We'll Get You There (Or Not)

I take public transit. This often means buses, though I take the light rail slightly more often. 

The light rail has a schedule, which gives you the time between trains at any given time of day. This being said, trains don't run at all according to the schedule. There us no traffic, nor is there anything else to delay the train. 

Buses have schedules of course. These are often late due to traffic and the sheer time involved in loading a wheel chair passenger onto a bus. This is entirely understandable. However, often buses simply don't show up. 

Yesterday I was taking light rail to work. I got to the station a few minutes later than I like, so I knew I'd be slightly less early than I usually am. 

I got on a train, which I did not have to wait especially long for. We arrive at Stadium station. Nothing out of the ordinary thus far. 

We sit there for about five minutes, with no announcement or anything as to why. Finally we are told there is a "service delay" and that the train will be moving again "shortly." 

Over the next twenty minutes, we hear this announcement three more times. Finally the driver makes an announcement: "this train ain't gone no farther. Get off and get on a bus." 

No explanation. No shuttle. No hint as to which bus follows the general train route. Just broken English telling us to disembark. 

We say that we care about easing our traffic problems and curbing greenhouse gas emissions. Our transportation systems clearly don't line up with those values. Until they do, we'll never see mass ridership on public transit. Hopefully things will improve soon, but I'm certainly not holding my breath on this one. 

I take public transit. This often means buses, though I take the light rail slightly more often. 

The light rail has a schedule, which gives you the time between trains at any given time of day. This being said, trains don't run at all according to the schedule. There us no traffic, nor is there anything else to delay the train. 

Buses have schedules of course. These are often late due to traffic and the sheer time involved in loading a wheel chair passenger onto a bus. This is entirely understandable. However, often buses simply don't show up. 

Yesterday I was taking light rail to work. I got to the station a few minutes later than I like, so I knew I'd be slightly less early than I usually am. 

I got on a train, which I did not have to wait especially long for. We arrive at Stadium station. Nothing out of the ordinary thus far. 

We sit there for about five minutes, with no announcement or anything as to why. Finally we are told there is a "service delay" and that the train will be moving again "shortly." 

Over the next twenty minutes, we hear this announcement three more times. Finally the driver makes an announcement: "this train ain't gone no farther. Get off and get on a bus." 

No explanation. No shuttle. No hint as to which bus follows the general train route. Just broken English telling us to disembark. 

We say that we care about easing our traffic problems and curbing greenhouse gas emissions. Our transportation systems clearly don't line up with those values. Until they do, we'll never see mass ridership on public transit. Hopefully things will improve soon, but I'm certainly not holding my breath on this one. 

We'll Get You There (Or Not)

A Brief Hagiography of Derek Webb

I saw Derek Webb live tonight. As a matter of fact, I'm on the bus heading home from said show right now. Going into tonight, I was a huge fan; now, huger. 

Derek Webb doesn't make a setlist: he shows up ready and willing to play (almost) any song he gas recorded over the nearly 20 years he has been making music. It was amazing hearing him play some old Caedmon's Call songs, and even a new CC song, which I did not know. Hearing his background discussion on the songs and various discussions of life in general was stunning. 

The thing that most impressed me was that Derek Webb is really trying to use his popularity for good. I recognize that he is not the most well known artist out there, but he certainly has fans, and he is really trying to be a good steward of what God has given him by supporting World Vision and encouraging others to do the same. Legit. 

Is he controversial? Absolutely. Will he continue to be? Absolutely. But I for one am impressed. Webb has made the leap to actions over words. Now it's your turn and mine. I pray that we will be able to do the same. 

Luke 16:10-11
"One who is faithful in a very little is also faithful in much, and one who is dishonest in a very little is also dishonest in much. If then you have not been faithful in the unrighteous wealth, who will entrust to you the true riches?

I saw Derek Webb live tonight. As a matter of fact, I'm on the bus heading home from said show right now. Going into tonight, I was a huge fan; now, huger. 

Derek Webb doesn't make a setlist: he shows up ready and willing to play (almost) any song he gas recorded over the nearly 20 years he has been making music. It was amazing hearing him play some old Caedmon's Call songs, and even a new CC song, which I did not know. Hearing his background discussion on the songs and various discussions of life in general was stunning. 

The thing that most impressed me was that Derek Webb is really trying to use his popularity for good. I recognize that he is not the most well known artist out there, but he certainly has fans, and he is really trying to be a good steward of what God has given him by supporting World Vision and encouraging others to do the same. Legit. 

