There are two pennies superglued to the trashcan on the Rapid platform. I'm waiting for the Eastbound Red Line, which stops just outside where I work. I looked at those pennies so long in curiosity. I don't even like pennies (i give them away within seconds of receiving them, they're like pointless candy wrappers), but i finally decided to try and pick them up anyway. Nope. Performance art; chicanery. How many other fingers have grasped at these coins?

Just one more little thing to love about public transportation. The best part is: it's public. You see everybody. I met a guy today who was going for his first day at work in Tower City's food court. He really wants to do retail, and used to go door-to-door all over the country. I could see how he'd be persuasive: very friendly, casual and polite. Huge, white-toothed smile inside a dark mustache and goatee. Didn't have a hint of any ungentlemanly motives. Ran into a couple people i know along the route: a fellow writer from last summer's Imagination Conference, and the custodian for West Side Catholic Center who's working with Vocational Guidance Services. Cleveland is just a small town with skyscrapers.

Outside of Tower City, i sat and waited for the 6 bus. Saw a herd of cars stop mid-street to let an older woman with a cane cross the painted white lines. On the bus, i saw one of the regulars from the West Side Catholic Center get on and wish everyone (especially the bus driver) a wonderful day. The girl who sat beside me offered to get up and let an older gentleman sit; he declined. Such small and subtle human beauty and kindness i was missing every day, stressing out in the driver's seat.

What a great city.