Jun 27, 2012

26 COMMUTE OBSERVATIONS

OBSERVATION 1: MY HEART BLED

heartbeat

She sits in my direct line of vision, tucked tightly in the corner of the unused train doors her knees pulled up tightly under her chin as she pushes herself in more snugly. Her hands moved restlessly from her head to press up against her eyes to stretch out in front on her knees. Her face a puffy red mass, a combination of crying and alcohol, I have learnt long ago to recognize the tell-tale signs of too much alcohol. Her eyes were hunted and filled with unshed tears as she seem to struggle with some inner demon. She mumbles incoherently in a sad monotone. Her companion staggering above her hands her a water bottle. She takes it drinking its contents with the sadist look shadowing her face, her eyes etched with pain.

“I can’t take this,” she says softly turning her hands left, right, bending them at the elbows revealing deep reddish brown bruises. She lifts her shirt gingerly as if in physical pain to show her companion her stomach; around the inside and around the navel area is a large horizontal deep angry crimson, purple, blue bruise. Her companion straightens unsteadily, searches his knapsack and pulls out a fifth of bourbon; breaking the seal he takes a swig and passes it to her. She hesitates slightly and he nudges her, encouraging her to drink up. I mentally speculated, ‘to easy the pain, numb the memory of the brutality visited upon her and evident on her body?’ As she takes a deep breath, put it to her mouth, tilt her head back and drink shivering visibly as the sting of the alcohol scorch its way down her throat.

My heart broke at the sight, horrified at the physical wounds on her body and the emotional wounds that shone from her eyes that undoubtedly stained her soul. My heart bled. I prayed for the healing of her mind, her body her spirit, her soul. Unable to bare witness any longer to her naked pain, I got up, moving three seats down away from the sight, away from my direct line of vision. I prayed. My heart bled. I prayed.

 

OBSERVATION 2: SAY NO TO HORSE MEAT….

Crossing the road on Bathurst and Queen near Augusta some Mercy For Animals protestors holding up signs.  SAM_3796 I asked people eat horse? Yes! Yes! Were the resounding answers from passionate protestors, Naïve as I were they explained as I took their information card and photos after they granted permission and mosey on my way. I didn’t enter the debate. I simply listened as they spoke and as passer-by's weighed in to defend their right to eat meat. Though horses were the primary subjects of the protest, pigs, chickens, cows i.e. all animals (any form of meat/poultry) were also targets for eating prohibition. They (Mercy For Animals) promotes strictly a vegetarian life style.SAM_3795

 

OBSERVATION 3: HE BLEW THE CHEESE:

fartWe all sat waiting for the bus at the subway station. It was early evening. To my right sat a Muslim woman and her daughter and a Caucasian woman and her female companion. A little space away to my left sat a dark skinned elderly south Asian man. He sat quietly erect, back straight staring straight ahead. Then suddenly from my peripheral vision I saw him eased his right hip up slightly to his left and then it happened. He farted. He farted like a machine gun, ratta-tata, tata tata tata tata tata tata tata tata tata. Shocked at the loud sound I turned to look at him. He remained stoic, no emotion showed on his face, he didn’t seem to blink or give rise to the fact that he farted as loud as a heart attack.  I just busted out laughing; it was just to ridiculous and hilarious all at the same time. He didn’t react. I couldn’t stop laughing.


ON ANOTHER NOTE:

Liebster (beloved)-Blog-AwardI received the Liebster Blog award from Shouldn’t Life Be More Than This, thank you so much, your gift and the spirit of is very much appreciated. LIEBSTER means “favourite or beloved”

26 comments:

  1. What varied experiences from heart rending to hilarious in your short commute.Your moving away a few seats away is a sequel to your inability to see the misery for long and that is what most do.Each one will have to bear his/her own cross.
    Protest against horse meat is ok so long it does not extend to other forms of animal food.We just smile and keep moving away.
    The farting incident and the culprit's cool indifference takes the cake.How shameless some are baffles me.

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    1. One never know what they would encounter on any given day. It is why I always try to remain humble and thankful.

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  2. You really encounter some strange things on your commute. Please stay safe.

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  3. Hey Cous,
    You have a rather interesting commute it brought to memory my subway rides in New York city. I do miss the many opportunities to people watch as well as the reading escapes you get while using public transportation. Thank you so much for bringing a smile to my face this morning....

