I'm so proud of you for:

a) being considerate
b) for being kind to the driver
c) for telling the other crazy people off
d) for taking pics of the BUS ON FIRE

More importantly though, how much knitting did you get done, and does it now smell like smoke?

OK, that beats the bad week I had recently. How does this stuff always happen to you? Bless your heart for showing the bus lady some Southern kindness. May the crazy people be talked about.

I want to be crazy like you! Good job for losing it at the right time.

If you were making this stuff up, I'd worry about you.

You definitely earned your cocktail hour.

You have me laughing out loud at my desk. Sometimes I'm glad my life is boring. Unless it allows me to meet hot firemen.

I wonder if the new bus driver will ever show up back at work, poor lady. If not, perhaps the good karma you have accrued from comforting will mean they'll have to have to have the HOTT bus driver fill in!

Damn! Go on with your bad self girl! Kudos for giving it to the crazy bitches/ass.

And Chippies are hot! Best ones are the motorcycle ones... in those riding boots... mmmm...

Thanks for the happy thoughts. ~jenn

I'm so proud of you! It's all about the karma, isn't it? One day all the good things you do will come around, just remember that. And at least while u were stuck on a burning bus there were some hot guys around!

Rock on, Crazy Lady #3! You are my hero!

oh my god, that was great. i don't even know where to begin.

LMAO!

seriously, way to go. you should be very proud of yourself for standing up for the driver and shaming those buggers into meek submission.

This story made me cry too! What is it about that 'human kindness' thing that breaks our hearts when life is kicking the s**t out of us?

*Sniff*

1. Good for you for standing up for her! Nasty-ass crazies, picking on people who don't deserve it.

2. If you can, send an email/letter to the transportation department telling them how well she did under the circumstances ON HER FIRST DAY (I still can't believe that, poor thing). 'cause with all the hoopla around the immediate bus-on-fire thing, ten bucks says that none of her supervisors are going to think to give her any encouragement.

3. Mmm, hot men in uniform.

You go girl! People suck.
Love that you had your camera. Gotta have the visual, I always say!

Wow, that definitely was the commute from hell, and even worse for that poor driver. Shame on those crazy people.

I certainly love your blog - thanks for putting a huge smile on my face every time I read it!

You completely rock...I am SO glad you called out those nutbags. Crazy Lady #3 = hero in my book...

so.why didn't you take a picture of the hot fireman?

I am so impressed that you took the evil crazies to task! You probably made that poor bus driver's day.

Wow, you do have adventures! Poor new bus driver - I had one who pranged a car that hung a left hand turn from the middle lane (this is Oz remember) in front of him. Never saw that driver again!
Now the important stuff - you did have knitting with you didn't you? Can I have your lantern moon tote? LOL

You so rock! I used to work for the bus company - never drove because in general, i hate the public. I can't imagine the stress that poor woman was under, just driving for LA in the first place, and you were so decent to her. you deserve a medal! and an extra medal for telling off those selfish mean people! Yay for Aunt Purl!

Hmmmm. I'm starting to get a wee embarrassed here because you know, I didn't mean to make this Aunt Purl Saves The Day Post #367, LOL. I hope it didn't come off that way. I don't know what righteous bug got up my butt and made me break crazy on the bus. But mostly, you know, THE BUS WAS ON FIRE. I am not the hero. I am merely the weirdo with the camera ;)

Weirdo with camera, hero of the day, whatever. Bottom line is that you rock! Way to go telling off the crazy people.

So sister did you get the cute cop's phone # or give him yours???

Dear Auntie...
You totally rock! The fact that you had your knitting, iPod and your digi-cam with you makes me know that you are a chick after my own heart! Way to go, Girl. Your blog is a bright place in my day!

We're still waiting for you to show up at the WeHo Stitch 'n Bitch at the Farmers Market, 3rd and Fairfax, upstairs dining area...every Thursday, 7-9pm!!

Ellen Bloom

Oh. My. Goodness.

Yet another reason for me to love the fact that I walk to work. I think I'm safe from having my shoes catch fire. (I do *not* walk that fast!)

Crazy Aunt Purl, you're my Hero.

I know I-5. It actually runs straight up through Oregon and into Washington probably connecting Mexico and Canada. Not a fun place to be in any state let alone on a flaming bus full of crazy people in LA.
Ya done good sister.

How horrifying! So, when *is* your Jeep going to be out of the shop?? Hope soon soon soon, HOTTie young bus drivers aside ;-)

So yeah... Rude people suck.

