'The driver has to ask one man repeatedly to take a seat. He resists being ordered around, but finally gives in and sits down. It’s just a Santa Cruz thing to question authority. He’s wearing an unusual outfit of rubber flip-flops, short shorts, and a big puffy winter parka with a furry hood. Apparently, he’s already defied the fashion police. You have to start somewhere, right?'
Thanks for letting me come along on your bus ride. The buses in your town may not be running often enough, but they surely make up for that by the wonderful diversity of the people who ride them!
Ah, what an adventure! I once rode the bus system to a job in downtown Boise, Idaho, for about five months. Yep, some definite 'characters' that still come to my mind!
This tracks with my memories of riding public transportation in the Bay Area during the 1990s, except the weirdness seems to have ramped up since then. I’d ride the 1 California bus to the Embarcadero, then a short walk to catch BART to 19th Street in Oakland. I used to inoculate myself from the weirdos by burying my nose in a book. I got some great reading done. Big books too. I recall finishing The Winds of War, Catch 22, Ana Karenina, The Stand. People tended not to bother me when I was reading. The worst mistake I found was to make eye contact when someone was looking for a seat. Weirdos usually interpreted that as an invitation to sit and relate their life story to me.🤪
Santa Cruz is like a mini-version of San Francisco. Same politics, same tolerance level, same lost souls and loose cannons. There are good rides and there are bat-shit crazy rides. Like Forrest Gump's box of chocolates -- you never know what you are going to get. Yes- beware the eye contact with some of those characters, that's for sure, John.
That's better now. I don't have to be concerned with the people fomenting in your mind all by themselves. Your little grey cells are not a cauldron stirring to see what rises. They're already out there bumping into you, falling on your pages. (sigh of relief)
Right. I don't have to invent these characters. They are everywhere. I just invent a back story for them, and maybe salvation of some sort. ha ha ha But then, YOU run into a lot of characters as well out there in Indiana. You could write a book about your series of renters...
That definitely sounds like a character-rich environment. I will be looking for these people in your future stories. You are a keen observer and a good listener--essential qualities for a writer!
There’s a ‘Reacher Novel - though aboard a subway car - that pertains - you may find it intriguing (i certainly did !) - am of similar persuasion ie a ‘student of people in public’ & have many many photos as a result - It’s a fabulous ‘Topic - or better said, in your case & in my opinion - ‘a great way of being’ .. !
Will drop a sample or two off in yer general direction ! Yes, I take very seriously ‘peoples’ privacy.. and endeavour never to ‘invade via camera & curiosity - much less stare or gape .. !
I have spent a lot of time on buses and trains in Scotland. Now THERE is a source of characters - from your Glaswegian hooligans with their loud expletives limited to the F-word
repeated ad infinitum, to tartan skirted highland grannies full of gossip, to pipers , to hordes of sugar-loaded school children dressed in very proper uniforms acting like maniacs. Glad you liked this trip through my hometown, Rebecca.
'...dressed in very proper uniforms acting like maniacs' - there are plenty of those around here, Sharron! The young ladies have their own twice-daily routine (once for the way TO school, and once on the way FROM school) of rolling their skirts up at the waistband until you can barely see the skirt at all any more..... 🙄 There's a lot to be said about school uniform - it's supposed to be a 'leveller', having everyone dressed the same - but these days you get the 'legs' contingent and then the 'I am dressed properly' contingent.
Hah! I remember this ploy. When I was 16, if our skirts looked suspiciously short, we had to kneel down. If our skirt did not touch the floor, we had to unroll the waist band OR were sent home to change. Today? Not so much. What girls can't seem to grasp is that if you dress like a tart/slut ( pardon me) boys will treat you with disrespect. If you want to be respected, you have to earn it. Or... am I just too old for 2024?
Gosh, that's a good test for acceptable skirt length! I remember Mum saying that when she was at school all skirts had to be 'two inches above the knee when you're kneeling down'. These days it seems to be more like two FEET!
This reminded me of something: In southern Mexico ( Oaxaca) the women traditionally wear a huipil - a long ruffled blouse that is knee length. They wear it over a full gathered ankle-length skirt. Tourist women buy the huipiles and wear them without a skirt! Plenty modest by our standards but ludicrous to the natives. Needless to say the Oaxacans get a lot of laughs at the tourists impropriety. It would be like going out in public wearing a pajama top, and forgoing the bottoms.
