Trying the Trolley - Day 5
Day 5
My fifth and final day of trolley-riding brings my week without wheels to an end. Looking back on the difference one possession can make just goes to show how much I never realized the role transportation and convenience plays into my life and hectic schedule. This morning, the trolley-ride went smoother than ever, getting me to work in time to research some story ideas and make the morning meeting. I said thank you and good-bye to the driver for the final time this week, but I’m not sure it’s the last we’ll see each other. Doing some math, I found out just how much someone can save using public transportation. For me, a month of trolley-ing to work and back could save about $60.
This past week has not only tested the trolley system, but my own ability to adjust to a different lifestyle and make some compromises in my schedule. I feel successful in finally mastering the timing in order to get to work and run errands. It’s good to know people don’t have to rely solely on personal vehicles and gives a sense of satisfaction to relieve yourself of a dependence. Cars are something many of us take for granted. On the other hand, I’ll be very glad to get back behind the wheel.
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Trying the Trolley - Day 4
Day 4:
One of the most interesting things about immersing yourself in a story that puts you in places you wouldn’t normally frequent, are some of the people you meet. This evening I ran out of the station right after my live-shot to catch the trolley going home. It was right on time! I boarded and sat next to a man who rides the trolley and bikes to work every day. He knew the precise time-frame in which not to try the trolley, (apparently it’s usually late between 3-5 going to the beach) and he’d seen the trolley system grow and change over the years.
Overhearing our conversation was a man riding ahead of us who worked for the trolley system. He told us all about the newest trolleys they were acquiring and what they had in the works for next year. He works on getting funding from municipalities and state agencies to improve the system. They’re working to add weekend hours from 8am-8pm if they get the funding during the next fiscal year. It wasn’t until the end of our conversation that I told him he’d just accidentally been interviewed.
During my transfer, while waiting a few minutes for the next bus, I decided to find out exactly where many of the Slavic-accented trolley-riders participating in summer job programs are from. Many are from Russia, but the girls I talked to were from Moldova. It was interesting to see that they are here for much the same reason I am… to work at the beach. They said it made a good summer vacation where they can work and travel abroad at the same time. They chose the U.S.A over other opportunities in the Middle-East and Australia.
Shortly after my conversations, the trolley dropped me off right near my apartment complex with a short walk home. Another successful day on the trolley!
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Trying the Trolley - Day 3
Day 3:
The words “on call” have taken on a whole new meaning to me. It’s a blessing and a curse in news, to be able to drive a station vehicle home for a night, saving your own gas money and in my case, finally getting a car! But, it always comes with a small paranoia and attentive detail to your electronic leash, for if that work cell phone goes off in the middle of the night; you can bet you’ll be back behind the wheel high-tailing it to some fire, accident, or whatever breaking news happens to be going down.
Tonight is my on-call night, which I have been looking forward to for the first time. I know, my mission is to live a full work-week without a car. But, the object is to live my life normally, completing appointments and job requirements like I would as if I had no personal vehicle.
That aside, I am pleased to say that my trolley-ride this morning to work went off without a hitch! As soon as my first trolley arrived at it’s transfer stop, my second one was right behind waiting for me to board. I walked into the newsroom with my arms in the air smiling, finally ahead of the morning meeting. Maybe I am mastering the system… or at least adjusting to it.
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About Me
I was born and raised just outside the nation's capital in northern Virginia, and recently graduated from Virginia Commonwealth University with a major of Broadcast Journalism and minor in International Relations. I studied abroad for a while in Italy and also traveled to Shanghai, China for a journalism class. During college I worked at CBS6 in Richmond, VA as well as FOX5 in Washington D.C. I'm glad to be in sunny Florida and look forward to making Panama City my home for the next few years...
Recent Entries:
- Trying the Trolley - Day 5
- Trying the Trolley - Day 4
- Trying the Trolley - Day 2
- Trying the Trolley - Day 3
- Trying the Trolley - Day 1
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- Throwing a Bone
- Relay for Life a Success!
- Sometimes Too Removed
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- Those Born Without Wings Shouldn’t Fly
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