Personal Space? Not on the blue line

For the past 3 days there have been significant delays on the Blue line due to a downed power line which they can not fix of course right now due to the rain.  If you've ever seen a can of Sardines, that is exactly what it is like.  The doors open and 1 or 2 people get off and 10-15 try to get on.  We shift as much as we can but enviably someone bag or body is touching you.  This cycle repeats 10 more times until I reach my destination or the Red line.  I'm not really complaining but wow if you are claustrophobic you should not take the train.  It's a made house right now.

Today while I was walking to Union station I saw march taking place on the streets. This got me thinking when was the last time I was in a good march. Not a protest, but a real live march for something I truly believe in. So this made me wonder how many people I could get behind me to march for the removal of Thursday from the work week. I have already thought of some good chants. Like Thursday, Thursday go away. Don't come back any day. You kind of sing it to "Rain, rain go away." We would march from 2nd and Spring (that way I don't have to miss much work) and walk to Alvera st. Then we could hang out there listening to the wonderful live local Hispanic singing along to a ghetto blaster. Well, what do you think? We can't wait, Thursday eliminate! Ok I'm gonna step off my soap box now. What cause would you walk for? Oooh I'd also organize a walk to make pizza the official food of LA. Who's with me?

Dear Metro Ridders, RELEASE THE DAMN DOORS! You're the reason why all the trains are late. Either get on or get off. Sometimes I wish they would take off with you half of the way in.

Dear Sir: there is a right way and a wrong way to tell the big ganster looking guy next to you to be quiet. "Would you shut up"...not the right way. YIKES.

A lady on the train got upset that she was asked to move her stuff so someone could sit down. She started chanting & I swear she was putting a curse on the guy.

A lady feel asleep on the blueline downtown and she is still asleep heading back to Long Beach. Wonder how many trips she'll take to night. Lol

There's a guy pretending 2 be a security inspector on the train. Talking 2 himself in2 a fake headset. 10-16 to 2-34 I'm in train 226B following 332A. copy that

OUCH!!!!!!!!!!

This morning I watched a man put his cigarette out on his finger.  The train pulled up ad he took it out of his mouth and stuck out his finger and rubbed the out burning death trap on his finger.  I was like WOW!  Now that is one bad ass.  LOL

Is that you Nacho????

From two rows behind me I kept hearing this awesome hacking sounds.  I joked with my friend that Nacho was on the train with us as he can be heard often trying to hack up a hairball.  Cough, hack Cough, hack.  I giggled every time it happened.  I  joked that I wanted to go back to the person and lay treats on his/her tray table.  How awesome would that be if I walked down the aisle and laid the treats there and said it's ok, these will make you feel better.  Then turned an petted the person.  HAHA that would be so awesome.  I could be like, it's ok kitty just cough it up.  You'll feel so much better after you do.  Or even better they say you can put petroleum jelly on the cat's mouth and they will like it off and help them cough up the hair ball. Picture this...I walk up to a total stranger and I swipe my petroleum jelly filled finger under their nose.  Oh the thought is just great.  That poor person sounded like if they could just stop licking themselves they'd be alright.  By the time I got the nerve up to see if it was Nacho back there the person left.  My thought is that he/she was locked in a bathroom some where trying to cough it up.  They should have waited for me to hand them their treats. Well let's hope they coughed it up by now.

Cows and Trains???

Those two may not sound like they go together (I really did not think they did either) but to my surprise yesterday there was a cow on the train. Picture this sitting right across the aisle from me was male Asian cow ok a bull. Is that better? Well, no he was not a real bull but by the way he chewed his gum you'd think that he was a cow grazing in the fields. This guy was so gross. I even gave him the stare. Come on you know the one I am talking about. The one where you slightly turn your head and look out of the corner of your eyes at the person with your face saying "Seriously, do you have to do that?" It was pure torture. He sat there snapping, smacking and chewing his gum loudly for 45 mins. When he finally got off to leave I quietly said to myself "Finally, I thought he'd never leave." Here is the funny part the person next to me said " I know really." HAHAHA

Moral of the story, If you get "the look" from someone you must be doing something annoying so STOP IT.

Take your meds

I am sitting in front of a lady that is cracking herself up in one voice and making herself cry with another. So far i"ve counted 3 completely different voices. She can probably be her own best friend. She is CRAZY! wow...what a trip. She really needs some meds.

Oooo new experience...gonna take the silverline home due to blue line problemos. So far all I can say is that it smells like pledge. More later.

