Ace Train 13: Diridon Station

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diridon_Station

The Diridon Station was originally called the Cahill Station when it opened in 1936 (the cornerstone says 1936.)  It was renamed Diridon Station for county board member Rod Diridon (who I met once) when is was remodeled in 1994.  Even after this remodeling was the addition of the light rail, which in fact goes underneath the station.  One day when I was early I stayed on the light rail and road it under the station to the next stop.  The station serves Caltrain, Amtrack and ACE, with the Light Rail having tracks behind.  They are adding lines, perhaps for the BART or for the speed train from L.A.  I shoed this construction in a earlier photo, and it seems to be almost done.

Mal Educado--Bad Manners

I take public transportation to and from work.  When I first took the bus, and train I lived in Argentina, and there was a decorum to the way you treated others.  Often the buses, called Colectivos, were crowded.  If there was a parent with child, you gave up your seat.  If there was someone elderly,you gave up your seat.  If there was a woman, your gave up your seat.  There was an understood hierarchy. If you didn't follow this understood practice, you were a mal educado.

I have noticed that people in the U.S. have not learn these basic rules of decency.  In fact, everyone seems to be doing their best to make sure no one sits beside them.  Most buses have two seats to a row.  People will put their bag on the seat, or sit on the outside so a new passenger has to crawl over them.  On the train it is funny to watch some passengers take not only the seat next to them, but also one across from them.  Sometimes on the light rail, the bench seats which are for three people, are taken by one person lying down.  I try to ignore people poor manners.

On the light rail the other day, a couple with a child in stroller boarded the light rail.  I tried to give them my seat by standing up.  You don't always signal to them because that can cause embarrassment.  Anyway, a young man quickly sat down there before they had a chance.  I travel with a bunch of rude people.  Of course not all fit in this group, but many do.  There are those who stand giving others the opportunity to sit.  Today, my faith was actually restored to a degree.  A young woman stood up, and provided her seat to an older woman.  I felt good seeing that there are young people who do understand.  I just wish there were more.

Movie Night: **^The Mill on the Floss; ****While You Were Sleeping

The movie "The Mill on the Floss" has a totally unexpected ending.  It was of the true romantic character, and I'm not sure if I like it; in fact I'm pretty sure I don't.  If you like movies that end in a way totally unexpected, then you would enjoy this movie.  This movie depicts the love interests of Maggie, and her relationship with her brother.  Maggie is portrayed by Emily Watson, not Emma Watson.   However Emily Watson is a very good actress as well.  I think that is why I picked it in the first place, hoping to see Emma Watson. I watched it on Netflix Instant.  I personally didn't care for the ending.

Maggie's first love is a young man with a hunch back.  He is an artist.  However he is also the son of the family's hated enemy, and her father, and brother after he passes away, refuse to the relationship.  She then falls for her cousin's boyfriend, and they run off together, and then she repents and goes back.  Because of family disgrace, her brother does not want to see her, and that leads us to the ending which I will not divulge.

The other movie, "While You Were Sleeping" is from our personal VHS library, and has Sandra Bullock in it.  This movie is very enjoyable.  Sandra ends up being taken for the fiance of a man she has a crush on, but has never met, whose life she saves at the rail station where she works.  He is in a coma, and in the mean time is taken in by his family.  This puts her in line with his brother, with whom she falls in love.  I really like Sandra Bullock, and this movie really displays her charm.  She is an incredible actress, when given the right venue, and this story is a true romantic comedy.

Last Weekend: South First Friday and San Joaquin City

I convinced Sheri to come and pick me up in San Jose this last weekend.  My goal was to visit the Quilt and Textile museum, and convinced her to do this by suggesting a visit with Jesse.  Jesse has gotten so tall over the past few months, and he is starting to talk.  He says, don't like it, don't want it, open it (of course these are one word statements), hi, truck, yea, and a bunch more words.  He is no longer our baby.  Sheri got him a tractor, "truck" for his birthday.  That's right; Jesse is now two.  We went to the **^Burrito factory.  I had a big burrito instead of tacos which I usually have.  It was satisfactory but nothing to be excited about.  I like their salsas, but I think I would have preferred McDonalds. 

We went to the South First Fridays.  This is the first Friday of every month, many of the art galleries, mostly along South First Street, are open and displaying art work.  We visited the Textile museum.  (No pictures as their was a sign saying take no pictures.)  The exhibit was much different than last time.  Last time there were many needle point exhibits.   This time it was mostly quilts.  The combination of colors was very interesting.  I liked a baby quilt which was many different pastel colors.  Tony, who was with us, liked a quilt with different colors of red.  Sheri preferred a quilt with traditional stars.

We also visited a pottery studio.  There was a man demonstrating on the wheel. He had a very large mustache.  It was incredible to me how he could push on the inside, and make the pot bigger.  He was using a tool like a broken C.D. with which to push.  We looked at the displays, which seemed to be professional work, as well as the student's work.  Tony really enjoyed it, and asked me to go around again.  In fact he asked me to go around five times, but I only did two.  I was worried about Tony seeing a naked bust which was part of someone's work.

I also got to San Joaquin City this past weekend.  This is an old river port town of 1500, which is no longer there. It was on the San Joaquin River.  I went to seen the plaque, but the plaque is no longer there as someone stole it several years ago. 

Saturday, Sheri sent me to Winco's.  I really like that store.  They have lots of bulk items.  Miranda went as well as she wanted to practice her driving.  They had many good deals, but not everything is a good price.  You have to work at shopping.

Sunday was church, and choir practice.  We, as a stake choir, are singing the Sunday after Thanksgiving.

MovienIGHT: ****^Sense and Sensibility

Last night I had an enjoyable time watching the Columbia pictures Sense and Sensibility (1995) via instant Netflix.  This last week I also watched the newer Masterpiece Theater version (2009) from home delivery Netflix.  Miranda pointed out that the original version has five actors from the Harry Potter movies--Snape, Professor Trelawney, Madame Pomfrey, Dolores Umbridge and Cornelius Fudge.  On the other hand the new version only has Mr. Weasley.  On that score alone, I recommend the 1995 version.  The characters are fun, and the acting is superb.  The new version, although entertaining, just lacks the same character.  It tries to add sensuality, especially in the first scene, but it really doesn't fit.

So for the 1995 version, which had me in stitches.  Remember, this movie was made at the start of many of these careers.  Turns out Dolores Umbridge is married to Dr. House, who has the attitude you would expect Dr. House to have.  His sarcasm and wit is just as biting as in his future work.  I found it pleasing that Dolores was getting her pay back, after all she put Harry through.  It was fun to view this way.  In addition, Professor Trelawney loves Hugh Grant, And Snape loves Kate Winslett.  What could be funner than that?  The highlight of this movie is when Elinor (Emma Thompson) discovers that Edward (Hugh Grant) is not married.  She breaks into tears in front of  him.  It is a moving scene, and the humor of her collapse adds to it greatly.  I thoroughly enjoyed myself.   This moving kept me entertained from start to finish.   Mrs. Jennings and Sir John do an excellent job of teasing and needling the girls, and they make the movie fun while not taking itself too seriously.

So I heartily recommend the 1995 version, and don't recommend quite so much the 2009 version.