Ffffuuurrrooonnntt!!
Between Battery and Jackson Streets in downtown Seattle anyone can hop on the bus and ride for free. Attorneys, doctors, drug addicts, deli-cashiers, techies, Nordy’s shoppers, derelicts and the homeless all catch a ride from one end to another. As a result, you never know what your ride is going to be like.
In most cases, everyone manages to ride together in peace for few the short minutes it takes to get from King County Courthouse to Westlake Center. However, on occasion, you’ll witness some sort of outburst or scuffle or smell that makes you wish you drove to work every day. Sometimes the situation can get so bad (gross guy trying to pick up on you) that you vow then and there to never to ride the bus. EVER. AGAIN. (But then you always do because parking downtown costs a small fortune.)
On Tuesday, I was waiting in the bus tunnel to catch a ride to the International District to meet @Shih_Wei for the first time. Out of the corner of my eye I noticed a man who appeared to be walking in circles and gesturing to himself. “Oh God,” I thought. “Here we go ….” I proceeded to go into my shut down mode – thinking to myself, “Okay, steer clear. Make no eye contact. Do not engage in any way. DO NOT ENGAGE.”
But somehow I just knew he was going to get on the same bus as I was.
Sure enough, he did.
And as luck would have it, instead of moving to the back of the bus, the man decided to stand in the aisle – RIGHT IN FRONT OF ME. I prepared for the worst – keeping my eyes down and repeating the mantra – “Steer clear. Do not engage. No eye contact.” There was no way I was going to get roped into a conversation about conspiracy theories or Vietnam or spaceships.
But my plan to ignore him backfired. I couldn’t pretend he wasn’t there because after about 10 seconds, he started mumbling to me in a low growl, “Frr-rrruuunttt.”
My eyes stayed locked on the ground.
“F-fr-fr-fr-fruuunnt.”
“F-fr-fr-fr-fruuunnt.”
“Oh God.” I think. “No fucking way. NOT TODAY.”
“F-fr-fr-fr-fruuunnt. “F-fr-fr-fr-fruunnt. “F-fr-fr-fr-frruunnt.”
“F-U-R-RONT. F-U-R-RONT. F-U-R-RONT. F-U-R-RONT.”
“FFFFEEEERRRRROOOOONNNNTTTTT!!!!!!!!!”
“Of all people, WHY ME?”
At this point I was definitely not going to make eye contact.
“FFFRRRRROOOOONNNNTTTTT!!!!!!!!!”
Two seconds after the last outburst, I look up towards the bus driver who shouts out over the intercom, “HEY LADY, the man is DISABLED and wants to sit up FRONT! MOVE IT!”
The bus goes silent.
I look up and the “crazy” is not crazy at all. He’s disabled and for the last 25 seconds he’s been trying to combine the word “front” with hand gestures as a way of asking me to move so he could sit near the driver.
I never even bothered to look up.
Sigh. I can be such an asshole sometimes.
This entry was posted on Friday, May 8th, 2009 at 5:17 am and is filed under Daily. Both comments and pings are currently closed.
23 Responses to “Ffffuuurrrooonnntt!!”
Shameless!
In the interest of full disclosure, please note that product links redirecting you to other sites such as Amazon
, BlueHost, Freshbooks and OpenSky may take you a purchase page of a company where I am a member of an affiliate program. As a result, I will often get a small percentage of the revenue or a commission off of something you have purchased. I am not otherwise paid to link to these sites, nor do I link to any products that I don't actually use or covet in real life. On the rare occasion I accept payment to review a product, it will be duly noted in its associated post.
Have no fear - you are under no obligation to buy anything to get the full enjoyment of this site. We can still be friends even if you never click on an affiliate link. Rest assured, this is all low pressure. I will never show up at your door with tiny vials of Avon perfume or trial jars of pearl cream to entice you. That said, I do truly appreciate when you do purchase something from a linked site - it all helps to keep the lights on and a roof over our heads.
And Powered By
And Kept Organized By
Aw, don’t be so hard on yourself! I probably would have been just as confused. Sometimes you just don’t know – it happens to all of us
MC´s last blog post..Pleasant Surprises in Surprising Places Giveaway
The bus is a danger zone, especially in free ride land. I watched a similar thing happen – really, almost completely the same thing – only the person the shouter was trying to get to move was actually a bit, uh, er, mentally disabled? He was clearly anxious about missing his stop and insistent on a specific seat. One of the drunks at the back shouted at him — “MOVE IT ASSHOLE, A WHEELCHAIR NEEDS THAT SPOT!” Finally, the bus driver stepped in — “Don’t worry, honey, I’ll make sure you get your stop.” and the guy moved. The free ride zone, it’s crazy there.
Yeah~ i know this feeling! It’s tough… in the midst of protecting ourselves, having wisdom, being kind, we also have to remember not to judge… yikes!
Heidi´s last blog post..Have a Laugh
Don’t be so hard on yourself. I can remember when I had to take the bus to and from school years ago and all the crazies I had to endure (and that route wasn’t even the free one!). It forces you to build a wall around yourself for your own protection.
Notice how none of the other passengers chimed in to tell you what the guy wanted. They were probably just silently grateful they didn’t have to give up their own seat. The bus–it’s a jungle on there.
