Bus Report #1098

Every day is old home day in the city - and if you're me, someone who can't forget a name or a face.

I was walking in the park and saw a familiar figure sitting on a bench, throwing breadcrumbs to the ravens. And though I don't like people feeding birds in the park, I couldn't say anything to Terry, friend from the 33, who was relaxing on a bench feeding the three biggest birds I've seen in quite some time.

I stopped to talk (no surprise to anyone who knows me!).

She's retired now, makes crystal jewelry in her spare time. She was wearing a huge clear crystal necklace. I commented on it and she said, "thank you, honey," in her slightly southern accent. Her curly hair is completely white now, so light and fluffy and pretty. I told her she looked lovely in her green sweater and neon sneakers, a colorful summery look. 

We looked at the birds, squawking at each other and pecking at the pile of breadcrumbs.

"They're bigger than cats," I said.

Terry just smiled. "They're very, very smart, they recognize people, you know."

I nodded. "Oh yeah, they sure do."

A little more small talk and I went on my way. A smile on my face.

Bus Report #1097

 Sometimes people just want to connect.

A simple thing but we forget about it, don't we? 

I was waiting for the bus the other afternoon, downtown after a quick jaunt to our new IKEA. Market Street at 4th, not for the faint of heart on the best of days. But that's city life, right? Tourists with their backpacks and water bottles, delivery guys zipping around on scooters, unstable folks yelling and standing in the middle of the street.

A man crossed Market and came to wait in the bus stop. Older guy, dreads of varying lengths and thicknesses, carrying a couple shopping bags. I smiled. Old people are my weakness. Old people by themselves, my weakness' weakness.

"Ohhhhhh boy its cold," he said, whistling a bit. Semi toothless. Gorgeous brown eyes. Eyes with heart.

"It sure is," I said, "But we like it this way, don't we?"

He laughed. Stood closer to me than I'd normally like, but I didn't mind. "You bet," he said. "This is much better than the hot weather."

I gestured towards a tourist family in their shorts and sandals and the ubiquitous San Francisco zip up jackets always available for purchase down on the Wharf. "They'd disagree with us, but they'll live."

He roared with laughter. "You're so right, hahaha, we like the cold."

Just then, two buses pulled up. 

He held the door open for a handful of folks to get out. I said good bye, told him to have a great day, and got on the bus behind.

Bus Report #1096

 I was thinking about Roman the other day - DHL delivery guy turned bus driver. I hadn't seen him in a while and he popped up in my mind after receiving a DHL package at work.

Yesterday I was running errands around town. Bussed it to my garden plot to put in tomatoes and cilantro, then I wandered down the street to catch a Haight Street bus.

Imagine my surprise when I got on, and the driver was Roman!
He grinned, a big smile that crinkled the corners of his eyes, and said, "hey there you!"

I smiled back. "I was just thinking of you," I said. "great to see you."

We chatted, Roman reminiscing about the old days. "I've probably known you for what, 20 years?" he asked, as we pulled into traffic.

"At least," I replied. "The good old days."

"Well, you look good," he told me. I thanked him and repaid the compliment.

When it was time to jump out and catch my connecting bus, we waved at each other until the bus moved out of view.