I've heard of Xanax but only from films and the internet - I don't think it's available over here.
Hang on, I've just Googled it. Its other name is Alprazolam, which ...'is a benzodiazepine and is a class C controlled drug. It is not prescribed under NHS but its availability is increased through illegal supply via online sources.'
Must dash - I need to delete my internet search history...... 😲
Ellis is about 60 years old. He knows about Quaaludes first hand no doubt. I just love the sound of the word Quaaludes, but any named downer would have worked for my story. I caved and revised it to Xanax. Is that pandering? I guess.
Haha, I don't think you needed to revise it at all. I would have nodded along, knowing what a quaalude was because I'd read Ellis (and yes, it's a great word).
What a group of characters this time! The sarcastic guy at the end - I can just see a few I know who would have cracked that line. As my husband notices, the other one never ever gets his sarcasm - which is his sweet reward for getting away with it.... 😀
Entertainment like going to a comedy show and I didn’t have to buy a ticket, got a free show. Just missed the scenes outside the windows but inside antics provided me with a joy ride.
After watching the movie “Crash,” I learned the reason why windows on busses are so big is so that people outside can look in at all the people too poor to own a car. That’s why I always prefer a window seat.
Come to think of it, I remember seeing you in the window going down Front Street on the Metro. You were looking back at me enviously as I sat in my rusted, beat up 1997 Toyota...
Yes, that was me, sitting there next to the window, an old passed out wino with his head on my shoulder, blowing hootch breath on me every time he exhaled.
Going to Santa Cruz is like going to the circus. And now I know about Buzz Ball Biggies. - It's been awhile since I've been down the alcohol aisle. : ) Thanks for the ride, Sharron!
These bus reports of yours are hilarious. And they remind me of a very old friend, Larry, who drove a Santa Cruz bus for years. It was his day job. His dream job was to be a concert pianist and was actually able to perform a concert with a tenor friend of his. Alas, such is Santa Cruz. A beautiful environment with wicked living conditions and people just trying to cope with paying to live in Paradise. Can't wait for the next errand run, Sharron. Keep that pencil sharp.
Oh thank you Sue. I report what I see with a light heart and a bit of humor. But don't think I am oblivious to the pain and the misery of some of these unfortunate souls. Sometimes we have to laugh to make life bearable, don't we? Sort of like the late-night comedians' takes on Trump...
One of these days the bus will introduce a comedy surcharge, because it's not fair that you walk away with all this valuable content but pay only for the ride:)
Love it! The entire circus putting on a show just for you! Have you considered these are down-on-their-luck character actors hired by Santa Cruz (bussed from Santa Monica, no doubt) for the expressed purpose of putting on a live show everyday?
Thoroughly enjoyed this. You captured all these actual and potential characters so vividly. Although we get plenty here on certain of the train lines out of the city, this is quite the selection.
"Sometimes I wonder what would happen if our solo conversationalists were to ever get together in one room? Would they, then, begin to talk with each other and maybe stifle the voices in their heads a little? Seriously, it might be a good experiment." 😆 That it would.
I loved this bus ride, Sharon!
Does anyone under 55 know what a quaalude was?
55 was 23 years ago. They call em something else now?
They stopped making them by 1980.
Wait a minute... how do you know so much about Quaaludes, Steiner?
That was my era, although not my favorite substance.
I won't ask.
Discretion is indeed the better part of valor.
Wait a minute... how do you know so much about Quaaludes, Kate?
By the way, I updated it to Xanax. Though I really like the word Quaalude. ( Not the drug, the word.)
Okay, maybe not. I updated it to Xanax...
I've heard of Xanax but only from films and the internet - I don't think it's available over here.
Hang on, I've just Googled it. Its other name is Alprazolam, which ...'is a benzodiazepine and is a class C controlled drug. It is not prescribed under NHS but its availability is increased through illegal supply via online sources.'
Must dash - I need to delete my internet search history...... 😲
Ha ha ha! Better safe than sorry, Rebecca. I cleared my cache after searching "assassins" and "rat poison"...
LOL, Sharron - good move! You can’t be too careful….! 🤣
I read Bret Easton Ellis' The Shards last year and he made so many references to quaaludes that I ended up having to Google them!
Ellis is about 60 years old. He knows about Quaaludes first hand no doubt. I just love the sound of the word Quaaludes, but any named downer would have worked for my story. I caved and revised it to Xanax. Is that pandering? I guess.
