Reflections from the road

Another PhotoTropedelic treatment on a photo from the iPhone.

The lighthouse at Vermilion, OH, shot while we were at Linwood Park, summer 2009.

I have been toying with new routes into and out of Oakland for the past several weeks. Today I think I hit a toal of 4 buses total for the round trip from Munhal.

Started the day as usual on the 53F and jumped off at Grant St., even in this cold, and ran/walked to Market Square for a Stabucks. Hot and tasty as it was, it did little to thaw me out. I was running a little late and hoped to make it to 5th Ave. to catch the 61C into Oakland. If I hit it just right, I get one of the pluch bendy buses that run that way from town in the mornings. These are the 3150 series of buses I think. The seats are more comfortable than a Greyhound bus and even have the individual lights and air vents for each rider. I consider them the limousines of the PAT fleet. Will certainly miss them when the strike happens.

On the way out of Oakland, I had hoped to grab a 61F on Forbes Ave. but realized I’d miss it. Instead, I got adventurous, or cocky, and hoped a 61C into town on Fifth Ave. One of the smaller buses though. None off the limos run in the afternoon I noticed. My goal was to get to the stop at 622 Second Ave. and get a seat on the 53F. If I wait for that to get into Oakland, the seats are gone, and I figured I had time.

Wrong again. I was about 5 minutes late and did not feel like waiting for the next one (about 25 minutes out). I noticed a 56E Greenfield and remembered they went through The Waterfront. I found my way onto the bus and was able to make it to The Waterfront early enough to enjoy another Starbucks before getting a ride home from there.

Not sure this record will hold for long. I can see different scenarios that would have me on 5 or more some days. Monthly passes rock. They do give a sense of freedom I did not have driving in and out of town before. I am not looking forward to the madness we’ll all face (bus riders and auto commuters on the congested roadways) come December …

So, after a rather trying evening at The Waterfront, I figure there is no choice to get home but to take a bus from 8th Avenue in Homestead to Homestead Park where I live. My son and I just missed the 7:05 p.m. 53F so we had about 45 minutes to kill on the avenue.

After spending a little time at 8th & Amity, we walked toward the Homestead Grays Bridge to catch the bus as soon as it enters Homestead. There is another bus in front of the 53F, maybe a 64A, and it is blocking the bus stop area, and the 53F, still blocking the intersection, opens its doors to drop of an anxious rider. As the 64A pulls away, I begin casually waving at the 53F, figuring the driver sees me and will stop at the actual stop since the other bus is gone. He sees me, I yell as it appears he is not going to stop, and damned if he does not.

Not wanting to wait another 50 minutes, my son and I head off for the 8th & Amity stop where we started our wait. Luckily the 64A once again delayed the bus and we were able to get on. I walk right up to the driver and ask if had seen me waving him down. “The doors were open” he said. I am almost speechless in the presence of his arrogance and smugness. I almost never see drivers pass riders who are anywhere near stops, and most of the time they will stop almost anywhere in between if someone is flagging them down.

“Do you have a name?” is my next question. He smiles knowing it will not matter how much I complain to anyone I might be fortunate to get on the phone at PAT. “Ed,” he says, the smugness dripping from his lips. “Got a number?” Without skipping a beat, as if he gets asked this a lot, and I am sure he does, “Yeah, 9611” he smiles pointing to the embroidery on his shirt.

Unpleasantries were exchanged at the stop in Homestead Park where I called his customer service skills into question. I am convinced that if I did not have my son with me I would be sitting in the county lockup right now on assault charges for bouncing Ed’s smug face off the steering wheel. I was able to leave a comment about the incident on the PAT website (no answer at their customer service line this late at night). Will I hear back from them? Will Ed be reprimanded? I doubt it, but I will follow up if I hear anything. Keep an eye out for Ed. Look for old 9611 and flip him the bird for me if you get a chance. I’d do it for you

53F inbound this morning … and at the bus stop, a rare, pleasant conversation with a fellow rider. Not that the pleasant aspect of it was rare, but the conversation was considering I am not usually very talkative in the morning (at least until I’ve had a venti in me). The conversation focused on Halloween and the declining number of children in the neighborhoods of Homestead Park in the past few year.

