It happens... I sit down on the bus bench after I get off and make some quick notes before walking home. I am always surprised how many characters I find with each trip. Of course, most people have their eyes super-glued to their phones and miss the free show!
Excellent descrIptions of interesting people, once again. ... I just finished a piece in "The Atlantic" magazine about obese people who feel unseen in public. I'd add handicapped people as well after observing my father-in-law in a wheelchair for 50 years. An article on the first Black man to go through West Point? Well, we have nothing on that one, where his white classmates did not speak a word to him the entire four years, ignoring his presence among them - now there was a true ghost, sadly. But he endured it, praise God!
It is all in the perception, John, in the interpretation. Looks like a party to me! Many of the bus riders appear to not have phones, so we actually have the opportunity to interact with real people with real stories...
Gavin Newsome... Good god, John, where have our wise statesmen gone? Where are our Jeffersons, or Hamiltons, or FDRs? Gavin Newsome? Really? Is that the best California has to offer?
I'm 6 feet tall with long white hair, sometimes up in a bun. I am not invisible. I smile at everyone I see and find that one frazzled person to compliment on "something". AMazing things show up. Hair that sparks wedding ring gold in the sunlight !! Red-orange hair that looks like actual fire !! Hair Purple and green... mermaid. "You're a good Daddy" to the guy talking to his child as if it were a person. ( ?? ) " A happy baby is the sign of a good Mommy" for baby giggling in the shopping cart. There ARE people who pay attention to their children. Ever see five LITTLE kids behaving in a grocery? Ya just gotta say something )))
Every bus I ride is full of stories waiting to be written. Some weirder than others. I think you might like this one, for a slightly different perspective - Mayhem on the Metro.
The tourists are back, pouring into our front door, heading straight for the beach, the restaurants, the concerts. It is a lovely place to visit! A lovely place to live if you can find affordable housing without having ten housemates... Small one-bedroom apartment, $3000 a month. More in summer... sigh. It is pure greed.
I so enjoy your ‘slice of life’ stories. Certainly your interesting stories make you seen here. And your bubbling self makes you a wonderful neighbor and friend.
Absolutely adore these slices of life. We should all ‘travel a mile on someone else’s Metro ticket’ or whatever the saying is about walking and shoes! Happy weekend, Sharron
Perhaps not invisible but inconsequential to young people. Except the ones you know personally (like my guitar students and grandsons.) Or maybe we are reminder of mortality and physical decline. Something they don’t want to consider in their youth. But we can see each other. 🤓
I, too am enjoying the bus rides and meeting the new folks. Isn't it true about people being glued to their phones - not only on busses but everywhere it seems? They don't realize what they are missing out on - or don't care..
Ah yes. Invisible to the young, in their fast-paced world. It's like we're in a different dimension, moving slower than the rest of the world. But we see each other. That knowing look brings us together. I love your Metro stories, Sharron. A vivid slice of Santa Cruz at its weirdest.
I love these bus stories and this one inspired a memory of my Dad finding his way to our cabin beyond Boulder Creek while Daughter and I waited at the bus depot to pick him up. I was fully distracted and almost didn't read your amazingly serendipitous story of the two elders talking about being invisible. One of my poems last Thursday, Crones, was about this elderly women disappearance. Thank you for another yeasty, wonderful ride on the Santa Cruz Metro.
Thank you. I wondered when I posted it if it was actually fitting or if I'd gone off on a toot somewhere in my crazy little bubble. But your story here verified that yes, indeed, older people become invisible and redundant. I just hope that when Gen-Zers talk about getting rid of old people, they're not planning a coup.
So beautifully observed, Sharron - I absolutely love this series of posts. Such a fantastic mix of characters with a single journey in common. Wonderful words!
'...a sling for her chin' is SUCH a perfect term for a mask worn in the haphazard style of 2024 rather than the terrified variation in 2020-1.
Oh no, I was so busy people-watching, I missed my dang stop!
It happens... I sit down on the bus bench after I get off and make some quick notes before walking home. I am always surprised how many characters I find with each trip. Of course, most people have their eyes super-glued to their phones and miss the free show!
Excellent descrIptions of interesting people, once again. ... I just finished a piece in "The Atlantic" magazine about obese people who feel unseen in public. I'd add handicapped people as well after observing my father-in-law in a wheelchair for 50 years. An article on the first Black man to go through West Point? Well, we have nothing on that one, where his white classmates did not speak a word to him the entire four years, ignoring his presence among them - now there was a true ghost, sadly. But he endured it, praise God!
Wow, Linda. Quite a story, that is. Thank you.
.. ‘the warrior sees everything .. Richard Cortes .. 🦎🏴☠️
It’s always a party on the #3!
It is all in the perception, John, in the interpretation. Looks like a party to me! Many of the bus riders appear to not have phones, so we actually have the opportunity to interact with real people with real stories...
I’m sure Gavin Newsome would give them a phone if they asked!
