May 16, 2008
This morning, I had my first experience with a panhandler on the OcTranspo bus. She was defiantly a panhandler. I did give her the benefit of the doubt that she was looking for bus fare, but that really wasn’t the case.
I was with A. and wanted to get up to say something to the bus driver, but I wasn’t sure that was the right thing to do… actually to be honest, I wasn’t sure what to do at all.
Right now, I just gave a call to OcTranspo. I thought that I would share this information with you, in case this ever happens to do.
1) If you see (and are sure) a panhandler on the bus. Please notify the bus driver.
2) If the bus driver doesn’t seem to want to do anything about it. Please call their general customer service line (613) 842-3600 and notify them of the situation. They are going to want to know the time, bus number, and direction of the bus.
According to the person that I spoke to, this sort of behavior is not acceptable and should be reported.
Hope this helps you in future situations,
- J.
May 15, 2008
- Cyclists: Why? Because they make it very dangerous driving through downtown in the morning. I am convenience that they have ‘bike meets’ and talk about how un-courteous (sp?) drivers and bus drivers are on the road, mean while, the guys that are complaining. They are probably the ones that are going through red lights, stick between you and the bus on a busy street, leaving plenty of opportunity for you to come in contact with them. This is so frustrating. What actually makes me more frustrated about this, is that if I decide to ride my bicycle downtown, I’ve been told that I have to ride it on the road. Why would I want to ride my bicycle on the road? So that I an risk my life. F*&*%^ that. If and when I do get my pretty bicycle ready for riding, I will not be taking it on the road and will fight it if they give me a ticket about it!
- Coffee Shop: I hate the coffee shop in my building. I have never a more unpleasant bunch in my life. Except for the guy at the cash. He’s pretty nice. This morning I went in and asked if they had a bran muffin, she said no and then started suggesting these other muffins that were available.. that’s fine. I said ‘no’ and asked for a whole wheat bagel. She gave this scowl like ‘ugh. Now I have to do work’ look and put my bagel into the toast. I just participated in an employee survey, I hope that I’m not the only one that mentioned their unpleasantness.
- Hello: When you take the time and effort to say “Hello [insert name here]“ I believe that you would expect them to acknowledge that you took the time to say Hello to them. Well, this morning I said hello to someone that I haven’t seen in a while and she looked right past me. What bothers me the most, is that I said it loud enough so she could hear it.
- Elevators:When you push the up button, the doors open. Don’t push the up button, if you don’t want to get in the elevator. I hate it when I get into an elevator and the doors are just about to close, then someone presses the button to open the doors and doesn’t come in. I am so self-conscious about this, if I see the doors are just about to close for someone. I patiently wait for the doors to close and then press the button for the next set of elevators. Ugh.. Does this happen to anyone else?
- J.
p.s. Still looking for suggestions for what to do in Tremblant and indoors here.
May 14, 2008
On the news this morning, I heard that the Ottawa Rapidz (in case you didn’t know, Ottawa has another baseball leagure coming to town) are having an exhibition game at the Rapidz Stadium (formerly Lynx Stadium) where you can go tonight and watch them. The best part is that it’s free.
Has anyone else heard anything about this? I was thinking about going, but I can’t seem to find anything on their website.
- J.
May 14, 2008
On Friday, we are heading out to Mont-Tremblant for the long weekend. We rented a beautiful cottage some where in the city. The cottage looks beautiful, with full amenities.. oh and don’t forget about the hot tub that comes with it!
The only problem I am finding about Mont-Tremblant is… what is there to do in the city in the Spring/Summer? I’ve never been to Tremblant and I’m wondering, what is there to see? do? I know in the Winter you go skiing and snowboarding, but what about the rest of the months?
The other thing is that the weather isn’t looking so great for us.
Friday: 15c + some sun
Saturday:12c + rain
Sunday: 10c + rain
Monday: 9c + some sun
This isn’t exactly picture perfect weather.
What we were planning on doing in Mont-Tremblant is some hiking, but if it’s really cold and gloomy.. Hiking doesn’t seem like a very good choice of activity. Does anyone have any suggests for indoors activities for 7 people in a cottage?
- J.
May 13, 2008
Last night A. and I started watching Across the Universe. So far we are pretty impressed. We haven’t finished watching the movie, but we love what we have seen so far. My favorite part so far is when Max is singing The Beatles - With a little help from my friends.
Right now, I am looking up reviews for this movie. I want to know what other people thought of this movie. I personally am really confused about some of the parts in the movie. I feel like I would have had to have been on drugs to understand the hippy dippy stuff that was going on and was that Bono from U2 in the movie??
I have a question about one of The Beatles songs too. What does the Strawberry Fields Forever song symbolize? I thought it was about being on some big acid trip with funky beats and colourful illusions, but from what I saw in the movie.. Strawberry Fields looked like blood from the battle field. You can see why I’m confused.
What did you think of the movie Across the Universe?
- J.
May 12, 2008
I’m really confused. I read some where that you could return your Bisphenol A bottles for a refund without receipts. Has anyone done this yet?
I have two of these Rubbermaid endurance water bottles, a Nalgene bottle and one Starbucks water bottle that I would consider returning. If I do return them, I would like some sort of a refund, otherwise I will probably hang on to them.
Today, I would like to purchase a new water bottle. I like the design for the SIGG bottles, but am not stuck on them. Do you have any suggestions for a new water bottle?
- J.
update May 13: I still haven’t purchased one of these water bottles. Does anyone know where to pick one up in the downtown core? Rideau Centre?
Update later May 13: I just purchased this new SIGG bottle: Hopefully I get it before the long weekend. 
Bought it from Curbside Cycle. So far good service, but $10 shipping!
May 12, 2008
Mother’s Day weekend was pretty fun (and relaxing).
My parents arrived on Friday around 8pm. A. was just finishing up the last (visible) bits of renovations when they arrived. We still have a little bit left todo, but nothing really that you would notice right away when you walk in. My parents seemed really happy with all the work A. and I did. Well.. mostly A., because there wasn’t much that I could do, other than mop here, vacuum there.
Saturday, I took my mom to do Body Pump with me at the Vanier Loblaws. I know I know.. I’m so mean. 
I was really impressed with my mom, she made it through the whole class with 2lbs weights on each side. I know that there are parts of Body Pump that aren’t that pleasent, but she kept smiling through out the class. Go mom go!
After our gym class, my mom and I went to the St. Laurent Centre and did some major shopping. My mom needed some work clothing and what a better way to buy clothing, than with your fashion consultant (me!). It was so much fun, I just asked my mom her size and then went around the store picking up this, and that. Eventually we had to stop, because she had too much stuff to try on. By the end of our shopping trip, she got a pretty good bunch for clothing for work.
In the evening, the whole family (plus A.) went out for dinner in the Byward Market. We went to my mom’s favorite patio and spend sometime there. After wards, we walked to Parliment and then to Darcy McGees. What an evening!
We had a lot of fun. Happy Mother’s Day mum. I love you.
- J.
May 9, 2008
My thoughts have gone blank.
I have nothing to write about. This week has been so busy and I’m pretty sure that you’re tired of me talking about that… When I think of something a little more exciting, I’ll make sure to post it here.
Have a good Friday!
- J.
Not that now would be a good time at all to get a new dog or anything.. but I was wondering if anyone had any thoughts on the Airedale Terriers?
