Day 30 – I feel exactly like my bicycle tire.
I left home this morning at 6:45 am not feeling that great. I hopped on my bicycle and started my way to the circle of strike. At Jarvis and Dundas I stopped at the red light, the first stop since leaving home, I had managed all green lights on the way… woohoo. When the light changed I started pedaling and all of a sudden my bike started to shake, like I was going to lose my wheel or something. One quick look and I saw that my back tire was now completely flat. Another quick look behind me revealed a broken bottle I had not seen…
I got off the bike, took it to the side of the building, not blocking the flow of walkers and I teared up. Yeah, I’m that tired. I’m just like this stupid tire, totally deflated… Mostly I seriously don’t know if I can even afford to repair it. it’s that bad.
This strike has really gotten to me personally now and I’m done. Not just because of a flat tire, but because I’ve just lost a full month. It’s an entire month where I haven’t been myself and I need to do something to change this. I don’t know what yet, but I’m certainly taking this afternoon to do some serious thinking…
Right after I finish folding the laundry…
« City of Toronto On Strike – Day 29 – Rat Stories From The Picket Line City of Toronto Strike – Day 31 – Apologies And Good Wishes From The Picket Line »
Consider returning back to work, you can only hold out financially for so long. I think there are many other unionized employee like myself who have returned to work for financial reasons. You have my support.
Hey there,
Sorry to hear about the toll it’s taking. I know from Josh’s experience that it can really be a soul-killing endeavor. I hope that things look up soon, M.
See ya soon,
S.
Sarah: I still can’t bring myself to cross the picket line…
Sean: We have some good plans on the way, no worries. I’m actually going to watch JAWS 3 in 3D this week with some good friends. That’s a moral booster right there
Man, it is the definition of suck having that happen to your bike. Twas good meeting you in person and I’ll tell ya, I don’t know when this thing is going to end. It’s not sunshine and roses back at the desk, but we all just want it to get back to normal.
Again, stay strong man, do your thinking and your laundry.
Zen and the art of Sock balling.
Hey there,
I’ve been following your blog almost since the beginning of the strike and your experiences are so similar to mine. I’ve really appreciated reading your thoughts.
On Friday evening I was a mess of tears for no apparent reason … this strike really is soul-sucking. Anyway – I’m thinking of you and your bike.
William: Funny how things work… this fellow striker had a repair kit with him, so we took the bike to a gas station nearby, used the air pump to try and find the leak, nothing, put some more and the tube just exploded… kaboom… this time I laughed though… On my way home, I stopped at Cycle Solution on Parliament and even though they were supra busy, the cashier put my bike on one of the stands and showed me how to fix this myself and charge me $5 for the new tube… I say showed me because I have disk breaks and they are a bitch to take apart… Even though I’m as broke as broke can be, I still gave him an extra $5 for his trouble, he certainly didn’t have to do that.
Fellow Striker: It’s funny, today as an exercise I re-read the entire last month of post, something I never do and ended up laughing a bit… it’s certainly been one hell of a month… but you certainly said it, this is soul-sucking at it best.
I feel ur pain! All I keep doing is trying to remind myself that this will end – hopefully soon! I’m getting sick of all the people hatin’ on us not realizing that we’re suffering too … I can’t imagine crossing the picket line now ‘cus then it makes all our time out picketing seem worthless. Let’s just hope this will end soon!
I can only hope this all comes to an end soon. Quite simply, something like a flat tyre shouldnt upset you that much. If you need to take a break from the lines, do it. No one is going to think less of you. You’ve put in a solid effort so far and you should be proud of that.
I’m waiting for the day I check in and you can tell us that you’re back at work, that the whole thing has come to an end, and that you’re feeling happy again.
Until that happens though, know that I’m rooting for you, even if it is from the other side of the world.
Having been on the picket line from day one myself I can understand how the smallest stresses from the non-union world hit harder than they normally would. We’re all under financial pressure, and feeling stress from the conflict we have to face on the picket line – from both the public and even the union itself. I’ve had better summers. But reading your blog while this has been going on has been great, so I’m selfishly hoping you keep it up.
(I’d like to say we’re close to the end, but I really don’t have anything to base that on, so I won’t.)
We’re pulling for ya, hopefully life will return to normal soon.
Marianne & Michael: It’s not like I’m done or anything, it’s just that I’ve hit the lowest low point to date… so many things happened after I got home to boost my spirits that I’ll be back up and running… I may just need a little break and since Thursday is calling for rain all day, maybe I’ll just stay in bed and take a “me” day… But I too believe we’ve invested too much on the picket line to give up now…
Mutant & matthew: thanks from around the world
Hey! The fucking laundry isn’t done! What the hell are you doing all day?
Sorry you are feeling low. Do what you can to take care of yourself. Tomorrow is a new day.
DR: sorry sir
Maizey: Sometimes all you need is a good night sleep and your loved ones… my job back would be good too
Hahaha! DR you are such a beyotch! You crack that whip! Oh wait, SB might like that I don’t know. (He looks so vanilla.
)
I’m telling you SB, you’re articles are about 1500% better then the CUPE propaganda darling Tamie. No hyperbole here.
At any rate, stay strong man, sometimes you need to just chill.