We could all use a little change

This week, I went to a handful of work events, where I feasted on Drago’s oysters, gumbo and shrimp and grits. I felt like I was home. I also felt like I live in the coolest state of them all.

One of these work events was on Saturday. I woke up later than I had planned – thanks to the snooze button – and I didn’t feel like leaving the comfort of my home to venture out in the cold and go to a work event. So, I threw my money to the wind, and I took a cab, to ease the pain and avoid being late.

I grabbed a coffee before catching my cab, and I felt super sophisticated drinking a coffee while riding across D.C. in a cab. I was already feeling better about going to a work event on a Saturday.

I ended up enjoying the event and staying later than planned. When it was time to leave, the weather had become even colder, which allowed me to easily justify taking a cab home as well.

When the cabdriver pulled up at the convent, I handed him a twenty and awaited my change. He then handed me a measly $7.

Oh, no, no, no, Mr. Cab Driver. I am too much of a cheapskate for you to get away with that.

I politely asked for a receipt, and he handed me a strange piece of paper that wasn’t a receipt. It said things like “Price” and “Tax” with blanks next to them, but none of it was filled in. I said I wanted to see the price of my cab ride.

He then proceeded to write numbers in the blanks on this sheet.

Well, during the ride, I happened to read the list of my rights as a passenger in this cab, and one of them said, “A passenger has the right to receive a receipt printed from the meter.”

I asked if I could have the receipt that the little machine had just printed. He handed it to me, and low and behold, my ride had only been $11.25.

I pointed this out and told him he only gave me $7 in change. He quickly handed me two more dollars, and I pressed on, not really calculating whether we were even yet. He then mumbled his apologies and handed me another 75 cents.

Aside from dealing with sneaky cabdrivers, I have been reading a new book this weekend. I finished Harry Potter earlier in the week, and although I like my new book, I’m having trouble moving on from Harry, Ron and Hermoine. I really just want to read the whole series again already.

One of my friends at the convent, Laura, had been checking in with me throughout Harry Potter, to see where I was, what was happening and how I was feeling. Laura saw me reading my new book yesterday.

Laura: You finished?!

Sam: Yep!

Laura: Oh my gosh, I just can't imagine what life is going to be like without you walking around here carrying a Harry Potter book.

Sam: I know. It's going to be quite an adjustment.