ldglns's Xanga

My Complaint to Metro..again..complete with Monster Truck Reference

Tue, 01 Jul 2008 19:48:25 GMT

I so tire of riding the bus, but I do it becuase I am environmentally pc.

Thus, here is my latest tirade:

The D6 for 709 am never showed. This made me miss my connecting bus in Columbia Heights, the H1. I am so sick of the gross incompetence of metro I could spit. Your service is unreliable, at best and makes me want to go out and buy a Monster Truck so I could drive to your offices, turn the exhaust towards the doors and rev it up. Why is the D6 never on time? What is the deal with you people? Maybe it's because you drive your cute little gas guzzlers from your house to work and don't worry about anything. I'd like to see the whole flock of you twats catch a bus one day and see if you experience the pain and suffering that I experience; especially on the rainy, cold days when no one shows up and you are standing outside with a freezing 5 year old. Metro, before you decide to place another add or apologize for my inconvience, try this, buy watches, set them to the military clock and get the idiot savant bus drivers out on time. Teach the train drivers how not to close doors on people and try to be considerate. I could careless if you are having a bad day as my day and life could trump all of you together anyday.

I said it before and I will reiterate that I can train a one armed blind monkey to run the ENTIRE metro system better than your people now.

Open Mouth...tumbleweeds fall out?

Wed, 28 May 2008 01:01:56 GMT

So, I was riding the bus last week and I am always on the prowl looking for other folks I can practice Spanish with. Excluding said boyfriend that speaks more of a 'street style' spanish and baby daddy says that said boyfriend's spanish makes him sound 'stupid'. Back to the search, I'm on the prowl.

Then, I get on the H1 and there he is, only unknown to or by me. Tall, decent looking brotha...hold up, check the outfit, he is a Metro Supervisor and he is training the bus driver. Oh..hum...then he opens his mouth and out comes the best spanish I have ever heard a brotha speak in my entire life. I was sitting there grinning like a FOOL, thinking of clever little things I could say to him before I get off the bus:

I love the way the language caresses your tongue.

Do you take command in relationships the same way you do with your lingusitic skills?

And so on and so forth, until I'm so far recessed in my mind that my stupidity knows no bounds. Snapped back to reality by strange guy sneezing across from me (Bless you-I whisper, through grins and dimples), I'm checking out said brothaman who is talking to a woman in spanish. What I learned: He's single (praise Jebus!), he learns by listening (oh my God, me too) and talking to people (oh Sweet Baby Jebus of all the Heavens...this man is for me) and he would like to know if there are any people of color wherever this chick comes from. She replies yes, there are lots more morenos in South and Central America than you would believe. (Honey, this I know...let's just say have a gooood hard look at Tego Calderon. Long. Hard. Look.)

She gets off the bus and I sit there still trying to think, like I'm an idiot!! Oh God, what am I gonna say. Okay, attempt to make eye contact. Damn! Woman stands in my line of sight, I can't see him. Okay, we're gonna be okay, he stands up to offer his seat (Sweet Jesus a gentleman too!!). Better view, work up the nerves, T, what are you gonna say. Open my mouth and blow a spit bubble is what I do. Yes, dumbass me.

Okay, regain composure, no one saw that. Just make like it didn't happen. Then, I look up and my stop is coming up rapidly. Thinkthinkthinkthink...then comes the super dumbest 20 second conversation in the history of words, "You speak spanish really well."

"Oh do you speak spanish?" He asks me. I nod.

"Por supesto," I reply. Doors open and I must get off the bus.

"¿Como apprendiste?" He shouts.

I turn around and grin, "Oh, mi ex novio es del Salvador!"

Ladies and gentlemen, the dumbest conversation in the history of words.

Monday...Monday

Mon, 12 May 2008 13:23:22 GMT

Craptastic Mother's Day. thank you for wishing me one. couldn't talk to my other two kids as father is an ass. current beau spent time running errands for other people, which i will put an end to today. watched 1 good movie (hitman-yeah i said it) and 1 bad movie (dragon wars, i shoulda known something was up when the title came up d-wars).

listening to a cd made by younger sis. read a book on altars and spirtual places on the bus, only to realize that these were pretentious people who had no clue and just thought collecting shit was cute. urgh! even when i want to make changes in my life, i can't. must remain positive.

family member is sick, so god hates me. no no, this is understood. went to too many funerals last year and i just can't deal with another nervous breakdown. was super depressed but got over that, so i'm fine now, i think. taking meds, doing okay. no staff meeting today but it's raining like a bitch here (ark anyone?)

obama caught hiliary who finally went back on her meds and was like, you know, i think i may actually lose.

would rather be at home, in bed, blankets covering me, sleeping OR doing yoga OR reading alone, in my house, thinking about how much i'd like to clean it up but won't do shit.

