A Summer of Hell?

‘Is today an omen of what is to come this summer?’ I wondered as I awoke to the news that the TTC (Toronto Transit Commission) had called a wildcat strike this morning. Fully understanding their motivations, but not their lack of consideration, I was not amused with the disruption to my day. At first I blamed it on the fact that is was Monday, then wondered if my wishing for another day off and the dread of returning to yet another boring, tedious day of nine to five was strong enough to cause a shift or crack in the universe.

Normally preparing for my work day is orderly and quick. This morning I found myself digging through purses and knapsacks trying to find my manager’s phone number or the emergency number for our offices all the while answering phone calls from frantic friends wondering what was going on. After searching and becoming frustrated I realized we had dial by name and attempted contacting the fools who trek to work for 7 am. Not thinking anyone would actually be there I was surprised on the fourth attempt to hear a live voice at the other end.
“You are actually there?” I questioned.
“Ya, I drove to work.” was the response.
“What a fool.” I silently thought. After finally reaching my manager I now relaxed knowing I had a day off. By now I was drenched in sweat from what appears to be the beginnings of a mini heat wave and I suddenly found my self asking, ‘What else could happen today?’

I didn’t have to wonder long. A white van with a City of Toronto Emergency Services pulled up in front of my house. Thoughts of gas leaks, burst water mains and power outages flashed through my head. Two very large men emerged from the van and walked to my house stopping then looking at their piece of paper and instead going next door. They banged loudly several times one speaking in frustrated tones the other grunting about coffee. My neighbour emerged from around the street corner, newspaper and coffee in hand. “I’m glad you guys finally arrived, my water has been off since very early this morning.” she stated. Turns out the tiny old man who had a crooked walk, that was checking for water mains around 8 am, had somehow managed to turn hers off. The unpleasant oversized men in the white truck now had the task of going neighbourhood to neighbourhood turning water back on and cursing the old man the entire time I am sure.

Newscasters echoed the news of highway chaos and angry commuters filling in the gaps with talk of a power outage in the west end of the city. I sat drinking my coffee wondering if I should stock up on propane, water and canned goods. I had heard earlier in the week from a meteorologist that we could expect a long, hot and dry summer, similar to the one the year we had the black out. It all sounds so apocalyptic, but some how this news made me happy. Being born on the day of Loki I think it is in me to thrive on tragedy and chaos. I enjoy the thoughts of long, hot, lazy days as long as I am at my leisure. Not having to make the trek to work five days week is a happy thought for me. I wondered afterwards why not being able to go to work today had frustrated me so, then I realized it was because in the morning before leaving was the only part of my day that had any order to it and it was thrown out of whack.

I have a back up plan for tomorrow if the TTC decides to continue this strike and am putting in to place a plan for the rest of my summer. If chaos continues to ensue I will at least have a bbq, canned goods and a working can opener. I just need to throw in a few bottles of wine, a week long black out and I will be a happy girl.
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