Comments on: Question of the Week: Public Transportation http://www.litpark.com/2008/01/21/question-of-the-week-public-transportation/ LitPark Fri, 10 Feb 2012 14:30:21 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.1 By: Darrin http://www.litpark.com/2008/01/21/question-of-the-week-public-transportation/#comment-9647 Darrin Thu, 24 Jan 2008 22:12:57 +0000 http://litpark.com/2008/01/21/question-of-the-week-public-transportation/#comment-9647 Without the subway, New York would be an uninhabitable snake pit. (Not that snake pits come in the inhabitable variety.) One train event that seems to percolate to the top was a ride back from Brooklyn at some wee morning hour, where I shared the car with a few teenagers dancing around their bag of mismatched, half-filled bottles of booze, as if they had just gotten off their busboy shifts and had ripped off the bar. I worked in a restaurant when I was their age, and that's how I may have recognized the loot... anyway, they wanted to share their booty, and they insisted that I slug some down with them. With the help of their rum smiles, they christened a suit-wearing man, the only other person in the car, as "Bill Gates. C'mon, Bill, drink!" Bill eventually capitulated. Then they turned to me, waving the communal rum bottle in my face and shouting "Brad Pitt! Drink up!" I couldn't spoil their happy hour, so I complied. Must have been that pomade I was wearing. Without the subway, New York would be an uninhabitable snake pit. (Not that snake pits come in the inhabitable variety.) One train event that seems to percolate to the top was a ride back from Brooklyn at some wee morning hour, where I shared the car with a few teenagers dancing around their bag of mismatched, half-filled bottles of booze, as if they had just gotten off their busboy shifts and had ripped off the bar. I worked in a restaurant when I was their age, and that’s how I may have recognized the loot… anyway, they wanted to share their booty, and they insisted that I slug some down with them. With the help of their rum smiles, they christened a suit-wearing man, the only other person in the car, as “Bill Gates. C’mon, Bill, drink!” Bill eventually capitulated. Then they turned to me, waving the communal rum bottle in my face and shouting “Brad Pitt! Drink up!” I couldn’t spoil their happy hour, so I complied. Must have been that pomade I was wearing.

]]> By: troutbum70 http://www.litpark.com/2008/01/21/question-of-the-week-public-transportation/#comment-9646 troutbum70 Wed, 23 Jan 2008 10:58:27 +0000 http://litpark.com/2008/01/21/question-of-the-week-public-transportation/#comment-9646 No public transport for me on a daily basis but I do have stories. I had gone to New England to watch the leaves turn. It was fun, but I wondered why we couldn't watch them turn while standing in one of the many streams fishing. Anyway we spent the last day in Boston and rode the subway there. The people were in there own worlds and no one spoke or looked at anyone else. I saw a Hooker and I asked how she was doing and if she was working or heading to. My girlfriend was mortified. I looked at her and said. "What?" A women who had been reading giggled and I asked her if her book was good. She said she had just started but it seemed good. Being silly I said it was my first time on a subway and I winked at my girlfriend. She seemed not to suprised by my statement. I played the awe struck tourist until we got to our stop and I wished the hooker well and we went on our way. No public transport for me on a daily basis but I do have stories. I had gone to New England to watch the leaves turn. It was fun, but I wondered why we couldn’t watch them turn while standing in one of the many streams fishing. Anyway we spent the last day in Boston and rode the subway there. The people were in there own worlds and no one spoke or looked at anyone else. I saw a Hooker and I asked how she was doing and if she was working or heading to. My girlfriend was mortified. I looked at her and said. “What?” A women who had been reading giggled and I asked her if her book was good. She said she had just started but it seemed good. Being silly I said it was my first time on a subway and I winked at my girlfriend. She seemed not to suprised by my statement. I played the awe struck tourist until we got to our stop and I wished the hooker well and we went on our way.

