Car Pool Log: 2006 08-25

Edna was the Driver for today (see CPL: 2006 08-04). Same Second Passenger as in previous rides. His seat pushed all the way back to accommodate his long legs. A children’s book underneath the car stereo. There seemed to be an added leather strap to her key chain still contained the whistle. A crumpled box of Kleenex in the back behind the driver’s seat. Magazines fallen in-between the door and driver’s seat, noticed some Japanese writing on the top of a page of one of the magazines. KQED radio.

Car Pool Log: 2006 08-24

Car Pool Log: 2006 08-24

Black mini-SUV Lexus, dark gray interiors, wood paneling. Baby-seat in the middle of the backseat, cushioned with dark blue velour, a black jacket balled up and resting in the booster.

“Do you have enough room back there?” Driver asked me. “I think so. Yes, I do,” I answered.

As we drove away from the curb Driver announced that there was heavy traffic piled-up along the 580 and 80 intersection, or “The Maze.” She asked us if it would be alright if she went down 980 and then back up the 880. Second Passenger said that was fine. Driver then asked if we knew of any other ways. Second Passenger suggested taking the West Grand entrance but Driver didn’t know that route. Second Passenger navigated the way for her.

“This is a great way to go for the weekends,” Second Passenger said.

“It’s your little secret way,” Driver said.

Pause.

“It’s amazing there isn’t more accidents at that intersection,” Second Passenger offered.

“Yeah, everyone’s switching lanes there,” Driver said.

As we got to the toll plaza, Lionel Richie: “Hello.” On the floor in the backseat; a black purse with black and white small squares lining the interior, a hair clip closing together the hand straps. In-between driver and passenger’s seat was a filled paper bag, possibly with lunch, appeared to have been used once before, the top rolled closed.

“Well, now one other person knows your secret way,” Driver said with a laugh.

As we pulled into Fremont Street from the off-ramp, the Backstreet Boys: “Quit Playing Games With My Heart.”

Car Pool Log: 2006 08-23

Again, there was a long wait for a car. The women in between me were anxious, shifty. The woman in front of me (who happened to be the woman behind me yesterday) rolled her eyes and checked her watch. When a car finally pulled up they took it upon themselves to coordinate whether or not the driver was to take an extra passenger.

Silver Volvo SUV, black leather interiors. Second Passenger was the anxious woman from yesterday and today. A booster seat in the back with a children’s book entitled Heather The Violet Fairy. Underneath the book was MapQuest directions on how to get to an address on Stockton Street. A worn leather bag behind Driver’s seat. A number 2 pencil at a 45 degree angle sticking out of the pouch on the back of the passenger’s seat. Underneath that seat was a pair of light material shorts, yellow plaid with a daisy printed material as trim. A plastic top and a small blue opaque bag holding colorful beads in the pocket of the armrest. Leaf debris on the floor. Second Passenger continued to read her paperback.

KALW, NPR radio San Francisco.

Car Pool Log: 2006 08-22

Black luxury SUV, tan interiors. Driver arrived with Second Passenger already in place. The person in front of me took a back seat and I stood back to wait for another car since they already had three. The woman behind me was anxious and asked the Driver if she would take a fourth. I was a little taken aback and confused (it being early in the morning.) As she was about to take the seat she asked if I wanted it. I told her thank you, rather gruffly, as I felt pressured into this. I hadn’t asked the Driver about taking a fourth since there wasn’t a line behind me and I hadn’t been waiting long.

KFOG on the radio, clean car. A plastic case holding a radio remote hanging on the back of the Driver’s seat.

There was a lot of congestion before the toll this morning. Driver, Second and Third Passengers were talking about the traffic, the different means of getting to the car pool lane (taking the West Grand entrance), and car pooling in general. Driver said that she got roped into it recently after BART made all the spots in the parking lots $1. She said she had a meeting to get to and therefore decided to pick someone up.

On the bridge they spoke of the cost differences between driving in and parking in the garage of her office building versus taking the train in for her and the Second Passenger who I believed was her husband.

Third Passenger said that he used to drive his son to his school in the Sunset to arrive for quarter of six. Then he would take the underground MUNI to get to work. Driver was amazed by this. “Did he have sports in the morning?” she asked.

“Yes, and then the idea was that he would drive from school and pick me up at work,” he said.

The three of them began talking about car accidents.

“I had never been in a car accident,” Driver said, knocking on the wood paneling. “I got two tickets within the first few weeks of having my license though. The first one was for driving 49 in a 25 mph zone. My mother was like, ‘Oh no!’ And then, you know teenagers, we were all gathered and loitering and I was the one who got the ticket. Can you believe that,” she turned to Second Passenger. “In my mother’s car!”

Driver was unsure as to where to drop us off.

“Usually by the bus terminal or sometimes past Market,” Third Passenger suggested.

“Are you going past Market?” she asked him.

“Yes,” he said. “And you?” he asked me.

“The corner of Howard and Fremont is good for me,” I said.

Since they were going past Market I asked her to drop me off by the bus terminal on the Fremont side. As I got out I knocked the plastic case holding the remote control into the street. I got out and found the case, handed it to Third Passenger, but had trouble locating the remote.

“Was that a piece of plastic?” she asked.

“Yes,” I said. I located the remote and handed it to Third Passenger.

“I’m very sorry,” I said to Driver.

“That’s okay,” Driver said with sincerity.