I saw this on the side of a building on my way home from work today.
It made my day.
Showing posts with label Streetcar Diaries. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Streetcar Diaries. Show all posts
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
Dear Streetcar Diary,
Today was really nice.
A group of mentally disabled teenagers got a kick out of waving back and forth to this adorable little girl.
One of the teenagers kept saying "Look at that little baby. She's so cute." Over and over.
Another man was accompanying his friend in a motorized wheelchair and helping him through the crowded car.
The guy standing next to me tapped me on the shoulder and moved to let me hold onto the railing.
And as I got off I saw a homeless man open the door for a mom with a stroller at Powell's. His smile was so big.
I admit, I have been too busy lately to notice how lovely people are.
Thanks for the reminder.
A group of mentally disabled teenagers got a kick out of waving back and forth to this adorable little girl.
One of the teenagers kept saying "Look at that little baby. She's so cute." Over and over.
Another man was accompanying his friend in a motorized wheelchair and helping him through the crowded car.
The guy standing next to me tapped me on the shoulder and moved to let me hold onto the railing.
And as I got off I saw a homeless man open the door for a mom with a stroller at Powell's. His smile was so big.
I admit, I have been too busy lately to notice how lovely people are.
Thanks for the reminder.
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Dear Streetcar Diary,
Today the streetcar smelled like:
+
+
It was better than the alternative:
Hooray for public transportation!
Monday, September 1, 2008
Have I Done Any Good in the World Today?
The last two months in church have been devoted to the topic of charity. Each Sunday I walk away with a renewed commitment to do more to serve others-but that commitment usually wanes by Monday or Tuesday (on a good week). A lady read the lyrics to this song last Sunday and they have really stuck with me.
Have I done any good in the world today?
Have I helped anyone in need?
Have I cheered up the sad,
and made someone feel glad?
If not I have failed indeed.
Has anyone's burden been lighter today
because I was willing to share?
Have the sick and the weary
been helped on their way?
When they needed my help was I there?
Then wake up and do something more
than dream of your mansion above.
Doing good is a pleasure,
a joy beyond measure,
a blessing of duty and love.
-Will L. Thompson
Charity seems very doable if I just take it one day at a time, like the song suggests. If anyone else wants to get this song stuck in their head, go to this website and listen away!
On a related note:
Dear Streetcar Diary,
This technically happened on my walk over to the streetcar, but I think it works. A young boy (maybe 16) was standing on the sidewalk near Powell's. He had a sign that said "I need a meal and a place to sleep." As I walked to the streetcar stop I watched as everyone passed him, each person stared at the ground to avoid his gaze. I was fully intending on doing the same, when a man on a bike (obviously homeless himself) stopped to talk to the teenager. As I came upon the two, I heard the man say, "I get free sandwiches from this place downtown. Do you want me to get you one too?" I don't even know what the boy's response was, because it would have required me to stop and stare, but I was so impressed by the man's generosity even amidst his own difficult circumstances. What a great example this guy was to me! He obviously knows the song Have I done any good in the world today?
Have I cheered up the sad,
and made someone feel glad?
If not I have failed indeed.
Has anyone's burden been lighter today
because I was willing to share?
Have the sick and the weary
been helped on their way?
When they needed my help was I there?
Then wake up and do something more
than dream of your mansion above.
Doing good is a pleasure,
a joy beyond measure,
a blessing of duty and love.
-Will L. Thompson
Charity seems very doable if I just take it one day at a time, like the song suggests. If anyone else wants to get this song stuck in their head, go to this website and listen away!
On a related note:
Dear Streetcar Diary,
This technically happened on my walk over to the streetcar, but I think it works. A young boy (maybe 16) was standing on the sidewalk near Powell's. He had a sign that said "I need a meal and a place to sleep." As I walked to the streetcar stop I watched as everyone passed him, each person stared at the ground to avoid his gaze. I was fully intending on doing the same, when a man on a bike (obviously homeless himself) stopped to talk to the teenager. As I came upon the two, I heard the man say, "I get free sandwiches from this place downtown. Do you want me to get you one too?" I don't even know what the boy's response was, because it would have required me to stop and stare, but I was so impressed by the man's generosity even amidst his own difficult circumstances. What a great example this guy was to me! He obviously knows the song Have I done any good in the world today?
