Speed Dating

Posted on March 21, 2013 by Bill Reagan

I ride the bus every day, so I’ve witnessed plenty of folks making amorous advances toward fellow riders – but I had never seen anyone like this guy on the #35. He bounded onto the bus as if he had just arrived at his own birthday party, his confident smile lighting the way as he made eye contact with each woman on the bus while he looked for a seat. The seat he found was, as luck would have it, across the aisle from one of the loveliest women on the bus. His self-assurance was immediately on display as he began the most efficient flirtation I have ever witnessed.

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Posted in 35, Flirting | 3 Comments

So this is what crazy looks like

Posted on February 21, 2013 by Bill Reagan

I had been listening to an audio book called New Stories of the South, a 2005 anthology. I was three stories into the recording when I heard Clairvoyant by Ada Long, a tale that grabbed me by the lapels, pulled me close, and refused to let go. I could smell the carnival food, see the dim light of the main character’s trailer, and I was mesmerized by the central figure of the tale, the self-proclaimed “smallest man in the world.” His commentary focused on the people who paid fifty cents to see him – and realized only when they were inside that he could see them right back. He was thoughtful and weary and full of great sentences and great ideas. I hadn’t made it past that story because I kept starting it over, falling back under its spell.

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Posted in Streetcar | 7 Comments

All The Difference: An Experience Reinforcing the Power of Bus Drivers in the System.

Posted on February 15, 2013 by Dave

TriMet letter two.

Foreword: I’ve already spread this story around in a blog or two but I really want to spread the word about this experience. It’s an amazing-yet-simplistic one that shines a light on the impact a driver has on a system. They can save the day for someone even when everything else is wrong, sometimes by doing nothing but being. In times as negative as these, I think the positives deserve some emphasis (especially considering my personal reputation as the fire and brimstone guy, I could use a chill pill too!) I hope you would give me the privilege of posting it here as well.

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Posted in 78, Bus | Leave a comment

Humanity on Wheels 2 (November 20, 2012)

Posted on November 12, 2012 by Dave

Humanity on Wheels 2 - November 20, 2012Humanity on Wheels 2: another Evening of Mass Transit Tales!, takes place Tuesday, November 20, 2012 at the Jack London Bar (in the basement of the Rialto Poolroom at 529 SW 4th Ave.). The fun begins at 7:30 p.m.

Inspired by Muni Diaries Live and Back Fence PDX, Humanity on Wheels was created with the gracious and indefatigable help of Doug Kenck-Crispin, of Kick Ass Oregon History fame.

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Posted in Bus, Humanity on Wheels, MAX | 3 Comments

ROLL TITLES

Posted on October 29, 2012 by Dave

It seems like everyone now is fixed on their electronics. On any given bus or train, however, someone is reading a book.  I have documented proof.  The following are titles of books recently being read on Trimet (and some commentary):

Missing Persons by Stephen White.  The reader was a middle aged man wearing an Obama badge.

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Posted in Bus, MAX | 2 Comments