]]> By: Nathalie http://www.litpark.com/2008/01/21/question-of-the-week-public-transportation/#comment-9645 Nathalie Wed, 23 Jan 2008 04:18:25 +0000 http://litpark.com/2008/01/21/question-of-the-week-public-transportation/#comment-9645 The form of public transport I am using more often these days is the subway (both under and above ground). There is an above ground line that allows me to get from my outer suburb to the centre of Rome is a little less than an hour. I like this line because of extremely varied sights it affords, both in and out. It goes through loads of suburbs inhabited by immigrants: the cars are a real Babel tower, full of colours and a huge variety of styles and languages. As for the world unfolding outside, we go through bits of both antic and modern ruins: The line passes through Roman walls at Porta Maggiore (do not miss the baker’s mausoleum right outside the wall!) and further along the way the tracks go along some derelict shantytowns put together by gypsies and other poor immigrants. This was a big shock to me the first time I saw them and since then I have witnessed half-assed efforts of the municipality to do away with those under pressure of the public (there was a murder recently involving one of the gypsies and a vast outcry – it is heart breaking to me to see that the authorities are trying to do away with the shantytowns for reasons of safety for outsiders and not for the sake of the inhabitants themselves). The efforts are not very conclusive – money is missing to build suitable lodgings for all the persons living there. That most of these people are illegal immigrants of course does not help. The form of public transport I am using more often these days is the subway (both under and above ground). There is an above ground line that allows me to get from my outer suburb to the centre of Rome is a little less than an hour.
I like this line because of extremely varied sights it affords, both in and out.
It goes through loads of suburbs inhabited by immigrants: the cars are a real Babel tower, full of colours and a huge variety of styles and languages.
As for the world unfolding outside, we go through bits of both antic and modern ruins: The line passes through Roman walls at Porta Maggiore (do not miss the baker’s mausoleum right outside the wall!) and further along the way the tracks go along some derelict shantytowns put together by gypsies and other poor immigrants.
This was a big shock to me the first time I saw them and since then I have witnessed half-assed efforts of the municipality to do away with those under pressure of the public (there was a murder recently involving one of the gypsies and a vast outcry – it is heart breaking to me to see that the authorities are trying to do away with the shantytowns for reasons of safety for outsiders and not for the sake of the inhabitants themselves). The efforts are not very conclusive – money is missing to build suitable lodgings for all the persons living there. That most of these people are illegal immigrants of course does not help.

]]> By: chuckles http://www.litpark.com/2008/01/21/question-of-the-week-public-transportation/#comment-9644 chuckles Tue, 22 Jan 2008 23:24:09 +0000 http://litpark.com/2008/01/21/question-of-the-week-public-transportation/#comment-9644 can I just mention - that image at the top of this post, must be the most oppressive looking bus stop I've ever seen? What a dehumanizing way to relegate the users of public transportation to a lesser status. Sorry, it creeps me out! can I just mention – that image at the top of this post, must be the most oppressive looking bus stop I’ve ever seen? What a dehumanizing way to relegate the users of public transportation to a lesser status. Sorry, it creeps me out!

]]> By: jessicaK http://www.litpark.com/2008/01/21/question-of-the-week-public-transportation/#comment-9643 jessicaK Tue, 22 Jan 2008 15:28:58 +0000 http://litpark.com/2008/01/21/question-of-the-week-public-transportation/#comment-9643 Living in Brookline, a town contiguous to Boston, I walk, mostly. Except when I've had to drive my son to and from school 17 miles each way, which I did until yesterday. He now gets picked up in a town-provided van. I will no longer have to drive 70 miles a day. What will I miss from all those rides? The conversations about music in the mornings when my son plugged his iPod into the lighter socket so I could listen too, and pointed out guitar riffs or introduced me to bands I'd never heard of such as System of the Down, Modest Mouse, Jurassic 5 (He has wide, varied tastes). He'd play the opening phrases then jump to the next song—“music ADD" he likes to call it. I will also miss watching the landscape changing in the country, a novelty given that I live in urban surrounds. Where I live, we have plenty of trees and parks but even more brick and pavement to kick around. That said, I will not miss the argument we had in the car when my son got so mad at me he threatened to jump out while the car was racing at 45 miles per hour. At that very moment, a big hawk or mini-vulture-type bird lit on the side of the road intent upon something. Did it hear our argument? Was I the hawk and my son the prey or vice versa? After we saw the hawk, things calmed down in the car. The day ended up okay. Truth is: I like walking best. For instance, that’s when I can hear Chickadees in the trees on the way to the library. When they chirp or twee, the sky seems to balance itself and me along with it. I like checking out the state of the snow banks on the way to the grocery store. Have they shrunk or grown since my last jaunt to the post office? Walking makes me feel I’m blending with the world. Living in Brookline, a town contiguous to Boston, I walk, mostly. Except when I’ve had to drive my son to and from school 17 miles each way, which I did until yesterday. He now gets picked up in a town-provided van. I will no longer have to drive 70 miles a day.

