12. December 2008 by admin.

Today, I took the Crosstown #2 bus to downtown Windsor.  I noticed that many of the passengers were texting.  So I started to figure that my ride on the Crosstown was 3 to 4 times longer in distance than my Tunnel Bus ride but the time spent on the Tunnel Bus might be 3 to 4 times longer.  Wouldn’t it make sense to have WiFi on the Bus so that commuters could get caught up on e-mail and web browsing?  I would certainly appreciate it.  Might help make the time go by faster or not have to enter the political debates which sometimes take place on the morning ride.

Just a thought.  Wi-Fi on the Tunnel Bus!

Posted in Wi-Fi, technology | 1 Comment »

30. October 2008 by admin.

Occasionally, I need to drive to work or present at a location somewhere in Michigan.  Well, today was one of those days.  Knowing that the Tunnel has been terrible this week, I set out early.  I needed to be in Troy, Michigan by 9 am this morning.  It’s only 30 miles from my house and all freeway driving in the opposite direction of rush hour traffic.  One would normally expect to spend about 30 to 40 minutes to get there.  Well, when you travel the Tunnel, you need to be prepared for anything!  I left the house at 7:15.  A full 1 3/4 hour in advance.

Leaving the house early, I did not have time for breakfast.  Prior to entering the Tunnel, I stopped at the Tim Horton’s drive-through a block before the Tunnel entrance.  With my tea and bagel in hand, I sat on Goyeau Street waiting to pay my toll.  The traffic was at a stand-still and the 7:20 Tunnel Bus was right behind me.  After sweezing my way into the Tunnel, I was ready for breakfast.  The Tunnel is one lane in each direction.  There are probably 8 toll lanes that need to merge to one to enter the Tunnel.  It’s pretty cut-throat.  But I’ve learned its easier to work with a car in another lane to effectively force them into letting you go.  No road rage here — it’s a mile to Detroit and if you tick someone off behind you, well, you may have a long ride.

After entering the Tunnel, you start to lose all the “extras” that most people enjoy while commuting to work.  Within the first couple of feet, you reach for the radio to not only turn down NPR but turn it off.  There is only one radio station that is accessible through the Tunnel.  So much for having a choice!  If you look at your cellphone, sorry, I always think of the Verizon commerical — the network isn’t there!  The traffic is mostly stop and then go.  Driving a manual transmission, you’ll get a good leg work out. 

Finally, I reached the middle.  My car strattled the border with the US Flag to the North and the Canadian to the South.  Time for breakfast.  Whatelse is there to do while you wait.  I wish I could say I had some gourmet breakfast to talk about while on the border but just a simple bagel and tea.  I certainly had time for a gourmet breakfast but not today.

Tomorrow is another day — Halloween!  I’m back on the bus tomorrow.  I’m sure we’ll have some good stories, Halloween, Friday and the weekend–are usually ripe opportunities for good stories.

Posted in technology, Dining | 1 Comment »