Bus Tales
If you see something...
Thu, 06/18/2009 - 14:24 — rpuckettIn the past semester, the bus installed an automated message system (as well as some hidden cameras, but that's a whole 'nother blog). The first time I encountered the message system came as a bit of a surprise. I had just concluded a short phone call and the bus PA system said to refrain from calls or loud conversations on the bus. I wondered, "Had the bus driver pushed a special button to tell me to shut up?" But a few minutes later I heard another random announcement and felt a bit less targeted. One such announcement goes like, "If you see something, say something. Immediately alert the bus driver or call 911 if you witness any suspicious behavior on buses, bus stops, and transit centers."
Can I have a dollar?
Sun, 06/07/2009 - 10:43 — rpuckettAh the bus stop. Bane of my existence. I think hell is just one large bus stop with all the bad people crammed around the last bit of shade. Flies crawl on your leg from the overflowing trashcans. People smoke with reckless abandon next to the "no smoking" signs. The wait for the bus seems to never end. Every possible bus except yours passes by in quick procession. And of course, its the perfect place for people to beg, or in this case, demand money.
Dr. Jekyl meets Mr. Hyde
Sun, 06/07/2009 - 10:26 — rpuckettI've overheard all manner of conversations on the bus. People talk and talk and talk. You'll hear people going about their daily mundane lives. You'll hear people talking about shoplifting, or admitting to all manner of crimes. For the most part you're better off just staring ahead blankly and pretending you didn't see or hear anything. Such is the case when you hear a mad scientist talking about his old lab being shut down.
My pants fall down, I pick them up again...
Sun, 06/07/2009 - 10:04 — rpuckettI'm used to climbing on crowded buses with tourists laden with heavy luggage. I can cope with buses crowded and packed so tightly that people are standing well beyond the yellow line which "federal law mandates that no one may stand beyond the yellow line while the bus is in motion." And, somehow, I cope with the homeless on the bus. Now I'm a very compassionate person. I empathize with these people who have ended up as society's outcasts, shuffling around vacantly from place to place. But while I'm glad they are able to use public transportation, I'm still not entirely pleased to be in close proximity.
A Ball Full of Hate
Mon, 09/01/2008 - 18:47 — rpuckettAt first glance, I figured the heavyset woman wearing the faded, dirty, and yet flowery XXXL dress (possibly a muumu) to be homeless. She was sitting askew on the bus bench with kind of a dazed expression on her face. When a couple passing tourist guys happened by, the woman sprang to life and said to them, "I'll buy your water for a dollar!" and waved some money at them. The guy with the bottle replied after looking at his half-filled water bottle, "You can buy a new bottle for a dollar." The woman then told them she didn't want to leave the bus stop. Being kind, the guy just gave her the water bottle without payment and went on his merry way. Freshly watered, the lady then began her tirade.
Street Poet or Psycho
Mon, 09/01/2008 - 18:00 — rpuckettAn Incontinent Truth
Mon, 09/01/2008 - 17:58 — rpuckettTheBus has many signs inside directing people's actions. There is the happy smiley face listening to music with headphones, signs telling you to get your ass to the back of the bus. There's even a sign that says its not okay to eat hotdogs on the bus (or I think that's what it meant). One such sign tells not to urinate or defecate on the bus. For some reason they did not give any smiley faces mimicking the actions here. Perhaps they need some outside artist to provide such things. Unfortunately, I've witnessed every single one of those rules broken on the bus, as well as several more which don't have signs... yet.
Kleptomaniac Kids
Mon, 09/01/2008 - 17:38 — rpuckettRiding most of the week on a bus has its ups and downs, mostly coinciding to potholes. My interaction with the other people on the bus has ranged from pretending to be asleep to discussing local politics and sustainability efforts. Mostly I just scurry myself to a seat and try not to attract attention. And so I found myself one day overhearing the conversation of two teenage girls that left me wishing I hadn't. If this pair is the future we have to look forward to, lets squeeze this planet dry of life before they get to it.
Wheels on theBus go UP and Down
Mon, 09/01/2008 - 17:25 — rpuckettTravelling occasionally makes me a bit nervous. Ending up in an unfamiliar neighborhood is not my idea of a nice day. However, if the benefit is great enough, I'll consider it. That's how I found myself with my partner on the #42 bus bound for Ewa Beach. Someone online was getting rid of two decent spec computers that were way better than the cobbled together computer we had at home. Once more I cast my fate upon the benevolence of the bus system.
Sitting Next to Psycho
Mon, 09/01/2008 - 17:24 — rpuckettMass transit is an acquired taste. The denizens of the bus systems put up with so much--late buses, crowded buses, being stuck in traffic, and broken down buses. Its understandable that tempers can get a bit frayed. I've seen, heard, felt, and unfortunately smelled more things on a bus than I care to remember. Understand that Honolulu's theBus has occasionally won the "America's Best Bus System Award." It just seems that sometimes, particularly on certain bus routes, you get more loonies than the rest. Today, I "enjoyed" the company of a person spouting vitriolic obscenities--someone who obviously hated everything I looked like and represented.