So you know what sucks?

When your relatively new (to you) car completely sucks out on the Saturday afternoon of the long weekend, just after all the dealerships have closed at noon.

Yeah.

Apparently, there'e somehting wrong with the ignition cylinder - whatever the hell that means. It's mechanical, as opposed to electrical because it got progressively worse. Progressively worse to the point where when I wanted to use it, I couldn't even get the key to go into the ignition all the way. And when I stubbornly sat in the car (with both front doors wide open to catch a breeze) - and wiggled and jiggled and jimmied and played with the key until it did slide into the ignition - then it slid in and wouldn't turn or get out again.

And that annoying beeping noise in your car when you have the doors open and key in the ignition? Yeah, that totally helped me keep my cool.

So now it's Sunday, of the last long weekend of the summer and we're stuck at home. With a bum car and an impending bill that we've been promised will be at least $300. Just after the $900 vet bill we paid last week.

Awesome.

Not about working out

So I can’t bite my tongue any longer.

How on Earth was China chosen to be the host country for the 2008 Olympics?

When the very document that the IOC holds most holy dictates that no country that willfully contravenes human rights should EVER be granted the so-called privilege of hosting the Olympics?

How on Earth can self-respecting nations that represent and protect human rights across the globe, like say Canada, attend the Olympics in China?

By going, by sending our athletes to participate in event, aren’t we endorsing the actions of China? Aren’t we at the very least saying, “well, it’s not that bad”? For what? The sake of competition?

Sorry, but that’s just not acceptable.

We stand by and watch as China spent months “cleaning” up Beijing of political dissidents, never mind the ongoing human rights violations that happen on a daily basis. They trade with Darfur. Remember them? Hundreds of thousands dead and dying every day and China trades with them. No wrong there, right? Locals have direct instructions from the government not to discuss politics, religion or other issues with foreigners, because “it will upset them.” Now they’ve censored reporting that doesn’t “accurately” portray China and Beijing online.

And what, we’re surprised?

The Canadian athletes that are going have been asked to comment, and overwhelmingly, their response has been: this isn’t the forum to discuss the politics of China. I’m just going to compete.

What?!

When else do these people have a GLOBAL stage from which to shout out against the wrong? When else do they have the potential to influence thousands of Canadian kids, to tell them that it is never okay to stand by while human rights and free speech are violated?

When they parade during the opening ceremonies, waving our flag in an open admission that China is being honoured, privileged, forgiven for it's atrocious behaviour, how can it look like anything but endorsement when our government sends our athletes to compete next week?

I am so, so disappointed in our athletes and in my government right now.

Day 2

I think my problem is that I expect too much. I'm so disappointed in my current range of abilities right now, and I KNOW that it only gets better, it only gets easier. I know this. But still. It's hard to be all, it's okay!, when you can barely do 10 straight minutes on the elliptical, you know?

I did 15 minutes on the elliptical and I wanted to straight out die. Just get off the machine, lie down on the gym floor and expire. So I switched to the treadmill and did a steady climb for another 10 minutes. It's still 25 minutes of cardio, which isn't bad - not great either - but I need to get to the point where I can do 30-40 minutes straight. Cardio blows.

You should hear me though. If I haven't good really good music (at about 22 minutes in, I broke out the Nine Inch Nails. It was necessary.), then I'll just mutter under my breath to myself. I'll swear and complain and whine - just about anything to distract myself from the fact that my eyeballs are sweating. My trainer used to howl with laughter. Ha ha.

I'm not sure why I loathe cardio so so much. It's not the sweating per se. It's more the constant feeling of too much. I'm breathing too hard, my heart's beating too hard, it's just not a comfortable state of being...

Weights on the other hand, I cuold do all day. I love the feeling of pushing yourself to the limit of good form. The satisfaction of moving up to different weight, finishing a set. It's slow and steady improvement - and no, I'm not where I'd like to be there either - tangible results.

At any rate, we'll try again on Thurdsday...

Dude.

I totally just worked out. I woke up at 4.50 am, went into work and took a 7 am spin class and now I feel...

Well, I feel thirsty and sore.

But I worked out.

Their Response

Dear Tal:

Thank you for your comments regarding your experience on our Hamilton
QEW Express bus service.

GO Transit strives to ensure that all employees provide excellent
customer service to all its passengers.

We are pleased when customers take the time to forward positive comments
about the service they received.

Your words of praise will be forwarded to the driver and his
professionalism will be acknowledged by his supervisor.

Sincerely,

Customer Service Representative

Letter to GO Transit

I was a passenger on the 18.35 QEW Express trip to Hamilton last night and I would like to set the record straight.

Our driver made a mistake. He took a wrong turn and we took a little longer then usual getting onto the Gardiner than is usual.

I am absolutely ashamed of the behaviour of some of my fellow passengers. I hope that they never have the bad fortune to make a mistake in front of 50+ people, so that they don't have to endure the jeering and shouted criticism that our driver did.

Certainly, we were all tired and eager to get home, but there is no excuse for that behaviour, and I would like to extend my sincere thanks to our driver for getting us home safely, as well as my sincere regrets that many of my fellow passengers felt it acceptable to behave in such a rude manner.

I hope that this email expresses the respect that I (and many of the people around me on the bus last night) have for the drivers who get us to and from work everyday. I would hate for the unkind words and gestures of a few passengers to negatively impact this particular driver, as he behaved - in all ways - in professional and respectful manner.

Please convey my gratitude to this driver.

Thank you.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Actual letter I sent to GO Transit this morning. I lost my cool on the bus last night with the ignorant assholes who couldn't seem to get it through their thick heads that freaking out at the poor, flustered driver wasn't going to get them home any faster. Neither was talking about him on their cellphones, loudly, right behind him.

Ooooooh.

My friend Taryn (who I met commuting), pointed out that these people have clearly forgotten that they ride public transit. GO is so great that you do forget. But it is public transit. These drivers are not our personal chauffeurs. This is their job, and sometimes you screw up on the job. Sometimes, you make mistakes.

The lack of compassion, of understanding, of basic effing kindness really bugged me. Obviously.

Who's world could you change?

So I saw this commercial yesterday evening, and I literally started to well up. It was really emotional for me, for some reason, to see that little penguin flying through the air peacefully with his little wings flapping. Imagine the joy in his heart. And then imagine hang gliding with an emu. Heh.

I have *no* idea why I can't upload the whole damn video here, but I can't. Just click the link. It'll make you happy.