself that the 10-trip pass would work similarly, but I felt a twinge of guilt and fear, so decided to buy tickets at my nearest Metro station. Plus, logically, the Metrolink ticket isn't valid until, well, validated, and I couldn't do that until I got to Union Station.
So Wednesday morning last week, the first day of my train riding adventures, I drove to the Sierra Madre Villa station, parked, and approached a ticket kiosk. I had done my research. Buying one-way tickets for each trip was cheaper than buying a day pass (only saves money after 4 boardings). While working my way through the one-way ticket purchase, I spied a handy little key for "multiple tickets." Thinking I've got it all figured out, I hit that button and selected 8 one-way tickets - 2 per day, 4 days - check. I swiped my card (swope? what's the proper conjugation here?!), the machine printed and spit out my tickets, and I boarded the Gold Line to Union Station.
As I was riding, I glanced at the tickets I'd just purchased. They ALL expired at 7:47 am on Wednesday September 30. I paid $10 for 8 one-way tickets that all expired at the same time! It was then I realized what a tricky little bugger that "multiple tickets" key was! So, sighing, I put all 8 soon-to-expire tickets in my wallet. I decided I would keep them and ride without buying another. The intent was there, I figured, as well as the fact that I had theoretically already paid for 8 trips. I settled in and continued to ride without worry.
All that changed on Monday morning.
I boarded the 6:00 am Gold Line train at Sierra Madre Villa station as per usual. I selected a seat facing the front of the train. I took out my book and began to read. Several stops later, quite a few people boarded and the train car got a little noisy and crowded. As it started to move again, I heard "All right, folks! Let's see your passes!" I peeked out of the corner of my eye.
A Sheriff's Deputy!
I felt my face flush red and I suddenly got very warm. I slowly put my book down and fumbled in my purse for my wallet. I began rehearsing my story in my head while the tickets kept slipping through my fingers. Finally, I had all 8 tickets in my hand and I looked up - penitently, I hoped - to present my passes and explanation to the Deputy.
He wasn't there!
I looked around in a bit of panic. Had I imagined it? Was he hiding behind me? No.... He was at the front of the train car, reading a pamphlet. He exited at the next stop.
He never once glanced at me.
That afternoon, I bought a ticket for the ride home.
Eva Isabella Rampacek was born on July 12, 2009
I think that's everything of note. Please don't be offended if I've forgotten anything. Just drop me a line and I'll make proper mention of it.
Jason & I celebrate our first wedding anniversary in 23 days!
Since I can't do justice to everything that's happened since my last post, I'm going to start with something that happened very recently.
I started carpooling to work with my dad 3 weeks ago. He works at a company that occupies Hangar One at the Burbank-Bob Hope Airport. Last week, he had to fly to Fairbanks, Alaska on business - Tues am through Tues pm, a week later. I decided to take the train while he was gone, instead of battling traffic by myself.
So I bought a 10-trip ticket for the Metrolink from Union Station to Burbank Airport. Our Transportation Department at work advised that the monthly Metrolink pass allows passage on the Metro light rail & buses, too. I tried to convince myself that the 10-trip pass would work similarly, but I felt a twinge of guilt and fear, so decided to buy tickets at my nearest Metro station. Plus, logically, the Metrolink ticket isn't valid until, well, validated, and I couldn't do that until I got to Union Station.
So Wednesday morning last week, the first day of my train riding adventures, I drove to the Sierra Madre Villa station, parked, and approached a ticket kiosk. I had done my research. Buying one-way tickets for each trip was cheaper than buying a day pass (only saves money after 4 boardings). While working my way through the one-way ticket purchase, I spied a handy little key for "multiple tickets." Thinking I've got it all figured out, I hit that button and selected 8 one-way tickets - 2 per day, 4 days - check. I swiped my card (swope? what's the proper conjugation here?!), the machine printed and spit out my tickets, and I boarded the Gold Line to Union Station.
As I was riding, I glanced at the tickets I'd just purchased. They ALL expired at 7:47 am on Wednesday September 30. I paid $10 for 8 one-way tickets that all expired at the same time! It was then I realized what a tricky little bugger that "multiple tickets" key was! So, sighing, I put all 8 soon-to-expire tickets in my wallet. I decided I would keep them and ride without buying another. The intent was there, I figured, as well as the fact that I had theoretically already paid for 8 trips. I settled in and continued to ride without worry.
All that changed on Monday morning.
I boarded the 6:00 am Gold Line train at Sierra Madre Villa station as per usual. I selected a seat facing the front of the train. I took out my book and began to read. Several stops later, quite a few people boarded and the train car got a little noisy and crowded. As it started to move again, I heard "All right, folks! Let's see your passes!" I peeked out of the corner of my eye.
A Sheriff's Deputy!
I felt my face flush red and I suddenly got very warm. I slowly put my book down and fumbled in my purse for my wallet. I began rehearsing my story in my head while the tickets kept slipping through my fingers. Finally, I had all 8 tickets in my hand and I looked up - penitently, I hoped - to present my passes and explanation to the Deputy.
He wasn't there!
I looked around in a bit of panic. Had I imagined it? Was he hiding behind me? No.... He was at the front of the train car, reading a pamphlet. He exited at the next stop.
He never once glanced at me.
That afternoon, I bought a ticket for the ride home.
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1 comment:
You made me laugh! When I lived in Linz I always bought my monthly tram pass. Some of my co-workers would risk it and never bought tickets - but I would have been a nervous wreck through every ride! It was worth buying the ticket for the peace of mind. :)
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