EmDash

Those that are interested can now follow me via Twitter. Although it’s become more of a food diary than a blog for me, I do update much more often, as my mobile device is always with me.

Just finished my 30-day trial* of an ayurvedic diet plan. I found out my dosha through this test (definitely pitta), and followed the advice of Deepak Chopra, Amadea Morningstar and other experts in the field of this ancient Indian health plan.

Interesting how this diet, based on thousands of years of trial-and-error, seems so contrary to what I’ve been taught about nutrition. I’m supposed to eat my biggest meal at noon, with a light dinner around 6 p.m. Breakfast should be light and simple, if eaten at all. (Surprisingly, it’s ok to skip what American’s consider the “most important meal of the day.”) Snacking is generally avoided, as you should digest your food completely before eating more.

Avoid leftovers, make your own meals (restaurant cooks get grumpy sometimes and apparently, that energy can transfer), include all six tastes and, most of all – eat mindfully! No multitasking—just taste, chew and digest.

Toughest part for me is that, although I’m cooking better, I must eat less — only filling three-fourth’s of my stomach’s capacity.

But I was able to effortlessly cut down on my alcohol and caffeine consumption. That’s the nice thing about ayurveda — you can ease your way into it, without forcing it, and without guilt.

*See Steve Pavlina’s shareware analogy.

Ms. McCrady,
Thank you for your report and for noting the identifying information. A copy of your report is being forwarded to management staff responsible for Line 60 for investigation and appropriate follow-up with the operator in question. Please know, once you have noted the bus and/or the operator number, it is sufficient to identify the operator and it is not necessary to ask the operator his or her name.

Again, thank you for your report and please accept our apology for this entire incident.
Metro Customer Relations

Dear MTA Customer Relations,

It happened again. Here is the information that you suggested I gather:

o Shirt sleeve # 34835
o Bus # 5453
o Northbound Line 60
o 7:10 p.m.
o Friday, June 06, 2008
o African-American
o Medium-heavy build
o Wore glasses
o Bus stop at Figueroa and 4th

Standing on the bus stop, I stood up as the bus stopped at the intersection. I raised my arm and waved, but the bus driver didn’t slow down. He instead stayed in the left lane and actually sped up! At that point, I decided to take a stand, angry at the pattern at this bus stop, and the apparent lack of action by the MTA following my earlier complaint letter.

(Yes, I made a spectacle, because apparently that’s what I have to do sometimes to get a bus driver to stop right here.)

Now at this point, the driver did slow down enough for me to hop on, and, as the door opened, I heard he was mumbling something about me.

“I wasn’t gonna stop for her,” he said to no one in particular. “but she ran out into the street.”

I said, “I always have problems getting bus drivers to stop right here.”

He interrupted me angrily and said, “lady, just SIT DOWN!”

Well, I was going to sit down anyway, so I did.

I started to tell him about my earlier complaint letter, and how I was instructed by the MTA customer relations to take down the bus number and other details, but he didn’t want to hear it.

“Lady just stop talking to me!”

Well, I respect the “no unnecessary conversation with the driver” rule, so I stopped. Besides, I’ve witnessed bus drivers kick off riders when they’re angry, and I knew that he had the power at that moment.

In any case, I focused on finding my pen and paper to take down adequate notes.

I wrote down the bus line, time of day, bus number and the number on his shirt. I noted his physical features as well. But I didn’t see a name tag, so I decided to ask.

As I exited the bus I said, “Sir, what’s your name?”

He yelled at me. “Lady, just GET OFF THE BUS!”

I informed him that I needed his name because I intended to report him to the MTA. His response surprised me.

“LADY, I DON’T CARE!”

Well, there you go. If this employee of yours doesn’t care if management hears about his unprofessional behavior, then what can you do? You have a conundrum on your hands — or rather, a loose-cannon employee. I don’t envy the management one bit.

Thank you for taking the time to read this letter. I wish the MTA supervisor luck in dealing with this obstinate employee.

Melinda McCrady

I was at the bus stop, a different one because the other one doesn’t work for me, when this elderly woman came up to me and asked about the Santa Monica bus number 10. I said i didn’t know that one, and then I took a closer look at the bus sign. Seeing that there was no number 10 listed, I told her she was in the wrong place. She didn’t speak much English but she showed me a note with her bus number and the street where she was to catch it.

I asked the next bus driver that came by where it was. She was friendly but a bit unclear. I asked the elderly woman if she understood but she didn’t.

I tried to tell her she was in the wrong place but she didn’t quite understand, indicating she didn’t know English too well. I asked “what language?” and hoped it was either latin, germanic or mandarin. She replied “Farsi, Persian.”

Damn it, I thought. “Sorry, no Farsi,” I said, smiling and shaking my head. So of course I was compelled to walk her to her bus stop. As we approached she expressed much gratitude toward me. Way more than I deserved, as it was no big deal to miss my bus and walk two blocks out of my way. Besides, the sun was setting, and who would want an elderly woman wandering downtown L.A. after sunset?

“Thank you,” she said, and opened her arms to give me a great big hug. Just like a Hispanic woman who hugs you upon first meeting you, if you are within the circle of family.

“My daughter,” she said. “Thank you very much.”

awwww….

I’m putting Farsi on my “languages to learn” list.