Transit Tidbits

Here’s a new list of what’s happenin’ out there in my world of bus riding and conference attending!

August 11, 2017 – 2 thirty year olds are loudly yacking it up about the troubles of “getting older”. Hah! They have no idea, huh?

August 16 – Sitting on the deck at my room at the Red Lion on the Columbia River, overlooking the tennis courts and the river. It’s pleasant, even with the roar of traffic over the bridge and occasional bigger roar from a plane overhead. Great day at the Oregon Christian Writers conference; learned a lot!

August 17 – It used to be when plumbing was slow in the bathroom a person would stand around waiting for things to flow. I’ve found myself doing that this week at the Red Lion on the River. Bringing things back to basics. It’s not much different from time spent waiting for an app to load on a computer or phone, a common current day activity. Funny how waiting for an app is a whole lot more interesting than watching a toilet! 🙂

August 22 at 5:26pm – Crowded on bus! Finally got a seat! Then person I sat next to started to go to sleep. No fun. Generally, it’s men who do that and this guy slowly edged over into my bubble. First chance I got, moved to a seat by myself 🙂 I was safe … now the woman who sat down next to me is falling asleep! Do I look like a pillow? 🙂

August 24 7:02am – I hit the motherload! Put on a lightweight jacket due to today’s chill in the air and discovered bulky pockets. Didn’t have time to unpack them til the bus stop. Then, found puffed rice snacks, fruit strips and a mint or two. Nice cache. 🙂 Happy Thursday, everybody!

August 24 5:37pm – Sometimes there are creepy people on the bus. They either sit too close, lean toward you in the aisle, or hover above you. Other people strike up a conversation so quickly, it’s clear they just want to talk to anyone who will listen, even when you don’t want to listen to a stranger overshare. Bus riding is challenging!

August 25 7:20am – Bus is half empty. It’s Hood-to-Coast day, and a sunny Friday. 2nd to last weekend before school starts for Oregonians. Hope you enjoy today! Happy Friday, everyone!

August 28 – Waiting at the bus stop for the early bus, sure I’d missed it, when along comes a bus like a bat outta hell! Hopping on, driver waited til I sat, then away we went careening down the road. Exciting ride!

Here’s the most recent installment of observations from travelling on Portland Metro area buses:

July 27 – Youngish gal appears to be wearing pink pajamas and her UGG boots to go home. I can’t imagine being out in public, much less on the bus in pajamas!

July 31 – Warning warning Trimet sez – our trains can’t travel much at temps over 105, and buses may overheat! Whatta do? Hope for the best, I guess (-:

August 1 – Trimet reader said 5 minutes til next bus. So thankful 5 minutes magically turned into 1 minute! Hello air conditioned coolness! (-:

August 2 – Big ole’ truck n trailer carrying Honey Bucket units stopped at Cesar Chavez Ave and Powell Blvd. Next lane over was empty except for a gray bearded man with matching pickup stopped carefully back of the trailer. Pretty sure the units were empty, but he was taking no chances! 🙂 Happy Hot Wednesday, Everybody!

August 4 – Just overheard a guy at the bus stop in an intense conversation on his phone about being misunderstood, which brings to mind how tempers tend to flare in hot weather. So, am praying for love, clear communication and understanding between people today. Happy Friday to you and yours!

August 5 – Last night we played Geoguessr and it was fun! Some of the places we had been to before (in a previous game) but it was still an intriguing challenge to figure out where we were. If you’ve never played before, it’s fun for exploring the world 🙂

August 7 – What’s happenin’ now is what my daughter and I both hate, but maybe Jesus would embrace? Got on bus and another gal sat right next to me. As bus has emptied out, there are now 3, not 1 but 3 empty seats by the window, and this gal still sits next to me. Doesn’t she want more elbow room? I do!

August 8 – Reading, on recommendation from my older sister Kathy, Can We Talk About Something More Pleasant by Roz Chast, I am laughing along with her about antics of older parents

August 8 – While innocently waiting at the bus stop on Cesar Chavez Ave, I just got an offer from a couple of gals in a Subaru, flashing an OHSU RN badge, for a ride to work. I declined, thinking “I’m early as it is”, but mostly because I didn’t know them, where were they parking? Would it be close to where I needed to go?! I understood their heart, though. Happy Tuesday, Everybody!

