Large Sleeping Man Finds His Bed

This morning I made my way to the back of the full bus to grab the available corner seat. The back center seat had a large sleeping man with his head slightly leaning on to his right shoulder so I carefully slid by him to take my seat. I did notice that as we headed downtown that the large sleeping man continued to lean more to the right and it started to make me nervous. I didn't want to become a giant pillow to this large sleeping man so I planned my strategy. I decided to make my exit as he was six inches from me. I rose from my seat and squirmed by him after a stop opened up a seat in front of me. I sat there for a while and heard a thud and instinctively turned around and saw the giant sleeping man totally sprawled out on the back seats. A new bed, who knew? Whew - I had moved just in time to avoid becoming a giant pillow. All I could think was I have never fallen asleep on the bus and I don't think I could for many reasons. A major reason for me would be safety and another one would be comfort. I kind of envy people who can sleep anywhere. Sleep on sleepy people.
bus rides = entertainment.

Anger Management

While traveling in to Detroit several days ago this young man had an epiphany right before we reached Six Mile/McNichols. He asked, "are we heading to Detroit ?", at the same time he knew his answer was yes indeed we were. He was pissed at himself and cussing then proceeded to ask everyone within earshot if they had money for a fare back up Gratiot. No one offered but one woman said he should get a transfer to which he replied a transfer wouldn't work. He signalled to get off all the while verbally and visibly angry with himself. He got off the bus and exploded in a rage on the sidewalk even throwing his backpack against the wall of the store we were in front of. I felt sorry for this guy at that moment because he was clearly stuck. I've been angry with myself over stupid mistakes before and in this busy world it's easy to get distracted and get on the wrong bus. When I first started taking the bus to work I got on the wrong bus going home and realized it too late. I eventually made it home in a long, round-about way during a rain storm but it was my own fault. So I can relate to this guys anger and frustration and if I had the cash on me would have offered it to him.
bus rides = entertainment

They Went On and On Adnauseam

Last Thursday I got to leave work early for the New Year holiday. I caught a bus around 3:00 p.m. which was quiet until the driver picked up a couple guys. I'm not exactly sure what the issue was with the fare but it had to do with transfers from DDOT and using change cards. SMART recently revised a policy and the driver was being terse with the passenger stating he should know the policy and pointed to the posting on the wall. The passenger ended up arguing with the driver and the other guy chimed in. They went on so loudly the driver pulled over and stopped to point out the poster listing the policy. The driver was stating that he only has to do his job and doesn't make the policy. The other fellow decided he was going to be the passengers ally so he called the SMART office to inquire about the policy and yes the driver was right about the policy (he knows his job, of course). So the two guys continued to rehash and complain that they were getting ripped off. It went on adnauseam and made me want to yell - grow up and deal with it. I didn't and just sat there annoyed knowing it would be over soon when I would pull the cable to call for my stop.
bus rides = entertainment

Slightly Offended

I caught an earlier ride home the other afternoon and for the most part it was the usual ride home up Gratiot. We stopped at 7 Mile to pick up the typical large crowd and this young couple proceeded to find a seat. They paused near the rear door where I was sitting near the window. The young man asked me if I would mind moving to the seat in front of me where a large man was sitting so he could sit with his fiancee. I was put off by this suggestion for several reasons. 1. I was in a not-feeling-well mood. 2. Why was I always the person random strangers picked? 3. He would be spending the rest of his life with his fiance and could spare a few minutes not sitting next to her. 4. Why didn't he ask the man in the seat in front of me to move back to my seat? I chose to be snotty. I rose from my seat while saying, "I'm sure you'd appreciate it" and proceeded to stand at the front of the bus. Well, he realized he was being a tad rude and said, "Aw, come on don't be like that, sit here". I chose to ignore him. I only had a mile or so to go before my stop anyway. I should have been more understanding and less snotty but we can't reverse time and fix what we chose to do at the moment. If this ever happens again maybe I'll be more kind hearted.
bus rides = entertainment.

Mornings riding into Detroit are usually quiet but this day was the exception. I kept hearing a noise that I thought was associated with the bus. It sounded like it maybe a drive shaft that needed to be greased or something. After several stops were made to drop off some passengers I happened to look to my right and noticed a rather large man sleeping. I didn't think anything of it because you will find folks sleeping on the bus all the time anytime of day. I think these people are products of their parents attempt to lull them to sleep by the sound and movement of a vehicle - but I digress. I did keep hearing the the mysterious "mechanical" sound however. I did look back to the large man and realized in an 'aha' moment that this large man was the cause of the mysterious sound because he was snoring. I started to immediately smile and quietly chuckle at my sudden realization. A few people near me smiled for they too knew that the large man was snoring away on a quiet morning commute.
bus rides = entertainment.

Interesting Day

I heard someone at the front of the bus hawk up a loogie - loud and clear - and I saw 3 of the regular riders up front kind of look down and away. When I got off the bus I asked the regular rider I see all the time what was going on up front and she proceeded to tell me that the woman who was sitting across from her opened a FedEx envelope, crumbled some newspaper, placed it in the envelope and spit the loogie into the envelope. She also told me that this woman was wearing a couple of wigs that were over lapping on her head. Wow, I'm glad I was in the back of the bus this morning.

The ride home was interesting as well. A few of the regular riders caught the regular 560 instead of our usual 565 Limited because it arrived early. It had quite a few riders when we got on and by the time we hit 6 Mile it was SRO. I was starting to feel claustrophobia it was so crowed and the guy next to me reeked of beer and kept bumping into me when he felt the need to show PDA to his wife in front of him. When we got to 8 Mile I was happy to jump over the seat and exit the rear of the bus as fast as I could. I haven't had that overcrowded feeling on the bus in a very long time. TGIF.
bus rides = entertainment

Interesting Clothing Choice

I have to share what transpired last Friday. The bus was stopped in traffic just North of Eastern Market on the bridge over the Dequindre Cut due to a traffic accident at Chene. I burst out laughing because I couldn't contain myself at seeing the man wearing 2 tight women's bras. They were overlapping, one of white and one purple. He had a tight grey skirt pulled up quite high. It looked cool for the summer heat, too. I wanted to take a picture of him but I don't have a camera on my phone. I need to change that soon.
bus rides = entertainment.