March 18, 2009 at 3:24 p.m.

I finally rode the new tram today. Remember... when I mentioned the Tango tram... way back in NOVEMBER???

Why has it taken so long, you ask?

Well, that's because they've been training the tram drivers on the new Tango trams for the past three months. That's right!! THREE MONTHS!!!!!

THEY'RE STILL DOING IT!!!

I first saw one of the new trams probably in December. However, they would just go down the track - taunting us - with a big "L" (as in learner) on the tram marquee instead of the final stop. The tram would have the driver, and two instructors sitting behind the driver. It would stop at our stop, not pick up any passengers, and then just move on to the next stop.

I mean, it's just moving on rails like the old trams, right? How hard can it be to drive one of those things. I mean really... COME ON!!!!!!!

Finally, a few weeks ago, I noticed that there was ONE new Tango car actually picking up passengers, and that was only during certain hours during morning and afternoon rush hour. Nothing like being a bit cautious. Sheesh!

Oh, and incidentally... Mrs. TBF is SEETHING right now. Here's why:

We've had this competition between the two of us regarding who would be the first to ride the Tango. It actually spiraled downward to where we were trash talking each other.

"I'm so going to be riding the Tango while you're in New York," I'd say to her.

"Oh yeah? Well, I'm going to ride it home from work one of these days while you're at home cooking dinner... and I'll call you to let you know that I'm doing it. That's right!"

And so on...

Finally, this afternoon, as I was walking back to the apartment after returning my Mobility car, I looked down the track and noticed that the 15:24 tram was a Tango. It was headin' my way, and... IT DIDN'T HAVE AN "L" ON IT. I didn't really need to go anywhere, but I hopped on anyway. And let me tell you... IT WAS SA-WEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEET!

Roomy...quiet...comfortable. Ahhhhhhhhhh, a real joy.

I rode it for three stops, and then I got off to return home because there were a couple of things that needed tending to.

As I got off the Tango, I noticed some tram-geek on the other side of the platform actually taking a picture of it. God, what a freak! However, I quickly realized that I too was a tram-geek because I was merely crossing from one side of the platform to the other side to head off in the other direction on the same line. Worse yet: I knew that HE knew what I had just done and what I was now doing.

Maybe I should wear a big "L" on my forehead.

L for LOSER!