Do They Know What They Are Doing?

Fri, 25 Apr 2008 12:50:26 GMT

I had a doctor's appointment for S yesterday. Here's how it went.

2:07 Arrive at Doctor's office for 2:30 appointment

2:44 Question the receptionist why every person that has come in after me gets to go in before me. Was told to talk to Nurses Station. They stood around looking like Duh as I spoke.

3:25 Was called back to get checked in. Had height, weight, blood pressure taken by a nurse who drooled. Yes drooled. She had someone else set up to do eye and ear test.

3:35 Eye/ear test nurse was testy. Nothing was working. She was pissed. I'm just gonna put you in a room.

3:47 Was put into a separate room, told to wait for doctor who came in within a few minutes.

4:05 Was told there was a special clinic for DS Kids at the hospital. Did not know about that, so that was a surprise. Was given bad information about coming back for TB Test on Saturday. Needed to return on Sunday.

4:15 Sent up to Blood lab for Lead testing after S got 2 shots.

4:37 Catch free shuttle to Mass Ave to go home

5:06 D6 Bus comes late or intermittently, I don't know anymore.

So Does This Mean Shittier Service?

Wed, 23 Apr 2008 12:58:17 GMT

So, I'm checking WTOP news for updates, between accounting, and run across this. I take it this means instead of waiting 20-30 minutes for a D6 bus home, I have to wait 40-60 minutes (which is the norm on a cold day). Now instead of the idiot ghetto girl answering the phone, I have to deal with the idiot, untrained girl that needs to put me on hold to ask her manager 'sumfin'.

God, somedays I really hate DC.

Metro shake-up: New program promotes young workers

April 23, 2008 - 8:22am

Adam Tuss, WTOP Radio

WASHINGTON -- Metro's General Manager John Catoe plans to shake up the transit agency with a new program that promotes workers -- some with just one year of experience -- into high level positions, WTOP has learned.

Metro faces a serious challenge with its workforce. Nearly 30 percent of the transit agency's 10,000 employees will be eligible for retirement in 2010.

Some within the agency say it is time to ditch the stodgy, bureaucratic system that often characterizes D.C. offices, including Metro, and make a move toward younger, fresher ideas.

Agency documents show the program is called the Senior Leadership Development Program. As described in a Metro memo, it would be a "12 to 18 month intense leadership development cycle with the goal being direct placement in a director/general superintendent level position." [Translation, who can suck up the fastest, having been there the shortest amount of time]

That means that after going through the program, a recent college graduate working for Metro could be catapulted into a position just under Metro's Assistant General Manager Gerald Francis, the second in command.

Metro officials say there is a feeling in the agency that newer, fresher thinking has to be more of a focus. [translation-we can bend them into anything we want to]

Higher level officials also have complained about the layers of management that often have to be dealt with just to get answers, or make final decisions on projects.

Competition is expected to be fierce for the positions, however. Metro will pick no more than 10 people to fill the high-powered roles.

And it is a risk. Employees who go through the extensive training will have their old positions filled, without the promise of making it to a high level position at the end.

A statement from Catoe to employees reads, "We all win when challenges and opportunities are shared."

Beneath the main statement was a picture of him giving employees the finger and the words, "Nah nah nah!"

The Day That May Not Exist

Wed, 26 Mar 2008 13:16:18 GMT

I was getting my coffee today at Borders and I was talking to my favorite Barista, Jean, about the day that may not exist. This is that day:

The night before I have reserved the Zipcar that is less than a 5 minute walk from my house. I can pick that up after breakfast. I wake up at 7 and get myself and S dressed. I have a small breakfast of turkey sausage and pancakes. I take her to daycare and go to a Yoga class. Come home, wash, dry and put up the laundry. Take all the plastic off the windows, clean the floors. Go to Target, IKEA, Linens and Things and Bath and Body Works and they are all FULLY STOCKED!! Drop off some stuff at Public Storage. Balance checkbook to the penny. Wait, try on size 8 pants and they fit with a little bit of give, yes, a little. Head back to the house. Study a little, start prepping dinner. Go to grocery store, possibly go to Amish market early in the morning-yeah forgot about that one. AND go to Trader Joes and it's nice.

