The Romanized version of Tao can be spelled Dao. I did this to be alliterative to my name as Driver Doug. Below is a link to my artist writer YouTube channel now updated from the Dao of Doug and rail transit blog to Walks on Waikiki –videos about walking, transit, and bikes.
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Night Park
When we bring our coach to rest in the yard, we are to log off on our radio and secure our coach. It’s interesting how sloppy we can get in doing this after a long day. I pulled-in last night with rain in the forecast and did not see the tale tell parking lights on …
Leading Green
The Hampton Roads area by the Chesapeake Bay has a nice sign under its signals. The sign below an overhead signal is marked Leading Green, or Delayed Green. This signals to motorists who gets to turn first or last at a major intersection of four lanes or more, and with a four or six way …
The Complaint Department
Is closed. Or so I was told every time I entered the tower at Potrero by the lead shop man whenever I had to pull-in. Perhaps this message stemmed from the incident with the dirty filter I had on my bus when I pulled in one night. The clasp holding the grille that protects the …
Tagging the Coach
I came back from the bathroom at City College, and saw a young man running away from the front of my bus. He still had an aerosol paint can in his hand as he ran. I knew I had less than 15 seconds to capture the image. I ran to the front door, pried it …
Use a Black Pen
Describe something you learned in high school. I learned not to use a different colored pencil when filling out an alcohol drug survey in math class. Ms. All-rabid started failing me on quizzes when she realized what I had done wrong by drinking beer and smoking pot and cigarettes several times a week-according to my …
Tree Trimming
Thanks for your service, In the middle: Noticed very little, By the by, Many in the Cars, The Trucks, the Buses, Have passed you on the way: To bars And you stood quietly, Giving us fresh air, As we didn’t seem to care,, Now that you are bare, More aware, Of your trunks, and your …
A Rose by any Name
One of the subtle aspects of joy about being a transit operator are the many people we see on a regular basis. We may never talk to them or get to know their name. They inadvertently become a part of my friends and acquaintance list, even though I have no written list, or what would …
Rider Alert
Nothing is more disconcerting than seeing people waiting for a streetcar that isn’t coming. Especially in the afternoon when the fog is rolling in and visitors are caught in shorts and without jackets. If you plan to visit San Francisco between the Fourth of July and Labor Day, prepare for early spring/winter conditions. Even though …
Welcome to my collection of Stories: CAR CLEANERS
I am sure these coworkers have stories to tell! I can only imagine what sorts of things they have had to pick up, wipe up, or mop up in their day. If there be any sequel to this missive, I am sure the experience of a graffiti cleaner, a floor sweeper, or those that pick …
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