The song of the day today is "America's Favorite Pastime" by Todd Snider. If you don't know the story of Dock Ellis's no-hitter while tripping on LSD, click here. And, if you don't know Todd Snider click here.
I decided to take the bus yesterday as my bike needed some work that I didn't feel like waking up early to do. I arrived at the bus station downtown to find that the bus was free all day. The bus station is very nice, and a remodel which began last year is almost complete. It's got the feel of an airport, but it is actually nicer than any airport I've been to. I decide to buy a cup of coffee from a vending machine while I wait for my bus to arrive. A man in his fifties who is wearing slightly nicer clothes than I am approaches me and asks if the bandana I have hanging off my backpack is an American flag. I ignore the fact that it's a strange question and tell him that it is an American flag. He then asks me for spare change, and I don't really know what to think. I'm wondering if he's got some sort of sixth sense about who is really homeless and who is just a poser until I notice the drool on his chin. I'm relieved to find that he's just insane, and I give him the rest of my change (about thirty cents). I walk outside and I see Bill sitting on a bench waiting for the same bus as me. He's drinking coffee and smoking a cigarette, and he doesn't look so good. I don't imagine waking up in a tent with the sun shining down on you is pleasant after a night of drinking beer, and I feel his pain. We exchange nods and sit in silence until our bus arrives. The ride was quite pleasant as I was able to sit and read the newspaper the entire thirty minute ride to work. I may consider taking the bus more often.
