Wednesday, November 14, 2007

Trax Hell.

Getting downtown this afternoon was an experience. First of all we were meeting at Trax later than usual, and I lost track of time and realized I was supposed to be on my way about 5 minutes before the train was supposed to arrive. So I haul butt out of the school, figuring if everything goes right I might actually make it there in time. Everything went perfect, it took me about 3 minutes to get to State Street, but then I got stuck behind Slow Poke Sammy. Took 3 minutes from 5th E to State (4 blocks) then 7 minutes from State to West Temple (2 blocks). Not only was his top speed somewhere between molasses and cooling lava, but he had a serious fear of crossing traffic - even when there wasn't any. So, I missed the train. Which gave me the opportunity to meet The Most Disgusting Couple in the World. Well, not meet them, but kind of experience them. I'll skip the physical aspects, you can see them in the picture. What really struck me was them standing right under the No Smoking sign, cigarettes in hand, smoking the entire time. That only borders on disgusting, more inconsiderate, what pushed it over the line was the constant 'farmer blowing' all over the sidewalk. (Farmer Blow : verb. Middle English. To plug one notstril and clear the other randomly into the air). Gross. 10 minutes of that and I was ready to walk downtown. Finally Trax came and they got onto one train, I got onto another one. Trouble's not quite over yet - we had a long stay at the 21st South station, while a Trax Cop peeked into each train. Don't know what, or who, they were looking for, but we were there for about 5 extra minutes while he looked. Finally we took off, and the rest of the trip was typical - not bad at all.

3 comments:

A Paperback Writer said...

Thank you for teaching me the name of "farmer blowing." Until now, I knew not what to call this talent. I imagine it takes a fair amount of practice. I believe that if I tried it, I'd end up with snot all down my face and shirt.

A Paperback Writer said...

It also occurs to me that farmer blowing may be a hereditary ability, passed on especially if one's offspring is also one's 1st cousins once removed.

Max Sartin said...

I am glad that I was able to enlighten you on the proper name for that maneuver. Anyway, it's a pretty honorable move for a farmer out in the field without any tissues. But for an urbanite waiting for the trax with people around......