Did you hear me just scream? Once they are gone, they are GONE from ground and mind. No they will not get honored with paper and ink. IF ever you think of renting.... go lay down, eat a box of icecream, drink a whole bottle of your best and sleep till that thought goes away. I'm not in the mood to make a cauldron. Ah... warm milk and a binky. )))
As a matter of fact, I DID hear a major screech from the east. The whole landlady debacle is never-ending, Kate. You don't need this worry. I like your suggestions, though.
Yes. Santa Cruz does shape who you become, and you’ve described it better than I’ve ever been able to…. Only fellow ex-pats nod and share that knowing look with me.
I wonder, does the person with the pink pig mask, fringed parasol, and absolutely no skin showing, still stroll the length of Pacific Avenue?
Most likely. Pacific Ave is quite the place to promenade, isn?t it? I remember at one time there were musicians on every corner - jazz, blue grass, cello, and .... digeridoo! Remember the rainbow lady? The accordion player who dressed like Uncle Sam? It was like Hallowe'en every day down there. Not sure what it's like now, but something tells me Pacific Avenue could be another story.... hmm.
I forgot about the accordion lady! Reminds me that “The Starving Musician “ on Ocean St. had bumper stickers that read ‘Play the accordion, go to jail!’
'The driver has to ask one man repeatedly to take a seat. He resists being ordered around, but finally gives in and sits down. It’s just a Santa Cruz thing to question authority. He’s wearing an unusual outfit of rubber flip-flops, short shorts, and a big puffy winter parka with a furry hood. Apparently, he’s already defied the fashion police. You have to start somewhere, right?'
This man is definitely a character. :).
Yes, he is. I may have to devote a little bit of fiction to just him! Thank you, Olga.
Sounds like a Truckee local who can't fully get into winter nor wait for spring.
We have a lot of that syndrome here on the coast as well, as you know... It always strikes me funny, nevertheless.
Thanks for letting me come along on your bus ride. The buses in your town may not be running often enough, but they surely make up for that by the wonderful diversity of the people who ride them!
Allegedly, they are supposed to run every half hour. I have yet to experience that. Im retired. I have time...
What a cast! Around where I live, it's mainly the Trumpers who stand out in public.
Okay, you win. I can't beat that challenge.
🤣
Public transit like this is awesome. Not everywhere has it.
A lot of variety, that is for sure. This trip was interesting and benign. It is not always so benign. Thanks for reading, Clancy!
Ah, what an adventure! I once rode the bus system to a job in downtown Boise, Idaho, for about five months. Yep, some definite 'characters' that still come to my mind!
It gives me a lot to wonder about, sitting there on the bus. I never get bored, that's for sure.
This tracks with my memories of riding public transportation in the Bay Area during the 1990s, except the weirdness seems to have ramped up since then. I’d ride the 1 California bus to the Embarcadero, then a short walk to catch BART to 19th Street in Oakland. I used to inoculate myself from the weirdos by burying my nose in a book. I got some great reading done. Big books too. I recall finishing The Winds of War, Catch 22, Ana Karenina, The Stand. People tended not to bother me when I was reading. The worst mistake I found was to make eye contact when someone was looking for a seat. Weirdos usually interpreted that as an invitation to sit and relate their life story to me.🤪
Santa Cruz is like a mini-version of San Francisco. Same politics, same tolerance level, same lost souls and loose cannons. There are good rides and there are bat-shit crazy rides. Like Forrest Gump's box of chocolates -- you never know what you are going to get. Yes- beware the eye contact with some of those characters, that's for sure, John.
That's better now. I don't have to be concerned with the people fomenting in your mind all by themselves. Your little grey cells are not a cauldron stirring to see what rises. They're already out there bumping into you, falling on your pages. (sigh of relief)
Right. I don't have to invent these characters. They are everywhere. I just invent a back story for them, and maybe salvation of some sort. ha ha ha But then, YOU run into a lot of characters as well out there in Indiana. You could write a book about your series of renters...
What a wonderful day. Reading. Walking. Jotting down notes. Eyes open, taking it all in. Doesn't get much better than that!
I totally agree! Thanks Heather.
That definitely sounds like a character-rich environment. I will be looking for these people in your future stories. You are a keen observer and a good listener--essential qualities for a writer!
