Jurassic Park

After finding the back of the line, I reached in the pocket of my sweatshirt and pulled out my bus ticket, "From New York to Wilkes-barre" it read.  "Thank God" I thought as I stuffed the ticket back into my pocket.  I then waited for the bus to begin boarding.  The Port Authority Bus terminal was the same as always; dim lighting, the usual hustle and bustle, and above all else, close.  After almost two months without being home I felt like the city was suffocating me, closing in with each passing day.  I was relieved when the doors opened and people began boarding.  When I finally made my way to the front of the line I handed the driver my ticket, set my luggage by the storage bin, climbed the bus stairs, and found my seat.

It soon became apparent that a high school class had been on a field trip to the big city and had now graced me with their presence for the trip home.  "Son of a bitch" I thought, putting in my ear buds, "Its going to be a long ride."  Seated in the row just ahead of me was an elderly man who looked like the owner of Jurassic Park.  White hair, white beard, slacks, dress shirt, this guy had to have been late for his presentation on the whole mosquito bit.  Anyways, being the overly observant person that I am (believe me, in some cases I wish this weren't the case.  This being one of them) I noticed that this Dr. Hammond look-alike continually blew his nose into his hands and then proceeded to wipe it on his right shoulder.  "Just look away Bryan.  Thats it....Damnit Bryan, look away!"  The voice inside my head was screaming at me to take my attention elsewhere, anywhere but that right shoulder.  The old man finally tuckered himself out and he fell asleep.  Randomly throughout the majority of the ride, my newly observed bus buddy would loudly burst out and mutter something in his sleep.  At the first outburst it finally hit me.  If I don't play my cards right this could be me.  I could be this Dr. Hammond from Jurassic Park look-alike, just wiping snot all over myself and sleeptalking on long bus rides.  How scary is that?  Thats a wake up call if I've ever seen one.  

About midway through this magical bus ride I noticed that I had that traveler's feeling.  I guess people call it motion sickness.  The scrabble tiles on my blackberry started quivering.  It wasn't the feeling of sickness but more of just an uneasy feeling like your wasteband is too tight or its too hot on the bus.  That feeling like you could just shit your brains out if only it were humanly possible.  I started to wonder if eating that entire box of donut holes was really a great idea as i reached up and directed both of the air conditioning blower things at my face.  As it turned out, I survived the rest of the trip with no unfortunate events.  I arrived at the Wilkes-barre bus terminal, my Dad arrived a few minutes after.  I hopped in the car, eager to get home, and away we went.

Til next time

Bhoov