Knocked out!

OUCH! Hello do you see me here.  Yesterday, as I was walking to the train a man ran me over trying to get on the train. When I say run me over I am not saying a slight hit I am saying a complete bulldoze almost falling on my ass plowing and KEPT GOING! 

Today, I am sitting on the train reading my book and BLAM!  This big black lady walking down the aisle smacks me with her duffel bag.  Not once but TWICE.  Not only did she just smack me and keep going twice she smelled so bad and it lingered on and on.

Tonight on the way home, this old man pulls his bike on the train.  He smacks me and my friend with his bike.  Then his bike breaks and his kick stand flys off and hits my friend in the leg.  Thank goodness it only grazed him not breaking the skin.

Wow the blue line is getting dangerous. LOL

Haiku

Damn you Celtic
Your loss fills my train ride in
People are crazy

In the words of Stephanie Tanner - " How Rude!"

Has common courtesy been totally lost in this world today?  I boarded the Amtrak to work today and was taken totally off guard when I could not find a seat.  I am absolutely amazed by the number of rude people on this train.  There are people sleeping on two chairs.  There are couples taking up the four seaters.  There is even one A$$ that is sitting in the four seater all alone.  One seat for is trash, one seat for his feet and luggage and one seat for his butt.  Even when we walked up and down the train looking for a seat NO ONE moved their stuff.  I walked by the guy with four seats and was going to as him to move his stuff, but my friend would not let me.  It is 8am and this is really not how I wanted to start my day.  Ok so here is my other beef.  Though I really like some of the conductors are GREAT, but are you telling me that they did not see how fast the train was filling up and all the people taking up more then their fair share of seat?  I think that if you are going to take 4 seats you should have to PAY for 4 seats.  They always threaten it but they never do it.  Ok I mean I sleep on the train too, but as least I only take up one chair. 

All of this has made me take a look at a few other times where common courtesy has been lost.  Opening the doors for women.  When was the last time a man (not your husband or family member) held the door open for you?  Giving your chair up for the elderly or women with children.  Daily on the metro I see men sitting down in the chairs while women stand with their kids and fall or stand very uneven with them.  Saying excuse me instead of pushing past people and crowds.  What happen to the world I grew up in?  You know the time when you used to listen to your elders and show them respect.

Again in the words of Stephanie Tanner - " How Rude!"

No Power on the Metro

Today there was a 40 min delay on blue line. Train was rather empty until it sat there for 40 mins. Then we were squished in like sardines. The funny thing everyone was uncharacteristically nice about it. There was a train ahead of us that had lost power.  So we had to wait for it to be fixed and be on its way before we could leave. While I sat waiting on the stuffy, hot, some what uncomfortable train, I had a chat with the lady sitting next to me. After riding this train pretty much daily you can tell when someone is walking down the aisle and is gonna sit by you and well I knew she was.  You can also tell who you can or want to talk to and who you should not.  After about 10 mins she looked at me and we began our conversation.  We discussed the attitudes of the others on board and how nice it was that no one was causing problems or complaining.  We discussed how it must suck to be stuck on the train under ground and have no way of getting a hold of you boss if you were on the way to work at that time.  Which by the way would really suck if anything bad happened as there is not cell service underground.  That is a tad bit scary.  Once the train left and got above ground we ended our conversation for a while and I returned to my book and she got on the phone.  She was speaking to her son most of the way about his family and stuff like that. After she hung up she spilled his story to me. (I guess yesterday i looked like a therapist because she was the second person to spill her guts to me.)  Let's just say ugh. That kid needs to get some self confidence and take control of his life. The girlfriend takes advantage of him and disrespect his family.  She was very sad for him but was not going to keep holding his had through this, because he was old enough to stand up for himself and needed to take control of his life.  As we parted I told her I would pray for her and her son and I left the train.

I find it amazing that there are days when you just need someone to listen and God provides.  I'm glad I was there for this lady.  I'm also glad she was sane and clean.  LOL  Come on no ones perfect I have to count those blessing too.

How dare you...I even work there!

Well it seems my bog is more popular than even I knew. The Los Angeles Times ran a FRONT PAGE article about the Blue Line.  Yes my beloved Blue Line.  I was so bummed to see that.  I'm the blogger for the blue line...it's my space.  Ok really I don't own the space but - HOW RUDE. 

I do have to say that my stories are better than Mike Anton's.  OOOO wonder if saying this could get me fired?  Oh well, for the last two years I have been bringing you stories about the world on the Green, Blue and Red lines and I don't intend to stop.  Boo on them for publishing his story and not mine.  Well I guess I better get my butt in gear for the movie...lol.