This story brought to mind the time I totaled my car but luckily emerged unhurt; however, there was gas spilled all over the ground, and firetrucks/hot firemen were not yet on the scene. A city bus had to stop in the middle of the street waiting for the accident to be cleared, and some of the passengers were yelling at me to MOVE MY CAR.

Thanks! Loveyoumeanit!

Oh yay you for standing up for that poor woman. And you know, the firemen REALLY love it when people whose lives they have touched bring brownies to the station. You wouldn't have to bake them, you could buy them and put them on a nice plate. NOT PAPER. A *nice* plate, with your name and phone number on the bottom so they can return it.

Wow. So I'm assuming you got home and poured yourself one big cocktail. What a day. And good job with both the bus driver and yelling at the crazy people.

BTW, if the traffic on that crazy highway is routinely moving at faster than about 10mph during rush hour, it ain't busy. You should try a highway in the UK. Dead stop. Every day. And lots of real slow crawl.

I had to respond to this entry, because I have a story about my ex-husband that is a good bookend to this one. One day he was having his car smog checked. So he decides to wait at the mechanics. He is reading a book in the waiting room when this woman walks in with a shopping bag in her hands. She keeps interrupting his reading to make inane comments like "Your shirt is green" then a minute or two later "Kelly green is my favorite color". Each time she talks to him, he responds politely and goes back to his book. Finally, he decides to go down the street to the local fast food place and read there.

The next day he goes to get the completed smog certificate and the mechanic says "Hey, remember your friend from yesterday?" Apparently, she left the mechanics, went next door to a hairdresser, got her hair cut really short and dyed some random non-hair color, and then got on a bus, pulled a gun out of her shopping bag and shot a number of people on the bus. I don't think anyone died, but I remember thinking...thank god my [husband] is a polite guy. People, buses, Los Angeles...I think it may be a recipe for craziness.

Not to make you question your behavior or anything...:-)

Hysterical. How can these things keep happening to you??? LOL! That poor bus driver. And good for you. I love it when normal people fly off the handle. I'm right there with you! LOL!! (can I use ANY MORE explanation points??!!)

yay for aunt purl!

can you come to san francisco and yell at people on my bus, too? (re: eyebrow plucking, which does not involve fire or firemen, but still.) seriously, you are my hero.

and you DO have worse luck than i do! (that only makes you more my hero...)

p.s. damn, that bus looks fancy and like, there's fabric on the seats and stuff. i heard LA's public transportation was the best in the country. (dunno what that says about the fire thing, though.)

You tell 'em Auntie Purl. The world needs more people to tell off those people who pee on the "little" people who do the hard jobs. We need more Aunt Purl - Crazy Lady #3 moments in this world. I just wish that there was a way to know if bus driver #1 found out about your rant from bus driver #2...

But the bigger question is, did you strike up a conversation with the CHPO?

You rock :)

Honestly, you are my new hero for standing up and yelling at the crazy people.

Aunt Pearl for Prez!

Mean People Suck. You Rule.

Laurie, did you just comment in your comments???? You rebel, you! You just kickin ass today, girl!

You ROCK. That poor driver! And you know, I bet when everything settles down, one thing she's really going to remember is the one person who was nice to her at the end. She may never drive another bus, but she'll remember that someone took the time to be kind. Hopefully she'll remember it well enough to do it herself someday.

I second Crochetdude up there... a,b,c and d!

Aaaaahhhh! What a nightmare! I ride the bus every day, with its own share of crazies, but never has the bus caught on fire. Knock wood.

Bless your heart for standing up to those meanies on the bus!

Love that you had your camera for those of us who don't get out. That was quite a day for you!!Anne

You rock, Laurie! I had to read your entire post out loud to Matt since I was over here guffawing at it and he wanted to know what was so funny.

I think we should tell off mean people more often. They suck.

That poor lady. I know how she feels. I cried on my first day at my job when we lived in England. And it was my birthday too. People stink. Except the ones who tell them they stink.

You are awesome! And your blog rocks too. I have to thank Anmiryam for pointing me in your direction.

I can't believe it! I had my bus run out of gas on the way to my highschool finals. I thought that was pretty good. And my car has caught on fire - but on the 5 - wow - rush hour - ugh.... At least it wasn't the 405 by the museum.... Then you would still be there....
We liked the ladies room suggestion - wish I had done that.... I REALLY wish I had done that....

*standing ovation*

Holy crap! Isn't it enough to have a bus fire without people having to be such assholes?? People seriously need to just stop, take a deep breath, and calm down. The crazies are everywhere.

By the way, I love your blog. I want you to be my new best friend!

:)

Wow. When you lose it, you act out in style. Good one. I'm saving this for my anti-depressant archive.