Stay tuned, my friend. Each of these people has a story in my imagination... Thanks, Jim.
There’s a ‘Reacher Novel - though aboard a subway car - that pertains - you may find it intriguing (i certainly did !) - am of similar persuasion ie a ‘student of people in public’ & have many many photos as a result - It’s a fabulous ‘Topic - or better said, in your case & in my opinion - ‘a great way of being’ .. !
Will drop a sample or two off in yer general direction ! Yes, I take very seriously ‘peoples’ privacy.. and endeavour never to ‘invade via camera & curiosity - much less stare or gape .. !
Okay! Thanks, Timber.
Excellent, Sharron! You ARE a "keen observer" --these characters are truly come to life. Can't wait to meet them again in one of your stories. Hugs!
You never know. Thanks, CJ!
Sharron, you're a breath of fresh air with this fly-on-the-wall documentary of your bus journey characters - an absolutely terrific read!
I have spent a lot of time on buses and trains in Scotland. Now THERE is a source of characters - from your Glaswegian hooligans with their loud expletives limited to the F-word
repeated ad infinitum, to tartan skirted highland grannies full of gossip, to pipers , to hordes of sugar-loaded school children dressed in very proper uniforms acting like maniacs. Glad you liked this trip through my hometown, Rebecca.
'...dressed in very proper uniforms acting like maniacs' - there are plenty of those around here, Sharron! The young ladies have their own twice-daily routine (once for the way TO school, and once on the way FROM school) of rolling their skirts up at the waistband until you can barely see the skirt at all any more..... 🙄 There's a lot to be said about school uniform - it's supposed to be a 'leveller', having everyone dressed the same - but these days you get the 'legs' contingent and then the 'I am dressed properly' contingent.
Hah! I remember this ploy. When I was 16, if our skirts looked suspiciously short, we had to kneel down. If our skirt did not touch the floor, we had to unroll the waist band OR were sent home to change. Today? Not so much. What girls can't seem to grasp is that if you dress like a tart/slut ( pardon me) boys will treat you with disrespect. If you want to be respected, you have to earn it. Or... am I just too old for 2024?
Gosh, that's a good test for acceptable skirt length! I remember Mum saying that when she was at school all skirts had to be 'two inches above the knee when you're kneeling down'. These days it seems to be more like two FEET!
What you're saying about respect - I hear you!
This reminded me of something: In southern Mexico ( Oaxaca) the women traditionally wear a huipil - a long ruffled blouse that is knee length. They wear it over a full gathered ankle-length skirt. Tourist women buy the huipiles and wear them without a skirt! Plenty modest by our standards but ludicrous to the natives. Needless to say the Oaxacans get a lot of laughs at the tourists impropriety. It would be like going out in public wearing a pajama top, and forgoing the bottoms.
Oh, that's brilliant, Sharron! I can just imagine!
What a great place to gather material for your stories. Pure genius.
I could not invent a better cast of characters...
and with your imagination and writing capabilities - I can't wait.
Did you hear me just scream? Once they are gone, they are GONE from ground and mind. No they will not get honored with paper and ink. IF ever you think of renting.... go lay down, eat a box of icecream, drink a whole bottle of your best and sleep till that thought goes away. I'm not in the mood to make a cauldron. Ah... warm milk and a binky. )))
As a matter of fact, I DID hear a major screech from the east. The whole landlady debacle is never-ending, Kate. You don't need this worry. I like your suggestions, though.
Yes. Santa Cruz does shape who you become, and you’ve described it better than I’ve ever been able to…. Only fellow ex-pats nod and share that knowing look with me.
I wonder, does the person with the pink pig mask, fringed parasol, and absolutely no skin showing, still stroll the length of Pacific Avenue?
Most likely. Pacific Ave is quite the place to promenade, isn?t it? I remember at one time there were musicians on every corner - jazz, blue grass, cello, and .... digeridoo! Remember the rainbow lady? The accordion player who dressed like Uncle Sam? It was like Hallowe'en every day down there. Not sure what it's like now, but something tells me Pacific Avenue could be another story.... hmm.
I forgot about the accordion lady! Reminds me that “The Starving Musician “ on Ocean St. had bumper stickers that read ‘Play the accordion, go to jail!’
Not everyone likes it, I guess.
Thank you for your stories.