chaff:: on public transport

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On public transport : 2001-11-18 00:24

People often think public transport is depressing, because of the people (as, after all, we all know people suck, right?). On the other hand, once in a while, they'll surprise you. There'll be a 30 second pause to rush for that empty seat- long enough for you to realise that if they really wanted it, they'd take it, so you can, without feeling guilty (well, not too guilty, and it seems I was the only one who did want to go more than three stops anyway).

Then, even if initially they seem annoying, you realise the people laughing a little too loudly and talking strangely aren't mocking you, or anyone else, but are in fact whacked out on drugs (this is the good kind of drugs, that seem to help you enjoy yourself, with minimal side effects (well, at the time, anyway) and without too much harm to anyone else). Maybe a little too loud, but vibrant, at least; and grief knows enough of my friends seem to have trouble being too vivacous, too loud; certainly I do.

So whilst they continue being loud, laughing, falling over (but only a bit, and not getting in anyone's way), you can read a two-day-old discarded paper you'd never have read, especially not their review section, particularly as it's on military books; but it's interesting, and there's things in there you know you'll mention to other people. Of course, there's a chance the other passengers will move the paper off the floor, but then, you're reading it in an odd way, and straining, probably, not only your eyes but your shoulder, so that's no problem.

You can look up and see the guy opposite you is reading Instructions to Great Faith, while next to him the people taking poppers have started discussing vibrators, and the fact that- apparently- the nose is a really sensitive erogonous zone, and possibly doing the whole Meg Ryan thing (but maybe- just maybe- they're actually just laughing).

Then you pull in to the station, and, oddly, despite the fact you've just come out of a film making you fear the worst for human nature, and, often, that sort of thing would be really annoying, you're actually cheered up and can even wait the five minutes at the bus station drinking in what view there is.

But that's two whole other posts.

posted by paul mison in essays, wanders and observations