An interpreter's interpretation » transit

An old hobo schooled me on the train platform today

Daniel Greene — Thu, 27 Jan 2011 06:34:34 +0000

This morning, I ran for the one entrance on the train car that takes me to the seats where you can sit facing forward, because I don’t like swaying side to side or riding backward. As I ran up the the opening doors, I saw an old hobo who had apparently been standing there before I got there. I nodded to him and gestured for him to go first. He said, “No, you go ahead.” I said, “No, that’s okay.” Then he said, “You go first. You’re a working man. You get priority.” I wondered how long we would play this “After you,” “No, after you” game and if we would miss the train, so I just said, “Okay, but it’s fine, really,” and got on the train.

I wondered about what he had said. There was a little part of me that felt proud to be a working man and sorry that he seemed to be a homeless drunkard. But another part of me felt that the old man had sensed my impatience and was being a better man than I. It made me think about class, manners, and respect for the elderly— even if the elderly person in question looks drunk and smells bad. I mean, it wouldn’t have hurt me to insist that he go first. It wouldn’t have hurt me not to run up to the train car doors like it was so important that I board right then and there. There are moments when “working man” is just another term for an immature moneymaker who’s rushing around like his life is more important than everything else around him. I don’t want to be that guy. And that’s what they old hobo taught me today on the train platform.

Shuttle Free to the DBG

Daniel Greene — Thu, 19 Feb 2009 17:48:26 +0000

Shuttle Free to the DBG
Originally uploaded by Daniel Greene

Did you know that APS has partnered with DBG (Desert Botanical Garden) to provide a free shuttle between the Valley Metro Light Rail station at Priest / Washington and the Desert Botanical Garden? I just found out a couple of weeks ago, and I’m riding it to the garden for the first time today.* This is a great convenience that I hope many people will take advantage of.

You can catch the shuttle by the gazebo in the parking lot of the little food court at the NE corner of Priest & Washington. It runs every 15 minutes from 9 AM to 7 PM.

*I sent this to my blog via Flickr in real time, but it didn’t upload. I guess it was interrupted by several incoming phone calls and it timed out. So I’m uploading it now to get the word out about the free shuttle.

Valley Metro Light Rail ridable now!

Daniel Greene — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 20:34:17 +0000

Valley Metro Light Rail ridable now!
Originally uploaded by Daniel Greene

I guess I just had to experience riding when a) it wasn’t Opening Weekend, b) it wasn’t a holiday weekend, and c) people had to pay to ride. Before all three of these conditions were met, the trains were miserably crowded. Now I only see people standing who choose not to sit. I am enjoying riding Metro now. I think riding it is really cool. I feel like such an urbanite living in a cosmopolitan metropolis! I’m so cool you could chill your martini in the palm of my hand!

Just don’t leave it there too long.

Here’s my ride!

Daniel Greene — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 14:13:53 +0000

Here’s my ride!
Originally uploaded by Daniel Greene

Well, I decided to go for it and buy a 31-day pass to ride the Metro to work. I’m just going to hope the trains get less crowded. They’re fine in the morning; it’s the afternoon I worry about. But I trust that Valley Metro wants to keep its Light Rail passengers happy and run more trains.

I took this long exposure with my G1 cameraphone. I stabilized my arm on one of the posts at the station. I must say I’m happy with the light streaks and the reflections of the station in the train windows!