3 Aug, 2003
overheard
There are leaners out there in the world. Always leaning too close, on the bus, on the Metro, pushing their heads and backpacks into your chest and face, stopping you from breathing.
Sometimes they’re fidgeters in disguise, reaching into their pockets, thrusting their arms and legs like wayward rockets, pretending they don’t see you in their path.
There are also:
- gum-chompers
- agitated yellers
- sorority gigglers
- dancing drunkards
- the swayers
- the standers
- the surly faced
- the pretentious space-takers
- the umbrella spinners,
- the heavy sprawlers.
I long for peace, still-sitting, gentle-speaking buses filled with zen and calm and space.
18 Feb, 2003
overheard writing
“yeah but it still doesn’t work”
“Jeff? Yeah, I got something for you. Monday, Monday.”
“I’m getting a message that it’s been resolved. Yeah, yeah, but, it hasn’t.”
“to protect our side as much as the other… so maybe if we agressively market, on all three, right close on all three places…”
“hello yes, how are you? Yes, may I speak with Meg? Yes, Megan. Meg.
Hi Baby, how are you. yes, everything is fine. Well once we got to explain it to them. Well no, no, but once we got to explain it to them, I got a really good feeling. Well yah, no, not really. Yeah. yeah. Okay.”
17 Oct, 2002
writing
Joserra’s story (my tour guide on a hike through the Basque Country, 2002)
This man, he was called Greg Smith, and his wife was very beautiful and he said that he wanted to run with the bulls, how could I help him sign up for that, and would I do it, too?
I did not want to do it but he, the man, Greg Smith, says his wife will not let him, but if I say yes, then we both can go. So I agree, but… a disgusting feeling was growing.
on the day of the running, i see greg smith and his wife, standing very close. I think she is giving him a goodbye kiss but no, he says to me, “Josera, I’m very sorry, but my wife says I can’t go.”
So that is how I ran with the bulls, by myself.
Well, that is neither here nor there.
Do you know of a band called the J. Giles Band? I think that this is the most excellent American band.
