Commuting Moments

Life in the big city is far different to the slow pace of life that I grew up with in Invers. Our rush hour was three cars in a row and the wideness of the streets means that Invers avoided any congestion. I take the bus to work and it takes me about an hour a day return (around 30 mins each way). Over the space of a week I would spend about five or six hours on the bus so you become proficient at it and notice when others are not.

Buses are havens for social awkwardness and a range of intriguing situations. I guess the fact that I catch a bus to Newtown where there are heaps of characters is one thing, but there is never a dull moment on the buses.

I have got down to a fine art the seats with the most leg room. It is usually opposite the rear door or the seats in the row behind the back door.

Some newer buses have a front seat which is a large single seat rather than a double seat like the rest of the bus. I have seen so many people trying to snuggle up to an absolute stranger not realising this. It is a great way to get to know new people I guess.

Today I saw it a couple of times. People step onto a full bus and the main seats available are near the front facing each other. The number of people who sit in these seats, but get stuck because they enter between the pole and seat from the aisle is surprisingly high. They end up having to sit sideways with their legs in the aisle like some kind of contortionist. The only way to sit there is to enter via the front. Still, that would be boring.

Muzza Jones told me of how he hopped on the bus and had both his Snapper card and his Wellington Rugby Membership card (I also have one) which doubles as a Snapper card. In a hurry Muzza tried holding his wallet up, but instead of the usual "Don't forget to tag off" it actually said "Too many cards to read" or something along those lines. It is interesting the concept of using a different card to everyone else. Imagine being the coolest person on the bus by using your Wellington Rugby Membership card as a Snapper. The only trouble is that it only lasts for a year.

I also notice that people select where to sit often based on looks/ethnicity. I probably do this without thinking, but often like to sit next to petite females, and if they happen to be attractive then it is a bonus. There was a skin head guy with sunnies on wearing leathers and people would rather stand in the aisles than sit next to him.

Heaps of the Pacific Islanders sit towards the back of the bus and I also notice more males sit near the back the females. If you are a Pacific Island male then you probably sit towards the back.

I had the trans sexual woman bus driver the other day. The funny thing is that I didn't see the bus driver when I jumped on board. About half way home there was a car parked on the bus stop and the driver was shouting in a very deep voice and giving hand gestures to the car. I then saw a female behind the bus wheel and was a little surprised.

Another fact on buses is that I love people who are chasing a bus. We have all done it, but it is almost like the thrill of the chase in trying to predict if someone will make it to the bus or not before it leaves. Some people get so agonisingly close but just miss out. I always hope they make it of course, but some people are forced to run in business suits or carrying large items.

I have been on buses that break down or make an absolute din. I went to get off a bus once outside the Renouf Tennis Centre on Brooklyn Hill and the doors wouldn't open. It was a little awkward waiting 30 seconds while the driver tried to open the doors.

The first reaction when you hop onto a full bus is to find the nearest empty seat. It is amazing how many top mates have walked right past just because there mind is on finding the sanctuary of a spare seat.

I usually thank the driver if there aren't many people on board, but the other day there were people getting off thanking the driver which is fine, but unless the driver bought a "Whispersonic ear that can hear a pin drop at 50feet" like I once tried to buy, there is no way the driver would hear them.

There are always characters on the bus sitting amongst us who do life tough, but I usually sit there with my MP3 player on ignoring people. Does this make me a bad person?