Tuesday, September 06, 2005

follow-up on the 38

it’s been a while since my daily ride on the bus made its way onto the headlines here at the hut, which we call “hutlines.” since when?  since now, you little troublemaker.  just keep quiet and eat those hard candies. 

Here’s my bus-related post, then: what do you see when you keep looking?  sometimes it’s disappointing, as when the ad you thought you just read for “buggy wings” turns out really just to say “saucy wings.” But, as often as not, you can find some interesting follow-up questions for people on the bus if you give them a second look:

A question for the coldly beautiful young woman in the seersucker suit with the sophisticated-looking sandals and the perfectly coiffed blonde hair: that skirt looks great on you, but what’s with that second degree rugburn on your knees?

A question for the tall skinny guy with the long grey scraggly ponytail who rode bart with me from the oakland airport and then followed me onto the 38, with the beat-up black slacks, scuffed black shoes, threadplucked knit black turtleneck, inscrutible political buttons on shapeless black cardigan, gaze of disillusionment leavened with cynicism, jealously guarding a black rollaway bag with “Alter” written on it in garrish white letters: is that your name, or your instructions?

For the consideration of the tough, handsome, rutger hauer-type guy standing with intimate proximity to my face, a huge bulge in your trousers prominently thrust toward me at eye level: you must be very proud, but I think that the brown-green boulder shuddering into and out of your left nostril every time you breathe is ruining the effect you’re going for.

A question for the well-dressed, severe-looking business casual man in brown slacks, black blazer, shiny black shoes, stylish shades, with an all-business briefcase and a serious afterwork scowl: why do you smell exactly like a bowl of lucky charms cereal in whole milk?  And can I have the prize from the box?

On monday I will go to work in formalwear, in honor of the penguins that zach got to see this weekend at the academy of sciences.  He sends his love and reminds you that labor day is over, so get your lazy asses back to work.  transmission over.