Mompsy´s last blog post..Going, Going, Gone
the things that humble us..i have been nurse maid and cook to my brother for the past 3 days as he has been ill and staying with us..and I dont even cook..Kids want to know what is that all about..have a good day
Just found your blog this week and I love it, love it, love it. When I read this post, I had to comment.
Buses are an adventure, no? I have to agree with MC, don’t be so hard on yourself! I mean, you build up these defense and survival mechanisms because how many times do you have the crazy experience that makes she feel so creeped out? I used to be friendly on the bus, but then you get all the creepy, creepy stuff. It’s nothing about people being disabled or whatever, it’s about people who are creepy! You gotta avoid that at all costs without making yourself seem rude.
Now I’m wondering though, I had a 15 year old daughter and she takes the bus all the time. Always has. But I haven’t taken it with her in awhile. I wonder how she reacts to these situations? Has she figured out the survival techniques? I gotta take a ride with her sometime and find out. Downtown. About midday. That way we’ll be sure to encounter a good situation in which I can observe her.
Heather T´s last blog post..Some awards, grateful thanks, and spreading of good vibes all around
ugh…thats the worst. I would feel like such a jerk.
Jenae´s last blog post..Death Valley
Don’t feel too bad — it was an honest mistake. It happens to everyone.
Public transportation in Russia is chaotic…especially if you’re blatantly American and can only say “happy women’s day” and “I want an apple”. But seriously, the buses stop for about twenty seconds tops. Everyone fends for themselves, piling on and off. Then, they take off. Without warning or consideration. The subways are like this too, but anyway…
In one of my excursions, frantically trying to board without being left behind, I smacked an older Russian lady in the face as I reached for the bar that ran along the bus’s ceiling. She grabbed her head and started mumbling something (of which I’m sure I heard “Amerikanski’s!”) and I just stood there. Right in front of her. Didn’t say a word.
I hadn’t learned “I’m sorry” yet.
Amanda´s last blog post..Livin’ In Beverly Hills
You are really not to blame for that one. Anyone who lives in Seattle knows the only way to get through an experience on the bus is to keep your head down, and your iPod on. If you’re not careful you might innocently decide to close you eyes on your way home from a long day at work. Then suddenly burst awake when you realize that the homeless person standing next to you is petting your HAIR.
The bus is dangerous, be very wary…
Accidental Olympian´s last blog post..THE WEATHER & MY MOOD ARE DEFINITELY LINKED
Not only would I have done the same thing, I would also have dwelled on the situation for hours. But, I don’t have a blog to vent about it so I have tell you: “Don’t worry.” You didn’t know and it is better to be safe than sorry. I also agree with Mompsy–no one else chimed in either. Everyone around you was probably glad that they didn’t have the crazy/disabled guy talking to them.
Ah well, at least you turned it into a learning experience for us all and were woman enough to own up to it (and own it) – bravo!
Ooopsies. We all do that. Well, I haven’t, but I’m sure I will, although I don’t really take the bus anymore.
I would have ignored him too…
Oh my gosh, I do way more inappropriate things than this. My biggest thing is having a go at people who do mean things like push in front of little kids in queues. However, my reactionary outbursts are generally far more rude than the behaviour I am criticising!
I love your blog! I was just talking to my mum on the phone and told her about it cause I think she will love it too. She started her own blog a year ago (www.lillyslife.com).
Mum was a single parent to me (the poor woman) so I can identify with your posts about your daughter a bit even though I am a ‘grown up’ now at 26. eww.
Keep doing what you’re doing. You are really talented!
JKT´s last blog post..Just grin and ‘bare’ it
That is totally something that would happen to me. Don’t feel bad, even though I kinda would. Hahah.
That reminded me of the time I put a tip with a song request in front of the piano guy and got really upset because an hour later my money was still in the same place and he wasn’t even looking at my request! Until my friend pointed out: “Dude, he is blind! Everybody who comes here knows this”. So from one asshole to another – lots of love on mother’s day!
mrs.notcouching´s last blog post..Perfect age
Ugh, I live in Seattle too and I TOTALLY UNDERSTAND. Its the smells that really get to me -_-. It is really, really, really hard not to get small and mean on the bus, especially if you ride it wherever you go. SERIOUSLY! It can suck all the humanity out of you.
Oh no! Oh well, it could’ve happened to anyone. So sorry that it happened to you.
Asianmommy´s last blog post..Monday & Tuesday (Mandarin)
This belongs on fmylife.com. Not that I think it is so terrible (although I would have felt mortified as well), but it could be on there!
Oh you poor thing! That must’ve been mortifying. But no one on that bus is going to remember it tomorrow…
Giselle´s last blog post..Read-Along With Me wins iParenting Media Award!
All of the busses to my school make a stop at the VA hospital before they hit campus. I’ve learned to just never sit in the front.
Ellie´s last blog post..Size 12!!!!
ugh that sucks. its easy here to say oh you did not mean it but honestly if i were on the bus i probably would think what a jerk. but not because you are, i am just an insecure fool and i take it out in my options of others.
either way no harm no foul-guy got his seat and was safe
Oh yikes! How embarrassing! ha! We all would have done exactly the same!
AmandaBlogandKiss´s last blog post..Dear Self