The man on the skytrain today

[M!SKA]

You know how you can meet some real characters on public transit?
Today I met probably the most memorable guy.
His name is Tom and he asked to borrow my cell phone so he could call his halfway home. I dialed the number for him and let talk quickly.
He was telling me how he's only been out of prison for a month after 17.5 years behind bars for a murder charge (he walked in his house to find his stepfather on top of his 5 year old sister and he flipped out). He was 15 when it happened.
He's never smoked a cigarette, never been with a woman, never tasted beer, never tried any drugs. He's 32, just started living his life now, and he's so happy about it.
Talking to him for 2 minutes reminded me just how lucky we all are.

[Ragga_Wh0re]

/\amazing how someone elses grief can humble you

[Rayeine]

It makes you think, definatley

[Magi]

That's very touching. :) I am moved.

[bebu*funfun]

haha i just got goosebumps..
thats amazing..starting your life at 32.. we are all really lucky ppl. dont take life for granted..i remind myself that almost every day now.

[Rytalin]

so he got pretty much a life sentence when he was 15?


that sounds rather odd.

[M!SKA]

It was 17.5 years ago.
Things have changed a little since then.
Such as the creation young offenders act I believe?

[Kandyapple]

wow really makes you stop and think eh.
its good to have something like that get the point through how fortunate we all are.

[Lostcause]

wow....Im going to restart my life at 32.

[Chet]

thats pretty intense
makes you think about all the shit he has seen and all the good he has missed out on

[Kelster]

nice, i want to meet a murderer

mind you, people like to lie and make up stories to make time pass quicker

[Courtney]

I love talking to strangers on the bus!
I make a new friend even if it's for 5 minutes
Hearing other peoples life experiences and stories is something i love so much! I wish everyone was as open and honest as the random people i've talked to on public transit

[Joanne]

sorry to digress... but 17 years for that?

I don't know how the law worked 17 years ago, but any good defense counsel should've argued that he killed his stepfather in self-defense or at the very LEAST fought for the charge of manslaughter (I believe the maximum sentence is 10 years)...

maybe I'm just a pessmist, but either the law totally worked against this guy or that guy might be BSing....

--Joanne :P

[M!SKA]

^ all i know is that I saw his photo ID card that he has to wear from Matsqui Institution.
I didn't ask any questions about WHY he was in prison.. I didn't think it was appropriate.

[sweet~kandy]

Thats crazy... Yea we are quite lucky

[sNyx]

wow, pretty insane miska. the troubles some of us have seen eh?

wow. makes ya think..

[Partizan]

thats pretty amazing miska..

what pisses me off about people now a days is when someone walks past u and u say HI! and they jusy ignore u .. no wonder the world is as fucked up as it is .. the only nice ppl are the ppl at raves.. especially the ones on E .. so peacefull and friendly

[omnirecords]

that actually reminds me of a story a friend of mine told me...

in some parts of rural germany, it's considered an insult to not say hello to everyone you see on the street.

[MissZiggy]

Download '38 years old' by Tragically Hip.

[frogprincess]

Originally posted by MissZiggy
Download '38 years old' by Tragically Hip.

i was going to say the samething

that song gives me goose pimples