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Sitting around pretending to be alone

Well, I knew this was a mistake.

I thought, hey, I've got a chance for some alone time, some time maybe to write a blog post. I know, I'll head to Bagel Central and suck down a cup of coffee and an Orangina and maybe think some thoughts, maybe write some stuff.

I've had a lot on my mind. I thought I might have a moment to put some things in perspective, pound out some of the things that have been preying on my mind.

First thing I notice, an old boyfriend. It's been such a long time it's no big deal, but whenever I see him I always think, oh, right. Hello, old boyfriend.

The second thing that smacks me upside the head once I find a nice open little table to settle is that one of the ladies sitting directly in front of me is LOUD.

One of the things I really hate, and by hate I mean FUCKING HATEHATEHATEHATE GODDAMN IT!!!!!  sorry, one of the things that sort of peeves me ever so slightly, people who talk so fucking loud you can't hear yourself think, because they think what they are saying is SOOOOO important, funny, profound or whatever that they will generously ensure that everyone with in a 1/4 mile radius can hear them.

There is a bearded fellow sitting pretty close by who is audible above the din, but he's not intentionally so, it's just that his voice has a deep timbre, he has a good laugh too, and he's not grandstanding, so while I am distracted by the sound of him, I'm not distracted further by my irritation.

Have you ever noticed that people who understand that talking too loudly in a public place isn't cool start to talk even more quietly than necessary almost in an effort to subtly influence their companion, as though the various volumes of their conversation will be averaged together and in the end when all is said and done their combined decibel level will fall within acceptable limits?

The loud lady and her quiet companion have left, thank the gods, to be replaced by a couple young women younger than myself who murmur conspiratorially to one another over onion bagels and lox. I hear one say snidely "God, Bangor is weird." a few moments later the other says, "Don't be so hateful" in a tone that says, tell me more, you delightfully hateful friend.

The fellow with the beard and the gorgeous voice has gone too.

A rather nutty woman with a little one has arrived, she's really not functioning in a regular way, she's loud and panicked looking. I worry for her little guy. Everything about her demeanor says she's not well, and she's making a big deal out of being The MOM, she's talking to her son in a tone loud enough for all to hear, telling him things she wants us all to know. She's at turns over stern  and over loving. His life must be a roller coaster.
She's practically shouting and then the pathetic irony when her 2 year old hollers the way all 2 year olds do. Shouting Mommy shouts, Camden! Inside voice!

It occurs to me that I've found the table located over the heat vent. The quality of the warmth is like dog breath and under other circumstances, say if I was sitting with my best dog friend, it might be a comfort. However my anxiety is pretty high anyhow, the surroundings don't really lend themselves to soothing or calm, and I sadly have a way of sweating profusely when I'm nervous. So, location location location my location is less than fab, I've got my nervous sweating and now totally legit overheated sweating going on too.

I'm glad I remembered my deodorant.

This may be the theme of my post today. What? What is the theme of my post?

It's not the deodorant thing, although others have proven the subject a worthy one for an entertaining blog post, but the theme for me today is we are always part of the daily chaos whether we participate or observe, and maybe I'm reminded too of the myth of solitude, we're all connected we're never really alone. That and the fact that our voices carry.


Comments

Amanda Morin said…
Have you ever noticed that when you're in a place like Bagel Central and there are two people sitting at a table, it's usually one of them who does most of the talking? And oftentimes the "talkee" is not very taken in by the "talker," which only makes him try harder? Keep an eye on that next time. It's very amusing to watch.

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