Goodbye, Markham! Hello, Downtown T.O.!

[rusty_armour]

Today was my last day at the Markham office. My official last day as opposed to Thursday when I thought it was my last day and then discovered our stuff wouldn't be moved until Monday. Fortunately, today wasn't a false alarm, so everything in my cubicle, including my computer (but excluding my phone), has been transported to the downtown office. If all goes according to plan, I'll be joining my stuff in our new cubicle tomorrow morning.

The people in my department were asked if they'd be willing to relocate because new staff is being added and the Markham office needs the space. As many of us live downtown (or thereabouts), we seemed like the best people to approach about a move. The choice to relocate was purely voluntary, but almost everyone gave their enthusiastic assent. Two co-workers who live close to the Markham office are going to stay put.

I'm a little nervous, but also kind of excited. I'm not looking forward to what will probably be a crowded subway and streetcar during morning rush hour, but the commute will be a lot more convenient. No more running through Finch Station like a madwoman trying to catch the 8:30 bus. No more long waits for the 90B in the evening because I just missed a bus and won't see another one for half an hour. No, both the subway and streetcar come frequently -- when there isn't a major snowstorm, accident or delay. However, the best news of all is that my transit costs are going to be cut in half. That means I'll have an extra $100 a month.

Comments

[lazigyrl.livejournal.com]

Woo hoo!! The upside to the move sounds good. Hopefully those crowed commutes will be tolerable.

[rusty-armour.livejournal.com]

Thanks, lazigyrl. I think there are some definite benefits to the move, such as the money I'll be able to save. And I'm sure I'll get used to the crowded commute. If I don't then I have a couple of other route options, though these will mean a longer commute time. For now, I'll play it by ear and see how it goes.

[avictoriangirl]

Yay! What awesome news!

[rusty-armour.livejournal.com]

Yes, I think it's pretty awesome news too! Thanks, avictoriangirl! :-)

[karen9.livejournal.com]

Good news overall. I loathe crowded trains and buses at peak hours, but hopefully you will be able to tolerate the crowding if your travelling time is less.

[rusty-armour.livejournal.com]

Actually, the subway and streetcar wasn't as bad as I feared. Okay, I ended up waiting for a second streetcar because the first one that came along was packed, but it was only a matter of a couple of extra minutes. It may help that I left just before 8:00. Lately, when I've had to go downtown for work, I've been taking the subway at 8:30 and that's a lot worse.

[funkyinfishnet.livejournal.com]

Hey, exciting news. I'm glad there's so many positives to this move. I hope all goes well, darling *hugs*

[rusty-armour.livejournal.com]

*hugs back* Thanks, funkyinfishnet. There are a lot of positives to this move. I'll admit that I'm still feeling a little freaked out, but I'll be okay once I adjust. It helps to know that everyone else is also trying to get used to the change. In any case, I'm sure everything will be okay in the end. :-)

[radiogaga80.livejournal.com]

The move does sound exciting. I hope transport will be more convenient than described - the transit costs cut sounds GREAT though! :)

[rusty-armour.livejournal.com]

Hey, radiogaga80. I'm still adjusting to the new office, but the move is pretty exciting. Despite my fears of crowded subways and streetcars, I'd say the commute is a lot more convenient. While both the subway and streetcar was pretty crowded this morning, it wasn't as bad as I imagined it would be. I think I can live with it. :-)

[sublunarfields.livejournal.com]

Sounds great! :) I'll be keeping my fingers crossed that you won't have to endure many snowstorms, accidents or other delays. Hopefully your public transportation is more used to winters than ours seems to be. It's more or less shut down for the winter... Very inconvenient for me, and of course to a lot of other people.

Will you get a much shorter day too? Or will your travel time be about as long as before?

[rusty-armour.livejournal.com]

Sounds great! :) I'll be keeping my fingers crossed that you won't have to endure many snowstorms, accidents or other delays. Hopefully your public transportation is more used to winters than ours seems to be. It's more or less shut down for the winter... Very inconvenient for me, and of course to a lot of other people.

I'm sorry your public transportation basically shuts down in the winter. Considering how many people rely on public transit in Toronto, it would be a major catastrophe if everything shut down. It's been bad enough when the TTC has gone on strike. In any case, the TTC usually keeps running unless there's a severe snowstorm.

Will you get a much shorter day too? Or will your travel time be about as long as before?

Going by this morning's trip in, I'd say I cut at least 20 minutes off my old commute time. I'm guessing the normal commute time will now be about 40 minutes as opposed to about an hour. Definitely an improvement. :-)

[njc2007.livejournal.com]

I hope things turn out very well for you. I assume the commute will take less time since you won't be taking buses. The cost savings will definitely be useful.

[rusty-armour.livejournal.com]

Thanks, njc2007. :-) Judging by this morning's trip, I think I'll be able to shave about 20 minutes off my old commute time, which isn't bad at all. And, yes, the cost savings are a big plus.

[anitamaid.livejournal.com]

Woot to saving money on transport!
So weird that you say transit, am so used to "Public Transport"...

[rusty-armour.livejournal.com]

Yes, a definite woot to saving money on transit...or transport. *g*

[boobamiaow.livejournal.com]

That sounds great. When you're all stressed and crowded in-just think of that extra money and extra 20 mnis in bed ;)

[rusty-armour.livejournal.com]

Actually, I've been waking up at the same time as before. I'm going to try to keep up the habit in case there are any delays -- not that an extra 20 minutes would help much. Well, possible delays aside, I need a bit of extra time now that there's snow on the ground and everything is moving a little slower, including me. ;-)

[tazzles.livejournal.com]

Awesome! Sounds like a good deal. Not only saving money, but, maybe, a bit of a sleep in too?

Hope it's going well for you!

[rusty-armour.livejournal.com]

Awesome! Sounds like a good deal. Not only saving money, but, maybe, a bit of a sleep in too?

Thanks, Tazzles. :-) The new commute is such an improvement because it's more convenient and will save me money. I'm not actually gaining any sleep yet, as I've tried to stick to my old sleep schedule. I like having that extra 15-20 minutes in case there's a problem on the subway or the first streetcar that comes along is too crowded, etc. I'm not sure how long that will last. I'm sure there will be mornings when I choose the extra sleep instead and decide the risk of being late is worth it. *g*

Hope it's going well for you!

So far, so good. Of course, it helps that I was only at the new office three days last week. It will be the same story this week, as I'll be off for the holidays starting Thursday. ;-)

[jackycomelately.livejournal.com]

A belated Merry Christmas!

I'm finally starting to catch up! Although I'm off to my sister's today, so that will come to a stop.

That's great news, although change is always stressful!

[rusty-armour.livejournal.com]

A belated Merry Christmas!

And a belated Merry Christmas to you too! Of course, mine is even more belated. Sorry about that. This is the first time I've been online since the 23rd.

I'm finally starting to catch up! Although I'm off to my sister's today, so that will come to a stop.

Well, it's not surprising that you're still trying to catch up considering everything that happened. LJ has hopefully been slower the last few days, so that might help.

I hope you had a good time at your sister's on Boxing Day. :-)

That's great news, although change is always stressful!

Yes, the first couple of days were pretty stressful, but I think the arrangement should work out for the better. The commute is certainly an improvement and it will be nice having my transit fees cut in half. :-)