Too Sexy for the Bus?

By that, I mean I hated riding the school bus. Man, in the small town where I grew up, riding the bus was almost torturous. I'm not sure if I identify with your idea of automatically being seen as a second class citizen just because you're waiting for a bus, but I could definitely relate to everything else in your audio piece.

When I visit New York City, I feel the exact same way about the Subway system. Some people complain about it, but I prefer it to driving and getting stuck in traffic. So I can definitely relate to that part of your audio the most. Nice work! Oh, and thanks for listening to mine and voting!

I've actually listened to your entry several times since not long after you posted your audio.

What I find from listening to you is lovely sound color, thoughtfulness, interest, and perspective.

I like the way you've thought this through, and I like the way you observe things.

Jimmy
----
Here, I'm speaking in the node:
http://www.publicradioquest.com/node/197
I made a tune for you the PRTQ!
http://jimmybearpearson.com/prtq.php.
Glad to be one of the 61 Jims.

Loved your pacing and style. Yours is the perfect NPR voice... and you nailed the bus experience! Well done.

Smooth, conversational, and witty. A solid entry!

ADQ

Please and Thank You for your Vote:
http://www.publicradioquest.com/audio/user/6914

Keep on rockin' in the free world.

You have a very pleasant presence, and seem quite at ease. Certainly NPR material; good luck.

Schup57

I'm with you! I ride the bus often in L.A. of all places and Angelenos think I'm CRAZY! Thanks for bringing this issue to light with such great delivery and writing!

-Will, http://www.publicradioquest.com/audio/user/5723

“Another world is not only possible, she is on her way. On a quiet day, I can hear her breathing.” - Arundhati Roy

It makes for good conversation.Can provide character development and research for a novel. Prove to be inspiration in a poetic or even cinematic piece.
So let me first say, your concept is solid.
But going a step further, here in Chicago, or at least a corner of Chicago, mass transit has been front and center. And the focus hasn't been pretty. In fact it has been horrific and tragic. The horror of price hikes and cuts in routes have set hypothetic musings in motion. Yet, mass transit tragedy was pronounced when a teen opened fire on a public bus a few weeks ago, killing a young honor student.

Now on some bus routes, only one of these instances touches the realities of the commuters. But on other routes, both scenarios can cripple whole communities and end the livelihood of individuals.

What could a show like yours do for these particular scenarios? I'd say it could have the potential to bridge smart people (women) with common folk, connect successful people to strivers, ultimately it can inspire or motivate others to take a moment to consider what someone's life is like after their bus ride comes to an end.

A show that would seek to do this, with an open-minded and compassionate host would be progressive programming.That I'd support.
Just my thoughts.

"If one is lucky, a solitary fantasy can totally transform a million realities."
---Maya Angelou

Your entry made me smile quietly to myself. I like that. Interesting angle-- you're an inventive thinker. Thanks, Jade

You have new age recycling friends in Texas? (tee hee) I think you're onto something here. Ride that bus. Bring a microphone along next time. Get those stories on tape.
I like your presence. Very friendly and open. Good luck.
Theresa

I don't know what the transit system is like in Austin, but I ride the bus and train everywhere in Chicago. Even when construction is slowing the system down, you can still get where you need to go, as long as you don't mind waiting occasionally. And I have a much lower environmental footprint!
Well, except for the fact that I live in Chicago and there is NO useful recycling plan. Sigh...
Anyway, I thought you wrote this and read it quite well, but AS a transit rider (professional, perhaps) I know for certain that I am NOT a second class citizen. So there!
A fine submission, SW. Luck all around!

Be Baffled By Bafflegab!-->
www.publicradioquest.com/node/1319

"All I ask is the chance to prove that money can't make me happy" - Spike Milligan

I enjoyed this a lot. Good luck in the competition.

and I enjoyed your insights about riding the bus--using humor to expose middle class liberals' hypocritical disdain of public transport is gently effective. I think you have a great radio voice, too--good luck!

My wife and I love our Prius...good buy...and yes, I dislike the bus too...hehe.

Have a listen to me if you get a chance...

http://www.publicradioquest.com/audio/user/5227

thanks...Joshua

You have a wonderful voice for the radio. It's very captivating and your storytelling is excellent.

Great submission! With my own city's recent addition of several new BioDiesel vehicles to its bus fleet, it has certainly become easier to justify mass transit to those who would otherwise question its use by those with access to another means of transportation. Even as a show of support for alternative fuels however, any convincing is still an uphill battle.

"Live every week like it's Shark Week."
http://www.publicradioquest.com/node/966

Thanks for bringing back all the memories I have of public transportaion. Some bad... but mainly enjoyable.

Here's five stars for you, driver.

Steve

I’ve come to see that the ultimate source of all human anguish is that we are finite beings sentient of infinity.

Vicki,

Wonderful topic, and lovely voice! I think you present an interesting point about our society's view of "people who use mass transportation". Since moving to NYC I no longer drive (and the world is better for it..., believe me!). There isn't the stigma here but I know for a fact that other cities certainly look down on those who choose the bus. Too bad. Mid-size cities and bigger could really benefit from the ease and convenience of public transit. Hear that, Indianapolis?

I'm serious, SmartWoman, I have a soul mate for you. It' my husband. Everything you said in your entry is everything he says to me every time he rides the bus. And considering what the mass transit system is like in my mid-sized city, he sacrifices a lot to ride the bus.

He owns a Prius - this is his second one - and when he has out-of-town meetings that fit into the Greyhound schedule, he rides the bus to and from those long-distance appointments. (He owns his own company and is regarded as successful.) All that is irrelevant to the biggest reason he rides the bus - he is green to his very soul.

All in all, I enjoyed your entry because it was what he would have submitted had he entered the PRTQ instead of me.

Good writing, nice voice, funny ending. Good luck!

-- Linda

Visit me in my House by the Sea:
http://www.publicradioquest.com/audio/user/1432
http://blog.syracuse.com/communitycritics/linda_lowen/

Your delivery has the right tone for this piece. Your writing has a timeliness that makes me want to hear more of what you have on your mind.

I am -so- sorry... >:((

Halfway through your entry, I just zoned out...
I think it was the topic (riding the bus) that lost me...

The writing was excellent, and the speech was delivered with all the proper inflections. You have a -wonderful- speaking voice, and you demonstrated your emphatic interest on the topic.

But, unfortunately, I was not engaged mentally... >:(

- Wayne Powers

"Surly to bed, surly to rise, makes you about average..." Anonymous

I just started riding the bus too, had a very similar experience (but no offers of rides).

Very nice observation. I think your show would be pretty cool.

A show with a focus on women's topics is a great idea. I visited the Smart Women site, read some of the articles, and found them informative, interesting, and well written. You certainly have an enthusiastic timbre to your voice, which can draw in the listener.

Good luck!

I was so excited when I posted my entry here that I did not elaborate on what this piece is.
Social responsibility is one of the topics I will cover on my Smart Woman Guides show so this piece is an excerpt about my experiences of being a bus rider in a town that doesn't think it's cool. My goal was to show my personality and point of view and give you a piece you would enjoy. Have fun---all of these entries are so addictive and interesting--I love it! :-)

Vicki Flaugher
creator of http://www.SmartWomanGuides.com