I went to a community meeting this Thursday that was all about convincing people to change at least one trip a week into an alternative transportation trip.  Today I decided that I'd take the bus for a change.  I used to ride the bus all the time in Mexico and Australia, so I'm not totally new to the concept, but the first time is a bit nervewracking. 

I waited at the stop for several minutes as a few people eventually joined me.  I was headed downtown.  When the bus finally arrived, I paid my dollar (didn't get my 25 cents back because it requires exact change) and I grabbed one of those "sideways" seats.  I noticed a character across the way from me on the other "sideways" seat.  Hewas a bit dodgy to tell the truth. Sometimes there are people that look grungy and interesting, and sometimes they just look dodgy.  He had long wavy hair that looked like he had dyed it grape purple about 2 weeks ago.  The color was fading in his already thin, blond hair.  His hemp bracelets and necklace looked like they'd seen many years attached to his skin.  His clothes were ripped up (in that purposeful, well worn way) and brown, baggy, and in several layers.  "Hmm", I thought, "Glad I sat on this side".

We proceeded on our way and a few people joined, a few got off.  I smiled as the old woman in pink gathered her grocery bags and slowly took one step at a time to get off.

Then something unexpected happened.   Purple hair dude got up to ask the bus driver a question.  This isn't a regular act, so of course it caught most people's attention.  He muttered something about "was this the place to get off to go to Blaine?".  Just as he started talking, however, I think we all dropped our gaze a bit to notice his white, pimply, hairy butt exposed to all of us.  His pants were riding so low that his underwear were being pulled way too low.  It was an image many of us probably would rather not have.  I heard whispering, so I know I'm not the only one who saw this.  I got of at the next stop.

Anyway, reason #1 not to ride the bus: sharing the seats with bare butts. Yuck.