Transit Tidbits #12

June 26 – Two very small older people, both wearing red and blue striped beanie style hats with brims got on bus. One kept shouting to the other, “Sharon, get off! You’re on the wrong bus!” Sharon drooled saying, “14?! 14?” Driver sez,”Come on, I’ll take you to 14.” Second person got on. Everyone is avoiding making eye contact, but right before 52nd, driver says, “I’ll let you off before the stop, to catch 14.” They didn’t hear, and a bike rider near them said much louder after getting their attention, “The bus driver will let you off now to catch 14.” They hopped off, then bike rider got off next stop. Bike rider was on the bus long enough to show compassionate to 2 older folks. Nice to see (-:

June 30, 2017 – Haven’t been on the 9 going into town lately, but am today. Bus driver has a lead foot, so hard to get to a seat as the bus jerks as I am walking down the aisle. As far as clientele, we’ve got the business folks, the gal who gets on for 10 blocks, the guy who goes from end of line to 162nd taking 2 seats, the guy with hooded sweatshirt with hood up, guy with walker, lady in wheelchair going a different 10 blocks, and gal with 1/3 hair shaved, purple hair and a ring in her nose, oh and a guy with a black shirt with an intricate orange yellow and burgundy design that shouts, “let’s party!”. Interesting variety of people. Happy sunny Friday, everybody!
Friend comments “You forgot about Stinky Guy. Oh, never mind. He’s on MAX in front of me.” I replied “Hahaha I’m sorry. No stinky guys this morning and I’ve noticed there are fewer on the bus than MAX.”

July 3 – Google maps really puts things into perspective. A few years ago I looked up the distance from Portland to Lincoln City by bus and car. Now when I go looking for distances from here to there, the amount of time by bus is offered as an option. Today, I looked up from here to Florence. By car it’s 3 1/2 hours. From Florence to Coos Bay alone on the bus, it’s 7 hours, but need to start by 4:08am. Goofy stuff, and reminds me it’s very nice to have a car! 🙂

July 7 – More spouting from whales off Oregon coast, there are two out there

July 13 – Overheard by a contractor at work, “It don’t matter to me, ’cause in 12 days, I’m livin’ a different life!” Someone is counting down to his retirement, I’m thinking (-:

July 13 – A guy on one side is falling asleep, continually jerking himself awake. Gal in other side is flexing her leg. Bus driver is giving a little advertising in English then Spanish. An eventful ride home! (-:

July 14 – Not sure if I can understand why people riding on the bus, speaking a foreign language, think it’s okay to talk loudly. A few days ago Arabic, today Spanish. I mean, so loud you can hardly think.

July 20 – On the bus gal has a t-shirt “I’m not arguing. I’m just explaining what’s right”. Guy talking to bus driver sez, ‘I’m from Michigan, Detroit area. A lot of boating activities all the time. There’s more lakes in Michigan than in Minnesota”. Fun fact for the day (-:

July 24 – Fringe on white leather shoes – is that popular now? Guy on bus thinks so

July 26 – Super drunk guy got on bus, sat by back door, harassed 2 young women when we all started yelling at him to stop, get off, etc and he did leave. Yicks!

July 26 – Come in the house, the cat says “Meow! Meow!”. Go out to get the mail and neighbors sheep call, “Baaaa! Baaa!” Never thought I’d live in a place where various animals talk to me (-:

Another week’s presentation of overheard comments, conversations and observations on a Trimet bus. Hope you enjoy!

June 2 – I live off the beaten path, and every day when I get on the bus, I text my daughter-in-law to meet me at our prearranged spot. Today, did my usual text and got a reply from my son, ‘I’ll be your chauffeur service tonight as your regular driver has a previous engagement. We have you down for 6:05. Is that correct?’ Very funny! And nice 🙂

June 4 – I’ve been doing research on my dad from his climbing days and discovered his name (Dave Pearson) in the “Rock Climbing Smith Rocks State Park” book by Alan Watts. He was one of the first to climb Shiprock’s West Chimney with climbing friend Ross Petrie back in the 1940’s, Pretty cool! My brother Jim said Dad did some first ascents of Mt Washington as well. Whattaya know?