I'm thinking you need to send this someplace for publication, girl. And, where do we sign up to get on the BFF list?

People just suck. But you were awesome! I really don't know what most people are thinking when they do stuff like crazy ladies #1 & #2 and crazy man did. My philosophy is "Keep your lunacy to yourself and make the best of the situation", just like Crazy Aunt Purl, the sanest one on the bus! (If that doesn't conjuger up some scary mental images, I'm not really sure what will).

BTW - have that awesome Lantern Moon Palm-leaf tote in dark brown. Love it!

You go girl - I love reading your blog.

OH MY GOODNESS! You have the best blog! I was laughing so hard I almost peed my pants! You are (almost) as hilarious as the Yarn Harlot!!
Keep writing- I am really enjoying it!

going ghetto on folks is completely justified when the objects of one's ghettoness are people with no class. The crazies should have understood that it was a tough situation for EVERYONE involved...not just the passengers.

I like your site...will visit often;)

You are awesome to show kindness to that poor bus driver, your right it wasn't her fault, she was a victim of time and circumstances beyond her control. But my goodness what a crazy day, I don't know how you do it. Thank goodness for knitting.

Oh by the way love your blog.

rockpants. you are the coolest. thank god someone put those beeyatches in their place. people like that need to taste some real suffrin some times. sorry you had to wait so long tho :(

THAT POST WAS ON FIRE. Hilarious.

Keep your combusto-bus off the 5 when I'm trying to get somewhere though, okay?

It has come to my attention that saying "Bless your heart" to a Southern gal means the same thing as f*** you, but I didn't mean it that way - just sose ya know! That linguistic quiz got me all goofed up!

You ROCK. Good for you, telling those nasty people off. Honestly. Sniping at the poor driver WHOSE BUS JUST CAUGHT ON FIRE, like she could have done anything to prevent it, or make the new bus come any faster.

Laurie, as it's been said: you are the bomb diggity for telling off the evil cruelty- inflicting Judgey McJudge bus riders.

I think bus driver lady held it together rather rockingly, considering it was her first day. I suspect I'd have lost it WAAAAAAY back at "The bus is on fire? For real?"

Apparently I need to investigate public transportation, as it clearly promotes close encounters with tasty firemen and highway patrol guys. Growr! ;)

What a day. Glad you are OK. You have a wonderful combo of humor, curiousity, and writing skills.

Oh my lands! Thank you for being so nice to the Lady Bus Driver. And good for you for being Crazy Lady #3 who knows when it's the appropriate time to lose it.

The captions on those pics were great!
Crazy Lady #3 should get an award.
Can I make a request that you show more pics of yourself on this blog?

OMG! What an experience!! You are absolutely awesome: you kept your cool during the emergency, cleverly got photos - now we know how cute *you are! - and then righteously called down shame on the idiot yahoos. Excellent karma awaits you.

Oh, and not-so-BTW, I'm glad you weren't hurt!! I'm still looking forward to our meetup one day soon.

Wow! Kudos to you for giving those whinge-monkeys the verbal smackdown.

Double kudos to you for making the whole godawful event sound so entertaining.

ugh -- i hate it when all people do is complain. GOOD FOR YOU for giving it right back. i would have given you a standing ovation for giving them a verbal smackdown. there's a place in cute, hot fireman heaven for people like you.

You are my hero!!!!

That's it, I'm never going to California ever again! It's apparently full of crazy inconsiderate people, except one Aunt P. The pictures are mighty funny, though.

I'm sorry I wasn't there to share this experience with you. Don't you think the crazy people would have behaved better if they had had some knitting?

wow - great post! Hilarious and sad all at the same time. Only in CA would something like that happen.

And the Toto reference - brings back memories of junior high and silly singing with my girlfriends... "I left my brains down in Africa" Ah, memories!

I have said it once and i'll say it again...you rock girl! good on you. Stupid disrespectful morons!

you go, girlfriend!

Hey, listen, if you ever come to New Jersey - can you do me a favor and give me warning? I want to be prepared. ;-)

You can ride the bus with me anyday. But if you think those Californias were crazy - you've never had to wait in Lincoln Tunnel traffic on a broke down bus.

Dear lord that's a lot of comments telling you exactly what I wanted to say. Aunt Pearl for Prez! You Rock! And last but not least, Where's the pic of the hot fireman????

I'm a little teary here myself. Thanks for documenting this whole experience for the rest of us!

OMH! What a tale and pics too. Why is it firemen are hot hot hot? I think it is a pre-req. And you go on with your bad self! Standing up like that. First day on her job..daaaamn.

