Listening
Sometimes, I draw a blank about what scene to add or what dialogue to insert. So I pull from observations and infuse those. I often note things for “later.” I thought I’d share some notes/proverbs that I’ll probably never use. I have this friend, we’ll call her A, and for the past 5 years of our 17 year friendship, I wrote down some of her memorable quotes.
Note: These were all compiled from different years and different conversations. I got her permission to share these.
A: “I introduce people to other people so I don’t have to deal with them.”
A: “Sorry I was in the bathroom looking at my scalp.”
A: “I don’t wish her any ill will but, I’m not emotionally invested in her.”
K: How’s work?
A: “If I could burn calories just rolling my eyes at work I’d probably be really skinny. Tomorrow I’ll count how many times I rolled my eyes.”
K: “You know she does ketamine…”
A: “Why doesn’t she just take melatonin?”
Talking about members of Congress:
A:“Yeah we need more young people of color, these white guys are old. They need to go.” *claps hands
Talking about her friend who gave birth and got a 4th degree vaginal tear:
A: “Yeah, I had to sit down when she told me that. All I could say was ‘I heard frozen pads are a miracle.’”
K: “How are you?”
A: “Honestly, I’ve been better. I’d rather talk about you.”
A: “Netflix Christmas movies are not that terrible.”
A: “My dad just told my sister to put vaseline on her face.”
A: “I can’t wait to be a nobody.”
Last Thursday, I biked to the US Capitol on January 6th, exactly a year after the insurrection riot occurred. Before I left, Adam warned me to be careful. I said, “POTUS will be there. It’ll be the safest place in the city.”
It was 29 degrees out so I wore a cap underneath my helmet thinking it would trap my head heat. It didn’t. After crossing the street, I hopped off my bike and walked towards two US Capitol police officers (one woman, one man). They looked at me accusatory-like because I was interrupting their conversation. We were far apart when they both said, “No. Nope.” “What, no bikes allowed?” “No. Nope.” and with a finger, pointed me over to the side and continued their conversation. Later, I saw the female officer applying chapstick very liberally on her lips. For Joe? All jokes aside, I respect those officers as I’ve always seen them vigilant, keeping watch and yelling at tourists who don’t know that the glass panels are OFF LIMITS.
I listened to VP Harris and President Biden’s speech live on Youtube. The flag was at half mast and a glum sky hung over the capitol. Many runners passed me on their morning loop around the capitol. “Oh that’s the motorcade. POTUS?” one asked the other. They’d seen it all before. After Pres. Joe reflected on the lack of inaction of the previous pres and the subsequent misinformation surrounding the event, he emphasized the importance of unity in a time when countries like Russia and China scoff at democracy.
Then I saw VP Harris walk out of the capitol like a BO$$ in her pantsuit followed by POTUS and a line of 30+ vehicles. Police motorcycles, black tinted suburbans, two black Cadillac limos with flags in the front, secret service vans, press vans, ambulances etc. I biked home, told A about seeing them and she said, “Did u say hi”
