Just out of prison

On a dark, drizzly night off East Burnside Street, I got off the bus to transfer. I was immediately greeted with a "Hey bro!" I met Gabriel, a 25 year old, at a bus stop just off the Burnside Bridge. He asked me for the time, and rather quickly the conversation transformed to him telling me he just got out of prison and was on parole. He showed me his ankle bracelet.

We talked for a long time. He mentioned how earlier that day he restrained himself when he wanted to pummel some guys who called him a retard. He was so proud of himself for not hitting them. We talked a lot about self control and the importance of thinking before speaking. I showed him my tattoo ("fewer words"), told him how I struggle with keeping my mouth shut when I'm with my wife, and we shared some laughs about how difficult relationships can be.

He said God has been so faithful to him. He has never given up on him. I told him the reason I was on the bus was that I was actually headed to church. We laughed some more.

The Same Guy!

Several months ago, I met a Vietnamese man on the bus. He kindly asked if he could sit in the empty seat next to me, and I said yes. After a few minutes, he introduced himself. He rubbed his greasy face, clearly had mental issues, and I couldn't understand a word of English since his accent was so thick. All I could understand was that he loves Subway and he asked me if I had money or if I could take him out for a meal. I said no, and I believe that I ended up getting a rash from him. Not sure.

Last week, I just happened to meet the same guy on bus! I remember him clearly: kindly asking to sit, the rubbing of his face, and most distinctively... the asking for a meal and his love for Subway.

I was actually in a hurry to get to church, since I was volunteering. However, realizing that I packed a few snacks in my back for myself, I offered him some carrot sticks, celery, and potato chips. He refused.

I guess he wasn't that hungry after all.

"Hey! Are you 21?"

It is 7:15 on a Wednesday morning, and I am waiting for my bus to go to work. I see two ladies in shorts, walking down the street, getting wet from the rain. They enter the local corner market, and I quickly forget about them.

About five minutes later, I hear a loud female voice behind me, "Hey!" I turn and look, pulling down the wet hood covering part of my face. "Are you 21?" It was the two young twenty-somethings wearing shorts in the rain.

I laughed out loud because I knew exactly where this conversation was headed. "Yes," I replied.

"Will you buy us beer?"

"Are you 21?" I ask.

"Yeah, but the stupid guy in there won't let us buy it."

"Why not?"

She pulls out a photocopy of her supposed drivers license, clearly looking suspicious.

"Where is the original?" I ask with a smile on my face.

The two girls eye each other and respond, "I dunno," and smile at me.

"Well, my bus is coming right now," pointing up the street, "and even if I had the time, I wouldn't buy it since I don't know you, ladies."

They responded, "You're a dick," and proceeded to cross the street.

Cutest Girl in the World Loves the Bus

On my bus ride home today, the cutest little 2 year old in the world started screaming at a super high pitch. Everyone was wondering what pain she was in, looked over, and saw her mother smiling at her. They were at the bus stop they were supposed to get off at. The mother was holding an infant, so couldn't pick up the sad little toddler. She was so sad to get off the bus she didn't know what to do with herself. Eventually, the mother slowly walked off the bus with the crying girl following behind. As the bus door shut, everyone on the bus laughed at her unusual attraction to public transportation.

Silly Girls

Flirtatious teenage females with too much time on their hands are wanting attention from their male friends by throwing little pieces of paper at them.

Kid Innocence

Today I saw a cute kid trying to wave to the train operator after he and his mother exited the MAX train. I have never seen that before. I often forget that there are train operators. I'm glad that children recognize them and try to say "Hi."

Just Missed the Action!

Parkrose TC closed due to Police action right after I went through it today on the MAX Challenge! Close call, as it would have foiled my plan if I hadn't already been there!