Strange Encounters of the BUS Kind

Due to many people pointing out that my blog has certainly lived up to its title lately (well, I DID warn you, you know..), I will attempt to post something.  I just haven't felt the drive to blog regularly in a while.  Although I now have a LOT to catch up on, as I will be blogging all about my awesome trip to Germany to visit my sister Tami.  Most of my blog posts before now, however, went to my CCFA Blog, and now that that's over, I guess I really have no excuse.  Except for the fact that my life 'events' are normally uninspiring and totally boring.

I will post the personal email I received just recently that convinced me to really get it in gear:

SUBJECT: Blah Blog 

Dear Ms. Blakemore,


Since the middle of October your blog has been "uninspiring and totally boring". Thank you for your consideration on remedying this situation.


Sincerely,  Your Most Devoted Fan.

So without further ado, a little insight in to my normal everyday life that I have reluctantly returned to..

I have mentioned before how living on the East Coast has caused me to become more....  what's the word here....  not rude really, but....  unwilling to be overly nice to strangers.  I have found that friendliness is not received nor reciprocated the same way here as it is on the West Coast, or even in the Mid-West, so I have adjusted myself to the culture.  People here keep to themselves for the most part, not really willing to acknowledge or appreciate your efforts to be friendly.  When encountering people in the service industry; retail, drug store, fast food, etc -- generally you will find them to look at you like you have just ruined their day because you want to order a small fry.

These are just generalizations of course -- you can always find nice people anywhere you are.  But I have found that I have sometimes, somewhat become grouped in the "unfriendly stranger" category.  Especially on my commute to and from work.  I have mentioned my morning/evening routine before.  It basically entails me plugging in to my personal music, saying "Good Morning" to the bus driver, reading my book on the bus ride, then saying "Thank You" to the bus driver when I get off.  Then Metro.  You can imagine my routine on the way home.  Of course I acknowledge and smile at the same people that I come across every day in my commute, but other that that, I am always plugged in to my own little world, my favorite music pumping in to my ears.  I avoid eye contact.  I do not want to strike up a conversation with a random person.  Just not my style.  This is my time to be totally and utterly absorbed in my own thing -- my way of dealing with the necessity of being shoved in to tight quarters with masses of people.

Several months ago, I was on my morning bus ride to the Pentagon, listening to my music and reading my book.  The man next to me said something and when I looked over, I realized he was talking to me.  I pulled out one of my earbuds and asked, "What was that?"  He repeated his question: "Does this bus go to the Pentagon?"  I could tell he was worried because a lot of other buses would have gone straight at this particular intersection instead of turning.  I replied that yes it does, but it first goes down Army/Navy Drive before it turns up toward the Pentagon.  He thanked me.  I put my earbud back in; returned to my reading..  A minute later this man says something again.  I turn, take out my earbud again and say, "What?"  He repeats: "So do you work in the city?"

******SIGH******  

First of all, really, People!  When somebody has headphones in, it is a very STRONG indication that they are not in to the talking-to-people thing.  They do this more often than not to tune everybody out.  When they immediately put their headphone back in after they've successfully answered your question, don't continue with the inconsequential chitty-chat.  Small talk is not invited (this is also true when on a long plane ride and you are trying to watch the in-flight movie).  The rest of the conversation went something like this:

Me: Yes, I work in Chinatown
Man: What? (leans in closer)
Me: I work in the Chinatown area.
Man: I'm sorry, what? You work with China? (then turns his head so his ear is as close to my mouth as possible without actually touching)
Me: I work at *------* in Chinatown
Man: (says something here, but I don't know what it is because I really just couldn't care at this point)

I put my earbud BACK in to my ear.  I try to find my place in my book.  Then: What do you know!  The man stands up so he can get off the bus!  We're not to the Pentagon yet.  What the crap!  What was the whole point of him asking me if the bus went to the Pentagon if that wasn't his final destination??  Man turns around, smiles, and says "Nice to meet you".  I gave him the head nod and a half-smile.  I thought to myself: You did not "meet" me.  You asked me useless questions and couldn't even hear the answers.  This is like somebody walking in to a restaurant, confirming that they served steak, then asking about the server's cat, ordering a glass of water and finally leaving saying, "Thanks for the meal!"

Another very strange encounter happened at the beginning of December with this man who I recognized as the guy who always sat at the front of the bus, in the middle seat of the row of 3, his legs spread open wide and his arms resting on top of the back of the seats.  Basically claiming this entire row as his own in a very grotesque sort of way.  (CLOSE YOUR LEGS!!)  One morning as I was getting off the bus at the Pentagon, this man stretched out his arm in what I took to mean, "go ahead", so I smiled and walked in front of him and got off the bus.  About 30 seconds later, this guy ran up to me and got my attention, introduced himself, stuck out his hand for me to shake, then asked if I'd like to go to the National Christmas tree lighting ceremony with him.  I was totally taken aback.  Umm...  Thanks for the invitation, but I'm packing to go to Las Vegas.  Then he ran away.  Almost literally ran.  He didn't say bye or too bad or thanks anyway...  Just turned and left.