June 9 – On one bus I take to work, line 66 which goes from Hollywood Transit Center to my job, there’s a hatted, resonant voiced guy who sits in back. He has a buddy he talks with for part of the route. He always sits in back, except for today, when he moved further front promptly after a young man, who daily talks on his phone giving advice to someone else, got on. We each have our limits!

June 9 – Great move by Trimet! Have a bus 9 that goes to 98th Ave only, followed by a bus 9 going to Gresham TC so I got a seat right off the bat (-: A beautiful plan. Thank you Trimet!

June 9 – Older gal in wheelchair with her husband. She’s multilingual! Reading a fashion magazine in German

June 13 – Overheard on bus, “They wonder if I am using an ego defense mechanism to avoid facing issues” I wonder what that even means?! Several blocks later, same guy sez, ” Even though I don’t like them, I want them to like me” and if you are wondering, he’s on a phone call, and that thought is often true for a lot of us

June 14 – When on the bus, I realize anew the idea of “my life is not my own”, I am poured out wine for God’s purposes, if even to pray for others. Occasionally there’s a conversation. Today a young woman is sitting, looking at her phone and randomly pressing air out of each bubble of a plastic bubble sheet. It is annoying! When I’m in my own car, I can choose music or none, windows open or not. The bus? It’s a whole new ballgame (-:
Friend 1: “Love your heart, Becky”
Friend 2: “You should write a book about your bus adventures”
Friend 3 “I agree you should write a book. You capture the moment in word pictures very well!”

June 15 – Today someone contributed an open Coors can to the floor of the bus, in the back, as well as a mostly empty glass bottle of Cider to one of the seats. Ugh. And then there’s the crying toddler with her dad and sister. She’s at that stage where she’s about to fall asleep but won’t. Praying for everyone

June 15, 2017 – Overheard on bus, as a guy is talking to a friend about his temporary jobs, “I don’t want to file! I just want to throw boxes around”.

June 19 – Trimet driver gets on bus for a ride to his destination, fills the coin machine with his fare. It jams it up! Then he acquires a metal rod, swirls it around and up and down. Voila! Clog is gone (-:

June 19 – Sighted on bus: middle-aged man, red cap, red Hawaiian style shirt, camouflage leggings, blue jeans and black shoes. Quite the combination of colors and styles!

June 20 – I wish the bus driver, with the full to overflowing bus, did not have alternately quick to break AND a lead foot for speed! But it is good for exercising, “Now grip! Now hold that pose. Now shift, and hold!” When I was a young girl in Oklahoma, there was a recording we had to listen to in PE, with a song line, “Go you chicken fat, go!” which was very like my imagined instructions here.

June 23 – On the bus ride home was a gal singing softly, and it was pretty, but her singing was putting me to sleep! And, as I started moving from the aisle seat to a window seat when it opened up across the aisle, the guy in the first seat said as I moved away, “Have a nice weekend!” Friendliness all around 🙂

Here is another glimpse into the world of bus riding in Portland, Oregon, from May 2017:

May 25 – Accents from different parts of the country are interesting, especially from the South.

May 26 – An older black gentleman with gray beard and plaid shirt is on the bus, and moves his bag so I can sit and we exchange pleasantries. Then a younger light skinned gal of black heritage sits down (it’s that weird seat again where ya have to twirl around the pole to sit down) and he tells her, “Move around ’cause you’re in the aisle!” I join in with a bit ‘o advice and she gets situated. Older man asks her,” how old are you?” “14” “14?!” He exclaims, “I’m 80, and I don’t even remember what I was like at 14!” We all had a chuckle (-:

May 30 – Today there’s a young Asian man reading a Japanese book. How do I know what he is reading, you may ask? I studied the language back on college and recognize it. There are three alphabets within this one language, Kanji, hiragana and katakana. Kanji is visually like Chinese block letters, and while the meaning may be similar to Chinese, the words sound different in Japanese, hiragana is for Japanese’s basic phonetic language and katakana is for foreign words added to the Japanese language 🙂

May 31 – The ride started out quietly. For last 30 blocks, a gal has been complaining to her friend. Now entering the bus, is a woman with one child singing, “A lola, a lola, a lola lola alla alla yala!” And the other child screaming at top of his lungs. Once 2nd child on mom’s lap, screaming stopped. But first child, Daniel by name, we find out when mom says, “Daniel! Stop!” keeps the sing song going. It’s gotta be hard to take ones little ones on the bus!

