Prostituting oneself for a bus ride

I took the bus into work this morning. I needed to because my scooter is at work and I wanted to be able to ride it home.

While I was waiting for the 326 to take me from Public Square to W. 73rd and Detroit I saw posters for the new "trolley" line of busses. The sign said something like "Smile and Ride for Free."

Something about that bothers me.

I wonder if they make EVERYONE smile.

I wonder if male bus drivers make men smile before they get on the bus.

I can just see that.

A male bus driver telling men trying to get on... "C'mon....let's see a smile!" "Come on...smile for me!"

Yeah. I kinda guess that doesn't happen.

From the press release:
If the nostalgic green-and- gold vehicles, complete with cow catchers, wooden rails, and brass bells, don't put a smile on the face of downtown travelers, the price of riding will. The trolleys are free now through Labor Day for -- a smile. This was accomplished through a partnership between RTA and the Cleveland Convention & Visitors Bureau. RTA is studying the feasibility of maintaining the appealing smile fare indefinitely.

Ick.

Whose crying now?


I DJ every Monday night at the Grid, a queer nightclub here in Cleveland.
The night is called SpinTheBottle and it's an indie rock and pop music extravaganza.

I love the indie rock and pop. I love that I can play Arcade Fire and people dance to it.

Here's the rub... for some reason, the 20-somethings request and LOVE cheezy 80s music. Music that I have heard enough of. Journey gets 'em on the dance floor, Heart, Billy (M)Idol, all the stuff that was overplayed ON Y103 in my '73 TransAm car radio as a teen.

All the stuff that was overplayed on my best friends clock radio when I would sleep over her house every Friday night after the football games.

All the stuff that was overplayed at the "teen dances" on the basketball court at the campgrounds I stayed at every summer.

ALL THE STUFF THAT IS BEING OVERPLAYED ON VH1 RIGHT NOW!!

Last night on the way home from the bar I was trying to remember what I was listening to in my mid-20s that drove people in their EARLY 40s crazy. I think there was a sorta psychedelic 60s scene. I remember reading something about a cult of kids (remember...this is in the late 80s early 90s) who just WORSHIPPED the song "The Time has Come Today" by the Chambers Brothers. They built a whole scene around that song. I think it was that song. Oy. Then there were the swirly paisley Three 'O Clock. A band of fey boys with 60s girl haircuts.

I believe 40 somethings probably rolled their eyes at them quite regularly.

It would be cool to go back in time. Talk to my 1981 self. That's the year I went to see Journey at the Richfield Coliseum with "Peaches" and Julie. Two juniors. I thought I was such a cool sophomore

If I could go back in time I would:


Suggest a better college.

Suggest a better haircut.

Suggest NOT buying the Hoodoo Gurus album


Okay... so here's a compromise. Giant Drag covering Journey. Doing a much better job than Steve Perry ever did.

I just can't help myself. I love Smiths covers.
Especially this one by the band Saloon.
Just gorgeous.

Too late. I removed the MP3.

Sorry.