Metro Nightmare

These events occurred last year; maybe around yuletide 2012. It was a hectic week and I felt very overwhelmed and thought that a night out at the movies would ease my mind from whatever was bugging the entire week. I went to see an evening show of Cloud Atlas at the Woodland Hills, CA Promenade Mall. Honestly, I didn't want to deal with anyone, I didn't invite anyone. In my mind, alone time would do wonders for me. I'd exercise a little independence or spontaneity. The way I looked at it, I was desperately in need of me time.

It wasn't until after Cloud Atlas movie, I realized how poorly I planned my night, I didn't foresee how awfully late in the evening the show let out.

It was almost midnight. I know the 150 bus headed Eastward to the other side of the Valley my route would have me taking Ventura Blvd onto Van Nuys where I would catch the 233 or whatever bus that ran toward the Heart Of The Valley. Its a simple wait. What I didn't know the bus just departed and it ran in hourly cycles. I think it was cold or something. No matter what I think the jacket and the cigarettes had kept me warm for the first 30 minutes. I noticed that the Orangeline was still running. I assumed, they were still taking passengers to a Easternly direction towards the North Hollywood Station. I saw two of them pass before I thought: "hey, why not take the Orangeline instead" The distance between where my stop and the pick-up point for the other bus was about half a block. I started walking toward the Orangeline Bus, waited 30 minutes more. and saw that the 150 finally arrived at the other terminal. wow. *sigh* Although I had a jacket and pants, my problem that evening I was wearing wedge shoes and my feet were starting to ache bad. real bad. okay. what seemed to be another 30 minutes later, the Orangeline bus arrives, I get one. Relief, right? wrong. I had to ask questions. What puzzled me was that this bus sign broadcasted that the its Endpoint: "Chatsworth Station". omg. Metro Bus Drive informed me that there would be no more Orangeline buses toward North Hollywood station. I was in shock. or maybe in shock from the colder temperatures. i dunno. I got off at the next terminal and started for the closest 150 stop which was about a block away, on Victory and Canoga. As I walked away from that bus, I saw another 150 approaching. Dude, it was hopeless. The Metro Driver did stay stopped as long as possible because I think he saw me. It's so unfortunate that I was wearing my wedges. My feet were aching. *frowny face* yup. i missed that bus too...

When looking back at the "BusStopWait Tag-Game" I can laugh a bit. But that night. I cried.. for an hour until the next bus showed up. I was so miserable.

I force snickers at the thought now.

An emotional wreck after the movie: Cloud Atlas, my feet hurt, I was cold, most of the shops were closed, i was stranded. How i wished for any convenience store or restaurant to be open nearby, or companionship of other Metro riders around to talk to.

I think I felt defeated. Helpless. and so darn hormonal. A few cars would slow down; I'd cry some more. I'd console myself "don't cry, another one will be on its way"... yup.. it didn't help i cried a little more. (tears wear rolling that night; I'm a quiet-sober-crier not to be confused with the psychotic-wailer-crier).

If I had to describe how I felt that night I would describe: the cat trapped the cargo crate for three weeks on a ship bound for the Americas; without food, light, help, na-da. yeah. that bad.

Two hours for a trip back to the other side of the San Fernando Valley, and finding myself stuck around the same area at a bus stop, feet in pain. not good. You see a bus, then it leaves. It seemed like the Metro Buses were teasing me all that evening.

In addition, spoiler: the Cloud Atlas movie had made me more sensitive and emotional.

So here I am, with the movie freshly stuck in my mind, without a bus, in the cold, in wedge heals, playing a mean game of Metro Bus tag. A few cars slow down. Dude, no way in a right person's mind would I take any rides from strangers esp. that late time. OMG! I was scared! ((frowns))

note to self: don't second guess at bus stops, wait patiently. One hour max. IF a bus doesn't arrive after then, most likely, you're shit outta luck. Look for another route after a time period of over an hour. Using the Google/maps 'bus route' direction planner is a great tool, alternative routes, route duration, and alternate times are listed. don't wear wedges ever again. yup. You guessed it. all my heals over 1 1/2 inches have gone to the donation center. psyanara wedgies. 24-hr shops, restaurants, stores also eases the wait.

no worries. i survived. :S