I just ask you keep reading and telling your friend about me...and my other blog too. Until then I leave you with HIS story...you can judge for yourself. 

http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-blue-line-20100609,0,591969.story


p.s. This morning I was asked relationship advice from a 45 year old Mexican Grandpa (he told me all that) who was very drunk and it was only 8am. He was standing in the front of the train and then he moved to sit in front of me.  He asked me "Do you think it is ok for a 45 year old Grandpa to fall in love again?"  First thing I thought was Yes, as long as it is not with me.  I composed myself and said "Sure, of course it is." Big mistake that lead to a 10 minute conversation about how important it is for each of us to realize how special they are and that we all deserve happiness and if this lady is already cheating on him she is not worth it.  Tell me what part of my face shoved in a book made me look like a therapist?  I guess everyone needs a friend now and then.

Today on the metro I over heard these two men from two very different worlds have a conversation about the culinary arts. The old black man was telling the young white man about 'Julie and Julia' he told him how great the movie was. He offered him words of wisdom to having a great future. Then told him good luck and have a blessed day. It was so cute. It made me smile a lot. So great to see that there are still good people in this world that are not afraid to connect with strangers.

Still good people teaching their children to be good. Today one the train there was a lady that sat next to me who dropped a quarter on her seat. As she got up a little girls (about 6 or 7) jumped up grabbed the quarter and handed to the lady before she walked off the train. This made me smile and warm in the heart.

What the?

Just another day on the Metro!  Enough said

Don't judge a book (or person) by its cover

Daily I sit on this train and I wonder what all these other people do for a living. I wonder where others are going. I wonder how some of them became homeless. Sadly I think how do people lose complete touch with their families. Isn't anyone worried about them? Are they out there looking for them? Did they give up? It really make me appreciate my loving family. I also have respect for some (not all) of these man and women who travel all day on these train just selling candy. Today I heard one guy say he started at 8:30 am 10 hours of work for like $20 bucks. While other people would rather sit on their butts and whine about the world and how life sucks. How do you do that? I'm bored after one day at home.  Lastly, the last type of people. Those who look great. All clean cut, nicely dressed and then they are one this train heading to Watts to score. No not in score or bed...but the other way. It just strikes me funny that WE all of us judge people by their looks, outfit or facial expression. But in reality we really don't know them at all. Think of all the ways you've looked and why. All the days you worn a sad face or angry expression and all the people who judged you. Maybe they look the way the do today because of a fight at home, a fire in their house or even a loss of a loved one...but they had to keep going or they would fall completely apart. Instead of judging or being rude (I'm guilty of this too) take 20 seconds to pray for the person. Who knows maybe someone else is praying for you.  .

Woo hoo The Amish are in Fullerton. My day is complete.

I'm on the train down to San Diego to catch a Padres game. Sitting behind me are two young Marines. They have their iphone on and they are flipping through songs. They stop on "Like My Jesus" a very powerful song. They played the whole song...disected and were talking about what an amazing song it is. They did not care who was listening and I just found it awesome. It is a great song but it was very awesome to hear two young men be so passionate about a song and the Lord.

I just got on the train and this guy is asking another guy about what drugs he has. Once that guy leaves he starts hitting on some 16 year old girl behind me. He said you got a man? She said yes. So he says so you can't have two? The he starts talking about weed, hooking up, ssi. He was in jail for a year, just got out last month. You should here this dude. He is so ignorant. He's gonna go get a car from an auction. Fully loaded, top line truck with all the "shit". Gonna take his ssi and move to palmdale and get a bomb ass apartment, where he is gonna be legit with his whole $750 a month. Lol. He only need 7 more classes to get his high school diploma. Then he's gonna go to college & make bank in the medical field. Oh the American dream is still alive!

Ode to a dead bird
my fine featherd friend flying around the station
Hopping from on pole to another trying to catch your lover
My how she teases. My how she flirts
Making you fly in circles for her love
What happened? What went so wrong?
That you are left hanging fried and upside down on that pole?
The end.

One seat per person!

Do you think you are special...of course you are.  Do you think the rule don't apply to you.. of course they don't. But if I stand right next to you and hover in your space does that make you uncomfortable? What if when the train stops I bump you "accidentally"? Then MOVE YOUR BUTT OVER AND GIVE ME THAT SEAT.

