Lost with Lace-less Shoes

I had some excitement yesterday. I had the pleasure of getting lost taking the 592 instead of the 590 or 594. I saw the sign “Lakewood” and thought that was close enough. Before, I would never take this kind of risk.
By 6:00 pm at the 512 station, all was dark on the western front. I could feel myself getting tense. The station was set up like two orange slices parallel to each other. I walked back and forth between these two slices, looking for a ride back to 10th and Commerce. I accosted a black man who told me where I was: the 512. We both ran to the 574 to see if it could get us back to Tacoma, but the driver sternly told us to wait for the 594 that was sitting humming waiting for the 6:30 time slot. This was exciting. I had never been this far south by myself. I always like to walk streets or bus because I get to know the people better. If you’re driving, you can’t stare out the window and observe the going’s on.
After I got back on track back to the UPS bubble, I had a nice talk with a man about the University Way in the 1950’s. The conversation burst out from him when he verbally admired my shoes. He was curious about sneakers because I’m lace-less. I described to him what the clerk told me when I got my shoes, that most customers described feeling like butter after wearing them. I emphasized butter for his own sake in a purring-like voice. I think he enjoyed hearing that. I also told him that I got my Pumas on the Ave. The conversations changed into how much the Ave has deteriorated. He went to the UW back in the late 1950’s before there was malls, “Everyone went to the Ave.” These kinds of spontaneous conversations are invigorating when we go through our lives being selfish in our pursuits.

Todd, student