Tuesday, July 29, 2008

Did She Ever Return? Charlie Didn't !

With the exception of taxis and one stupid San Francisco cable car (which broke down), I haven't ridden any form of public transportation since my early twenties. The reason I bring this important fact to the spotlight is that I am curious as to the current method of getting off the bus.

In my day, telephone poles had a yellow stripe painted on them denoting a bus stop. If one was lucky, the stop had one crummy bench, consisting of planks over concrete with a backing which had advertising on it. After boarding the un-air conditioned bus, you waited until the bus neared your stop and you pulled a cord near the ceiling which rang a buzzer alerting the bus driver to stop.

If you weren't paying attention, you would miss your stop. The bus driver did not stop at locations where no one was waiting for the bus. My questions is do they still have the old style cord that one pulls to get off the bus or is there a newer signaling device in place? Prompt replies to this question would be appreciated because my ex-mother-in-law called me from the bus with her cell phone and asked the same question. I told her to sit tight and I'd have the answer in a jiffy.

Then I remembered a similar happenstance and I said to myself, 'Self, could it come to pass that my ex-mother-in-law could never get off of that bus?' Is there a possibility of poetic justice? My online classes at the Mortimer Snerd School of Journalism drove me to search out the answer and I have the results. Take a look....

                          

My pal, Linda, author of Linda's World, reported in her journal today that there was an earthquake in California around midday (PST). Although it went unreported, I had a similar experience last week. I asked my lady friend if the earth moved and she said it did, but it was only 1.2 on the Richter Scale. I guess I was too close to the fault line.

The Pictures: Photoshop, a term you may or my not be aware of. It is a term used to change a picture by adding or taking away parts of the picture. Thusly, one can take a picture of a woman with a beautiful body, remove her head and replace it with anyone you like. It is commonly used to make people look better in magazines or photoshoots.

The first picture today is the original and the pictures that follow are the ones that have been "photoshopped." It's interesting. Take a look.

Today is National Procrastination Day so do the best you can.

                              

This Date In History: 1848; During the potato famine in Ireland, a nationalist rebellion led by William Smith O'Brien is crushed and O'Brien is arrested. 1890; Dutch painter Vincent Van Gogh dies at the age of 47, two days after shooting himself. 1958; President Dwight Eisenhower signs legislation creating the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).

1968; In his encyclical Humanae Vitae, Pope Paul VI reaffirms the traditional Roman Catholic ban on artificial contraception. 1981; Britain's Prince Charles marries Lady Diana Spencer in an internationally televised ceremony in Saint Paul's Cathedral in London.

Birthdays: Dag Hammarskjold, UN secretary general (1905), Paul Taylor, choreographer and dancer (1930), Elizabeth Dole, public official (1936), Paul Jennings, newscaster (1938), Ken Burns, filmmaker (1953).

The Hits Just Keep On Coming:

A group of psychiatric students were attending their first seminar on emotional extremes. The professor said to the audience, "I'd like to establish some parameters. What is the opposite of joy?" Miss Smith raised her hand, was recognized by the speaker and answered, "That would be sadness." The professor said, "That is correct."

The professor then asked, "What is the opposite of depression?" Mr Jones raised his hand, was recognized and answered, "Elation." The professor said,"Very good, young man, that is correct."

The professor turned to Bubba, who was scouting the young woman next to him and not paying attention. He scowled at Bubba and said, "Young man, do you know what is the opposite of woe?" Bubba turned to the professor and said, "Yes sir! That would be giddyup." 

Two elderly couples were engaged in a friendly conversation when Murray asked the other man, "Fred, how was that memory clinic you went to last month?" Fred replied, "Outstanding! They taught us all the newest psychological techniques - visualization, association. It made a huge difference." Murray said, "Great! What is the name of the clinic?"

Fred went blank. He thought and thought, but couldn't remember. Then, a smile came to his face and he asked Murray, "What do you call that red flower with a long stem?"

Murray said, "You mean a rose?" Fred said, "Yeah, that's it!" He turned to his wife and said, "Hey Rose, what was the name of that clinic?"

Two 80 year old men sat talking about the weather and the latest in medical science, when one man brings up the subject of the latest male medical miracle, Viagra.

The second man wasn't familiar with Viagra and asked the first man what it was for. The first man said, "It's the greatest thing I've ever known. A virtual fountain of youth. It makes you fell like a man of 30."

The second man asked, "Can you get it over the counter?" The first man replied, "You probably could, if you take two pills."

                           

That's it for today my little pigeon toes. More tomorrow.

Stay Tuned !

9 comments:

Anonymous said...

Yes, the same method is used to signal you want the bus driver to stop.  There is a cord that you pull down.  Well, I know this is still used in Boston.

I don't use public transportation here in Florida.  There is no real mass transportation down here. Heck, they just started with some busses only about 10 years ago.

Hugs, Rose

Roses Are Read Journal

Anonymous said...

 Last time I rode the bus was for my son's 6th birthday.  As a treat.  He is 32 now.  Loved the photoshop pictures.  I did that for my MIL once.  She went to Greese, Italy, Denmark, Japan, all from the comfort of her recliner, LOL.


                     Julie

Anonymous said...

beautiful Jimmy!
I'm one of your readers now!
Thank you for commenting on my journal!
Please come by and comment!
If you like you could write a blog entry too and provide your link!
hugs,natalie

Anonymous said...

What is public transportation??

I hope your tuesday is more wonderful than your fault line!

Jackie

Anonymous said...

I'm not pegeon toed, but I think I'm knock-kneed.  I even sang along with that wonderful song that I had forgotten about. I added a yeeee-hawwwwwww, at the end.  Did you hear me?  I need to photoshop a new a$$ for me and perhaps a kinder softer chin.  Anne

Anonymous said...

have a good night sweety I can honestly say I rode my first cab ride this year and I have never rode a bus .. that is weird huh..
hugs
Sherry

Anonymous said...

Last time I rode the bus was when I had Jury Duty about 4 years ago.  I rode from the office down to the County-City building here in Tacoma.  At that time you did indeed pull the cord after the bus passed or pulled away from the stop before where you wanted to disembark.  I suspose there are some busses where a passenger might pull a gun and the driver would be happy to stop anywhere the rider wants him/her to stop.  Riding cable cars in S.F. is BIG fun !!! Linda in WA    

Anonymous said...

    Now photo shop definitely explains why that guy has a cramp in his leg. Now about your ex-mother-in-law? After she circles the route several times, you might want to tell her that those cords should still be there. Whether they work or not is another matter.
Jude
http://journals.aol.com/jmorancoyle/MyWay

Anonymous said...

I've got some pictures to send you that have been altered. They're so funny. I hope you enjoy them.
Hugs..Pam

PS..can't answer your question about a bus. Haven't taken a bus since 1974 <sigh>.
Pam