I seem to be intimidated by machines – things that you can’t reason with in life. Bicycles have flat tires, cars break-down, computers malfunction, and electronic devices have minds of their own. They don’t fix themselves and I’m not handy by any stretch of the imagination. It’s odd that when I’m in a casino I feel more comfortable gambling on a video game than facing a human dealer. If the machine malfunctions I can just move to another one. What I don’t like are judgmental eyes if I play the wrong card. Machines at least don’t judge, but with innovation soon will!

I’ve always worried that my car won’t start, dating back to some early bad experiences with owning one. With retirement and our recent move downtown, I am slowly learning to do without. Only about once a week do I get behind the wheel, unless we decide to do a short day trip like last week’s Fort Vancouver adventure. Last night, we took a step towards freedom from the automobile and the hassle of parking. From our new place, we can walk to just about everything we need, but when the weather doesn’t cooperate we need an alternative. About a month ago we bought some HOP passes for access to public transportation. We have both a streetcar and bus stop within a block of our apartment. It wasn’t until last night that we finally used it. I bought movie tickets for The Good Liar, but got in a time crunch coupled with 35 degree temperatures that discouraged a walk. We hopped on the streetcar and easily made it on time, commenting on how convenient it was to use. My initial reluctance was tied to this silly fear of machines.

On our trips to NYC and various European cities, public transportation was often the only option. However, I would feel the intimidation the moment I stepped up to the ticket dispenser. It seemed complicated choosing the right ticket and getting on the correct subway. I always felt like I was going the wrong way and relied on my travel companions to get me through the process. There was always a line of people behind you as you started pushing buttons and inserting the cash or credit card. So much could go wrong in the process, delaying those in a hurry waiting for you to get your ticket. It was both uncomfortable and easily avoided. 

With my HOP pass, all these concerns melted away. I have the app on my phone along with the movie tickets, and all I have to do is tap when I board. Also, with the Honored Citizen discount, it’s only a buck for a two hour ride. As you can tell, I’m not an early adapter, so it will take a few more rides to make this a comfortable habit. I’m confident that in the long run, I will think nothing of it when I step on the streetcar, light rail, or bus. Public Transportation in Portland will soon become my friend.