Wow, it has been some time since I have posted! While I typically like to keep my posts positive (and honest as I really do enjoy my low carbon adventures), I must address the disappointment I encountered on COTA #11 yesterday morning during my commute to work. My apologies in advance for breaking my hiatus with what I will try my best to avoid turning into a rant.

While out celebrating some Friday the 13th good luck, or so it had appeared when I was able to connect with my friends Erica & Alex that evening, I managed to roll my ankle which resulted in a nasty sprain. It turns out the 4 inch heals, which I am absolutely in love with, do not make for great gear when the end of a low carbon night means walking a half a mile home from AWOL on Parsons Ave. This is especially true after indulging in Jell-O shots, bourbon and 90's pop music. I awoke on Saturday morning realizing this all too intensely.

After a few days of immobility, it was time to make it back to work. I was not going to let this injury dampen my commitment to bus commuting. As I have mentioned before, I am afforded the opportunity to live in a neighborhood where there are several bus lines to take me to work. Given that I was now in a boot to support my injury, though, COTA #11 was my best option as it runs right by my apartment.

Day 1 with the ankle boot was fine. The drivers lowered the buses for me, which allowed me to board without over-stressing my ankle and I did not have any problems with seating. Yesterday, however, made me sad. As I boarded the bus to head into work, the driver once again lowered the bus for me, which was kind, but as I got on the bus I saw that every seat before the stairs was occupied. I stared into the sea of my fellow riders and felt nervous. Not a single one of them offered me a seat nor would they even look at me. Slowly, I limped by them, took a gulp, and painfully pulled myself up the stairs to the back so I could sit down.

Normally, I have no problem in anyway standing while riding the bus. In fact, it is kind of fun, and I pretend the stabilization control is a game or work out; but having a sprained ankle that I am fearful of injuring further made that option impossible.

As I sat there, I looked amongst the other riders. I felt disappointed and in a weird way, betrayed by them. I mean, are we not all in this together? My feelings were hurt that not a single one of them acknowledged me. I am not a saint in anyway, shape, or form; but I do know that when an elderly person or handicapped person, heck even a mom with a child, gets on the bus, I am certain to offer them my seat if needed. Sure, it is not always convenient nor ideal, but it is the right thing to do. A good portion of what makes up the value of a person is the way he or she treats others. I don't care who or where we are, we should be kind and considerate of those who may need our help or maybe just our bus seat.

I realize that my temporary handicap may not be that disabling compared to what others face and this article is not suppose to be a "woe is me" rant. I just felt incredibly angered by the selfishness I faced yesterday and alarmed by the inconsideration. Most people are good, I truly believe this, but I fear that sometimes individuals get so wrapped up in themselves that they fail to acknowledge, let alone respect, people they affect and to whom they are unknowingly connected.

Life is tough. Let's make it more enjoyable by showing some consideration and respect, both on and off the bus.

 With the whole Valentine’s Day deal, February 14^th is not really my cup of tea. Yesterday was definitely not an exception.  However, this year it coincided with Columbus’ 200^th Birthday and so there was reason to celebrate rather than drown in self-pity. Facing an alternative consisting of pondering my single life while staying home, drinking a bottle of wine and watching Netflix, I was more than excited to learn that Columbus was having a birthday party at COSI, and screening the premier of the WOSU Neighborhood Documentary on Franklinton and Downtown on COSI’s huge Extreme Screen. Josh Lapp, of CBUS Transit, and I decided to celebrate together and individually bused to COSI to meet and celebrate.

Recently, I moved to the Historic Bryden Road in Olde Towne East, which means I now have a slew of transit options. Last night, I opted for the COTA # 10 which provided me with almost door to door service from my home to COSI. I arrived shortly after 7PM and met up with Josh. We then listened to a speech from Mayor Coleman and others from COSI and the Columbus Historical Society. Cake and lemonade were then served and we were able to visit with other fans of Columbus including Walker & Anne Evans of Columbus Underground, 2012 Arch Award recipient Liz Lessner, and Denis de Verteuil of How We Roll, who of course rode his bike to the event! Several other friends where there and it was wonderful reception.

Prior to the documentary screening, some folks from the Columbus Zoo arrived offering hands on interaction with some of its residents. I was afforded the opportunity to canoodle with a lovely penguin named Chovy.

I am a huge fan of penguins and Chovy was a sweetheart. She gave me several head nudges and her coat was silky smooth. I wanted to spend more time with her but the movie was starting, so we headed in to COSI’s HUGE extreme screen theatre.

Following the movie, Josh and I decided to walk back downtown and over to Tip Top on Gay Street. It was interesting crossing back over the Scioto River after watching a documentary on the area’s history, development and progress. We spoke of feeling a new pride and understanding towards Franklinton and downtown as we walked over the Broad Street Bridge.

 At Tip Top, Josh and I enjoyed some champagne coupled with some delicious eggplant fries. We shared stories of lost love (it WAS Valentine’s Day, of course) and met an out-of-towner from Minnesota, whom we tried to teach the bus system to as he was contemplating taking a cab two blocks south. Unfortunately, I am not sure we were able to sell him on the idea of transit, but the effort was made. You can’t win them all, I guess.

As the 11PM bus line up approached, we closed out the tab and called it a night. Josh caught the COTA #4 and headed home and I boarded the COTA #11 (which conveniently drops me off right by my house…love the door to door service). Bussing home I thought about how fortunate I am to not only have a great friend who appreciates Columbus and public transportation as much as I do, but also how lucky I am to live in Columbus at such an exciting time. This was by far one of the best Valentine’s Days I have had in some time and certainly the best Columbus Bicentennial! ;)