Bus 'Adventures'

Buses are a very interesting experience in so many ways. I think I need to figure out a way to turn my bus riding experiences into some kind of study and at least profit by all the human behavior I observe.

For example, the deterioration of social boundaries. On more than one occasion, absolute strangers have asked for my name, my phone number, or a date. The only other place where I was hit up that often was in the Dominican Republic, where I was most often hit upon because I was viewed as a passport to America.

There are also bus conversations. People somehow seem to forget that they're in public when on the bus. I can't tell you how many rants and one-side-of-the-conversation phone conversations I have heard. I heard a really bizarre one the other day, I'm not entirely sure if this girl, we'll call her "Jane", knew the person she was advising or not, I think maybe not, but she was quite free with her insight. quite free with it and I'm pretty sure drunk. But, hopefully whoever the recipient was felt a bit better about life and didn't take her advice to get drunk.

Anyway, if you are ever in need of a psychology project, check out your local bus system. I'm pretty sure it won't let you down.

Because this is exactly what the world needed...

I was at a store today, mostly to be inside while I waited for my bus but also because I remembered I needed a padded envelope and I wanted to see if there was anything relatively decent snack-wise (there wasn't, not really) and I came across this:

Because, yes folks, my Ramen just wasn't cooking fast enough. Think of all the time I will save now! With my extra 3 minutes, I might just make it to the next level of that RPG. Bring on the Nobel prize.

Oh, world. What has happened to you?


*No Ramen was made in connection with this post. No Ramen has been eaten by the author in over 4 years, to the best of said author's knowledge. Maybe once, in that Oriental chicken salad. Furthermore, the author does not play RPGs and it should be noted that all RPG players do not eat Ramen. If you are into RPGs and do not play Ramen, the author apologizes for any stereotyping that results from this post. If for some reason you have such a low income that you can't afford not to eat Ramen, you have the author's deepest sympathy. May your future be Ramen free.

What every home needs

If I had to pick the most essential pieces of furniture for any home, a couch would be among the top three. Dining room/kitchen table? Nice but not essential. Dresser? Optional. Desk? Useful, but it's just going to lead to a pile of stuff that has to be dealt with eventually. But a couch? Essential. Requisite. A definite must.

When you are feeling sick or tired, you need a couch to curl up on. Watching TV? Not the same without a couch. A place for evening chats? Just needs a couch. Reading a book is so much better on the couch. 

So, 3 months in to my new place, and I still don't have a couch. I had a wonderful couch once. It took me several months to find it, but it was a wonderful couch. Great colors and pattern, extremely comfortable, just a great couch. Unfortunately, it was a sofa bed, and way too heavy to move, so I had to bid it farewell. But it set a very high standard for any future couches to live up to and it's been difficult to find one up to snuff (not that I've had a ton of time to look, mind). 

That being said, I'm tired of having no couch. This situation must be remedied and soon. Because I absolutely need a couch. 

A User's Guide to Me

The new director at my place of employment came with a User's Guide (don't ask me how I know this, I just do). And I have been thinking about it and this seems to me a very good idea. So, if I were to write a User Guide for myself, here's what it would include:

1. Be honest with me. Say what you mean, don't play mind games, and just be up front and honest with me. That doesn't mean be rude or a jerk about it. You can be honest and kind.

2. I am very contextual. What does contextual mean? You know when you do those questionnaires for personality types or whatever, and they ask how you react in a certain situation? I'm the one who is saying, "Well it depends. Why am I in that situation? What is the other person like? What about these details?" (This makes me a great player of Would You Rather.) I wish I could wear a t-shirt that said, "This is where I'm coming from. Where are you coming from?"

3. My context is that I am a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

4. I just want to be a kind, good, decent person. (That would also go on the context t-shirt).

So, those are the major things you should know about if you ever have to deal with me. There are probably other things, but those are some of the big ones. Wouldn't it be great if everyone had a manual?