So, I get home, all the bills are paid, house smells fresh, flowers on the table, fajitas marinating, salad has been made and I study for awhile. Go pick up S at 4/430. Drop car off, come home and play with her for a bit. Eat dinner at 530. How awesome, no? Get refund check in the mail from IRS!! Alright! S takes a bath without a problem, goes to bed, sans problem. I'm finished with all my homework for class, so I decide to watch a movie, maybe Hot Fuzz or I Am Legend (sorry T3, but I loved that movie and the book). Watch a New Episode of the Justice League and The Batman. Hit the sack at about midnight, but I don't have to wake up until 8-9 the next day, so it's all good.

This day may not exist, but I will try to make it happen.

What The Problem With Some of Us Is...

Thu, 20 Mar 2008 22:53:14 GMT

When I say Us, I mean Black people, people of color, African American or what have you. In school we have always been taught to be the best, to strive for more, but when you learn to speak well, conduct business or affairs in a professional manner, then, you are too white.

So, you learn to code switch, like myself. When dealing with x group of people, you talk like x; when dealing with y group you talk like y. However, I'm tired of this game. I really am tired of it. I'm tired of ignorance and the like.

I got a few things I need to get off my chest:

1. Barack Obama ain't black enough-Please black people, shut up. Day day from the hood, with a felony record ain't gonna get elected President. Here we have a true black brotha, with the blood of Africa in his veins...and with the blood of white running through him as well (like most of yall, so don't tell me it's not true, if you were born on American soil, you have a more than 95% chance of being related or having white relatives as well as Africans, so shut the FUCK up) This is what kills me, we can not be pleased. He's not black enough but if he got up there with sagging pants and talking like he stupid, then of course you'd vote for him because you can relate. But he would never get elected. Argh, sometimes, I really want to become my own race of species.

2. Just because I date Latino guys, doesn't mean that I only date Latino guys. Black guys like skinny girls with long hair, every guy wants a chick they can walk over. Maybe I'm bitter, but don't accuse me of dating only one race, when you know the fuck better. Again, this is me defending myself because some folks are just too stupid to see the forest for the trees. I speak 4 languages, come on, do I date someone that speaks some click tongue dialect only because I can't but he's black? But then again, he may be African, which is not black enough for some of you, so fuck off.

3. Kids with Down Syndrome are just like regular kids, they just take longer to learn stuff. Understand that and don't give me that down trodden look whenever you see me and my kid out in public. She is the most awesome thing that has happened to me in a long time and I can definitely appreciate her point of view. No, I don't want to put her in a Special School with Special Kids like her, not just yet. I want to try her out in inclusion, but that's none of your business anyway, I just thought you should know.

4. Stop making tired jokes and beating them into the ground about other races of folks. Like I said, I'm sick of all this shit. Oh yeah and don't tell me I live in the hood and it's too hoody for you and your partner just because more than 3 black folks live on the same block. I recall that last time I came over to your spot, I had to chain my door shut and run for the house, while ducking bullets. Your kid got jumped for Godssakes and you talk about my area? The only thing that has happened over here is that I saw a drunk man walking a dog. Hilariousness.

5. Can somebody at fucking WMATA get a fucking D6 bus to run on time? I was waiting outside for a half hour in a wind so strong that it took my breath away. My face is still cold and I've been home for over an hour.

thank you and kiss my ass.

Dyed, Fried and Laid to the Side

Wed, 19 Mar 2008 12:39:34 GMT

My hair and I have had a good/bad relationship. It has been short, long, natural, permed, weaved, colored, spiked...the whole nine. That's why this morning, I couldn't decide if it hated me or what. I'm in the process of growing my hair out, long, to my shoulders...but this may change.

I try not to do too much with the flat iron and usually part the side of my hair and just pull it all back and clip it to my head with a clip or something. Today, I tried to rock the patty duke flip as I call it, but no dice. Half my head accepted the curl, the other half had like a stroke or something. It just fell. I walk past the mirror before I go wake S up and it's like falling in slow mo. Slap a curler in and keep steppin'. Get her dressed and I'm so preoccupied with my hair that I forgot my cell phone. Take the roller out, hair looks acceptable. Head to bus stop.

On the train, I notice that it's falling, slowly, but only on the left side. I'm thinking, "Hair, how hath thou betrayed me so?"

Now I'm at work and it's just gone. The one side looks so fashionable and the other side is literally lauging in my face. "Ha!" It yells, "So you hate the feeling of hair on your neck, well guess what, I got you now!!" And it just hangs.

Sigh. Topped with mi bandera roja and back pain and cramps, I am a holy royal mess today.

The Headache that has a Latin Origin and S in a Sombrero

Mon, 17 Mar 2008 15:55:52 GMT

I don't understand why L seems to think that it is not quite over. I was asked by several friends to give him a 30 day probationary period before I dumped him. However, when he accuses me of consistently wanting to get back with my daughter's father (that's the same as me getting back with my ex husband AND being friends with his momma=cold day in hell), and tells me that he needs to 'study my mind'...I'm like this is just no.

