An authoritative walk through the train

Busted 

The LA metro system is lightyears behind the rest of the other major cities in the world in several aspects. I've said this before and I'm not the only one. The part of the metro system I've never understood is the "honor" system when it comes to the fare. Paper tickets are sold at each rail station where you could buy a day pass for $5 or a one way ticket for $1.50. There are also plastic "tap" passes that you can reload and pay your fare on special tap stands as you walk through any train platform. There isn't anyone you show your pass to, and there aren't any turnstiles on the majority of the stations. If you're strapped for cash, forgot to break change or don't have time to buy a ticket as the train approaches, it's understandable if you skip buying a ticket. The likelyhood of metro sheriffs citing you are quite low even though there are warning signs everywhere about the consequence of breaking this rule. A $250 fine if you're caught without the proper ticket. So when the metro police suddenly decide they want to enforce the rules, they can rake in a good amount of money. I read the MTA want to make some major changes to address this problem.  To be honest, I don't know why this loose fare method was ever the norm in the first place.

That said, everytime I've seen someone get busted I can't help but feel bad for them. Sure, it's their own fault and that's the gamble they decided to take. But I've risked it before, especially when I was in high school and I got lucky. $250 is a devastating setback for many of these violators and conversely patrons not paying their fare is devastating to the city since it quickly adds up.

Whenever I hear the occassional "TICKETS AND PASSES" echo through the train, I panic for a split second and make sure I have my pass on me. I'd rather complain about money slipping through my fingers rather than knowing exactly where that money went. My final thought on the issue? I'm quite sure less people would take that $250 risk if the MTA didn't make it so incredibly easy. 

damn...

A Happy Sign

Knitting is for girls c.2011

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During my rides on the train, it isn't uncommon to see passengers partake in their hobbies, whether it's reading, writing, knitting, sleeping etc. My ride home today was a little bizarre. I get on the first stop of the route, so the trains layover for several minutes, even during rush hour. After the train filled up, some time had passed and everyone started to get a little restless. The beeping sound that signals the closing of the doors kept sounding off non stop. Everyone knew something was wrong. After several minutes of annoying beeps, the conductor announced that there were technical difficulties and everyone had to transfer onto the train on the otherside of the platform. Groans were heard all around as everyone got up out of their seats and rushed over to the otherside.

I was able to find a window seat. Just as soon as I had sat down, an older man in a work suit sat right next to me. He immediately smiled at a young guy sitting right in front of us. I hadn't noticed that the young guy was knitting. The man next to me asked him, "how many times have you heard 'I've never seen a guy knit before'?" That's when I noticed that older man next to me was also knitting.

I admit, I've never seen a male knit before, and there I was, sandwiched between two men who were knitting. They were so close to me that I couldn't get a picture of both of their hands in the same frame. I snuck some pictures, although I really wish they had turned out clearer.

While I was doing this, I received a call from an out of state phone number. Since I was in the middle of taking pictures with my phone, I instantly picked up the call. It was the phone interview I had been waiting for. It was for the volunteer spot for Habitat for Humanity's Global Village program. I was smiling to myself during the phone interview. Perhaps sitting next to the only two male knitters in the city was a sign that something out of the ordinary was about to happen.

The interview went well and I'll be off to Romania for a couple of weeks later this year. As George Bailey might say, "Holy Mackerel!"

Out of service

c.2010

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Ever had one of those "You've got to be kidding me" moments? Like on a train ride home at the end of a long day you learn there was an electrical problem that shut down a northbound train and it immediately disrupted the schedule because all trains must now share a single track and after waiting for an extended period of time you discover the malfunctioned train was stranded on your stop? Yeah, I've heard those moments are pretty funny in retrospect.

Easter eggs on the train

c.2010

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A Tuesday night on the train…

I arrived at the train station fairly late Tuesday night. I ate dinner in downtown because I didn’t want to eat a late dinner at home. I stay up late when I do and well I don’t want to be one of the sleeping passengers in the morning do I?

The train was late and a large crowd had formed at the first stop. Everyone was silent and beat from a long day. There was a crazy drunk on the other platform but two electrical railroads served as a safe barrier.

Finally, the sound of the warning horn and the three bright lights of the train appeared. We were all a step closer to being on our way home. I sat down across from a rather poorly dressed guy with several bags. He looked like he’s been having a rough time. I couldn’t tell if he was homeless. The trains run very late so it wouldn’t have surprised me if he was setting up a temporary camp. As I’m inadvertently staring, I notice he got on his knees and plugged his radio in an outlet underneath one of the seats. Have those outlets been there since 1990?? I couldn't help but smile in disbelief. Good know...

Sleepwalking

One thing you can’t do while driving to work is sleep on the way there. But then again most bus riders need to wake up earlier and consequently lose sleep in the process. I haven’t been necessarily losing sleep. I’m getting my usual 6 hours. But for some reason, waking up earlier feels so much worse, even if I am getting the same amount of rest.

I’ve adjusted to my new schedule and by having done so, I’m not one of the poor souls passed out on the train ride into the city. I've been impressed at the reliability of the camera on my phone. It's discreet enough...at least until I can afford a Leica.

Lost sleep c.2010

Am I breaking any kind of ethical code? It's probably obvious where I stand on the matter. If it’s in a public place then it’s fair game, right?

...riding through Los Angeles

Passenger c.2010

Last week I revisited an old friend…the metro blue line. Public transportation usually is a pleasant experience when you don’t HAVE to use it. Since I had the luxury of time & personal space on my side, it was a nice ride. I rode it again to the central library, however this time I chose a window seat facing east. My eye immediately zeroed in on the window etchings.

What form of public transportation hasn’t been defaced? I used to see guys pull out their sharpened pens or box cutters on the 18 route and make their mark. I usually witnessed things like that in the back of the bus and other passengers never spoke up. The scratching on the windows and panels would make me twitch, much like nails to a chalkboard. Pointless behavior in my opinion…almost as pointless as taking public transportation for fun. Kidding.