Fast forward a week.  Same dude runs up to me AGAIN and asks if I want to go with him to his company Christmas party.  Again, speechless, but luckily I had another honest excuse of why I couldn't go with him (don't remember what it was now, but I was glad I didn't have to come up with a quick lie.  I'm really bad with lies).  Again, he turns and quickly walks away.

THEN!!  *yes there is more* on a different day and time (on the way HOME on the bus) the most bizarre conversation happened between us.  The dude sat right next to me and asked, "Hey, do you remember back when the buses changed?"   

Me: You mean when they switched from the Metrobus to the Arlington Transit?"
Dude: Yeah, but do you remember when they had that really old bus pick us up?
Me: Um...
Dude: You know where you get on in the middle of the bus
Me: Oh yeah, and you had to walk to the front to pay
Dude:  Right!  Do you remember when you got on and didn't pay and the bus driver was yelling at you?
Me: Well, he wasn't yelling at me really, but yeah, I remember
Dude: Yeah, I remember that too
Me:  (What the.....?!?!?)

**several minutes of silence in which I put my earbuds back in**

Dude: What was your name again?
Me: Emily
Dude: Oh yeah.  I knew it started with an 'E'
Me: *half-smile*
Dude: Do you remember my name?
Me: Brian?  (I really have no idea WHY or HOW I remembered his name)
Dude: YES!!  *huge smile*
Me: (oh GREAT)

**several minutes of silence in which I put my earbuds back in**

Dude: So ...  are you single?
Me: (why can't I just lie?!?)  um, we're kind of in a gray area there.  I'm seeing somebody but it's not official (crap!  Why couldn't I just say no! I have a boyfriend!)
Dude: Ok. Yeah.  I get it


Dude: I just want to say thank you
Me: *looks questioningly at Dude*

Dude: I mean, I don't know what I'm supposed to say here.  So thanks.  I'm sorry.
Me: (what?!)  Hey, no worries, it's cool (what is he talking about?!?)
Dude: Yeah.  Well, thanks

Update to this story!!!  1/13/10:

Sitting at the Pentagon, waiting for the bus, I see this DUDE start to walk over to me.  Oh GRREEAAAATT..

Dude: Hey, remember me?

Me: Yyyyyuuupp  *sigh*  So how are you?

Dude: I'm doing very well, thank you.  How are you?

Me: Doing alright

Dude: I haven't seen you in a while

Me: Yeah, I've been out of town a lot

Dude: Oh.  Well, if you can't tell, I really like you

Me: (CRAP) Oh, well thank you.  That's very flattering

Dude: So do you remember the question I asked you last time we talked?

Me: Ummm, no, I don't believe I do.

Dude: I asked if you were single

Me:  Oh.  Right.  Well, it's the same status as last time.  Sometimes those things are complicated (SHOOT!)

Dude: Well, do you like having friends?

Me: Yes, I like to have friends

Dude: Do you mind if I give you my number?

Me: Sure.  You could do that

Dude: Can I sit by you on the bus?

Me: Sure.   (why?  WHY?!?)

On the bus...

Dude: So was that you last Thursday?

Me: I don't know what you mean

Dude: Were you sitting over there last week?

Me: I don't know.  Maybe. I don't remember specifically.

Dude: Yeah. I was sitting there and you were sitting back there

Me: OK....   ?    Is there something I should be remembering?

Dude: *chuckles* I don't know.  *mumble*

Dude: Do you think I'm weird?

Me: (yes!  YES! I think you're weird!!)  Uh, I think you have a lot of courage

Dude: Yeah, I do have that

Dude: Do you remember when you got on that old bus and didn't pay right away?

Me: (really?  This AGAIN?!)  Yes, I remember

Dude: Do you remember what happened after you paid?

Me: Um, I believe I went to go sit down..  ?

Dude: Yeah, and some guy hit you

Me: Some guy hit me?!

Dude: Yeah, he elbowed you or something, but you handled it really well.

Me: Oh.  I don't remember that at all

Dude: Do you remember when I invited you to the Christmas Tree Lighting?

Me: Yes, I remember

Dude: Do you remember when I invited you to that Christmas party?

Me: Yes, I remember

Dude: *chuckles*

Dude: So do you remember when I was sitting up here sitting next to that little girl?

Me: Um, no

Dude: Really?  You don't remember?

Me: I'm usually reading my book and oblivious to everyone else

Dude: But the little girl was sitting next to me wearing a coat and her mom was sitting on the other side of her and I was wearing a black coat

Me: Sorry.  I don't recall

Dude:  Do you remember the book I was holding?

Me: No. I don't remember noticing you or the little girl or what book you were reading

Dude: So you don't remember last Thursday on the bus?

Me: No, I don't.  Is there something I should recall?

Dude: Do you know someone from IDA?

Me: No.

Dude: You really don't?

Me: Not that I know of.  Should I?

Dude: Are you a web developer?