What will I miss from all those rides? The conversations about music in the mornings when my son plugged his iPod into the lighter socket so I could listen too, and pointed out guitar riffs or introduced me to bands I’d never heard of such as System of the Down, Modest Mouse, Jurassic 5 (He has wide, varied tastes). He’d play the opening phrases then jump to the next song—“music ADD” he likes to call it.

I will also miss watching the landscape changing in the country, a novelty given that I live in urban surrounds. Where I live, we have plenty of trees and parks but even more brick and pavement to kick around.

That said, I will not miss the argument we had in the car when my son got so mad at me he threatened to jump out while the car was racing at 45 miles per hour. At that very moment, a big hawk or mini-vulture-type bird lit on the side of the road intent upon something. Did it hear our argument? Was I the hawk and my son the prey or vice versa? After we saw the hawk, things calmed down in the car. The day ended up okay.

Truth is: I like walking best. For instance, that’s when I can hear Chickadees in the trees on the way to the library. When they chirp or twee, the sky seems to balance itself and me along with it. I like checking out the state of the snow banks on the way to the grocery store. Have they shrunk or grown since my last jaunt to the post office? Walking makes me feel I’m blending with the world.

]]> By: Ric http://www.litpark.com/2008/01/21/question-of-the-week-public-transportation/#comment-9642 Ric Tue, 22 Jan 2008 11:18:40 +0000 http://litpark.com/2008/01/21/question-of-the-week-public-transportation/#comment-9642 Mass Transit? Public Transportation? I'm ten miles from everything and there is no way to get there except by car - I have three and the monthly insurance bill is $400. Still, there is an Amtrak train that runs through our small town - goes to Chicago every day - and it's a fun ride. We've done it a number of times when Daughter lived there. Much cheaper than driving, and the views are right out of Arlo Guthrie's City of New Orleans. Wish it went more places. Mass Transit? Public Transportation? I’m ten miles from everything and there is no way to get there except by car – I have three and the monthly insurance bill is $400.
Still, there is an Amtrak train that runs through our small town – goes to Chicago every day – and it’s a fun ride. We’ve done it a number of times when Daughter lived there. Much cheaper than driving, and the views are right out of Arlo Guthrie’s City of New Orleans. Wish it went more places.

]]> By: Kimberly http://www.litpark.com/2008/01/21/question-of-the-week-public-transportation/#comment-9641 Kimberly Tue, 22 Jan 2008 09:38:24 +0000 http://litpark.com/2008/01/21/question-of-the-week-public-transportation/#comment-9641 Isn't it funny. Like a chain-smoker... I no longer notice the smell. Isn’t it funny. Like a chain-smoker… I no longer notice the smell.

]]> By: SusanHenderson http://www.litpark.com/2008/01/21/question-of-the-week-public-transportation/#comment-9640 SusanHenderson Tue, 22 Jan 2008 08:57:37 +0000 http://litpark.com/2008/01/21/question-of-the-week-public-transportation/#comment-9640 Oh, hey - congratulations to <a href="http://www.enricocasarosa.com/" rel="nofollow">Enrico</a> and <a href="http://www.ronniedelcarmen.com/" rel="nofollow">Ronnie</a> for <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0382932/" rel="nofollow">Ratatouille</a>'s Oscar nomination! Oh, hey – congratulations to
Enrico and Ronnie for Ratatouille‘s Oscar nomination!

