I have arrived in San Francisco and, from a "writer's" perspective, the trip here was disappointingly devoid of hang ups. From an optimist's perspective, the trip was seamless. The only striking moment was the ride to the airport. I took a blue van to the airways and on the highway, we came upon a fellow blue van. I pictured the RTD bus drivers back in the quickly disappearing land of Boulder, smiling cheerily as they passed each other on the roads, going opposite directions. And because all things are cheery, I expected the blue van comrades to flash a grinning wave at one another. Not the case. The highway began to reek of mild road rage as they passed one another back and forth, speeding, my driver shaking his head at the other. My driver did flash something at one point: a peace sign (not the middle finger you devil!). And if you can picture a sarcastic peace sign, that's what it was. Yes. A sarcastic bunny ear. I tried for a brief while to comprehend this classic notion of peace with a layer of sarcasm smeared on top of it but it just didn't seem to fit and my curiosity dwindled.
And so it was, I left Boulder in the early hours, a grumpy driver as my guide. And now, I sit in my teeny, old dorm room with my door propped open by my trashcan in order to appear friendly. Wait, I mean, to show how friendly I am! Come on in guys!!! I figure it's time for some more social activity today after my long solitary walk this morning, something that filled me with more pleasure than my day of group activities yesterday. By far. But I'm working on it. Slowly but surely.
5.31.2010
5.15.2010
Almighty Post Two
Post two consists of little. It is a plan. Somewhat pathetically, post two merely consists of an idea for future posts. I will track my time in the beautiful San Francisco, California over the next two months. I will admit, these posts will be mostly selfish. Why? They will serve as a journal-type recording possibly more for my own emotional release and the interest of my mom (hi mom!). Hopefully interest will be sparked in at least one other person along the way, but if not, more power.....to my mom. And while I have everyone on the edge of their seats...I won't begin until May 30th! So you can all relax. Have a cup of tea. Think dreamy thoughts of the steep hills of San Fran, the orange glow of the setting sun casting a gorgeous light on the blissful scenery. I'm looking forward to my time there.
7.19.2009
François sur l’autobus (or "French on the bus" for us ingrates with a French deficiency)
So here’s the story. I’m on the bus and it’s probably been one of THOSE days. Those days where I need to listen to semi-intense music loudly on my Ipod on the bus ride home. I’ve probably skipped about 23 songs to find the one suited for this particular trip. I’m also sitting as close to the back door of the bus as I possibly could maneuver without sitting on the two steps leading me off the bus entirely. My feet are slightly propped and well, you know, I’m looking at the bus driver’s reflection and remembering my times with this particular bus engineer, if you will.
We’re making a swift left on Baseline when I realize that there is a multiple passenger conversation taking place. Not wanting to miss out on this rarity, I coolly remove my earphones. It seems there is a woman speaking French and only French to the confused bus driver. She goes on without pause and I’m reminded of being in Paris with my piteous French skills reverberating against the walls of every restaurant we enjoyed. It was after about thirty seconds of this affair that someone also in the back of the bus spoke up, in French! Might I also add that, not surprisingly, I knew this girl from somewhere… She spoke beautifully all the way to the front of the bus. She was flawless, saying only the universal “McDonald’s” in English. It became crystal clear the Frenchwoman merely needed to know where to get off, McDonald’s being a landmark.
Well, a contemplative state must have come over me because this occurrence had great meaning. What struck me about the busload was everyone’s concerned face when the communication between the passenger and driver was unsuccessful. It was human nature and ultimate necessity that the communication attempt succeeds. Everyone, and I mean everyone, was on the edge of their seat when the learned young lady in the back saved the day. We all relaxed. I put my headphones back in. The relief that blanketed the passenger folk was a beautiful thing. I concluded that we all inherently wanted people to communicate successfully. We all really wanted this woman to find her destination and we would have been damned if she got off before McDonald’s. We could all move on with our ride, and everyone on the bus knew where they were going!
We’re making a swift left on Baseline when I realize that there is a multiple passenger conversation taking place. Not wanting to miss out on this rarity, I coolly remove my earphones. It seems there is a woman speaking French and only French to the confused bus driver. She goes on without pause and I’m reminded of being in Paris with my piteous French skills reverberating against the walls of every restaurant we enjoyed. It was after about thirty seconds of this affair that someone also in the back of the bus spoke up, in French! Might I also add that, not surprisingly, I knew this girl from somewhere… She spoke beautifully all the way to the front of the bus. She was flawless, saying only the universal “McDonald’s” in English. It became crystal clear the Frenchwoman merely needed to know where to get off, McDonald’s being a landmark.
Well, a contemplative state must have come over me because this occurrence had great meaning. What struck me about the busload was everyone’s concerned face when the communication between the passenger and driver was unsuccessful. It was human nature and ultimate necessity that the communication attempt succeeds. Everyone, and I mean everyone, was on the edge of their seat when the learned young lady in the back saved the day. We all relaxed. I put my headphones back in. The relief that blanketed the passenger folk was a beautiful thing. I concluded that we all inherently wanted people to communicate successfully. We all really wanted this woman to find her destination and we would have been damned if she got off before McDonald’s. We could all move on with our ride, and everyone on the bus knew where they were going!
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