Gavin Newsome... Good god, John, where have our wise statesmen gone? Where are our Jeffersons, or Hamiltons, or FDRs? Gavin Newsome? Really? Is that the best California has to offer?
Preaching to the choir!
I'm 6 feet tall with long white hair, sometimes up in a bun. I am not invisible. I smile at everyone I see and find that one frazzled person to compliment on "something". AMazing things show up. Hair that sparks wedding ring gold in the sunlight !! Red-orange hair that looks like actual fire !! Hair Purple and green... mermaid. "You're a good Daddy" to the guy talking to his child as if it were a person. ( ?? ) " A happy baby is the sign of a good Mommy" for baby giggling in the shopping cart. There ARE people who pay attention to their children. Ever see five LITTLE kids behaving in a grocery? Ya just gotta say something )))
I know this about you, Kate. You have a generous, gregarious spirit. The world needs more Kates!
Sharron, loved this and share the interest of observing people. There is so much to see if you look carefully. - Jim
Every bus I ride is full of stories waiting to be written. Some weirder than others. I think you might like this one, for a slightly different perspective - Mayhem on the Metro.
https://sharronbassano.substack.com/p/metro
I always enjoy these bus rides, Sharon! Summer has come to Santa Cruz.
The tourists are back, pouring into our front door, heading straight for the beach, the restaurants, the concerts. It is a lovely place to visit! A lovely place to live if you can find affordable housing without having ten housemates... Small one-bedroom apartment, $3000 a month. More in summer... sigh. It is pure greed.
Tourist town for sure. That's big time rent, must work over the hill in San Jose/Silicon Valley?
Right. No one working here can afford the housing. We even have a crucial shortage of doctors because they cannot afford to live here.
lovin the bus rides ! Absolutely ! Keep em comin ! 🦎🏴☠️
(should be no surprise I’m one who not only treasures my anonymity .. but embraces & utilizes it !)
No surprise! Glad you like riding the bus with me! Thanks
I so enjoy your ‘slice of life’ stories. Certainly your interesting stories make you seen here. And your bubbling self makes you a wonderful neighbor and friend.
Aww, you are too sweet, neighbor. I’m coming over with a Mason jar to borrow a cup of Merlot…
Come on over…. The Pinot Noir you and Connie shared last time is ready and waiting.
How could I refuse an offer like that? However I am still in my pajamas...
Absolutely adore these slices of life. We should all ‘travel a mile on someone else’s Metro ticket’ or whatever the saying is about walking and shoes! Happy weekend, Sharron
Thanks Barrie. It is quite an interesting microcosm of the world we are in when riding on the bus.
All life unfolds before you …
What do You write about the Character who writes about characters while riding the bus?
Good question...
.. either of you ever read the ‘Reacher Novel .. starts with him on a subway .. ?
.. ps - with respect haha - thats a yes/no question - so no spoilers thanks..
He certainly had his ‘Bassano level filters attenuated on that ride.. ! 🦎🏴☠️🎬
I will look for it. Thanks!
‘Gone Tomorrow’ .. 🦎🏴☠️🧨
Perhaps not invisible but inconsequential to young people. Except the ones you know personally (like my guitar students and grandsons.) Or maybe we are reminder of mortality and physical decline. Something they don’t want to consider in their youth. But we can see each other. 🤓
Enjoy that city life human gumbo.
Right you are, Mark. Thanks for reading about the Metro bus again.
I, too am enjoying the bus rides and meeting the new folks. Isn't it true about people being glued to their phones - not only on busses but everywhere it seems? They don't realize what they are missing out on - or don't care..
Addicts just want the drug. They care about little else... sigh
It's true . ..
Ah yes. Invisible to the young, in their fast-paced world. It's like we're in a different dimension, moving slower than the rest of the world. But we see each other. That knowing look brings us together. I love your Metro stories, Sharron. A vivid slice of Santa Cruz at its weirdest.
Thanks, Sharon!
Good observations. Enjoyed🙏
Thank you, Yael, for jumping on the bus again.
I love these bus stories and this one inspired a memory of my Dad finding his way to our cabin beyond Boulder Creek while Daughter and I waited at the bus depot to pick him up. I was fully distracted and almost didn't read your amazingly serendipitous story of the two elders talking about being invisible. One of my poems last Thursday, Crones, was about this elderly women disappearance. Thank you for another yeasty, wonderful ride on the Santa Cruz Metro.
Thank you, Sue. Crones was beautiful. I sent it to two friends.
Thank you. I wondered when I posted it if it was actually fitting or if I'd gone off on a toot somewhere in my crazy little bubble. But your story here verified that yes, indeed, older people become invisible and redundant. I just hope that when Gen-Zers talk about getting rid of old people, they're not planning a coup.
So beautifully observed, Sharron - I absolutely love this series of posts. Such a fantastic mix of characters with a single journey in common. Wonderful words!
'...a sling for her chin' is SUCH a perfect term for a mask worn in the haphazard style of 2024 rather than the terrified variation in 2020-1.