Onions OMG

Ok so I have this awful catch 22 situation.  I had a weekly pass that expired Saturday and my monthly pass doesn't start until Wednesday, so what is a girl to do?  Get a nasty bus driver.  Yes lord.  This woman was like, "Uh huh guess you'll be paying $1.60".  In my head I did and said alot but I simply smiled and said, "I guess you're right and laughed".  If you can't beat them join them right.  I was $.15 cents short and this nice woman gave it to me, again the community I love it, and so then I put all of my quarters, dimes, and nickels, and almost pennies lol, into the coin slot.  Then as I asked her how to purchase a daily pass, which let me tell you is not as convenient as NYC, she exclaimed, " What were you eating onions or something", me, "Yes I love them", bus lady, "Uh well I don't God I hate them", I think well at least she doesn't hide how she feels.  So I took my stinky breath and all my luggage to my seat.  Where I was quickly called back up by the bus driver to pick up a bag I'd dropped.  Yes ladies and gentleman your's truly had the floor on the bus.

Anyway I've been through it all and I will not let this daily pass stop my day.  So the nice lady who gave me the $.15 cents told me where to get a daily pass.  Ok I its my stop, Greenmount and 33rd, I don't see it.  I continue walking, I ask, "Do you know where I can get a daily", "No" he says.  "Excuse me do you know where I can get a daily", "Yes baby go two stores down to the liquor store".  Great into the liquor store I go.  "Excuse me how much are your daily bus passes", "Ahwhat we no havy no bussy passes heayur" the Korean guy exclaims, should've known.  I give up where's the atm, yes an MandT atm no fee for me.  So I take out $20.00, then I go into the slowest Rite Aid in the world.  Yes, you know the one hit by the recession with one cashier and of course the line is 3 people long and might as well be 15 people long by the way its moving.  And of course they are having a sale on alcohol so all the holics are there lined up with there bottles making sure that they are getting the correct price, and their cigarettes.  O I just need to buy this foil so that I can break my twenty and get on the bus.  Finally my turn.  She Gives me my change one ten dollar bill, one five dollar bill, and 3 ones, but I need $.50.  "O", she says, "I can't give you any change because I closed my drawer you are going to have to wait for the next customer".  There aren't any, its just me, ahhhhhhh.   Ok that last part happened in my head.  Then, "If you hurry up and go over there she can give you some", I go running like a slave who almost reaches victory. Yessa Yessa Ize a Comin.  Finally, I have the $.50.  And if it couldn't get worse, it didn't.

The bus was right outside, and you know that song by Alanis Morrisette, Isn't it Ironic, well guess what, big orange sign on top of where I would put my $3.50 that says not working.  Lord help me  and you know what's next....

Next Stop...

The Bank and Now

Ok so usually if I need to run an errand I hop in my car.  Now I take the bus.  I tried to think of who could help me so I wouldn't have to. But I reminded myself Candice you opted to take the bus, now own up to it.  So I bundled myself up and head out the door.  This is Saturday November 27th.  So I got a ride to the bus stop from the neighbor who was leaving his house and going up the street.  From here I went across town to the bank I knew would be safest, why?  It's in a supermarket and well lit.  Not bad I got there in 20 minutes and as soon as I got off the bus mta police were right there.  I must admit I was slightly intimidated by the male representation on the bus, yes people I was the only female on the bus, but hey I put on my NY street smarts and made it do what it do, lol. From here since the market is at a major public transportation center called Mondawmin, I took the subway to Charles Center to Citibank where I made my last bank stop.  By this time one of my homies was on his way back in town to a party at his cousins and so I walked up Charles Street to the Super Fresh to get groceries while I waited for him to pick me up.  Figured since I had a car I better use the opportunity to get groceries before the party that I was now going to.  It was a great walk.  The cold air invigorated me.

It reminded me of former NY days and I just relished in each sensation.  The wind blowing by, cars driving by, conversation, and the meeting of a friend somewhere to eat at someone's studio apt, were reminiscent of all of the things I miss in NY.  The dinner was great by the way.  And although, I was a little cold, but what else would I be its winter people, I saw the good in it all I got it done and on my own.  This blog is about the positive.  Anyway you know what to say...

Next Stop.......

So I Got a Ride

Calm down! I did not say I took a hack, Baltimore's version of hitch hiking, I said I got a ride.  Last Wednesday November 24, 2010 was my last day of therapy, but guess what there is no bus that takes you to the express MVA or that rides on Joppa road.  I had to turn in my tags in order to get rid of the insurance.  However, the nice man in therapy offered to drop me off and from here my cousin picked me up.  Wow!  I had to rely on a stranger, but in the words of so many, I just had to do what I had to do.

Of course, safety is always first, I asked about him from the staff before I accepted the ride, you never know nowadays, but I'm so happy that there are still decent people out there who don't mind lending a hand.

Thank you Mr. Lo.  You are a gangsta in your own right.

The Phone of all Phones

OOOOOOOOOOHHHHHHHHH, was my mouths reflex.  I couldn't even stop the expression from jumping out.  It's what I want.