Here’s a new offering of Transit Tidbits – bits of information overhead or observed on the bus:

April 12 – I experienced wet, gloppy raindrops coming out the door from work. It’s gonna be a soppy walk to bus, I’m predicting!

April 12 – If you’ve ever been to an event where multiple conversations are going on around you at the same time, that’s what today’s bus ride is like! … “I was so embarrassed!” … “Would she do it?” … “Oh no! I can’t believe it” … and the bus announcement softly spoken in the background, “SE Powell and 12th”. The strident voices win. On a positive note, a guy offered me his seat (-:

May 10 – My co-worker Liz and I walk to the Tilikum Bridge together where she catches the Orange Line and I catch #9 bus. There’s construction in downtown Portland for 2 more weeks at least. Trimet said the Orange line wouldn’t be affected by the construction, but Liz says the bus is packed every day, and always late. No fun!

May 10 – For a couple days now, there’s been a 10 minute wait for the bus, and when it gets to my stop for me to get on, it is very full with many people standing in the aisle. A few folks can get on, while driver repeats, “you have to be behind the yellow line!” So lots of us wait for the next bus, anywhere from a 2-8 more minute delay. Good thing is though, 2nd bus has seats for everyone, and by 181st, we will pass the first bus by 🙂

May 11 – There’s a guy at the back of the bus that has a laugh like my brother in law John. I have it on good authority that he would never ride the bus, so now I know there’s at least 2 people in Portland with his lighthearted, bubbly laugh.

May 15 – Sitting on bus with weird seats again. Guy trying to get off and his bag would be crowding me, so I said “Go ahead, no problem! ” He replied, “That’s not it. I can’t move my leg! It fell asleep!”

May 18 – Guy just called “Kathy at the VA”. His voice really resonates and we ALL now know he forgot his meds there. He’s hopped off and going back to get them. At least he has time before they close.

May 18 – Aisle just filled with scads of high school students! They are very quiet. Either they just had tests, or too tired to be loud. It’s weird.

May 19 – There’s a guy in front of me quietly reading music scores in Japanese! He’s tapping out the beat with his hand. It’s SO interesting to see people of various cultures on the bus. A gal who has an orange flowered tattoo on her arm has captured his attention for a moment, but now he’s back to the score in his lap

May 24 – First a gal in a wheelchair, on and off the bus, then 2 ladies with shopping carts filled with their grocery shopping. Now a guy with a portable sewing machine on a cart. Everyone is being courteous to each other during their entrances and exits but it could have been so much worse (-:

Monday’s addition #8 of Transit Tidbits for your reading enjoyment!

April 2nd, about 10:00am – Earlier today, I was going to get on FB and say, “Quick! Look! It’s the sun!” but now that the day is a few hours old, looks like we are having a beautiful blue sky Sunday and it may last all day … what a joy!

April 3rd, 7:00am – This morning, remembering it will get warm today, wore my lightweight jacket with fuzzy inside. Standing at the bus stop now … well, it’s still not quite warm enough to wear it! Happy Monday anyway!
Friend’s Reply – Looks can be deceiving

April 3rd, afternoon – A thirty-something guy is having an informal counseling session with his sig other and son, about his sister. I’d rather do my sharing in a more private setting, but hey it’s okay as long as they aren’t yelling, or asking for advice! Now, they’re sharing a hug and a quick peck (-:

April 4th, 6:30am – Just glimpsed the sunrise, a sliver of intense pink above dark blue hills

April 6, 2017 – Sun is shining, made it on the bus. Seat I choose, seatmate gets off at SE 12th, so most of ride home will be enjoying the view! It’s the simple things that mean the most (-:

April 7, 2017 – (today we are having wind gusts up to 50 mph). Lights flickering, wind whistling around glass windows, the roar of wind through the trees and we’re off to a great start for a windy Friday!

April 7, 2017 – The Tram was shut down for a time, until 2:30pm and then run at reduced speeds. My post at 4:40pm: Adventure time! About to get on Tram at OHSU, which is traveling at reduced speeds due to the wind
Replies to this post – from a friend: How’d ya do??
Another friend: You are one brave woman!
Yet another friend: Yikes!!!

