You never know who’s paying attention.

Thursday, May 24, 2007

Car Pool Log: 2007 05-24

White utility van (refer to CPL: 2007 05-07).

It’s strange when there are just two strangers in a car. Drivers are more prone to conversation and small talk.

“Looking forward to the long weekend?” Driver asked.

I had to think about it for a moment. Long weekend? What long weekend? Did I mention to him in a previous ride that I was leaving for Mexico tomorrow? Then I realized that Monday was Memorial Day. “Oh, yeah,” I said. “It’s pretty exciting. I almost forgot that we had Monday off.” I consciously decided not to mention my upcoming trip.

“Yeah, I didn’t realize it either until this week,” he said.

We passed the construction of the new overpass in the Maze. “It’s going to open up tomorrow,” he said.

“That was really quick,” I said.

“They initially said it could take six months.”

“But it only happened in one. Makes you wonder about the safety of the structure. They were the same construction company that had that bridge accident while they were repairing that infrastructure in Napa or Sonoma.”

“Really?” Driver said. “They were the same people.”

“Yeah, they work 24 hours a day but compensate on the safety of their workers.”

“My mom retired over there and uses that bridge to get to and from work. When that happened I hadn’t heard from her in a while and got worried.”

We passed the toll plaza and onto the on-ramp for the Bay Bridge. “Heard anything about the bridge?”

I wasn’t sure what he was referring to. He gestured to the new bridge that’s being constructed next to the current one. I said that I heard nothing.

“Are they putting in that tall structure with the cables?”

“Last I heard they scrapped that idea for financial reasons and may keep it like the San Mateo Bridge, all flat and unadorned.”

Wednesday, May 23, 2007

Car Pool Log: 2007 05-23

Blue VW, two door. Second Passenger already present, reading a text book in the back of the car. Said good morning to Driver and she returned the greeting.

Radio was a mix of songs from frequency transmissions and iPod. Peter Gabriel: “Solsbury Hill.” An empty Starbucks cup in the dashboard’s cupholder, along with a can of Diet Coke. A Neko Case song, “Lonely Old Lies” was to be one of the songs played but Driver changed it to a song that had the chorus, “if you could read my mind…” At one point the music came on at full volume. Driver quickly apologized. “Nobody should have to go through that,” she said with a chuckle.

“I’m going across Market if you need to get over there,” Driver suggested.

“The intersection’s fine with me,” I said.

“I’ve driven with you before, haven’t I?” the girl asked. “A few days ago?”

“Yes, I believe so.”

“Yeah, I thought so. I thought it would’ve been weird if I didn’t say anything.”

“Traffic hasn’t been so bad lately,” she continued. “I’ve been making it over here pretty quickly.”

Tuesday, May 22, 2007

Car Pool Log: 2007 05-22

Forest green, Subaru Outback station wagon. Dark plastic and polyester interiors. Hanging from the rearview mirror was a blue, clear plastic ornament of a flip-flop sandal.

Driver didn’t initially see me and began moving her car forward as I approached. I opened the door (on the back window was a black & white decal of the Martian from Warner Bros. cartoons) and as I got in Driver apologized. I told her it was no problem, laughing along with her.

“I didn’t see you in the rearview, I should’ve checked the side mirrors,” she said.

“No, it’s totally fine,” I said.

She asked me if I needed more leg room, if she needed to move the passenger seat up. I told her I was comfortable the way it was.

There was a grocery shopping bag to my left. In the bag were boxes of cereals, granolas, and bars, some breads. On the floor, behind Driver’s seat: two plastic hangers and in In-And-Out paper placemat. In the cupholder on the dashboard was an empty McDonald’s cup with a portrait of Donkey from “Shrek the Third.” Behind the Driver’s seat, hanging from the headrest, was a canvas bag containing a manual, a guide, and a bottle of Snapple.

Second Passenger arrived, the same passenger from the day before. As he got in he asked if he needed to move the seat up. Driver laughed and I told him I was fine. “What,” Second Passenger said. “Do people ask that all the time?”

“No,” Driver said. “I just asked him that already.”

KQED on the radio. Driver’s FastTrak box beeped as we drove through the toll. “Doesn’t that charge you if you don’t hide it?” Second Passenger asked.

“No,” Driver replied. “I used to tuck it away but I don’t anymore. It always registers as zero.”

Driver and Second Passenger maintained general discussions about traffic near the toll plaza and the length of time it takes to get from the office to the freeway versus taking BART. I was unable to hear most of the conversation due to unspecific noise interference.

Driver said she was continuing on to Market and 3rd. I told her the corner was just fine for me.

Monday, May 21, 2007

Car Pool Log: 2007 05-21

Gray BMW sedan, gray interiors.

Carseat in the back. Two leather bags behind Driver’s seat; one black and one brown. Car was very neat, tidy and clean. No excessive ornamentation, no trinkets, baubles or beads. Second Passenger turned around as we merged near Emeryville. I couldn’t tell if he was looking at me or off in the distance.

KQED on radio: wars, bombings, terrorism. Calling for resignations. Immigration laws. Presidential primaries.

Outside, on the bay, ships of magnificent sizes appeared stationary.