Posted on Sept. 25 at 12:15 p.m.

This morning, I caught a ride on the No.65-Grand, and found myself on a relatively full bus.  There were at least 6 or 7 standees, including me. Waay in the back, was a Trib colleage, whom I shall reveal later in this transit tale.   After a few stops, I noticed an older man standing there with his suitcase, looking a bit defeated and maybe even tired. His back was to me. A seat opened and he didn't take it, so I did, but then felt bad. At the back of the bus, another seat had opened up.

Me: Excuse me, sir?  Would you like this seat? 

Him: Do I look that old?

Me: (in mind) Dayum! 

Turns out it was worse than I thought.  Political reporter and CLTV star Carlos Hernandez Gomez happened to be on the same bus, but in the back.  When we hopped out to head to Trib Tower, Carlos jokingly asked if I'd been flirting with the gentleman.

Me: No, of course not!  I offered him my seat and he was snippy with me.

Carlos: That was Burton Natarus.

Me: Get. Out.

Carlos should be glad I didn't channel Elaine from "Seinfeld" and shove him clear across the sidewalk.  I have spoken to former Alderman Natarus before, and should have known it was him from the growly voice and jowls, but I was distracted by my failed attempt at CTA civility. Plus, he never looked me straight in the face.

Yipes!  So wherever you are, Natarus, no...you don't look that old.  But the next time someone offers you a seat, take it, sir.  I know it's not the city council seat you want, but it's a seat nonetheless.

And he wonders why he lost last year;-) What a jerk. He and my former alderman, Dorothy Tillman (another jerk), must have gone to the same charm school.

why is it that so many routes have to end and pick up at the 95th state station its to crowded and not to mention the the greyhound bus station and then people complain about the crowd but how can we avoid it people just want to get home what ever happened to extending the red line

"GP" says: Hi there! Well, the Red Line extension is in the first step of the first phase of a five-step process. The CTA has told me it could be decades when and if we see an extension. The CTA is competing with mass transit agencies all over the nation for federal dollars to complete that and several other potential extensions, including Yellow, Orange, and the new Circle Line. So, I feel you on the crowded conditions at 95th, but we shouldn't hold our breath waiting for a longer line on the South Side.

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