57. ZipCar

I've talked with Deb a couple of times on the bus. She teaches math at a vocational school in Tacoma, commuting from Seattle, using the same bus-bike strategy that I do. Her car is up for sale. She thinks she may sign up with ZipCars, which allows use of car for $50 annual membership and then $10 dollars an hour, insurance and gas included. I can't imagine living without a car, even though I can go a couple of weeks without driving anywhere (alone, anyway, in the city on weekend errands, my wife is the driver). So I'm impressed with Deb's impending dive into the world of non-car ownership.

56. Clueless in Seattle

"Are we in downtown Seattle?" asks a young woman riding on the Tacoma-Seattle express. Buildings rising 40-50 stories line the bus route as she asks.
"Yes, he replies," we're in downtown Seattle.
"Can you tell me where the McDonald's is?"
"Which McDonalds?
"Well just let me off here."
"Wait a minute," the driver and I reply in unison.

We tell her there's a McDonalds near Westlake Center, but that is still several stops away. She stays on. Turns out that there are six McDonalds downtown, so when she asks directions on the street, who knows where she will end up. I hope she has return fare.

55. AAUGH!

Day off Monday, so I stay up late, close to midnight, get up late, around 8 and wander upstairs to look at emails and stuff. Thinking that I don't want to return to work on Tuesday with an overflowing inbox, I log onto my office work station and whoa! I see I have a full day schedule; I'm supposed to meet someone in 15 minutes. I call in to let them know I'm coming, put on clothes and drive in, an hour late, but at least I'm there.

Yes, I DRIVE in to work. Just three months into the year, I've lost my 100% public transportation award. I'm devastated. I should have called in sick.