Do people who smoke pot think they don't smell? Or are they just to high to care? Oh and why do they always have to sit near me!

Dear My Tales Readers,
I've sent you a video to ask for your support in my efforts to help repair the circle that cancer breaks through this year's Relay For Life.

Believe it or not, you are actually featured in the video-but you'll have to watch it to see how!

With your help, we can repair the circle and continue to create a world with less cancer and more birthdays. I hope you enjoy the video and will join my circle of supporters by making a donation today!

Watch Video

All in one day...really wow

So the other day the train pulled away from the station and then stopped about 30 seconds later in the middle of the tracks and the doors opened and low and behold our drive steps on the train and someone else gets off. Talk about curb side service...maybe he should leave his house a little earlier next time.

That same morning on the green line this guy was on the train was asking for money, no asking for money is not new or the reason I am tell you this story. We are going to focus on the person. The man was a bit heavy set, his clothing were in pretty good condition and he was pretty clean. So why does a man that looks like he must have a place to live and clean up need spare change? Well based on the fact his eye were glossed over and he was looked BLAZED....he must have been out of pot. Best part was that he spoke in the best "blitzed surfer" accent. Then at the end he asked if anyone had a spare cigarette. LOL - seriously you make it hard for people to give money away to other homeless people when you do that.

Then on the blue line as the doors open and everyone gets out we all start to file in and this man in front of me just stand in the middle of the doorway so no one else can really move by him surveying his seating options. I'm not kidding he really was contemplating which of the 4 open rows he wanted to sit in while the rest of us are like "GET OUT OF THE WAY". Some people are just strange.

Random Thoughts...because I know you're reading this.

The ankle bone is called the Lateral Malleolus but I think Mandulabobula sounds better.

Why do people think that if they talk louder on a phone who's reception is going in and out you'll be able to hear them?

Why haven't the Amish started stalking me? Are they too good to play my game? Am I not interesting enough?

Why is it that people say you are what you eat? I mean I don't think I look like a vat of Nacho Cheese or a over grown sour gummy worm...do I?

When people say I'll talk to you later...when is later? I mean am I supposed to expect a call in an hour? The next day? Next month? Seriously, I have things to do so please be a bit more specific.

Why do you celebrate Easter or Christmas if you don't even believe in God, Jesus or the Holy Spirit? Yes of course all holidays have some part to them that are not religious...but these two have such a firm foundation in Christianity.

When you think about how you want to spend the rest of your life...am I included? Just wondering. :-)

A little guy on the train (maybe 4) just offered me some of his flaming cheetos. Lol

Today as I leave the Spring Street lobby of the Los Angeles Times and begin my trek home I am reminded of a couple things. First Little Engine That Could. I wobble, yes wobble that is what people do who are a bit over weight and have only one good knee to...we wobble. I wobbled up the hill repeating "I think I can. I think I can" and just like that little engine, I made it up that hill. Then as I was just about to the top the hill the cross walk sign changed and I thought uggh I'll never make that light. Then just like that little ant I got myself some high hopes and fought my way through the light. One hurt knee won't keep me down. Who am I kidding? ouch! Maybe I should drive to work...nah then I would have nothing to write about. When in reality today I can tell about the gross young lady to the right of me who is not only chewing gum she is also blowing bubble and slurping them back in. It has to be the most gross thing I've heard in a while. Oh, I forgot to tell you about the wonderful human being who almost knocked me off the stairs because I was hobbling to slow for him today. Being lame and I mean lame in the true sense of the word...unable to walk normally due to an injury affecting the leg or foot and not the other meaning something trying to be entertaining but is dull and uninspiring. Though who am I to say if I am not truly both types of lame. But I digress. Where was I? The gum popper/slurpper is breaking my concentration and it is not at all my adult a.d.d. Now the loud cell phone talker is behind me. Doesn't he know no one on the other end of the phone can hear him any way over the noise on the metro. Back to my point (yes I have one)...i have a new found respect for people who have to deal with these types of problems on a daily basis and I don't mean briefly like me but daily. God has shown me that sometimes I just need to slow my feet and self down. Take in your surrounding and breathe. You can't rush rush rush with only one good wheel. Walking slowly helps me to see more of what is around me and also reminds me I need to start taking better care of me...no body else is going to.

Have you ever heard of Arnica? My mom and gradma used to use it on us all the time when we were little. My dad calls it mexican voodoo medicine. I'm currently sitting here on the metro just reading my book and low and behold there it is in black and white. "bound up her foot with arnica..." Wonder what my dad would say if he knew they used arnica in the time that Little Women was written. Nope pops it was not Los Senoritas pequenas (not sure of the spelling) Lol.

