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May 3, 2002
First Week
My first week of work is over. I've had 4 meetings, 1 team change and lots of work done. The atmosphere here is really laid-back (there's a couch in my office. Yes, I said office, not cubicle). I'm going to venture out and try to get home via public transportation, so don't be surprised if I get lost and end up on the other side of town. Again.
Ok fine, I'll tell you the story. It was the fall of 1998. I was on a work term at Corel in Ottawa. I took the bus to the beautiful Rideau Centre to buy a new pair of glasses. One hour later, I picked them up and tried them on. I nearly fell over. This was the first time my prescription had changed in 6 years. I stumbled out of the store and dizzily made my way out of the mall. I jumped on the first bus I saw. It was the #16, which would drop me off in front of my apartment. I was the only one on the bus, which I found odd. As soon as the bus started driving, I heard a strange, mechanical sound. I thought it best to ignore it and concentrate on my new glasses. The bus eventually came to a stop. "End of the line!" the bus driver called out. I stumbled out, confused. Where the hell was I? A large sign informed me I was at Carleton Univeristy, the complete opposite side of town. I squinted up at the bus as it drove away. The number had changed from 16 to something else, something strange like pi/2 or something. That's what the mechanical noise must have been: the number changing! Putting on my old glasses, I looked at the bus schedule. I didn't recognize any of the buses that would be coming this way.
Crossing my fingers, I hopped on the next bus, and eventually found my way home... three hours later.
Well, wish me luck. At least I don't have any new glasses.