Me: No

Dude: Are you a designer?

Me: No

Dude: Are you from VA?

Me: No

Dude: Philly?

Me: No

Dude: Pittsburgh?

Me: No.  I'm from the Seattle area

Dude: Oh, I was way off...  Are you .. YOU?

Me: What do you mean?  Who do you think I am?

Dude: I think you're you

Me: OK.  But what does that mean?

Dude: Were you wearing a blue hat last Thursday?

Me: No.  I don't own any blue hats

Dude: Oh.  So you honestly don't remember when I was sitting up here and you were sitting back there?

Me: I really don't know what you're referring to.  Is there something of note that I should know of?

Dude: It's a long story

Me: OK....

Dude: So you remember last time we sat here?

Me: You mean last time we had a conversation?

Dude: Yeah.

Me: Yes, I remember

Dude: Well, the way you looked at me and talked to me really helped me get over a hard time

Me: Wow.  Ok.  Glad I could help

Dude: I don't know how you feel about me..

Me: *silence*  (I think you're crazy!!)

Dude: Does this happen to you often?

Me: What?

Dude: People you don't know talking to you

Me: It's happened a few times and I'm always surprised

Dude: Well you shouldn't be

Me: **SILENCE**

Dude:  Do you think we're flirting?
Me: You and I, you mean?
Dude: Yeah.
Me: No, I don't think we're flirting.  We're just having a normal (yeah RIGHT!!) conversation
Dude: Do you believe in fate?  Because I do

Me: I might have believed in fate once

Dude: I've tracked every time we've come across each other

Me: (oh creepy)

Dude: We've crossed paths a lot

Me: Yeah, that's what happens on the bus.  We see the same people all the time

Dude: Well, looks like your stop is coming up.  Please call me if you want to go out

Me: Yeah, ok.  Have a good night.

And now for the grand finale!

There is this man that I see on a regular basis at the Pentagon while waiting for the bus to arrive to go home.  In months past, this man has tapped me on my shoulder to notify me that the bus has come and is parked behind me (as I am sitting on the bench completely absorbed in my book, oblivious).  I had been very appreciative of those courteous notification shoulder-taps.  He would also always allow me to board the bus ahead of him.  Very nice.

So one day I decided to be nice and say hi to him as I slipped passed and boarded the bus.  Apparently that was my invitation to have him sit down by me.  Ok.  Fine.  I will engage in the awkward stranger-on-bus conversation.  We chit chat.  I find out that he is an IT helpdesk guy and works in Chinatown (Ah-HA!  This might be the IDA guy!!  Oh geez.  It might be coming together now).  That's really all I take away from the never-ending 'conversation'.  Time passes and he decides to sit next to me several times.  Ugh.  All I really want to do is read my book!  Why can't everybody just let me BE?!  At some point, this guy asks me if I was at Target the previous weekend.  Yeah, I was.  He recognized me driving out of the parking lot.  Really?  You paid attention enough to recognize me in my CAR while I'm DRIVING?!?  Weird.  Another time he sits next to me, he gives me this cardboard yellow smiley face.  He tells me to turn it over, so I do and I see his name and contact information.  *sigh*  This is too much.

I decide that I can't give this guy any hope.  So I start to kind of ignore him.  And I sit in places on the bus that doesn't allow him to sit next to me.  He gets the hint because while waiting for the bus at the Pentagon, he doesn't come stand by me anymore.  He still lets me get on the bus before him, however.  Finally, after many many weeks, and after the holidays, I'm feeling nice.  I decide to say hi again.  Just to let him know that I'm not a mean person.  MISTAKE.  He sat next to me again.  We chit-chatted and I end up mentioning that I had just returned from Germany.  He talks about when he used to live in Germany.  And Turkey.  He then proceeded to tell me about this channel on tv that broadcasts different shows in different languages.  He told me about this show broadcast in German that had English subtitles.  I commented that I thought that was cool.  Maybe it would help me understand German better.  This was Friday.

Monday rolls around and what do you know.  The guy is back and sits next to me again.  He pulls out this DVD case.  It has a sticky note with the schedule of TV shows he was talking about.  I open it up and there are 2 DVDs inside that are marked with the German show information.

FREAK.  This is too much.  I can't take these crazy guys any more!!  They are creeping me out!  Why is it that they feel like they have a chance with me?  I'm not trying to sound conceited.  Not at all.  Because I don't view myself as somebody spectacular.  But really.  This isn't normal!  Do I really just have to be a mean person?  I don't think that I'm overly nice.  I'm polite.  That's it.  I don't start the conversation with them, nor do I ask questions or try to keep conversation going.  I just really don't get it!

I have decided that I'm changing my commute home.  This will be a longer commute and it will cost more, as I will have to catch a different train, transfer, then take another train to get to a different destination so I can get on a different bus.  But I think it's worth it.  I don't know what else to do!  I've just reached my limit with these 2 crazies!!!

My dream is peace.  Peace for the world, yes.  But I will settle for just peace on my commute.  Amen.