I tried to take the bus to work this morning.  Usually I arrive at the bus stop 45 seconds too late, and I watch from across the street as the bus drives off to the next stop on the line.  But today I was 2 minutes early!  When I reached the stop, I checked the bus tracker app on my phone only to discover that the bus was 15 minutes behind schedule.  At this point I decided I had two options:  1)  continue waiting in the feels-like-minus-5F cold or 2)  pick an intersection that I think is a 15 minute walk away and try to beat the bus there.

Like any sane person, I picked option #2.

So I set off walking.  I pass several bus stops on the way, and the only bus I see is driving the opposite direction.  Finally I see the finish line:  a traffic light controlled intersection barely outside of downtown.  I check the time and see that about 20 minutes have passed.  I pick up the pace, knowing that every second the bus is gaining on me.  20 sidewalk squares left … 15 … 10.  At this point I hear squeaking beside me.  I look to my left, and it’s the bus slowing down for the red light at my imaginary finish line.  I was so close!  As the bus slowly passed by me, I realized that I was going to lose this race.  I had 5 sidewalk squares left, but the light was already green and the bus was accelerating down the street.  As I took the last few steps into second place, I hung my head and promised myself a rematch.

I’ll beat you next time, bus.