- EMMO
Special to The Lampoon
Named after former Pittsburgh Steeler running back and Hall-of-Famer Jerome “The Bus” Bettis, Jerome Thestreets, better known as “the drunk bus,” quit unexpectedly from his position as the weekend nighttime transportation at Fredonia.
“I’m tired of it! Too many nights I’ve dealt with barely-conscious idiots stumbling, yelling and spilling food and God-knows-what all over my floor and seats. And not once do I ever get a ‘thank you,’” a frustrated Thestreets grumbled.
According to Thestreets, constant stress, poor working conditions and a “total lack of gratitude” from the students of Fredonia caused him to run “completely out of gas.”
“I’m not one to just roll out like that, but a bus can only take so much before it blows a gasket.”
Since leaving the drunk bus position, Thestreets said he has a lot more spare time to pursue his passion — painting.
“Mostly I do oil painting,” said Thestreets. “Lately, I’ve been getting really into impressionism and even more specifically, I admire pointillism.”
Thestreets said he mainly takes inspiration from the likes of Monet, Van Gogh and Seurat. He has been learning how to paint through online tutorials and some wine-and-paint events throughout Western New York.
“My dream was to go to art school, but my parents never supported me. My father was traditional and wanted me to follow his tread marks in public transportation. I resisted, but eventually caved in because I needed the money.
“I know it’s not what [my father] would have wanted,” continued Thestreets, “but I need to do what makes me happy.”
Three years ago, his father, Vincent, passed away due to transmission complications — a tragedy Thestreets said is too difficult to talk about.
He said he contacted Fredonia art professors to sit in on some of the art classes here at Fredonia, but was declined.
With the money he’s saved up working the night shift, Thestreets has considered enrolling in a couple painting courses in the Spring.