I've lost count of the number of times I have gone back and forth and back and forth on this bus. Honestly, I don't think I'll miss it much. The crowding, the pushing, the fight for space.
And of course, the "B-line Crazies". Because the B-line boards at all doors, an over abused honor system, pretty much anyone can be sitting next to you. There was the homeless man who smelled like urine telling me that my Arts degree was worthless, there was the woman across from me who had a little snake in a plastic cup, and there was a plethora of people who found it totally ok to utilize my shoulder as a pillow during their nap.
Of all these memories of the crazies, there is one that I will forever cherish. It was after the UCM Christmas banquet and me and some others moved on to the Wolf and Hound pub. After having some beers we headed for the 99 stop headed East and along shuffled a new friend. He was a bit haggard and carrying a guitar case. When I asked him about said guitar case he straightened up, looked at me with pride and said "this isn't a guitar, this is a BANJO". He then proceeded to open the case and play his banjo. This turned into an impromptu sing-a-long on the streets of Vancouver (Alma, to be exact).
What I appreciate about this banjo man is his love of sharing his music. For example, instead of putting away his instrument and sitting quietly on the bus, he informed the driver that we (his new back up singers) had some songs to share with the bus. As we launched into "Stand By Me" (our signature tune, I guess) I could feel people staring at me. I was a "B-line Crazy" and maybe it was the beer, maybe it was the banjo, but I really didn't care. Ever so sly, I took a picture with my phone to commemorate the occasion:
Every time I pass the Arbutus stop, I look for this wandering minstrel, but sadly my search has been fruitless. But that's how it goes on the B-line, every one on it is a crazy ship passing in the night.
As much as I want to break up totally with B-line, I probably can't because now that I no longer possess a U-Pass, it will be my main form of transportation when I visit unless I rustle up some coins.
...rustle up some coins playing your guitar.
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