Seattle is white

Well, I thought I left on time today, but apparently not. Maybe I just walked up the hill too slow. Either way, I missed the bus I was hoping to catch, but luckily another one came less than ten minutes later. As I get on board, I'm amazed at how white the bus is. No, not the bus itself...the commuters on the bus. I guess Seattle proper is as "white" as the newspaper article said.  A lot of people have headphones in, some read a book and drink a coffee, some get ready for work. One man was shaving his face while waiting for the bus.
When I get off to transfer buses, I discover this beautiful underground transit area that I had no idea existed downtown. The lightrail and buses share it. There are police security and a security dog that looks more sweet and innocent than scary. I look at the bus schedule and realize that instead of waiting for the next 71, I can take the 72 which comes earlier. I read my scholarly journal articles so that I can write my two reviews tonight. I'm a bit anxious, as it's my first Metro ride in the three years I've lived here. I relax though because I spot two of the other participants in my program riding the same bus.
I get off near the University and walk with my fellow colleague. I get to class and open my computer to find that the screen shattered. My attitude sinks to the floor like I'm on the Drop Zone ride at Great America. I can't believe that just happened. I hope it's fixable. I have my demonstration for class soon, but I can't stop thinking about the now ruined school computer. Maybe the bus was not the best idea. Maybe I should have rode my bike.
My ride back is less eventful. I hop on to the 70, which by luck takes me downtown too. I continue reading and highlighting my articles and now I join the other headphone wearing music listening commuters. I make the transfer, this time above ground. It feels weird getting on the bus downtown since it's a Fee Free zone and so I don't have to show my transfer ticket until the end of my ride when I'm out of the zone. It's kind of weird. I'm sure people spotted me for a rookie rider all day since I kept forgetting and showed my transfer ticket downtown both times when I didn't need to. The ride back to West Seattle is uneventful (and still very white). I am amazed that there are no bums on the bus causing havoc and uncomfortableness like I used to see on buses in San Diego and San Francisco. I need to test out some different bus routes as I'm sure they are around Seattle somewhere. When we get to the West Seattle bridge, I call Phil and we make plans to meet up in the Junction for happy hour nachos before walking back down the hill together. The bus is a nice alternative to driving, but I am looking forward to getting back on the bike tomorrow.