So I'm addicted to buttons.  Due to this fact, I have not yet switched to a touch screen phone.  But this is beautiful.  I may have to give up the buttons now.  I'll just find something else to push.  HMMmmhhh!

Anyway this girl sat next to me on the bus and just whipped it out.  As my oooohhhh just poured from my mouth, she just gave me the you're a retard look.  It's ok, sometimes I am, I'm cool with that.  I asked her what little I could get out of her about the phone, and after I realized that wouldn't be much, I accepted that I at least got the name, and regained my composure.

O Mrs. Intercept can I have your autograph!!!

Next stop staying focused: I'm on a budget you know.

Action at 12pm

Yes, two young girls got the bus started.  They boarded the bus as everyone else.  Then abruptly, while giggling, they ran off the bus to dodge themselves into oncoming traffic to board the same bus route going in the opposite direction. 

The reaction:  A complete sigh of disapproval.  I heard, " They running their mouth so much they don't even pay attention, this generation I just don't know about them."  And from here it went on with they need to do this and they need to do that.  They just haven't been taught and what they need to be taught is xyz.

I don't think this is fair.  I mean, really the behavior of the two girls was age appropriate.  They were no more than 15/16 years of age.

I clearly remember this age,  silliness just pervades.  You are newly gaining your independence, learning the ropes to life, and sometimes the details are just missed, and all you can do is laugh out loud.  Like these young girls did as they realized that they were about board the right bus heading in the wrong direction.

On top of this we all make mistakes.  This entitled man voicing his opinion on the young girls behavior had obviously never been a teenage girl, because if he had he would have just laughed and saw it as normal.

How do you feel?

Next Stop Loch Raven & Glen Keith Blvd ( If you're wondering all of this really did happen at the same stop)

The Man

He looked straight out of prison.  Broad shoulders, very muscular and built, and angry.  He had a glare that said quick temper, I am not the one.  And his words alarmed me.  He was right next to me and I couldn't help but stop working on my paper to acknowledge this lost soul, silently that is.

He uttered, " This bus driver does this everyday driving this bus all slow making me late for work."  The cause for this explosion : The bus driver sat at the bus stop maybe 60 seconds longer than he would have liked.

My concern is that this man spoke of the bus driver as his personal servant or driver, as if no one else were on the bus.

This man looked truly void of ambition or any ability to own his own car.  This bus and being driven around is all he knows.  As a people there is another side of our community where ownership, and preference do not exist.  We have to take what we can get and do our best with it and in this case the bus was just that for this Man.

When did we as a people get so content to the point that in our minds the bus becomes not a tool that we use to get from place to place but our own personal coach.  I looked around me and slowly and sadly I realized he was not the only one.

I wanted to cry.  I was blessed and with no reason.  I've had opportunities that many have never had, but yet I am no better, I just wish that this Man could have experienced something better for his life.  Something to make him smile on his ride, something that lets him know there is more out here, something that says hold on it gets better just keep working hard to grow from the past, something that says Mister I feel your pain but you deserve everything they've got go for it.  But would he even believe it.

What is really going on in society?  The bus is full of these men or this man.  Grown men who do not have the access nor the opportunities to own their own vehicle.  Many who have never even traveled their local surroundings on their own time and at their own pace.

Next stop Loch Raven & Glen Keith Blvd.... My community My heart.

The Elderly Experience

I watched in horror as an elderly woman almost fell off the bus with her walker in hand.  Those crowded around the front of the bus quickly rushed to help.  A man then opened her walker for her and she kept on going.  She looked around her late 70's or early 80's.  As the bus drove by I just observed her as she crossed a small street to Giant.

My issue:   I have a 92 year old grandmother, what if this was her?

I mean this woman has no other way to get food.

What happened to the days when we would knock next door and ask Mrs. Elderly if she needed anything?

Clearly they're gone, and clearly its hard to trust anyone nowadays.  But what about her family where are they?

I say I watched in horror because I was alarmed to think of all what might happen to her!  And with her feebleness she could easy be taken advantage of.

I quickly tried to think of a happy thought.  Yes! In criminal justice class they spoke of how the elderly were least to be victimized out of any age group because of the time of day they choose to come out.  There is less activity at this time.

However, for some reason this slight solace was not enough.  I needed more.  I needed to see her family member pull up, or a loving neighbor say, " Hey Mrs. Elderly let me help you shop."  But neither was there.

Is there no one here for our elderly?  Will anyone be here for me, or us?

As scary as this world is the thought is daunting.  All I could do is offer a quick prayer for her safe return home.  By Mrs. Elderly, take your time please, and be safe, and I wish you a safe return.

Next stop 33rd St & Ellerslie...

Today is the day, November 23rd, 2010

IIII did it, yes it has finally begun, and like one of the readers said let the hilarity ensue...   Ok so some things I forgot about.

A.) Holding on- very necessary so as not to wind up in some strangers lap.

B.) Being polite- I really don't want to die and we all know in Bmore you can Bshot.