Haha, I don't think you needed to revise it at all. I would have nodded along, knowing what a quaalude was because I'd read Ellis (and yes, it's a great word).
Ah... the bus as theater. )))
That it is!
What a group of characters this time! The sarcastic guy at the end - I can just see a few I know who would have cracked that line. As my husband notices, the other one never ever gets his sarcasm - which is his sweet reward for getting away with it.... 😀
Ha ha ha! Good old John. I wonder if he is familiar with the German term "schadenfreude". A concept I love.
Entertainment like going to a comedy show and I didn’t have to buy a ticket, got a free show. Just missed the scenes outside the windows but inside antics provided me with a joy ride.
Exactly so! I never get bored watching people. Santa Cruz provides quite a diverse, over-the-top population to study. I am one of them, no doubt.
“this, being Santa Cruz, authority must be resisted at least once a day by each individual resident. It’s a town rule.” That made me laugh!
Just exercising our right to be wrong! And weird.
You are genius. Creating interesting stories ‘out of nothing at all’.
Thanks, Wade. Just keeping my eyes open. We live in a crazy place, full of stories, true and not true.
After watching the movie “Crash,” I learned the reason why windows on busses are so big is so that people outside can look in at all the people too poor to own a car. That’s why I always prefer a window seat.
Come to think of it, I remember seeing you in the window going down Front Street on the Metro. You were looking back at me enviously as I sat in my rusted, beat up 1997 Toyota...
Yes, that was me, sitting there next to the window, an old passed out wino with his head on my shoulder, blowing hootch breath on me every time he exhaled.
Eeuuww! All the world's a stage...
I’m such a natural bog ol’ teddy bear, it happens all the time.
Going to Santa Cruz is like going to the circus. And now I know about Buzz Ball Biggies. - It's been awhile since I've been down the alcohol aisle. : ) Thanks for the ride, Sharron!
Yes! A circus sums it up. And about those Buzzballs ... no, James Ron. Life is too short for low quality tequila.
These bus reports of yours are hilarious. And they remind me of a very old friend, Larry, who drove a Santa Cruz bus for years. It was his day job. His dream job was to be a concert pianist and was actually able to perform a concert with a tenor friend of his. Alas, such is Santa Cruz. A beautiful environment with wicked living conditions and people just trying to cope with paying to live in Paradise. Can't wait for the next errand run, Sharron. Keep that pencil sharp.
Oh thank you Sue. I report what I see with a light heart and a bit of humor. But don't think I am oblivious to the pain and the misery of some of these unfortunate souls. Sometimes we have to laugh to make life bearable, don't we? Sort of like the late-night comedians' takes on Trump...
As my father used to say: I'm laughing to keep from crying.
A double win for sure!!!
Well painted 🎨
Oh thank you so much, Frank. I am glad you enjoyed it. Welcome to Leaves!
Oh Sharron, I love your stories! Human nature is so diverse, and I love the worlds you introduce us to in your posts. Another fabulous read!
"She must have missed the memo that this was Sedative Day. She apparently thought it was Caffeine Madness Monday." LOL!!!!!
It is a zoo out here. And has been so in Santa Cruz since about 1967...
One of these days the bus will introduce a comedy surcharge, because it's not fair that you walk away with all this valuable content but pay only for the ride:)
Ha! Yes, they sure could. Thanks Jim!
You met quite a few characters this go-around, Sharron! These metro stories are so much fun. Thanks for sharing your adventures with us.
I've only been on public transportation for about two months. I am learning a LOT.
Love it! The entire circus putting on a show just for you! Have you considered these are down-on-their-luck character actors hired by Santa Cruz (bussed from Santa Monica, no doubt) for the expressed purpose of putting on a live show everyday?
Well, no, I hadn't thought of that. If it is true, then they all deserve Oscars!
Thoroughly enjoyed this. You captured all these actual and potential characters so vividly. Although we get plenty here on certain of the train lines out of the city, this is quite the selection.
"Sometimes I wonder what would happen if our solo conversationalists were to ever get together in one room? Would they, then, begin to talk with each other and maybe stifle the voices in their heads a little? Seriously, it might be a good experiment." 😆 That it would.
Thanks for your thoughtful comments here, Nathan! Glad it caught your attention!