A Failure to Fail is a Success

Today, Kitty and I decided to embark on a journey. We had to go to the Museum of Civilization in Quebec to see this Fur Traders exhibit for Canadian History. We set out at about 1:30 in the afternoon and we didn't arrive until 3:10. Why? Allow me to elaborate! It's long but it ends with the "hot fudge" so you know you want to stick it out and read.

Our Master Plan

1. Take the OTrain from Carleton to Bayview

We sat on the train and started getting carried away with these hilarious stories that we were telling. I was illustrating some Csinos stories from the DR and Kitty was sharing about her experience with "Friendly Manitobans." There was a lot of convulsive laughter until suddenly we realize we are moving backwards. The laughter died immediately when we saw a sign that said "Bayview" whoooshing away from us. We had reached the end of the line, didn't get off the train, and were now headed back the way we came.

"Don't worry," says Kitty. "We'll just get off at the next stop.

We tried to open the door, but it wouldn't let us. We stood there and pushed the little green button again and again and (just for kicks) again. But nothing. Before we could take our seats again, the train shot forward and we were scrambling around the train trying to regain our balance.

And so we arrived back at Carleton. 20 minutes later but no further on our journey than we were to begin with. Take 2 was more successful. We actually got off the train.

2. Take the bus to Lebreton.

We waited here for about half an hour until we thought we had missed the bus. Note to self: never ever ever take public transit on the weekends, ESPECIALLY Sunday.

3. Transfer to another bus that will take us to the museum.

This was the worst wait of all. 45 minutes in the hot sun waiting for the one and only bus that stops at that godforsaken busstop. It was terrible! I was beginning to think that they had just cancelled the bus or it had rolled into a ditch or the bus driver died of old age.

And so it was 3:10 when we arrived at the museum. We looked at the exhibit. It was pretty small so we were finished in about an hour. Since we were in a museum already, it made sense to look around a little. So we went to the Mythologial Creatures exhibit! It was awesome! Dragons, Griffins, Sphynxes, Chimeras, Kappas, Sea Monsters, Giant Squid, Giant Emu, Giant Eagle, Giant Ape, Cyclops, Unicorns, Mermaids, and all the other deformed monstrosities in between. We ended up spending about 2 hours in there. What can I say? It was a lot more interesting than beaver pelts and the Metis.

But the real journey was getting home. It turns out that all the OCTranspo buses that go directly to Carleton were done for the day so we had to take this other bus to the Rideau Centre (it's the Eaton Centre of Ottawa) and then take the OCTranspo bus from there. So off we went. There was more waiting for a the bus again but we were finally on our way.

Suddenly, I get the best phone call of my life.

Let me repeat that: OF MY LIFE!

My caller ID said "CARLETON U" so naturally I was thinking that the school was trying to expel me but it was even more epic than that. I apologize in advance. This calls for all caps.

I GOT A CALL FROM THE CHARLATAN ASKING ME TO WRITE A STORY FOR THEM!

I think the word I was searching for at this moment was "WOOHOOOOOOOOO!!" I get to cover the end of Ramadan. Never in my life have I appreciated Ramadan so much. If my life were a novel, this is definitely a highlight-post-it-fold-down-the-corner-and-write-TURNING-POINT-in-the-margin moment.

I was floating on clouds. There may or may not have been air drumming involved. Kitty and I were celebrating and discussing the kind of ice cream we should have to celebrate. At this point in time, Kitty turns her attention out the window and the smiling and laughing just dies. "Is that..." she points out the window.

The Rideau Centre passes by. We're still moving. We've missed our stop. Again. And to top it all off, an OCTranspo bus pulls up right alongside us. It's going to Carleton. Yay us.

We get out at the next stop, still on a buzz from the good news and I skip down the street, wave at the Parliament buildings and we get back to the Rideau Centre to get our Laura Secord ice cream. But, as per our luck, it is closed. We end up going to McDonalds across the street and I get my magnificent congratulations-I-just-got-hired sundae with lots of hot fudge.

Success? I think so!