[Rio_]

As some of you may already know, I'm a small-town girl, and until coming to uni I'd never lived in a city before...and I'd also never had to order a taxi. I did try once in my first semester, but I couldn't hear what the person on the phone was saying and got anxious, so I had to give up. But tonight, I ordered a taxi not once, but twice, to get to and from orchestra rehearsals, and I survived!

I'm not sure what it was I was worried about, but both hailing a taxi on the street and phoning the company were too scary for me before (making phone calls in general scares me sometimes, actually)...I still have to try hailing a taxi in the street, but now at least I know I can do the phone part ok - I know what to say, and what they're going to ask me. This is such a relief...I'd been wanting to get a taxi back from the rehearsals before now (some of them ended quite late, and it was cold - violins don't like cold, it can send them out of tune or even break strings if you're unlucky ), but hadn't worked up the courage, and been really annoyed at myself about it. But hopefully now, it shouldn't be a problem!

I know it doesn't really sound like a big deal, but it means a lot to me, so I just thought I'd share.

(In case you're wondering, I have caught taxis before, but with one exception it's been with friends or family...and with that one exception, it was one of my friends who hailed it for me. )

[splitimage]

That's great. Overcoming our fears to do something new is always a big deal, even if it's over a relatively small thing.

--splitimage

[Rio_]

Thanks, splitimage.

[Fuzzybear]

That's great Rio!

[Rio_]

Thanks, Fuzzybear!

[Perna]

It's a huge wonderful deal, Rio, congratulations. I remember when I was afraid of buses, had to take off work to learn the bus route of a new job, exactly what bus to take, where it stopped etc. and then one weekend I went to New York City, on a train, for the weekend all by myself. Everything was wholly new to me and I ended up coming back a day early because I couldn't stand it I was so terrified but was surprised when I got back to Washington that I wasn't remotely afraid of buses anymore after what I'd been through, LOL.

Did you do something harder for you than taxi ordering lately? Our little brains work funny that way I think.

[Rio_]

Thanks, Perna. I can relate to your fear of buses, I hate them as well. I grew up taking trains a lot (my mum doesn't drive, and with dad at work during the day the train or walking was the only way I could get around until I passed my test), so I don't have a problem with them unless it's an unfamiliar station. That's good you're fine with buses now, though!

I don't think I did, actually...I've just been so fed up with being too scared to do it, I was making excuses every time a taxi went past when I was walking home last time and I was really annoyed at myself for it. Plus, the weather was terrible today, and the rehearsal didn't end until quarter past ten at night - the latest one we've had. Luckily, I managed to sort of start off slowly - for getting to the rehearsal I used a phone in the reception at halls that gives a direct link to the taxi firm, and it's generally quiet there so it wasn't too hard to hear the guy on the other end. And it was free, which is always nice when you're a student.

[BalishBun]

good job, great accomplishment!

[sabby]

Wondeful accomplishment (((((((( rio )))))))))))

Every step forward should be savoured.


sabby

[ECHOES]

That's great RioI It feels so good to do things like that, doesn't it!

The unknown and unfamiliar is scary. You're changing that to known and familiar! :cihil:

[Rio_]

((((BalishBun, sabby, ECHOES)))) Thanks!

[BlueFaith]

That's great, Rio! You have every right to be proud of yourself!

[dkwynn]

Rio,
I can relate to not using a taxie siveral times I needed to use them and finally after struggling to call, when they caught here I would not go out and they left, I was so mad at myself, so it is a very big, big, deal you should be very proud of yourself. Think of your violyn like it was a little child, you would not make a child walk in the bad wether. That is what I try sometimes when I am struggling to do something.

[BalishBun]

hey I can see why riding in a taxi to begin with would be a bit of an anxious and scary situation. Hubby and I were taking our taxi in NYC back from the cruise terminal to the airport and he was flying so fast and there were people everywhere who walk right in the middle of a speeding taxi, and cars flying out of every little corner, and I wanted to cover my eyes but I couldnt because if we were going to crash I would want to see it coming! AHH scary!

Rio,
That's great! I'm so happy for you. I know it can be scary, but you did it anyway. Congratulations on your accomplishment!

[Rio_]

((((MentalPollution, dkwynn, Soliaree)))) Thanks! And you make a good point there, dkwynn - it is a fairly fragile instrument. (Although it has survived falling out its case once...I picked it up without realising it wasn't closed properly. )

[Perna]

So, you going to order one tonight? I'd always at least come home by taxi I think.

[Rio_]

Oh, the rehearsals have finished now - we had our concert last Saturday. Closest thing I'm getting to a taxi tonight is dad's car - he and my sister are coming here to see me, and I'm going home for the weekend with them after.

[Perna]

Ah, bet if you took the sanity test Sunday night it would be much lower, LOL. Glad you're getting a bit of an off weekend and some R&R.