March 11, 2003
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sigh, step, sigh, step
He sidesteps and ducks with little visible movement, dodging the subtle jabs and pokes of oncoming walkers, avoiding the swing of jingling doors, tiptoeing along garden sidewalks, slipping through openings with the minimal touch of cotton to cotton. Like any other native city dweller, he’s learned to casually avert his eyes from the twitching loners and unkempt, toothless grins of bagladies and sleepy drunks. A stocky, smiling man, he threads the crowd with aplomb, walking in that determined but still casual, sauntering way. It’s an affected walk that usually serves him well – a gait often mistaken for quiet confidence or brooding wisdom – doing wonders with a certain type of woman. No fratboy cool here, just feet steady and thoughtful, accompanied by unblinking eyes that seem to see book irony or when tired, boyish amusement in everything. Still, reaching the stairs, book in hand, he has none of it. The air markedly warmer than a few hours back, he draws his collar, wipes his furrowed brow, slicks his quietly receding hair and raps quickly – lest he think too much – on the door. Moment of truth: feign a bold smile and say a simple hello or make a run for the hills, arms flailing. His joshing friends would laugh either way, their constant ribbing a steady drum for the backdrop of life.
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A picture to make you smile. Rock n Roll sue les Quais de Paris (Paul Almasy)
Had dinner @ Hop Li, a Chinese restaurant a block from the Westside Pavilion with Dale, Sam, Anna (my bro’s lady friend), and David (his roommate). It was good! The food was mighty tasty – two thumbs up. The glazed walnut shrimp is money. Also, it was good to see all of them. I like Anna; I’m glad for my brother.
A Thought: for some reason, I’ve always rooted for Jake Plummer. I know his past numbers haven’t been great but I think good things are going to happen in Denver. He’s mobile and he’s been scrappy in Arizona even when things were looking ugly… often.
click! Matt11:28
Comments (4)
Your picture does make me smile. So does your story above. I love the visuals it creates for me. I can just imagine this guy, or pin this description to one of the people on the street (or in a pedway more often) that I see everyday and wonder what is happening between those two ears.
Glad the restaurant turned out well (and that your bro’s ladyfriend got the nod!).
write a book, kind sir!
BW
dp, did u know that u can change ur time setting on xanga??? is ur story about u? except for the receding hair … =)
lalala: I’m glad for the smiles! I love surmising on the innerworkings of the Regular Joes and Janes passing by each day. Sometimes, we forget that people are people, rather than just the background for our daily lives. I love the word, pedway. I’ll start using it out here.
BW: Thanks for all your compliments. I’m actually entering one of my poems in a few contests. I’ll let you know what happens. Book? Shoot. I need more refinement but that’s something for Somewhere Down the Road. *smile
Aesin: No, Aesin. INCLUDING the receding hair… Ever so slowly, it creeps up on a man. I’m safe for now but I better snag a bride before it’s too late. I suppose there’s a bit of me in everything I write. haha