Time for a change
Three Dollar Bill Cafe’s post-closing website came down yesterday. Threedollarbill.com is ready for its next incarnation.
June 5th, 2009
Inauguration
7:57am: I’m heading off to the inauguration with my family, who are all dressed up and excited. Live blogging depending on battery power…
8:39am: Now in very long line to enter ‘orange’ section. Lots of people everywhere. Lots.
10:14am: Motorcade is on it’s way. We’re finally through the gate and on the orange lawn. We have a view of the press stands but NO view of the inaugural stage.
10:28am: members of congress filing on stage. Nieces’ feet are cold in the fancy shoes. It’s sunny but brisk and a little windy. Hand warmers being put to good use. Security is tight, with patrols on the Capitol dome.
11:18am: jimmy carter coming on stage. Cheers for him, the Clintons, oprah, etc
Okay, shortly after 11:30, I lost connection to the internet…no more live blogging was possible
January 20th, 2009
Attacked
So I was minding my own business, taking the bus home from a doctor’s appointment. I prefer public transportation to driving in the city, and not just so I can feel smug and superior for being environmentally conscious. Finding parking is stressful plus I have to go home to get the car in the first place. And taking an unfamiliar bus sometimes feels like an adventure.
Last night was the exception that proves the rule (or some other cliché). I was transferring from the Divisadero to the Haight line, waiting to board. An older man was standing next to the door, letting people ahead. I couldn’t tell if he was just being polite so I gave him a quizzical look. My mistake. His face turned furiously angry and he lunged at me brandishing something pointy. It wasn’t a knife but could have been a syringe or maybe even a pen–I just couldn’t tell. I tried to shrug it off and move around him. He lunged again, this time more violently, so I instnctively jumped back, toppling into a couple of older women waiting behind me.
Okay, so the guy is clearly crazy. I have no idea why he’s targetting me and he’s saying nothing but giving me an evil glare. He boarded the bus and I thought I’d give it one more chance. He swiveled around running toward me again. I backed off, exchanged looks with the driver and backed off to the curb.
“He’s attacking me!” I said somewhat pointlessly to the driver. The driver clearly did not want the wrath of the crazy man.
Should have I done more to defend myself, or at least my pride? Dunno. Clearly the guy was on drugs and a physical mess, but it wouldn’t have been particularly heroic to kick some old man’s ass and, to be honest, my only impulse was flight, not fight.
Standing on the street with the two old ladies, I waved the bus on and took my chances with the next bus.
December 17th, 2008