You are most soitanly welcome to brink cake, anytime! (:

i have "out of africa" on my ipod. i'm not ashamed to admit it. ('sounds of the '80s' is solid road trip material.)

Okay, there's something to be said for living in a small town (versus LA). At least the biggest traffic jam around here involves a cow, and you can usually shoo it off the road.

Maybe if Crazy Lady #1 had let you bless the rains in Africa with your singing, then the gods would not have seen fit to set your bus on fire.

Wonderful story! Made me laugh early in the morning. Thanks!

Kim

we are so lucky you had your camera.

Crazy Aunt Purl, you are awesome! Next time you see Crazy Lady #1 tell HER to move her sorry ass to the back.

Also, more hottie pictures please!

I shared this with a discussion forum I frequent. You can see their comments at: http://www.theperfectworld.us/thread.php?id=938&postNum=97

Thanks for a fantastic story and fantastic pictures. And lots of credit for saying what you meant to those people's faces! Good job!

Wow!

So nice to have a sane person on the I-5. Luckily, I avoided that particular traffic jam, but I probably would have waved.

Or given ya'll water. I'm a water girl at the Renasance faire (at the 605/210 interchange, yo) and it's my purpose in life to water people...

1. Good on ya for consoling the bus driver, even if it did make her cry. (I have so TOTALLY been in that place where the world has gone all explodey on me and everything's falling apart, and some random person shows me a little sympathy and then I just totally lose my stuff. But I do feel better afterwards, and think really highly of that person).

2. Even better on ya for giving the crazies the what-for. It's called "sitation beyond anyone's control," people. It's called "Act of God," people. You don't get home faster by ragging on the one person who's possibly going to catch hell for the stupid random occurrence.

3. They should have taken the crazy people away with the bus and let the nice bus driver lady get on the new bus and just go home for the rest of the day, put her feet up, pop open a beer, whatever she needed...I can't see how punishing her for having her bus catch on fire (and having a slow dispatcher) is gonna do any good. But punishing the gripy crazy people... that woulda been good.

I know today isn't a "funny day" but that was the best laugh I have had in weeks!

What an awesome response! If you want to give up designing banner ads for financial companies you can run interventions for a state agency and/or be a social worker. Empathic? Check. Shows initiative? Check. Brave even if support not yet in evidence? Check.
WAY TO GO.
Self-soothing and time will heal you.

I don't know about others, but my family is Southern and I was not raised to think that "bless your heart" meant something so vulgar.

You are an angel. I'm not sure I would have the courage to have stood up and given those people what for like you did. If you end up on the bus with Crazy #1 again, I'm sure she'll move on to another seat.

That driver definitely deserves a commendation for her conduct. Don't forget to write her supervisor.

That poor, poor bus driver. Good for you for letting her cry it out. Everyone needs a nice shoulder to cry on sometimes. Those crazy people should very well be ashamed, aside from being Toto haters.

But sweetcheeks, please don't use retarded like you did in your caption. It's vulgar. I am not generally an on-duty PC officer, but I can't reconcile your funny and smart stories with such a low-class insult.

Wow! Thank goodness you had the common sense and decency to give moral support to the poor woman bus driver. Boy, talk about an initiatio to a job.
pasojanice

Yup. That settles it. You are my hero.

I laughed so much with your story...I mean, I'm sorry for laughing at something so terrible, but it's just so funny.
I take the bus too, and I live in Los Angeles, so I understand. I've had my share of crazy people, loud teenagers, and crazy bus drivers too.

I live in LA and used to commute via "the ten" daily on the bus. I become easily annoyed when any bus commuting inconvenience occurs, and would frequently, though silently, curse fellow riders for being loud, obnoxious, ignorant, high, and/or smelly. BIG kudos to you for your grace under fire and for taking a moment to care. I’m sure it meant the world to that poor bus driver lady. Love the pictorial too!

And I’m glad I’m not the only one who noticed the penchant of locals to label all their freeways with “the”. (FYI – I’m not from here.)

You are the BEST - Those crazy ass people need to take the time to realize that they could be DEAD and quit their f***ing whining!!!! HERE's TO YA!

WOW! Let me say that again, WOW! What a truly insane day! But GOOD FOR YOU for speaking up and giving those Crazy People a stern talking to! Good for you. Every so often, there needs to be a public chastising, and preferably with a hint of whiskey.

Well, I'm a bit late in finding your blog and reading it. I found it this morning linked to another knit blog. Anyway, wanted to say I'm enjoying your raw and strong spirit. You've got a good talent for writing, photography and captioning. =) I hope you are doing better. Sorry about the divorce. >>hugs<<