There seems to be an inordinate amount of clankers at this time of the month. People I recognize as clankers in regard to being cash-paying riders (not pass holders) are making more noise than usual at the money chute. I think that it’s the end of the month and people are truly barely making ends meet, and have to tap into the change drawer or their piggy banks before end-of-the-month checks arrive. As I am paid monthly (yeah, I know, how DO I manage that?) I know what they are going through. If not for the pass I get at work through a payroll deduction, I too would be a clanker. Not that there’s anything wrong with that …

Hopped off the 53F on Grant Street and ran down to the Market Square Starbucks, then off to wait for the 61C on 5th Aveue. The 3050 series of buses in the PAT line are so plush. Worth the wait usually. There, an elderly woman struck up a conversation with me. Had the 77C come by yet. We both talked about learning our way around the transit system by just experimenting, and had a laugh or two about the 77C and its route. After she left, a mostly vacant 71D Hamilton pulled up and I decided to hop on that up to Oakland.

Nice to make new friends, or at least acquainteces every now and then.

The trip out of town (Oakland) was cold, wet and crowded, as usual. I grab the 53F at practically the last stop outbound and it is usually filled to the brim. I usually get to stand at least until the first or second stop on 8th Avenue in Homestead and it starts clearing out a bit.

Had the misfortune to be standing next to a classic yinzer. She had attitude and a cell phone, making her intolerable to begin with, but the conversation, which I generally try to ignore, was sprinkled with slurs and profanity. The noise level during those rides cannot drown out the stupidity of someone like this. Ignorance and intolerance always seems to find a way to be heard.

After I retreated to the rear of the bus when a seat became available, a young woman got on with her young son, I am guessing he was about 3. He was not at all happy about being on the bus, and he was going to make sure everyone knew it. Several blocks later, they were on their way.The yinzer had exited in lower Munhall or Homestead.

Everyone, including the operator, seemed relieved that there was finally a (relatively) quiet home stretch ahead. All in all, I think I preferred the whining of the young boy to the vitriolic rantings of the yinzer. All he wanted was to get off the bus. All she was doing was spreading the hate.

Could be that I just imagined it, but the world (let alone the buses) seemed to be running in slow motion this morning. The city just seemed sapped of its energy. Not sure what it could be. Possibly a loss by the Steelers at the hands of the NY Giants?

The 61F was relatively quiet this morning. And not nearly as crowded as it normally gets. There were a few people talking about the Steelers unlikely loss at the end of the game due to a special teams miscue. Everyone seemed to be staring out their windows and wondering “What if …” and that could be followed by too many things (we had an additional, capable long snapper, Ben was not chased around the pocket rendering him relatively ineffective, Amani Toomer missed that incredible catch at the 5 yard line at the end of the game, etc.).

Nope, nothing much to report on today. Hang in there though, there’s always tomorrow.

A new feature for the blog, the “Buckhead Order of The Day.” I am a tried and true Buckie so every morning you’ll find me at a Starbucks for something strong and hot. This morning’s BOTD comes to from the Starbucks at Atwood & Forbes. A pumpkin latte, non-fat, no whip, and an oatmeal with all the toppings. Coming in at $7.01 (did not have a penny, clerk had to count to 99), I am thinking for about the same amount, including a tip, I could get a full breakfast at Eat’n Park.

Trip in to work on the 61F. The 53F due at my stop at 6:57 a.m. never showed … in 33 degree weather … bastard. Had a phlegmer and a clanker on the route today. I swear the latter was buying a monthly pass with all the change she was dropping into the pay slot.

Well, my first crack at taking the 59U from Oakland to The Waterfront. I live nearby and usually ride the 53F home (although the 61F would be slightly more convenient it runs much less frequently). But yesterday it was “The kids need Halloween costumes” day. So, off to the land of plenty beneath the Homestead Grays Bridge. The ride from Halket & Forbes through Oakland and Squirrel Hill were rather uneventful. The bus was 20 minutes late though and that put everything behind schedule.

Short story shorter, ended up at Century III Mall and the party supply store on Rte. 51 and about $75 lighter. One Dark Knight Joker costume kit, complete with scars and green hair gel, and one ghoulish football player, complete with helmet, creepy shirt and pants. Looks sort of like Big Ben after a few too many sacks …