End of the world

Did you know the world is coming to an end May 11, 2011? This man on the train just told me. It will be 7000 years from the flood of Noah. WOW, you learn a lot on the train. Hope he is wrong.

Crop Dusting

Ever sit on a train for 30 mins with some man's butt in your face? I mean seriously can't you stand sideways? This is just gross. It makes me wonder how many times when we are walking behind someone do they release gas. I mean like when you are hurrying up the stairs behind a lot of people or like right now. I mean really, none of you've thought about that?

Here are a few conversations I have had in the past week that mad the train fun. One day a lady saw me reading my kindle and asked me a few questions about it. When I started talking you better believe I would not shut up. Lol. I had to fill her ears with all the research that I had done on all 3 of the popular ereaders. Gave her specifics on the good and the bad. I was on a roll when I heard a voice in my head say...Terri shut up. Haha

The next day on the way to the train an older man asked me if I could spare some money. I told him no, but I could give him an apple if he'd like. He was so happy his eyes sparkled and she said he loves apple and thanked me a lot. Even called me an Angel. Lol I was just happy to help.
the end

Sometimes in our life we can wander around in a haze and we find oursleves having conversations with ourselves,in our head and out loud. Today I witness the singing homeless lady have a conversation with God out loud. She was telling him that it is very cold outside right now at night and she just wanted a new jacket. Seemed like God told her that he could not give her one. She said to him that it is fine if he won't but she'd still really like one. This convo went on for a few minutes and when her stop came she walked away from the corner and started for the door. Just than a man said ms you forgot your jacket. A brand new jacket. Awe I know so cool! Here's the punchline it was her jacket the whole time! Just one of those days I guess. Lol

I have been sitting next to this young lady for 30mins now and l could tell you her whole life story. Oh and it could be on a soap opera. Even better she is chewing gum so loudly I could scream

Lost my birthday balloon in train station. Still have the wine though!

What a difference a day make. Today I am taking the metro to union station and it is like being in a tin of sardines. The train pulls up and 10 people get of and 20 people try to pile in. There is not a place to even take a breath. The crowd is so different. They don't care how close they are to you or if they step on you or insult you. There is a group a teens talking so loud and cussing and making racial jokes. Probably not the smartest thing to do one this tin can of sardines. I never realized how many people take the metro daily because they have to. I'm so thanksful for the privelidge to drive. For being brought up correctly to know that you respect the people around you. Thanks Mom and Dad.

It's wednesday night and I went to happy hour with some friends from work and caught a late train home. Now I should explain that when I say late what I really mean is later like 715 pm train. Lol. Well let's just say the crowd changes lots. So just now a group of people just jumped on the blue line and they seems to be have some fun tonight! Very loud and very happy. As we pull into imperial/wilmington the group splits. Awe how sad. But wait I can still hang out with the fellas smoking out in the stairs on the platform. Hmmm wonder if they bought that narley stuff of my friend from the metro earlier this week. Oh before happy hour there was another man getting high waiting for the bus. Seriously...right there on the corner of 2nd and hill st.

I'm at the blue line waiting to get on the steps to go up the stairs to catch the green line. There people going up and down. Then just as it is my turn to start walking some BIG OVER WEIGHT MAN steps on my foot and just keeps walking. Seriously! Are you kidding me? Um hello that hurt. If he would have made me miss my train I would have ran after him! Lol. Oh cool there is a kid selling pot in the row next to me. Does anyone want some? This note goes out to all parents: please teach your children how to chew with their mouths closed or they will grow up to be adults who you can hear chewing from a mile away and that is disgusting!!!

Really...you are gonna give your child a recorder to start playing on the crowded subway. Seriously. Hmm yes, that is a great idea. Not!
When I learned to read it was out loud, but as we get bigger we learn to read quietly. So tell me when there is a lady on the train reading the bible out loud to everyone. Am I wrong to think that is weird?

It is currently 7:45 am and the man in front of me on this train smells like he's been soaking in alcohol for weeks.

Sitting here on the train and the stations are being said. So I just keep reading. I hear next stop 103rd street so I get ready as my stop is next. Train pulls up to the next station and now I am in Compton! Lord help me the announcement recording is off. I have missed my stop. Wow what a difference one stop makes. Remind me to never miss my stop again. Stupid recording! I should probably pay more attention while I ride the rails.