Absence Of My Car

I've always maintained we don't need a car because we live in the city. Now that our car is billowing smoke from its exhaust, I cannot drive it any more. The mechanic said there is an oil leak into the engine. It's the burning of the oil that's causing the smoke and smell. It will cost over $2,000 to fix. Given the age of the car, we've decide not to fix the problem. We are in the market for a new car.

But once you're accustomed to the use of a car, it's hard to do without, even for a short time. Old habits are hard to kick. I stopped in the supermarket today to pick up a few things on the way home. You know how it is. Once you start shopping, you tend to load up. When I checked out, I had four heavy bags of groceries. That's when I remembered I hadn't brought my car. Ugh.

I stood outside the supermarket to catch a bus. But there was a large crowd and people were complaining. Two buses went by with "Out Of Service" signs. Apparently, there had been an accident further down the road and all buses and streetcars were stalled.

I looked for a cab. None was in sight.

I started to walk home, resenting very much that I had to lug home groceries, but mad at myself even more for forgetting I didn't have a car with me. When I got to the bottom of my street, of course buses and streetcars full of passengers whizzed by me.

As much as I try to support public transit, I am really peeved they are never available when I need them. I have learned not to trust them. So what can I do? I am a car person now.