Adventures on the CTA: Hood Operation

Tonight I experienced something like no other - - the #12 bus! Wow. This bus is like stepping into a space ship straight into the land of ghetto, hood operations! First off, my bus driver (though he was really friendly) smelled like cigarettes, wait...loose squares...yes! He smelled like loose squares and lollipops! Now, this is a strange combo but he was sucking on a lollipop as I boarded the bus...and he had probably finished smoking a few loose squares so it made a bit of sense. The ride was going well until we pulled up to the train. That's where things took a hood turn. I thought that my many rides on the #3 and #4 (which service the South Side) had prepared me for the eccentric personalities on the bus -- not so much. I didn't know if we were at the train station or doing a pickup at 26th & California (for my non-Chicago folks that's where the cook county jail is). Busses that travel to the West side are no joke. The folks on there are so rough they make you want to clutch your purse and looks straight forward. Maybe I'm being tough on them...but when people openly smoke joints at the bus stop, talk about their PO's (parole officers) and how their "court cases have them fucked up" it makes you question why you really took the bus instead of just driving - - or maybe that's just me. Moving along, I was thrilled when my stop came up and flew off the bus. All in all, it was a unique experience. I really didn't believe that the bus could be so hood...Folks, we really must do better!

Adventures on the CTA: Foolywang Edition

Where do I begin....

I've come to terms that the CTA provides countless moments of entertainment and I've learned to make the most out of my daily rides by taking in the sights and sounds of my fellow passengers...they never disappoint.

Today as we approached Michigan/Balbo, I looked out the window and noticed a guy standing at the bus stop...rolling a cigarette. Really? What year is it? People still roll cigarettes...at the bus stop? On a cold winter day during a snow storm? I was beyond baffled. Not to mention this guy had to be in his mid/late 60s and was still stuck in some 70s time warp.

With the cold temps I've tried my best to ignore the flashy furs that men throw on. After my bus ride to work this morning I must draw the line. I walked onto the bus and observed a guy - he stood out for all the wrong reasons. First, I noticed his eyes...he was rocking green contacts. (insert my eye roll here...dark skinned guys and colored contacts is wrong). He was rocking a brown "fur" (it was fake) and his nails...well, he had a full acrylic set with an American manicure. I tried to stop myself from laughing - - it was extremely hard. I wish the nightmare stopped there...but get this, he was also rocking a COCKTAIL ring on his left hand ring finger. I understand metro sexual. I like metro sexual...but this was something completely different. I don't know what it's called but it must be stopped.

Men - keep wearing your furs, rock your colored contacts (though I may throw up in my mouth) but please leave the acrylic nails and cocktails rings to the ladies. There's no need to play dress up...at 10am...on the CTA. Obviously you're on your way somewhere but it's not a good look.

**sidenote: Maybe he worked at the Forever21 on Michigan/Grand. All the guys that work there are, ummm fierce? lol...**

Adventures on the CTA: Girl Fight

I've come to realize that in addition to getting me to work the CTA provides constant entertainment. Sometimes hilarious, other times like watching a train wreck...my bus rides are never short of priceless moments. Today I witnessed (and being technology deprived at the moment was unable to snap a photo, record a video or even send a voice note) a girl fight - - more like an argument to the 10th power of hoodness - - between, get this, the BUS DRIVER and a women who appeared to be in her late 40s/early 50s...and I'm sure was missing some teeth and needed a shower. At first I dismissed the lady as another random hobo walking aimlessly around the bus, talking to herself, and prayed she wouldn't occupy the empty seat next to me. Then I started paying attention to what she was saying, or screaming across the bus.

"Fuck you bitch. You still an ass licker."

Everyone on the bus watched in utter disgust, half with dropped jaws, as we heard the words...filthy trash, spewing from this woman's mouth.

"I got you right where I want you bitch. I want you dead bitch. Fuck you bitch. You lick dick, bitch"

I couldn't believe this was happening. Matters were only made worse when I realized that the lady was aruging with the bus driver. The bus came to a screeching halt and the bus driver proceeded to carry on a verbal bash with the lady for about 2 mins. Yes, we all sat there in annoyance, amazement and shame as 2 black women went back and forth, definitely setting us back about 64 years...and turned my ride home into a nightmare.

I wish I could've gotten the driver's badge number because I shouldn't be subjected to hood ass sitautions on my ride home. I guess that comes along with taking the #4 Cottage Grove bus. I'm still trying to figure out if EVERY bus has nuts on it or if I'm just one of chosen few who pick the wrong bus to take.

Adventures on the CTA

I love the CTA. It's like having a personal chauffeur. A bus pass is your golden ticket to the city - - you're able to go anywhere! Everyday I take the bus and am bombarded by various sights and sounds...sometimes smells lol...and I try my best to capture these precious moments...these are my adventures on the CTA.

Short People: I'm short and love seeing fellow petite comrades on the bus...especially seeing someone's feet....dangle!









Missing your bus: There's nothing worse than seeing your bus coming...and then GOING as you realize that even if you broke into an olympic worthy sprint, you'd never make it!










Nighttime Rides: There's a welcoming peace and tranquility when taking the bus after 9p. There are actual seats, typically there isn't some hood ass girl on her cell phone talking about everyone that has pissed her off right behind you...as well as the lack of commuters taking up valuable space with their bags, books, and sometimes kids...lol...