@GirlontheProwl here…Happy New Year!!!…whoops did I miss that train? I’m sorry, guys, I really thought I was going to be on the ball this year, but blips happen and sometimes the hamster in this wheel goes on strike—seriously it can become really hard to motivate a hamster that would really rather hibernate for the winter. But alas, I ring in the new year (albeit almost four weeks later) with none other than a WTF moment that just so happened to rejuvenate this hibernating hamster…yeah, I don’t know why I’m still referring to my brain as a hamster either.

Anyway, new year new semester, right? Right. A new semester means more train use, right? Right. And so, naturally, this particular WTF moment occurred on my train ride to uni (as most of them do!). So let me set the scene for you. It was a rather chilly day here in Vancouver, the sky was gray, much like my mood (no surprise there). There was a rumbling coming from outside and I could only hope that it didn’t mean that I would be suspended over the city for the next 20 minutes due to “technical” problems…(nobody believes in your technical problems Transit!). Of course, with my luck, I fretted over the fact that the train would be delayed again and I would be late for yet another class!…but of course this minor self-induced panic attack was just that—imaginary. In my defense! It’s always breaking down…so it wasn’t so out of whack for me to think so.

Anyway, back to my point. The train just so happened to be very sparse on this one occasion and the few people who were on the train failed to notice anything other than their fancy gizmos, which is probably why me and two others were the only ones who saw this wonderful display of WTF. So, as the train slowly, yet rather loudly clambered into the station, the doors opened to reveal a red haired boy, also known as our WTF candidate, but let’s call him Red shall we? So, Red walks onto the train, one hand by his side, the other reaching out to grab his unlit cigarette out of his mouth—I mean, really, who does this guy think he is? Augustus Waters?! I assure you, this boy—probably of 13, maybe 14, years of age—with his poorly gelled, red Mohawk, sauntering in with arrogance and too much self-awareness, hardly likens to Mr. Waters. But nevertheless, the kid who somehow managed to swipe his mother’s cigarette, was now positioning himself on an empty bench like he was modeling for the front cover of GQ…I’ll pause for a moment while you imagine a pre-pubescent Justin Bieber trying to pick up a Joel Madden vibe and utterly failing. A short pause later, he transitions into a legs up Lothario meets Titanic-paint-me-naked-pose and with exact precision, places his unlit cigarette back in his mouth. By now he has caught the eye of two twin brothers, who much like me, are trying very hard not to let the expression of amusement fall on their faces. Although, I think the grins were forming of their own accord.

Now, if this isn’t WTF enough for you, when Red’s stop comes, he gets up, stands in front of the doors and braces himself just so he can whip out his lighter to light his cigarette dramatically and in tandem with the train doors opening. Mind you, he does this with very exaggerated movements…he basically tilts his head to the side, flicks out his arms and then bends his elbows in a very elaborate act of lighting his undoubtedly soggy cigarette. But surprise, surprise, he fails! It was a laughable moment, but let’s cut him some slack shall we? He’s still learning after all! (Note the sarcasm) Anyway, by his third attempt he finally gets his soggy stick lit, but it’s too late. His moment of being “cool” was long over because, in true Vancouver fashion, people completely ignored him and pushed him aside to get on the train. At this point he was so flustered he really just looked like a lost little boy who needed a little guidance and a good role model…but seriously dude, WTF was that all about—and who exactly were you putting on the display for?

So, that was my first WTF moment of the new year and I’d love to hear yours! So feel free to comment down below and make sure to hit that follow button to subscribe for future WTF moments…they tend to happen a lot!

-Cheers,