Thursday, July 24, 2008
Strike one for Anarchy.
Dear Streetcar Diary,
I just had a very disturbing experience on the streetcar. I saw a man (lacking in some personal hygiene) holding fliers for an anarchist meeting. First of all, I'm pretty sure anarchists don't meet-that would defeat their whole purpose, wouldn't it? Second of all, I would not want this guy as my spokesperson for anything. As he sat down in the handicap/senior citizens seats (I really have beef with perfectly capable people stealing these seats), everyone on the streetcar soon realized that his pants were too small to even attempt zipping. Yep, you got it...the whole streetcar, including women and children, got a very unpleasant view of an otherwise "secret" region of the body. To top it off, he wouldn't move over when a woman with obvious disabilities got on. Instead he made her squish into half a seat next to him. I hope this doesn't seem hypercritical, but all I know is-if that's anarchy, then I don't want it! So make sure to vote in November.
I just had a very disturbing experience on the streetcar. I saw a man (lacking in some personal hygiene) holding fliers for an anarchist meeting. First of all, I'm pretty sure anarchists don't meet-that would defeat their whole purpose, wouldn't it? Second of all, I would not want this guy as my spokesperson for anything. As he sat down in the handicap/senior citizens seats (I really have beef with perfectly capable people stealing these seats), everyone on the streetcar soon realized that his pants were too small to even attempt zipping. Yep, you got it...the whole streetcar, including women and children, got a very unpleasant view of an otherwise "secret" region of the body. To top it off, he wouldn't move over when a woman with obvious disabilities got on. Instead he made her squish into half a seat next to him. I hope this doesn't seem hypercritical, but all I know is-if that's anarchy, then I don't want it! So make sure to vote in November.
Tuesday, July 8, 2008
Streetcar Diaries
Welcome to the Streetcar Diaries.Being the true Oregonian that I am (having grown up in California), I ride the Streetcar-Portland's free public transportation. Each day on my way to class I marvel at the things the riders do and say. As an observer I inevitably find a wealth of interesting experiences-some that make me smile, some that enrage me, some that scare me, and some that remind me of the invaluable worth of a soul. I decided some time ago that I wanted to start recording my observations. One day I'd even love to write fictitious stories about the people that I encounter each day. For now, I will post my favorite experiences in hopes that the process of writing them down will help me learn something from the randomness that is the Streetcar.
Dear Diary,
This experience happened a couple of months ago, and it is by far the most memorable of all streetcar experiences. A proverbial war between good and evil was had on the corner of 11th and Couch. A Hummer (a.k.a. Evil) was parked on the side of the street about 3 feet from the curb and one foot into the path of the Streetcar (a.k.a. Good). You can only imagine the reaction of the
many earthmuffins waiting to get on. Their anger and disgust was palpable. The streetcar driver got out to take a look at the Hummer, and I think she would have spit on it if she could have. Another guy got on the sideboards and started yelling out profanities, after trying to open every one of it's doors, only to find them locked. It was pure chaos! Needless to say, I had to WALK home with the rest of my earthmuffin friends...totally unAmerican.
This experience happened a couple of months ago, and it is by far the most memorable of all streetcar experiences. A proverbial war between good and evil was had on the corner of 11th and Couch. A Hummer (a.k.a. Evil) was parked on the side of the street about 3 feet from the curb and one foot into the path of the Streetcar (a.k.a. Good). You can only imagine the reaction of the
many earthmuffins waiting to get on. Their anger and disgust was palpable. The streetcar driver got out to take a look at the Hummer, and I think she would have spit on it if she could have. Another guy got on the sideboards and started yelling out profanities, after trying to open every one of it's doors, only to find them locked. It was pure chaos! Needless to say, I had to WALK home with the rest of my earthmuffin friends...totally unAmerican.
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