Last night, he decides to pick a fight with me <sigh> again at 130 in the morning. Fucking mama's boy. I'm sick of them all. Sick of the cunt at the daycare, sick of him. So, I cut off the alarm so he will be late for work. He accused me of doing something in the bathroom that I would never dream of doing. I can't say something like, oh I was washing my ass and a hemorroid exploded...nooooo too logical. I had to be (yes) masturbating. I never, ever do that because it always seems like the one time I do, my dead family members will look down on me and say, "Oh Lawd, she gots to touch herself cuz no man will do it...po' baby." Hence, the negatory on being the Master of my Domain. I'm like I really shouldn't have to defend myself to you nor my actions. If I'm taking a long, hot shower, then dammit, that's what I'm doing. Don't accuse me of something else.

This arguement resulted in several things:

an enhanced sadness on me because I am only keeping him there until tomorrow night.
a serious lack of sleep on my part, because not only after that, but he laid there and moaned all night about how sick/horny he was
he wakes up and gets dressed like there was nothing ever wrong and comes in to kiss me and his breath like he tasted a hemorroid. It was like calling the fucking dragon, my hair actually straightened, all curl was lost, all water on skin instantly evaporated and he goes, "What's wrong?"

So, no R from Chile, I will not give him a reprieve. No sister and brother and law, no dad, no mom, no to everyone. After this foolishness last night and Friday, this little Latino dude has got to go and yes, I will be holding shit for collateral until I get mines.

We went out to dinner to celebrate the combination of S's and my birthday's. Here is a picture of her in a sombrero, which is when my brother in law emailed me and said, "Ain't that the kinda hat that Hillary Clinton used to exploit them Mexican's in Texas?"

Movie Science and Selfish Parents

Fri, 14 Mar 2008 16:41:53 GMT

Ah, so many things, so little time...or how time flies and you just can't get any blog entries done because you are so busy. So, which subject to tackle first? How about selfish parents....

S has turned 5 on the 5th. I decided to throw her a shindig. I asked a few teachers at her daycare who she plays with the most (and who wouldn't destroy my house the most) so I could invite them to come over. We are talking a very limited group of people as I live in a very small apartment. I mean final count was like 5-7 kids, then I ran into one of the parents and she was inviting her nephews with her daughter, so that upped the ante to like 11. My baby daddy said that when you invite a Latino, you invite the family, like the whole family..but it's just a small party. He shakes his head and says the whole family. I just found that out.

At work today, trying to get my desk cleared off when my cell phone rings. It's one of S's former daycare teachers, calling me up hysterical. I mean she is screaming all up in the phone like she is off her meds!! Why didn't you invite my son?! You didn't invite him this year or last?! How could you!! I take care of your kid and make sure her nose is clean (blah blah incoherent ranting)!!

I was floored. What in the hell, where did this come from? Then, she wouldn't let me speak and I'm like jesus man, what in the hell?! Icing on cake (a) her kid is 2 (b) she was busy that day anyway and (c) her kid is 2. All of the kids coming are like 4-7. What in the hell man? Literally.

I was shook, so I called my sister and she was like man, just let this one go. There are some people that are just like that. You did what you could and it's done. (I sent her a text message saying no matter what I couldn't win, so if you want to send your son with someone else who was coming, that is also fine. I don't care at this point.) I mean this chick had lost her ever lovin mind!! Her rant threw me off, so I'm gonna have to walk this off or look at some gossip or something.

Now Movie Science

I watched Timecop with Jean Claude Van Damme and have learned that same matter can not occupy same space. You can't go back and mess with your past self because it fucks up your future self. So, when we (my dad and I) watched the season finale of Terminator: Sarah "Annoying Voice Over" Connor Chronicles, we noticed that Kyle Reese's brother took John to the past, which was actually the future for him, to meet his dad when his dad was young. They touched hands and that should have been the end of the world.

According to movie science, they both should have exploded, a huge time shift would have occured and we all would be dead now. Yet, nothing happened. Movie science needs to prevail over all and this was just wrong. Not to mention Brian Austin Green just can't seem to stop being David Silver to me from 90210. I mean he thought he was hard and had a rap album out that was heinous. Now, he's dating a Jolie clone from the backwoods of Tennessee and still trying to look uber hard. Not working David. Get all the damned facial stubble you want, ain't happening.

Why doesn't movie science work on tv? Wait, I think I just answered my own question.