C.) Strength- Necessary to hold on, stand for an entire bus ride, and walk to numerous bus stops, stand while waiting for the bus, and running for the bus.

So what did I experience today, D.) All of the above.

Lord let me tell you taking the bus at 29 is soooo not the same as when I was 17.  Even though at 17 I was in NYC in transition to Baltimore public transportation was public transportation, and today showed me that I am obviously out of shape.

Anyway other than the things I forgot I actually had a pleasant Welcome Home bus ride.  The walk up my block was peaceful, the bus wait and ride timely.  Yes, it was great.  I mean what more can I ask for.  As I said good morning to the first bus driver, she looked at me like I was crazy, and as I asked her my one and only question about my bus stop, her look of an unspoken death threat was enough to put fear in any born again bus rider.  Then, as I proceeded on the bus with a book bag on my back, a purse on my arm, and a duffle bag, yes on top of my bus riding I had to bring a change of clothes for my bible meeting in this bag, which also had enough room for breakfast thank goodness because after all of this I'm going to need it, I avoided looking too happy that my first day on the bus had finally arrived amongst so many with such dire countenances.  I also tried to follow book bag etiquette so that I wouldn't bump anyone with it.  Yes as the untrained dancer I am I turned ever so slightly, bringing my bag to one shoulder and gracefully twisting through the packed bus on my tippy toes as if I had attended ballet class all my life.

Finally, after all the rocky changes of directions, and stops, I mean who said to make bus routes so curvy, geesh, I ended up at school, on time and with enough time to make breakfast, man this is better than driving.  I even had a chance to read my bible and daily message.  WWWOOOOHOOOO!!!.  From here I went to work taking the same 22 bus in front of my school back in the same direction getting off at Greenmount Ave to wait for the 8.  It came immediately and with 3 more behind it.  I got to work on time and with enough time to work on my essay.  From here I got my boss to drop me off at Northern Parkway and York Rd to take the 44 to my bible meeting at Rogers and Liberty Rd.  Then, as I left my bible meeting, I walked to liberty rd and Rogers to take the bus 52 on liberty rd back to the 22 in front of my school where I was this morning and home.

Sounds like alot, it was, but the beauty of the whole situation was I rose above, I did what I had to do, and no commute on any bus even with the transfer took longer than a half an hour and my wait time was not more than 15 minutes, even in transfers.  Could I have found my niche?  Well maybe till the bad days come!  But for now I am happy.  Happy I have no car payment, happy I have no car insurance, happy I don't need gas, oil changes, and other car related things.  And most of all no lemon to worry about.  What about the winter you ask, I spent a good amount @ Sierra Trading Post on winter items so I'm ready, and remember I'm a prior New York Warrior public transportation extraordinaire.

I've missed the bus, I've missed the time to read, I miss the community of it all..... Now what's next....

Ok so a little held back

Ok so I had every intention of starting my bus ride this am, but long story short I'm not prepared.  Yes when planning to ride a bus preparedness is necessary.  Why?  Well, anything is possible.  Maybe I'll be called into work, so I'll need my work clothes, maybe I'll get hungry, so I'll need a snack, maybe it will be super cold, I need to dig out my bubble coat.  So, I decided to push it up til next week.  So now the adventure begins 11/29/10.  Hope to see you there, and if I don't see you have a great time off with your family.

First Things First

To let you know who I am, a strong willed woman seeking to buy a home soon.  Twenty - nine years old with the ambition of a star.  What happened?  My car was totaled.  Yes, following Noah's 40 day and 40 night flood in the basement of the house I'm renting and will buy, my car was totaled.  How?  Well, a woman at the intersection of Reisterstown Rd, Druid Hill Park, and Park Heights Ave, an awful traffic triangle with no turning signals, decided she could turn left in front of me before I made it to the intersection, even though I had the right of way.  Truly I T-boned her, and after checking to make sure she was ok, because her air bags deployed, VISIONS: of holding her head into the air bag with no relief quickly emerged.  Anger was not the word.  Not only did she look like she was going to try to turn in front of me and so I stopped, she saw me and stopped, and then just as I decide to proceed BAM.

End Result:  Car is Totaled.  Her insurance covered the whole accident.  Then a lemon was bought. " It costs $5000.00 to fix what", you could here me at the Precision Auto Tune.  "This car is going right back."  So without a lot of savings, no desire for a car payment, and winter approaching, and a house to buy; I've decided to take the bus.  Always slightly Bougy in my head, I have to face the reality, Poordom is my new name, and the bus will be my game.  And this Blog will be my outlet, cause girl I know I'll have to vent.  Welcome to my HBCU, Humbled, Bus Ridden, Carless, and it could be U as I let you know what happens each day.

Follow Me and Let me know if I'm dead on. Let the Ride Begin.

Hey Bmore, and family, thanks for tuning in, please don't feel afraid to chime in when you can relate, add, or sympathize, I'm doing this for us because I know I'm not the only one in need of venting.

 Please don't be afraid to comment and share your thoughts, feelings, and experiences as well.

Adventure: Monday November 19, 2010.