Long Day's Journey Into Plight: Stephen Dare & JTA 2

[Metro Jacksonville]

Long Day's Journey Into Plight:  Stephen Dare & JTA 2



One of the most popular threads in the history of the Metro Jacksonville.com forums was the daily journal kept by Stephen Dare when he decided to stop driving cars and go green.

As he struggled to find a way to use only the mass transit options offered in the city of Jacksonville, the journal got at times hilarious.

This is one of the most popular stories of Stephen Dare's attempt to use Jacksonville Mass Transit.

The Equestrian Center Caper.

Full Article
http://www.metrojacksonville.com/article/2009-jul-long-days-journey-into-plight-stephen-dare-jta-2

[jbroadglide]

Stephen, first of all that was so well written I am in awe..and I don't mean that in a sarcastic way. In awe that you aren't making the Times Union a much better place..secondly I can not believe that a bus driver treated you or anyone else that badly. I hope he no longer has a job in customer service since its obvious he is sorely lacking in any customer service skills whatsoever. For myself after 5 years off public transit I am once again using the services of JTA. My office was moved downtown and the cheapest parking I could find is out at the convention center..so a 10 minutes ride on the Skyway to my office is now in my communting schedule every day, which really isn't all that bad.
Looking forward to the next installment.

[Abhishek]

I am wondering if a bicycle would have complemented Stephen Dare's expedition well.

[Cliffs_Daughter]

OMG, wow... what a story! I love reading your submissions, and boy am I sorry for you about this trip. I've never had to deal with anything like that on JTA. But then, I don't ride it anymore.

My husband DOES every day now. He rides in with my son and I downtown, I drop him off at the bus depot, and he rides the L7 toward the Avenues. It works out well for us during the week.

I just really REALLY wish they'd consider a route that crosses the Buckman from Westside to Mandarin/Southside. Surprisingly, they don't have anything in that area.

[CrysG]

"I'm not a hundred percent certain, but I'm pretty sure I screamed like a bitch and began hauling panicked ass."

I couldn't stop laughing at that line, I sat here laughing so hard tears were rolling down my face.

[TD*]

That was so well written I could see the bus driver, the deer and your panic stricken day in full imagination. I love it. and It serves JTA right, get your stuff in gear and build a rail system!

[BridgeTroll]

This is the third or fourth time I have read it and I crack up every time... and I know Stephen so I get a better visual!

[RiversideLoki]

I am wondering if a bicycle would have complemented Stephen Dare's expedition well.

He would have been run over on Normandy.

[JaxNative68]

Vivid cerebral descriptions were produced all through this article.  I thoroughly enjoyed the read, keep writing.

[JaxNative68]

I can see James Earl Jones playing the role of the bus driver in the movie, if it were to be made.

[Tripoli1711]

Steven-

Do we have any epilogue on what happened to the driver?  Was he disciplined in any fashion?  Has he figured out who YOU are?  Have you figured out who HE is?  Just curious.

[BridgeTroll]

 

(a species that I no longer have much sympathy for, I might add)

[TheProfessor]

Riveting article.  I feel so bad for you.  I have never heard of such things happening in Jacksonville.  I suppose that is because I grew up in Arlington and it is a bit more urbanized than the deep reaches of the Westside.  I will make sure I never walk around on the Westside for sure!

[Tripoli1711]

Deer are weird.  I always thought they were supposed to be skiddish.  In Virginia I have had several episodes with deer who are just way to tame.  I would go outside at night to have a smoke and they would just be standing in the driveway.. 2 or 3 of them, just hanging out.  I would make the typical "boogly boogly boo!" and "et-owwn-outta-ealr" while waving my arms and they would just stand there looking at me like 'what an odd thing he is...'  I have recalled your episode on more than one of these occasions and never went any further than these vocal tactics about 3' from my front door.

[Tripoli1711]

It really is fascinating how some people are such neanderthals and so low class.  Were you dressed like some total freak?  Did you have on a CCCP shirt or something?  It reminds me of the final scene in Easy Rider, except thankfully just pennies and not buckshot.