    Love You

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    1. That it is, a smile is a good thing, brighten's ones outlook.

      love you too.....
      smooches

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  4. omg!!!!!
    LMAO!!! at the farting guy!!>...hehehehe..oh goodness...at first, i was so interested in what was gonna happen to the hurting girl, and then i read about meat stuff(i.e horse meat)etc and then you leave us laughing
    i'm glad you pray for her
    you know that thing happens unconsciously to me sometimes when i see something and my mind already begins working and then The Spirit whisphers so so softly.."why don't you pray for Him or Her" rather than judge or criticize...is it not the father's joy that we all make heaven
    i'm Glad God is making me a better person. it's not been an easy journey but it's worth it in the refining process
    thanks for sharing this
    as for the shelfari books, thanks..i saw ur follow back and i must say you're challenging me big time to show off all books i've read..lol..
    ur library is huge o!...and i love your note to me..tanx so much...

    ReplyDelete
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    1. Laughter is good for the soul, it renews and replishes hope.

      I try not to judge. We live in such a judgmental world, it is so normalized that we do it unconsciously fall prey to the nasty habit and do it without thinking or compassion, so I fill my mind and thoughts with prayer rather than judgment.

      The challenge is for you to make. For me it was stepping outside my usual genre of reading. Some I Still won't buy however i won't refuse to read a free book.

      You are welcome

      Delete
  5. In situations like this, I too engage myself in praying rather than attempting to preach.

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  6. Yes, we do live in a judging world with all kinds of opinions. Many opinions lacking truth? There is a difference between judging and observing. We all have to check ourselves about being judgmental. I like to see life with eyes wide open, heart wide open, through His Eyes. Am I able to do it all the time...No!! But I try...When we observe we are given opportunities to help. It's not those big things in life but all the little stuff that adds up and makes a difference to do some good. Let's look around opportunities abound. Have a nice day ya'll and stay cool you crazy cats...Gbird
    PS-Don’t cut the cheese in public. NO CROP DUSTING!!

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    1. Hey Mister G.....lovely to have you really weigh in. True there is a difference between judging and observing, the key is knowing the differences and like you said, checking ourselves and I would add holding ourselves accountable for your thoughts, words and actions.

      Thanks for fluttering by.....

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  7. Horse meat?????? W-H-Y? Unbelievable!
    He didn't show any emotion?..m-e-hn!he is a PRO! ahahahahaha.
    Alcohol? depression? inner demons?...sighs..my soul also bleeds for her...needs rehabilitation and Christ in her life.
    Like i said one time, you are good at observing and describing people...it is a talent.

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    1. Thank you sistah. There is a saying, "everywhere somebody is eating something obscene to another." Though I do not engage in the consumption of horses I am a carnivore.

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  8. The farting story has me laughing!!

    Stop by my blog to see the award I am giving you.

    http://1219sibmtt.blogspot.com/2012/06/liebster-award-goes-to-me.html

    ReplyDelete
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    1. I know eh, i couldn't help but laugh. The man was so brazen, he could have well get up and move away before departing his lil "gift" instead he let it rip and had the could to pretend ignorant.

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  9. I think it about very interesting commute it brought to memory of some other girls....
    We are think given opportunities to help.
    About her companion straightens unsteadily from his breaking swing passes it to her.

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    1. hmmmmmm.....many things can be witnessed in ones travels.

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  10. I guess I would have burst out laughing too! Oh dear! I guess if you gotta go, you gotta go.

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    1. True, however its not like he had no place to go, we were not locked in the subway car or anything. He could have gotten up and excused himself and moved away a bit and do his thang and come back and sit down. No manners is all no bloody manners.

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  11. OMG.. the one about the fart was really hilarious. I often laugh like this when someone farts in public. But you know in certain cultures it is okay to do it.
    About the alchoholic woman- I can understand you moving away. Such pain is too much to even visulise. Have a good week!

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    1. It was good for a laugh if nothing else. Yeah sometimes to bare witness to others pain isn't a pleasant feeling.

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  12. I just want to say that I personally have been so blessed to have met, and known, people from all walks of life, and ages, who, for one reason or another, had crossed my path, and made an impact on my life in one way or another. Some people have made me laugh, I have felt pity for some, I have learned from others and some people made me stop and appreciate who I am... and all I have.

    What a post! Oooh, to be a fly on your shoulder as you take your ride to work/from work!!

    ReplyDelete
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    1. Blessings......there are some interesting people to met along the way for sure though at times the odd seem to outweigh the interesting. There are always valueable lessons to be had/learnt. Thanks for sharing your wisdom with me.

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  13. Congratulations on your award. You're site is a joy and I'm pleased that other people recognise that! You deserve it - I'm certainly glad I'm following your blog.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, it is humbling to be acknowledge. It is a nice feeling

      Delete

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