I’m back by popular demand. As usual, I felt pensive in the jersey tunnel. I reminisced on an old blog post and my question about the tiny doors that line the walls. My curiosity was squashed as I learned pretty quickly that people likely didn’t come out of them - they just held brooms and such. Nothing gold can stay, Ponyboy. That’s life.
Here's a picture I edited of C. Thomas Howell from the Outsiders (THE Ponyboy), warping time to show him in his 30s. I used a teen photo and one taken during 'middle age' to achieve this effect.
Celeste told me to squawk like an eagle while crossing the border. Unfortunately, I missed my opportunity both on the way there and on the way back. Some say it was out of fear; some say I’m a perfectionist. (How do Eagles squawk?) (Don’t tell the Feds I said that).
Naturally, as is the expected reaction to hearing I took a bus, you might be wondering, “what did Violet pack with her?” Well, I’ll tell you.
I tried to pack as light as I could leaving Montreal, which was a good call because I had absolutely no space on the way back.
For my friends up north, though - I did not return empty-handed. One grocery trip and two stuffed bags later, I come in hand with not one but TWO packs of Trader Joe’s takis. Yeah, you’re welcome.
To this day, it’s weird to me that there’s neither Trader Joe’s nor Target here. Not that I go to Target. Ever.
Emo to leave the warmer weather, I brought my spring jacket back to Canada with me. Will it see the light of day? Probably not.
I am also bringing back some microwave popcorn (shoutout mom), so I can join Thomas in the popcorn grind. How do I know he makes popcorn? That’s a secret I’ll never tell. (I can smell it in the hallway) (and I’ve seen kernels scattered across the floor).
To take it back a couple of months, over winter break, as a last-minute addition, I brought my little digital camera. This time, while packing, I decided to bring the battery charger. Now, if your first thought after hearing that is that I’ve probably been using the camera, you’d be wrong. While it isn’t likely the battery will change much, I decided to take the chance on myself.
Hey - you miss 100% of the shots you don’t take. One step for mankind, one giant leap on the moon.
[When putting this through Grammarly - you can't say I'm not classy - I was told that 'mankind' is dated and non-inclusive. In the spirit of accuracy, I'll keep it how it is, but I'll be sure to dm Neil Armstrong a complaint].
I can’t tell you all too much, though; my parents always told me a little mystery is the secret to success.
Still, I have more I thought I should share.
My goal was to watch the Last of Us’s new episode on the way, but unfortunately, there was no outlet in sight, and my phone had a scary low battery for an 8-hour bus ride. I took the hit and decided to watch it on myflixer later. As they say, God gives his toughest battles to His strongest soldiers. It’s hard for the Last of Us (us being people without VPNs).
[Edit: I started the download at 5%, and it worked. There wasn’t much point in downloading it because my phone died, but at least I could watch it legitimately once I got back. One last slice of America, you could say… I have some thoughts, but no spoilers on here].
By the end of the bus ride, this one girl in front of me had reached up for her bag in the overhead bin probably twenty times. I made that number up, but all you need to know is that it felt like she was standing up, rummaging through her bag for longer than she was sitting down. I also made that up, but it was a lot. It made me wonder what was in there that needed such constant attention. A hamster? A small dog? Maybe a kombucha scobi?
I’m also curious about the carpets in buses, movie theaters, arcades, etc. Do the manufacturers specialize? In my mind, there are three generic designs, but I’m sure it gets more specific than that. I wonder who designs them. And why? Like how did it start? You never see those carpets anywhere else. Are there new releases every year that bus manufacturers and theater designers are on their toes excited about? It’s like the new Apple Watch for architects.
On the topic of monotonous design, I’ve deduced, after lots of research (stopping at at least three rest stops in my life), that all rest stops look the same. I wonder - have I only been to NY rest stops? Do outside states have different ones? Are they state-run? What do Canadian rest stops look like? Maybe one US developer took rest stop monopoly? Or maybe the type of person deciding to open a rest stop usually has a niche sense of architectural style; it comes with the gig. Who knows.
Another thought for you all - slivered almonds look like they taste how they sound. Slivered. Granted, I’ve never had almonds. Or slivered almonds.
And with that, I stepped off board the Excellence. (McGill Bus)
- Violet
Comments