Tag: boston

i’m still attempting to talk to strangers … details on why.

it was a sunday afternoon and i was enjoying the benefits of a casual weekend dress code, i.e. i was wearing workout clothes since i had just done a neighborhood run ending at the grocery store which was next on my weekend to do list.

the line for the checkout was long and the cashier was quite chatty with each customer, but i was in no particular hurry.

the woman in front of me (to cashier): my, you’re a wonderful salesman.

cashier: *beams* thank you. i try.

off she went and on went my groceries to be scanned.

cashier (to me): hi. how are you?

me: *noticed he’s still beaming from previous customer’s compliment* i’m good. you?

cashier: fine, thanks.

he made some general remarks about my food purchases, but the rest of the transaction was smooth and painless. as i was loading up the bags onto my arms in preparation for the walk home, he flung out one last comment.

cashier: i just noticed your shirt. are you going professional?

me: *looks at t-shirt logo which says BWLA (boston women’s lacrosse association)* oh, no, this is from a summer pick up league. besides, there isn’t such a thing as professional women’s lacrosse.

cashier: oh, huh. well, could have fooled me.

me: *smiles* thanks!

cashier: have a good day.

me: thanks, you too.

off i went, bogged down by my weekly groceries and my sweaty workout clothes, not feeling particularly professional about anything, but delighted because someone thought i was.

i’m talking with strangers … details on why.

it was a gorgeous summer evening and i was enjoying it on the walk home. i wasn’t the only one taking advantage of the nice weather, as there were tons of boats out on the water. most were far, sailing merrily in the evening.

but one was close. so close in fact, i made eye contact with one of the two guys in the boat. we both did a double take as we realized we were both looking.

me: *waves*

boy #1: come on down!

me: *smiles*

boy #2: *mouth forms words but i can’t hear them over my ipod.*

me: *removes earbuds* what?

boy#2: i’ll catch you.

me: oh, i bet you would. *laughs* you boys have a nice evening now.

they continued to sail along side me as i crossed the river. i enjoyed their company and their bravado and couldn’t help but wonder what really would have happened if i had said “okay” and jumped?

i’m talking with some strangers … here’s why,

i was in the righthand lane and a big truck was in the left. we were both stopped at a red light. with green, i pressed the accelerator, as did the guy to the left of me.

the next thing i knew, he was veering into my lane. in a slight panic, i removed my foot from the gas and left it off both pedals as i attempted to assess the situation, i.e. guess what the F he was doing in that much bigger car than mine.

the night time temperatures were lovely and as such, i had my windows rolled down. there was nothing on the radio but commercials, so i had turned it off.

him: “sorry!”

it was soft, but unexpected as it floated through my open window and he jerked his car back into his lane and blessedly away from mine. one doesn’t expect to have a conversation with the driver of another car whilst driving, but i will admit, the recognition and admittance of his poor driving skills was appreciated, not to mention, i was super glad to have my car untouched and able to zoom off into the night.

i’m speaking with some strangers … here’s why,

as i approached the street corner, i noticed a girl facing away from the road, looking confused.

her: can i ask you a question?

me: sure.

her: how do i get to massachusetts avenue?

me: *thinks to self if the accent didn’t give her away, her not calling it mass ave would have.* *also thinks to self, ummm* umm, if you follow this road straight *points* you’ll hit mass ave on your right.

biker pulled over due to red light: well, which part of mass ave do you want?

her: the 1000s.

me: *gulps*

biker: oh, you want to keep going up mem drive to that street light up there, turn left and it’ll intersect with mass ave. you might hit mt. auburn first, but keep going.

her: *looks at both of us* great. thank you!

me: *looks at biker* thank you!!!

i was grateful to be saved by someone who had a better sense of direction, but, truth be told, i was a bit bummed to have missed my walk signal at this very busy intersection, although, if the worst that came out of this is that i had to wait, i’d take it. i’d rather that than giving someone the wrong set of directions (which, despite the amount of time i’ve lived here, has happened. curse my lack of sense of direction!)