Never being one to shy away from or hide the ridiculously stupid things I do, let me share with you today's blunder.I decided to try out the lovely Valley Metro today. Valley Metro is the public transportation that services the majority of the Phoenix area. With gas prices on the rise, and my stress level on the rise due to a rise in traffic (are we sensing a trend here?) I decided it might be worthwhile to try public transit. But enough about that... I spent a lot of time carefully planning my route on the Valley Metro website and was pleased to discover there was a route that picks up near my gym (half the distance I would drive to work) and could get me to work in about 40 minutes. I started out on route 56 which heads up to Arizona Mills Mall. It was a nice peaceful ride (I was reading my TIME magazine), not overcrowded and not reeking of urine (although I have been stuffed up so who knows). At Arizona Mills Mall I needed to make a transfer to route 92 which would then quickly shoot up 48th street and have me to work just after 8am. But that's where things went wrong. Oh I boarded the bus for route 92 all right, unfortunately it was route 92 heading SOUTH... not NORTH. After a mundane tour of Tempe areas that I already see on a weekly basis we returned again to Arizona Mills Mall where we had now become the northbound route. I finally arrived at my destination, only an hour later than I had originally planned.
Looking at the above image, which shows my "detour" in red, brings even more hilarity to my story. Had I known the southbound route that we were taking (which was really more east than it was south) or just realized that most bus routes will travel along the same roads, I could have departed the southbound route, crossed the street and picked up the next northbound route which comes along every 10-15 minutes. I decided I deserved the punishment anyway for not being more conscientious about what bus I was boarding. Nonetheless, it made for an interesting morning, and the best part is I still feel less stressed than I normally do when driving myself to work. Plus when I get back to my truck I'll be outside my gym, giving me one less excuse for not going.
I'm 25 today. Bring on the rental car companies and the cheaper insurance, I'm ready. Actually it's a day like today that causes me to reflect back on the prior year and this past year was a doozy. However, I'm not about to start writing about all of that again. Instead, I'm writing this to say thank you. Thank you mom and dad. When I came into the world screaming at 8:44pm you knew instantly I had my mother's temper. And I'm guessing it wasn't too long after I learned to talk that you realized I had my father's sense of humor. You both have been constants in my life that I could always count on and I love you dearly. Thank you Jenn & Scott. Jenn and I didn't always get along and unfortunately for me I wasn't always the taller one. My best chance at surviving a fight with my sister was to get into the hallway with my hands pressing against the walls and my feet kicking as fast as possible. Miraculously once Jenn got her driver's license we became really good friends (go figure). Jenn you're an amazing sister who always makes a positive impact in my life. Scott you're an inspiration to me. I continue to wear my Scott Custer wristband and everyday I remember why I'm wearing it. I love you both.Thank you friends. I'd love to take the time to call each of you out individually for the differences you've made in my life this past year but there's just not enough time. Just in the past 10 months my life has been like a roller coaster. It was always nice to know I had friends during that time I could count on. It's taken me 25 years but I finally understand the value of great friends. I can't possibly put into words how much I love and care for each one of you. If I've not made it clear with my actions I hope you all know I would do anything for you guys. I always enjoy my time with you all and I can't wait for even more days of fun to follow. Just know I don't take any of you for granted. I'm so glad I'm here and I'm so glad you are all here with me. Now let's go out and party like it's 1983.Jared