]]> By: SusanHenderson http://www.litpark.com/2008/01/21/question-of-the-week-public-transportation/#comment-9639 SusanHenderson Tue, 22 Jan 2008 07:28:13 +0000 http://litpark.com/2008/01/21/question-of-the-week-public-transportation/#comment-9639 Really great conversation going on here. I'll be able to stop by this evening - lots going on until then. Patry Francis Blog Day now has over 300 bloggers involved, including THE KITE RUNNER author, Khaled Hosseini! Keep spreading the word and let's see how enormous we can make this day. And remember, everyone who signed up agreed to blog about her book on January 29th, which is one week away.... See you this evening. Really great conversation going on here. I’ll be able to stop by this evening – lots going on until then.

Patry Francis Blog Day now has over 300 bloggers involved, including THE KITE RUNNER author, Khaled Hosseini! Keep spreading the word and let’s see how enormous we can make this day. And remember, everyone who signed up agreed to blog about her book on January 29th, which is one week away….

See you this evening.

]]> By: Heather_Fowler http://www.litpark.com/2008/01/21/question-of-the-week-public-transportation/#comment-9638 Heather_Fowler Mon, 21 Jan 2008 22:28:19 +0000 http://litpark.com/2008/01/21/question-of-the-week-public-transportation/#comment-9638 I will second that vote of bad transportation in SoCal. I took the bus in highschool--going to a school above my station and it was embarassing to get off at the stop in front of the school because this was a school where kids turning sixteen had birthday presents of new cars. Fortunately, or unfortunately, *big grins* I then got a 65 Ford Falcon, 2 door, six cylinder car when I turned 17 and got my license--but the thing broke down all the time and I had to sit on phonebooks to drive it until my grandfather took it down to Mexico for reupholstery. The high school I went to was on the top of a hill. Around this school, there were speedbumps every fifty yards or so--so even when I got off the phonebooks, sometimes, my car would die (with a line of rich kids' cars behind me when it went over a bump and I would have to get out and push it. The moral of this story: The embarassment of the bus paled then. I started thinking lovely thoughts about riding it again. Oh, the lovely bus days... Just kidding. Barely. But I loved that car too--even knew I could drive exactly 37 minutes before it would overheat. And, at least there wasn't a long wait with multiple transfers when I wanted to go somewhere. Always liked subways and such when I go to larger cities. San Diego--public transportation--it lacks. I did have a boyfriend once who wrote me notes from Romeo (him) to Juliet (me) folded like hearts and enjoyed pursuing any number of inappropriate activities when I was riding the bus and... Oh, I won't go there. But that was one of the better times on the transit. ;) Otherwise, I just enjoy the elite modes of hoofing it and driving. Nothing else here works consistently or well. I will second that vote of bad transportation in SoCal. I took the bus in highschool–going to a school above my station and it was embarassing to get off at the stop in front of the school because this was a school where kids turning sixteen had birthday presents of new cars. Fortunately, or unfortunately, *big grins* I then got a 65 Ford Falcon, 2 door, six cylinder car when I turned 17 and got my license–but the thing broke down all the time and I had to sit on phonebooks to drive it until my grandfather took it down to Mexico for reupholstery. The high school I went to was on the top of a hill. Around this school, there were speedbumps every fifty yards or so–so even when I got off the phonebooks, sometimes, my car would die (with a line of rich kids’ cars behind me when it went over a bump and I would have to get out and push it. The moral of this story: The embarassment of the bus paled then. I started thinking lovely thoughts about riding it again. Oh, the lovely bus days… Just kidding. Barely. But I loved that car too–even knew I could drive exactly 37 minutes before it would overheat. And, at least there wasn’t a long wait with multiple transfers when I wanted to go somewhere. Always liked subways and such when I go to larger cities. San Diego–public transportation–it lacks. I did have a boyfriend once who wrote me notes from Romeo (him) to Juliet (me) folded like hearts and enjoyed pursuing any number of inappropriate activities when I was riding the bus and… Oh, I won’t go there. But that was one of the better times on the transit. ;) Otherwise, I just enjoy the elite modes of hoofing it and driving. Nothing else here works consistently or well.

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