Really really big

How big is it? Well you may think it's a long way to the local pub but that's just peanuts compared to space.


http://www.deepskyfrontier.com/#howbig01

Actions Speak Louder than Speaking Loud

So.... I ended up working kind of late tonight.... Um... I had to leave to catch the 12:01AM train... I ended up not going to the bar with my coworkers to boot. Just worked the whole time. I got a lot done but that was kind of overshadowed by getting on the train.

What to my wondering eyes should appear but a BIKE CAR FULL OF DRUNKEN SPORTS FANS WITH NO BIKES. OH GOODY!

See, the ones in the bike care aren't like the ones in the other cars. The bike car is the end car so it's one of the least patrolled. It's also nearest to the entrance from the station and has the least seats, so there's less social pressure from other passengers to not be a complete wastrel. In other words, the Drunk as Fuck low self-esteem 20-somethings that loudly call each other bitch and talk about how many times they fucked their manager and call each other faggot a lot. You know. People like President Bush.

Now me, it's late, so I have to sit in that car or some reject might boost my bike. Supposedly only bike riders are supposed to sit in this car but it's a rule that's largely ignored. Only a few conductors enforce it.

So. I gave them five minutes, the kept getting louder. I called Stacey on the phone and said, "SORRY I'M TALKING SO LOUD! I CAN BARELY HEAR YOU OVER THE DRUNKEN RETARDS!" The people in front of me and across the cabin cringed. The frat party didn't even notice. Stacey told me I should talk to a conductor before the train got moving. I said I'd handle it.

I tried laughing at their jokes with the loudest, "HYUK HYUK HYUK THAT SURE IS FUNNY!" (oozing sarcasm) About six people shifted uncomfortably, afraid I was going to start a fight. The frat boys didn't even notice.

I waited another couple of minutes, turned directly facing them and shouted, "HEY! CAN YOU GUYS SHUT UP?" but not a brain cell was left functioning. Not the slightest glimmer of sentience at all. They kept right on talking about how so and so go sloppy seconds fucking their whore-manager.

I'd never got this far before. Usually loud guys knock off at the mocking laughter and are cowed into submission. But these were special. These are the MIDNIGHT TRAIN drunken sports fans. They have at least five more hit dice in being stupid than any other stupid I've ever encountered.

So. I hate running to the authorities. It feels so weasely. I walked up and down the entire length of the train for about 5 minutes before finding a conductor. I said to him, 'There's a bunch of drunk sports fans in the bike car loudly shouting obscenities. He said, "Well.. Unless I can find amtrak cop, there's not much I can do. I don't feel like getting beat up tonight." *sigh* Typical useless authority figure.

I made my way back through the cars and discovered a seat facing the exit to the bicycle car in the next car up. 3 times as many people but much quieter. Called Stacey again, just because I was pleased I'd found a solution even if it wasn't a fantastic one. Then called her back a few minutes later because, wonder of wonders, an amtrak cop showed up and broke up the group, moving some of the buffoons to different cars to make them a little quieter. Even went and thanked the conductor afterwards, though he pessimistically said, "We'll see how long it lasts."

Short-lived victory. In the 15 minutes it's taken me to write this, they've become loud enough I can hear them over a moving train and the conversation in this car, a full car-length and two sets of doors away. Joy.

Anyhow.. Least I accomplished something. A good 10 minutes of reminding them that they're pathetic and powerless. I just really prefer to do it myself. The fighting part of me wants to go back in there right now. Not afraid of getting punched but I'm not keen on being arrested. Too many important things in my life right now to mess it up for some stupid assholes. Must remember that. Gas-station attendants are not worth the effort.

Heh. And the conductor just came from the far end of this car and gave them another stern warning. IE: You can leave the train at the next station or you can leave with the police at the station after that.

About a half dozen very pouty young men stomped off into the dark at the San Mateo station. AWSOME! :D Stranded in the middle of nowhere in the middle of the night! I hope they get raped by hobos!

Gawd that felt good.

Hmm, okay. Back to work!

I want this as a tee-shirt!