Adventures in Coralville Transit

[bronwynrh]

(Forgive me for repeating myself, repoman)

This morning, the bus was SRO. A guy gets on and snarks at the gal with Down's Syndrome because she's taking up three seats (1 for her and 2 for her stuff). He rolls his eyes and gets huffy until she finishes moving her things, then when he sits, she frowns.

Then the guy starts up with this "don't mess with me today" crap and talking to the guy on crutches (who's next to me with his obese wife) about how he put a guy in the hospital because the guy was drunk and woke up Mr. JawBreaker. He 'got 'im on the floor and beat him to a fuckin' pulp, man.' Nearly broke his jaw, somebody's getting jail time, blah blah blah.

Then Crutches tells his wife to sit back, since she's sitting forward in the chair. She loudly complains that she hasn't any room, at which Crutches glares at me. I only see this in my peripheral vision, because I'm not ABOUT to look these people in the eye. I imagine people like this become violent if you make eye contact. Now, I'm not as petite as I used to be, but my ass (coat and tote included) fits in the space of one bus seat, with a little room to spare. So shut the fuck up, Crutches.

I have never been so repulsed. If Mr. JawBreaker had continued harassing Ms. DownsSyndrome, I wondered if I'd have the balls to tell him to leave her alone. Then I wonder if I'd get a pounding for my trouble.

Ms. DS is a Special Olympic champion with three gold medals in ice skating, just so you know. I'm going to find out her name next time, and maybe give her a cassette tape for her walkman.

Comments

[potch1214.livejournal.com]

When did you move to New York?

[bramey.livejournal.com]

Damned if I know. I thought I was in Iowa, but. . . I'm not so sure anymore.

[potch1214.livejournal.com]

Toto, you're not in Kansas anymore...

Wait...

Iowa?

Have I missed THAT many of your posts?

[bramey.livejournal.com]

Apparently, yes. Don't worry, I've not been posting all that much, so you can catch up quickly.

[miasmaman.livejournal.com]

Is this your first introduction to public transit? This is pretty much what I see on Windsor Transit on a daily basis.

[bramey.livejournal.com]

Yes, the Texan in me naturally revolts against the very thought of public transit. I'm doing it because I have to, and tolerating it because I have no other choice.

I miss my independence.

[miasmaman.livejournal.com]

Well, my best advice to you is try to get a seat in the middle (one of the two seaters) and build yourself some personal space, if possible. Listening to music and reading are great ways to get people to not see you...you become invisible.

Of course, people watching and listening to peoples' conversations is fun too. ;P

[wistfulunicorn.livejournal.com]

People like that are SO disgusting and they think they are so cool. I always have the urge to do or say something but fortunately have had 2nd thoughts so far. And since I no longer use public transit I can get away from them and not have to listen. Sorry you have to be cooped up with such losers.

[adaon.livejournal.com]

Champaign Transit is exactly the same way. This is why I stopped riding the bus. Sure, gas is expensive but what I did not need at 7:30 am was middle school kids flinging pennies at Down's Syndrome Girl and the Boorish Guys from the Halfway House.

[tonysbrat.livejournal.com]

You let Mr. Jawbreaker and Crutches HAVE IT!!!! Riding the bus is always such an adventure, isn't it? It's like that Weird Al song "Another One Rides The Bus". Just look at it this way, using public transportation is good for the environment. So while you're being harassed by weirdos you can fancy yourself an ecological warrior!

Look at it this way...

[adrienneee.livejournal.com]

...atleast you're not on the bus route that includes the welfare and social security office. I cannot TELL you how many times I've taken the Bloomington 1 bus with crack heads and their 15 crack babies who are all drinking Mountain Dew out of baby bottles and the guy with no teeth who feels the need to talk to you ABOUT WHY HE HAS NO TEETH in between talking to his imaginary friend, Herbert. Hello! Teeth guy! Headphones and I"m reading a book, what part of this picture says "Talk to this girl about your dental issues?"