April 11, 2017 – A couple of chattering women sitting at front of bus and I’m near the back but they are loud enough to hear. Conversation is about being in court, not sure for jury duty or a different matter. Now 30 blocks later, we are on to hospital care. My sis tells me to wear headphones, and sometimes I do, but don’t like to completely tune out the world
Replies to this post – from a friend: If you wear headphones we would not have all of these great glimpses into other peoples live. Mysteries, drama, romance, story starters, character development all begin with good observation of human kind.
from another friend: I love your updates they make me laugh.
Third friend: I am soooooooooo with (2nd friend)

Here’s a smattering of March 2016 observations!

March 8 – A youngish man gets on the bus, a white rope is his belt. He is crouching as he enters because he is holding up his pants with one hand, inches of underwear visible to the world, while carrying a milkshake. I think he’s forgotten the purpose of hips, to keep his jeans at waist height. Not sure whether to laugh or just pray for him

Responses: Sister’s niece: He needed the milkshake to grow more hips!
Friend: They look so stupid with their rear ends hanging out.
Hubby: Ummm– Guys have a waist, not hips. 😉
Friend: And, they should wear their pants somewhere just below the waist — not at their knees.

March 9 – Reading The Case for Christ by Lee Strobel. Very interesting!
responses: Friend: Yes! Great book! I just might read it again!
Friend: Have heard that 😃

March 9 – Just overheard a guy making a phone call on the bus, “I ordered a dishwasher online, and in order to get free shipping, I’d like to order a stove too”. Must be some hefty shipping charge! Must be nice to have that kind of money
Responses: Hubby: Actually, it *is* pretty expensive! Dishwasher weighs easily over 100 pounds…
Friend: On HomeDepot.com you can order appliances. Anything under $200 dollars has a $59 shipping charge. Any appliance over is free shipping or combo

March 10 – Thankful for the last bus driver we had. Though he whizzed through the route, he was super friendly. The 3 Mos. switch just happened and current driver is creeping along! Will I make my connection?!
Responses: Me: I did make it! With a few minutes to spare. Incidently, one of my bus mates also misses the friendly driver (-:
Friend: maybe t newbie needs all your friendliness!

March 16 – Random OHSU ambassador moment: when you show your badge on the bus for fare (there’s an icon on badge for Trimet) and another bus rider asks if you work at CHH, so you make sure they know how to get where they are going!

March 18 – I was talking with my hair dresser today about my daughter’s horse, Fabio, and she asked how he got the name, and then mentioned, ‘the real Fabio lives up the Gorge’!

March 21 8:21pm – Pretty loud raining right now with a little rumbling thunder thrown in for fun!

Monday’s edition of Transit Tidbits #5

News from February and March 2016

Feb 23 In my office at work, the heating system leaves something to be desired. Last week, when temps were too hot, the heating guys turned it down 3 degrees, and yesterday we had cold air blowing all day. Today I’m layered up with an extra layer of silk to stay warm. Crazy!

Feb 23 In the evening, snow and/or hail on the ground in west Gresham (-:

Feb 24 Light snow falling on hills in Gresham! But couldn’t stay and watch it .. off to work for another day (-:

Feb 24 Just saw on a billboard “Love is your superpower”

Feb 24 Used to go to Farrell’s with high school church group; always a lot of fun!

Feb 25 Off to Salem to a writers conference with my daughter in law Emily Dodge Hanchett! !

Feb 26 I just saw this headline on FB “Portland winter ranked 3rd most depressing in the nation” and it just struck me as so funny! So … Portland’s had a depressing winter, so let’s do an article on how depressing it is? It’s all in perspective; the ice and snow were pretty and we just had a bit of snow in the rain again today! Happy Sunday! 🙂

Feb 27 It’s snowing tiny flakes at work! Fun!

March 3 Got off work an hour early so I wouldn’t incur overtime. Nice to be traveling in the daytime!

March 6 It snowed quite a bit at OHSU and the hills nearby, especially to the south! An unexpected surprise to see icicles on stop signs and snow etching outlines on evergreen trees

March 7 Today’s bus experience is cloying coconut scented lotion! I’d forgotten people still wore that stuff. I’m sensitive to fragrances, so I am usually scent-free

March 8, 5:00pm Happy laughter from the back of the bus from a couple of little kids with their parents … just waiting for it to turn to crying. Uh oh … here we go!