I'm at a slight disadvantage
in that over here there really isn't a lot of public transport. However, I do have a few stories.

I lived in downtown Rochester NY for a few years, and didn't own a car. This meant either having to beg for rides or take the bus- or walk long distances.

Generally I rode the bus.

So one day I'm riding the bus to work when it stops and lets on passengers. Then in steps one of the most gorgeous black women I've ever seen in person- think Halle Berry, Toni Braxton and Pam Grier combined into one glorious being. I admire her, as I'm sure everyone else does as well, but try not to stare- especially as I'm one of the very few white guys riding the bus.

"Excuse me, may I sit here?"

I look up into her warm deep-brown eyes and radiant smile, and smile back. "Of course."

She slides in next to me. I can feel the envious and somewhat hostile stares from the black guys behind me burning into the back of my head and neck. I don't care- I'm in a cloud of her perfume.

She opens a book and reads for a moment, a smile on her lips, then says, "May I show you something?"

"Of course." I love a good conversation with a beautiful woman, after all, so I take the book from her. I look down and see a photo with text on it.

It was "Footprints In The Sand."

I spent the rest of the trip with her trying her best to save my immortal soul. I tried to look interested- I really did- but inside all I could think of was "God damn it!"

Longest bus ride ever.
( The Resident Loon Not a demographic. Do not measure., Thu 29 May 2008, 17:28, 7 replies)

Is that a "god botherer" book?

( Colonel Dracula Two manky hookers and a racist dwarf, Thu 29 May 2008, 17:30, closed)

Close. It's a famous poem.
One night I dreamed I was walking along the beach with the Lord.
Many scenes from my life flashed across the sky.
In each scene I noticed footprints in the sand.
Sometimes there were two sets of footprints,
other times there were one set of footprints.

This bothered me because I noticed
that during the low periods of my life,
when I was suffering from
anguish, sorrow or defeat,
I could see only one set of footprints.

So I said to the Lord,
"You promised me Lord,
that if I followed you,
you would walk with me always.
But I have noticed that during
the most trying periods of my life
there have only been one
set of footprints in the sand.
Why, when I needed you most,
you have not been there for me?"

The Lord replied,
"The times when you have
seen only one set of footprints in the sand,
is when I carried you."
Mary Stevenson

============================================

It has its own website and everything- the cursor leaves a trail of footprints.

God save me from your followers...
( The Resident Loon Not a demographic. Do not measure., Thu 29 May 2008, 17:35, closed)

Yikes

( Colonel Dracula Two manky hookers and a racist dwarf, Thu 29 May 2008, 17:40, closed)

Exactly.
What a waste of a beautiful woman.
( The Resident Loon Not a demographic. Do not measure., Thu 29 May 2008, 17:43, closed)

When I left (convent) school
they gave each of us a laminated copy of that poem.

And strangely enough it does stick with you...even after all these years many times I've thought to myself - He's not carrying me. I'm carrying myself.

I don't think that was their intention.
( chickenlady b3ta's very own Elizabeth Taylor, Fri 30 May 2008, 0:48, closed)

I don't think anyone was jealous of your seating arrangement after the photo and poem was brought out.


Too bad too. My interest was quite piqued when I read "may I show you something?"....what a let down!
( flirting with badgers What? It sounded good at the time., Fri 30 May 2008, 18:46, closed)

Us Discordians have a similar story
I dreamed that I was walking down the beach with the Goddess. And I looked back and saw footprints in the sand.
But sometimes there were two pairs of footprints, and sometimes there was only one. And the times when there was only one pair of footprints, those were my times of greatest trouble.

So I asked the Goddess, "Why, in my greatest need, did you abandon me?"

She replied, "I never left you. Those were the times when we both hopped on one foot." And lo, I was really embarassed for bothering Her with such a stupid question.
(poonss ...howlingspoons, Sat 31 May 2008, 16:36, closed)