Without a ticket catches up with you. It happened to me today. This morning it was snowing. A lot. Actively snowing. I got on a very empty 111 bus, didn't stamp my ticket and at the next stop two or maybe three controllers climbed on.

I didn't have a ticket. I smiled. He asked for my ticket. I said I didn't have one. (Not that I'd been riding the bus for nearly four months without one which is much closer to the truth.)  I paid my fine of 10 leva.  He gave me a red ticket and change for my 20 leva note and told me to have a nice day.  I smiled.

Truthfully, I felt kind of bad about the ticket thing and for him riding all over town in bad weather checking tickets. Also, I wasn't angry or anything because I deserve to pay a fine.  I did the math this morning.  <!--more-->I've been riding the bus regularly since November and I'm not in the habit of stamping tickets. I'd guess that conservatively this means I've ridden the bus 110 times (give or take) without tickets.

I know, I know. That sounds like a lot when I write it out. I even double checked my math--I mean I am an English teacher.  But it's pretty sound.

The strangest thing is I don't gamble, I don't even bet on things but for whatever reason but I've taken to riding the four or so stops from my house to school and back without a ticket.  Now the question is this: since I've been caught, do I now start stamping tickets or because I am up about 100 rides do I continue riding without a ticket? I mean it would be annoying if I got checked the next ten times I ride the bus but I do owe the money.  This said, what's the chance that I'll get checked?

Hum, I wonder if there's an algorithm for this?

Maybe thought it doesn't matter as I assume that shortly there will not be inches of snow, sheets of ice, slush, standing water and/or mud covering all of the sidewalks.  When this happens it will make walking to school much, much more pleasant.  And the thing is, I really do like walking. I like looking at things. I like thinking and walking. I come up with some of my best ideas walking.  I like the energy it gives me.  So truth be told come March I assume I'll once again be walking to school.