poor everyone, except for me

[verbicide]

It's taken me nearly two hours to get home from work tonight. And, the fucking transit Web site isn't always so good about excluding express bus routes from their trip planner. The 6:04 is an express, and apparently so is the 5:19. Nothing more aggravating than rushing out the door only to have the bus blithely skate by while you shake your fists ineffectually.

Grr. Also, not so fun waiting outside while a snow drift forms up one's backside.

But, as slowly as we moved up north, at least the bus got me home. My stop turned out to be the last stop the bus was willing (to be fair, able) to make. The poor driver was told to stop and turn around and not continue up to Shoreline. This left a lot of angry people stranded in Greenwood. (Including a couple of older folks and a cranky lady with a baby who kept yelling about stupid Seattle drivers and how things are different in New York.)

They kept yelling at him. And I can understand that for some of these people, the bus is their only option. They probably don't have someone they can call to come get them, and for some of them, a pricey cab ride isn't an option, either. (It wouldn't have been for me a couple of years ago, either.) They kept yelling at him, which was sad.

We could hear over the radio that buses were stuck up ahead, and trucks were being routed to rescue them, so I'm not sure what the angry mob wanted from him. (Except to take some of their frustration with the transit system for not coming up with a solution for them).

Traffic was backed up forever. Blah.

Still, even the two hours was well worth not having to drive out there. It's very pretty and all, but it sucks when you have to commute in it (in a city that remains wholly unprepared for the very rare snowfall).

Comments

[rimrunner.livejournal.com]

a cranky lady with a baby who kept yelling about stupid Seattle drivers and how things are different in New York

That's cause New York is flat as a pancake.

Seriously, I give Seattle drivers a lot of grief because they're so fucking unpredictable (in D.C., just figure that everyone will drive as aggressively as possible; that said, there is no way I'm getting behind the wheel in Bangkok), but navigating hills in this weather can be nasty. Several years ago I remember watching a bus slide down 6th Avenue, downtown, and that slope wasn't even all that steep.

[verbicide.livejournal.com]

Couldn't agree more. And having seen two buses get stuck on 24th just north of 65th over in Ballard three years ago (about the same level of incline as in Greenwood), I don't blame those guys for knowing their limits.

And NY is a little more prepared for snow than we are.

[rimrunner.livejournal.com]

Oh yes, WINTER STORM 2003!!!

I remember that two buses were stuck on the NE 45th exit, and my bus got re-routed through Ravenna because it couldn't get by. I took one earlier bus than usual and just made it to class on time. Ended up doing a lot of walking on the way home, too.

The really weird thing is that Tacoma and the interstate north to Seattle were completely dry. I didn't see any precip until the 405 interchange. Ahh, Seattle, how I love your microclimates...

[verbicide.livejournal.com]

I don't think I'll ever forget that year, because it was my first year living in Seattle and the entire city was a-buzz about it. Very exciting for Californian me!

The snow definitely gets crazier the more north you head. Everything from the zoo on was blanketed!

[lietya.livejournal.com]

Wow. I don't think you guys have ever had snow when we didn't, before. :) It hasn't even snowed yet *at all* this year! Sorry about that.... It sounds like kind of a nightmare.

[trtle.livejournal.com]

I had to wear a long sleeve t-shirt yesterday...winter sucks! :P

[verbicide.livejournal.com]

*eye roll* You forget that I hate California weather --too monotonous! :)

[verbicide.livejournal.com]

A pain for people with limited resources especially. I felt bad for that bus-load! But if it gets bad here, I can just stay home!

(I like snow --it's still sort of a novelty for me! Also, I don't have a driveway to shovel, etc.)

[trtle.livejournal.com]

We have seasons in these parts...more like 2.5 instead of 4...but still, we have seasons ;)

[verbicide.livejournal.com]

True :) But I like having all 4!

[greyaenigma.livejournal.com]

Augh, that sucks. I had my own troubles getting home, but not that bad.

[trtle.livejournal.com]

I just figured out the 4 we have: perfect, too hot, too cold, raining. My mom and Martin like comparing their childhoods in the snow...I think it's lovely to visit but couldn't deal with it regularly :)