Is he controversial? Absolutely. Will he continue to be? Absolutely. But I for one am impressed. Webb has made the leap to actions over words. Now it's your turn and mine. I pray that we will be able to do the same. 

Luke 16:10-11
"One who is faithful in a very little is also faithful in much, and one who is dishonest in a very little is also dishonest in much. If then you have not been faithful in the unrighteous wealth, who will entrust to you the true riches?

A Brief Hagiography of Derek Webb

Second Edition

It's finally happened. I've come to the point where I need to get more books published. I need to talk to people who publish zines and check on my options. So thank you to those of you who have supported me by buying one (or more) of my books, or just through emotional support. I can't say enough how much I appreciate it. If you know me, you know how strange I feel writing this, but it's totally true. I treasure you.

Oh. And I can't say enough, support Lion Heart Books in Pike Place Market.

It's finally happened. I've come to the point where I need to get more books published. I need to talk to people who publish zines and check on my options. So thank you to those of you who have supported me by buying one (or more) of my books, or just through emotional support. I can't say enough how much I appreciate it. If you know me, you know how strange I feel writing this, but it's totally true. I treasure you.

Oh. And I can't say enough, support Lion Heart Books in Pike Place Market.

Second Edition

Rotten Apple

Four days ago I was shopping at Hilltop Red Apple. It’s over priced, and doesn’t have great selection, but it’s convenient. There, in the frozen food section, I discovered something disconcerting: there is only one remaining package of the frozen burritos that I always buy. This isn’t so bad as I only want one package. But there are other packages of the same burritos for the same prize. These packages contain 8, as opposed to the normal 10. Are my burritos decreasing in package size? 

All is ok though, because in the clearance section I find a box of Krusteaz wild blueberry muffin mix. For those of you not familiar, this is one of the greatest muffin mixes ever. As soon as I get home, I decide to make muffins. I open the box, only to find that the can of blueberries is missing. I locate the phone number on the box, with plans of calling the next day as they are currently closed. 

Four days later I finally get a chance to call. Four days of course brings us to today. The woman at the call center promises to send me a coupon for a free box of mix. She asks me for the manufacturing code, located on the bottom of the box. I find it and give it to her. 

“Hmm,” she says. “Blueberries or no blueberries, I would be cautious about shopping there again: the sell by date on this mix was about 7 months ago.” 

I’m not going to Red Apple anymore. The prices are way too high, and the selection certainly leaves something to be desired. The people who work there, with one notable exception, aren’t overly nice. The only factor it has going for it is convenience, though there is a QFC about 2 blocks farther, also right off another light rail station. I guess this will be my new grocery store for convenience. 

It’s 10 hours later. I get off the light rail after work. I’m hungry. I decide dinner tonight will be ramen. Unfortunately, I’m out of frozen corn and frozen peas. Without these, my ramen will be boring. As the elevator crests, I see the red and green sign. I’m going to Red Apple. But this time, I’m checking expiration dates. 

Four days ago I was shopping at Hilltop Red Apple. It’s over priced, and doesn’t have great selection, but it’s convenient. There, in the frozen food section, I discovered something disconcerting: there is only one remaining package of the frozen burritos that I always buy. This isn’t so bad as I only want one package. But there are other packages of the same burritos for the same prize. These packages contain 8, as opposed to the normal 10. Are my burritos decreasing in package size? 

All is ok though, because in the clearance section I find a box of Krusteaz wild blueberry muffin mix. For those of you not familiar, this is one of the greatest muffin mixes ever. As soon as I get home, I decide to make muffins. I open the box, only to find that the can of blueberries is missing. I locate the phone number on the box, with plans of calling the next day as they are currently closed. 

Four days later I finally get a chance to call. Four days of course brings us to today. The woman at the call center promises to send me a coupon for a free box of mix. She asks me for the manufacturing code, located on the bottom of the box. I find it and give it to her. 

“Hmm,” she says. “Blueberries or no blueberries, I would be cautious about shopping there again: the sell by date on this mix was about 7 months ago.” 

I’m not going to Red Apple anymore. The prices are way too high, and the selection certainly leaves something to be desired. The people who work there, with one notable exception, aren’t overly nice. The only factor it has going for it is convenience, though there is a QFC about 2 blocks farther, also right off another light rail station. I guess this will be my new grocery store for convenience. 

It’s 10 hours later. I get off the light rail after work. I’m hungry. I decide dinner tonight will be ramen. Unfortunately, I’m out of frozen corn and frozen peas. Without these, my ramen will be boring. As the elevator crests, I see the red and green sign. I’m going to Red Apple. But this time, I’m checking expiration dates. 

Rotten Apple