My new job

I heard last night on the news that the gas prices soared again. Up twenty cents here overnight - now at $2.59 a gallon. Makes me want to complain, but then I think of my friends in Germany who have it worse.

So I told myself then and there that I have got to stop taking advantage of the luxury of sleeping just a little longer and waiting till the last minute to leave and DRIVE to the train station, which is only one mile away. Yes, I would walk, but it's hot and not fun to wear sweat all day. From now on, every mile counts, and I'm sure I waste more gas starting my truck for that short drive.

There is a bus stop right outside the apartment, so I've paid attention to when it comes - usually only a couple of minutes before the scheduled train departure, but later than when I usually leave to drive to the station. So, it's natural that it makes me nervous to take it, not knowing for sure if it will get there in time.

I got out there in plenty of time this morning. There was another lady waiting also. She takes the bus to the train every day. We waited and talked, and I could tell she was getting nervous because she kept looking at the time on her cell phone. She went on to say that the bus driver is more likely late on Fridays because the cops are out in full force on Fridays, and he told her they will stop even him. Sounds to me like the route times need to be tweaked just a bit.

Inevitably, we heard the horn of the train off in the distance before we saw the big yellow bus. There was no hope - we were going to miss it. In fact we heard the next horn indicating it was leaving the station, and still no bus. She told me her car was down at the station - she had left it there last night. I told her I could not wait for the next train and that I could give her a ride there if she wanted. She thought I meant to work and she immediately offered me 5 bucks to take her, saying that her inspection sticker was expired and she didn't want to drive. Caught me off guard for a moment, but I assessed the situation. We had just been talking for about 10 minutes now, she seems like a nice lady, she's honorable enough not to drive when her inspection is expired, it would offset my cost of driving into school - exactly what I tried so hard to avoid this morning... hmm... I guess that would be okay. So I agreed and we crossed the street to go get my truck. Just then we saw the bus. But it was too late.

So I took her into downtown, only 5 miles out of my way altogether. Not a bad thing. And I did not have class today. I told her I felt weird taking her money. She insisted. It will cover my trip, which now costs 3 DOLLARS! That's the extent of my complaining, at least for now. So look out for Karen's Truck Taxi anytime you are left standing at the bus stop. I think I may remember this next time the wallet gets empty. Hee hee. In the meantime, maybe I'll ride my bike to the station and carry it on the train. A little more cumbersome, but we'll see. It would only take a few minutes to ride the mile and I wouldn't sweat as much as I would walking.

Oh, and I saw it, with my own two eyes... the sign said 2.59/2.69/2.79. Unbelievable!