For hire

I’m a frequent rider of public transit. For the past two years it’s been primarily by light rail, but prior to that I commuted into town by bus. All in all, it’s been somewhere in the neighborhood of sixteen years that I’ve been a daily rider. In that time, I have seen a lot of buses. Working downtown, buses are more common than pigeons; I have never stopped to count how many go by me on any given day, but I would wager I see at least thirty every single day as I walk to and from the light rail station or run errands. Well, I don’t reallly “see” them any longer – they are just part of the background, hurtling down one-way streets and rocketing through just-turned-red lights. And all of them have advertising. Some are simple banners on the sides, and some are full-coach wraps – but either way, the ads surround us from all angles.

For the most part, I rarely see these ads any longer. The other day, though, I began to pay attention to the incredible variety of paid mobile commercials. Ads for movies, plays, TV shows, plumbers, airlines, veterinarians, and tax preparers.  Ads for home insurance, carpet installers, health insurance, gyms, car insurance, windshield repair, life insurance, and hospitals. Ads for lawyers, furniture rental places, cellular companies, internet companies, politicians, banks, and the local zoo. Ads for coffee, the Mariners, local colleges, pharmacists, car wash places, major retailers, the library systems, and any number of public services. Ads, ads, ads. If it’s a place that wants my business, chances are pretty good that I’ve seen an ad for them on the side of a bus.

The most amusing to me, however, are the religious ones. What, are they hoping some bloke will be walking down the street feeling lost and alone, and suddenly they see one of these and it all makes sense?

“Have you found God, my son? Why yes, sir – t’was on the side of the 161 Express!” This is right up there with the folks who wave giant JESUS signs on freeway overpasses. What is the point? Is distracting people while they are driving to remind them about Jesus really such a good idea? It cracks me up, I just envision some guy driving along, minding his own business, maybe planning what he’s going to buy at the hardware store, and then BAM! An ad (or sign waver)catches his eye and he slaps himself on the forhead and says, “oh yea,  Jesus! Duh! How did I forget?”

Not to be outdone, the atheists claim their fair share as well. A quarter of the population is worth snagging.

Oh, what to believe?? How many people get their religious beliefs from the side of a bus, anyway? I kind of figured people put more thought into it than that, but maybe not.

Pothole rangers

We are having Internet problems today, so I give you a quick post with a photo of the pothole patrol, doing what they do. Talk about job security! There are far more potholes in Seattle’s streets than folks to fix them.

Halloweenigans

Had a lovely party at the office today, with tons of food and great costumes. My plans to be Medusa fell through (it’s amazingly difficult to find rubber snakes!) so I’m a ghoul, but Tony kept making me laugh. Not very scary, eh?

We had an amazing potluck.

And here’s a group shot of all the great costumes.

Hope to see tons of little trick-or-treaters tonight! Stay safe out there, kids!

Wordless Wednesday

Purple Haze

I can’t help but be impressed with this guy’s color scheme. Purple, head to toe – from loafers to velour pants to messenger bag. And what a jaunty feather in his cap!

(I took this photo from the second floor and through polarized glass, so the color’s a bit off, but hopefully you get the gist.)

Catdog

Amelia has started to lay on the tile like a dog, with her belly flat against the floor. Only the tile, never the carpet. Must be cooler on the tummy.

Neon knitwear

The photo doesn’t do it justice – that orange is *bright*. The best part? He had shoes to match!

Know your limit

This person should not have access to paint.

Twice as good

When you love something, seeing a BOGO for it just adds a certain sparkle to your day.

Hope springs eternal

From the sky fall little white pellets
Not quite snow and not yet hail it’s
A chilly reminder of winter’s hold.
The wind blows fierce and wild and cold.
Bright wool hats pulled tight and low
As folks rush home to a hearth-side glow.
To dream of days both warm and long
With sunshine, picnics, campfire songs.
And as they huddle ‘neath quilts of blue,
With cocoa, tea, and hot soup, too
Old man winter blows one last blast
While daffodils promise the worst has passed.
– me.