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Tonight

I am going downtown tonight with the air I am a serious college student, who volunteers at the college's library once a week. On Saturday mornings. This is not who I really am. I go with the attitude it is 1983. I comb and style my always messy hair so it will messily none-the-less, flow..
My nose got a little sun today. This is where the idea originated.
It is 7 p.m. when I go.
I have freckles.
That is my attitude.
This is what happens:

Downtown feels weird. It is quiet here. I do not know this downtown.
People are in various forms of dress. Been here all day or Going to be here all night. But all the clothes are casual.
There is a light breeze. Car windows are open.
The usual bustle of downtown has transformed itself into a small town downtown.
I go to my usual coffee shop.
It is closed. Surreal. Closed?
Well, there is another one a few blocks over. I can take many different ways to get there. I just follow the feel of little town until I get there...

I decide to sit and drink some of my coffee on a planter. A woman and a man soon almost join me on the other one. They are on a date but they have known each other for awhile.
Still, she is telling him too much.
Doomed.
Besides, she has an earring in her chin. He never will...

I am on a set of steps when a 45 year old man walks up to me. I do not have the cigarette he wants.
We start talking. It is about religion.
It is a good conversation.
He is a man who is really just a smart drunk who has spent a long time thinking about AA. He will be a success story when he finally goes.
When he walks away, I think about my convictions...

I am on a bench at the market across from the new entertainment centre. I have my camera in my hand.
A teacher-ly type man is leaving the market.
I point across the road.
A new large TV screen has been put up in front of the centre.
"Look at our mini Times Square," I say to him.
We chat for 15 minutes.
I shake my head at the TV screen.
Culture for the new millennium. I do not find personal beauty in it.
But the group of 15 year old boys sitting on another bench across the road watching it do...

I am walking down the main street and I cannot believe my eyes!
I see an old friend I have not seen in years standing outside a small bar, having a cigarette.
We both cannot believe it.
We decide to go in and we have a quick drink.
We reminisce about old times.
About who we have seen. Who we have not.
We laugh.
After half an hour, I decide to let her get back to the friends she has come with.
It was nice seeing each other and we exchange numbers, but know we will not likely call...

I step outside the bar and realize this is the time I should be heading home.
I can feel a pen in my pocket. I look down and reach to get it. The pen has leaked and there is a bit of ink on my jeans. I smile.
I am such a geek...

Comments

Anonymous said…
It's so much fun to be a geek. Then you can do whatever you want and you don't need any excuses.
Sunday, 13 June 2004 at 21:45:00 GMT-4
Queenie said…
Can you remember the last time we even thought about being cool?
Sunday, 13 June 2004 at 22:03:00 GMT-4
AJ in Nashville said…
One word: delightful.

Thank you Beth. Your blog is a gem.

:)
Monday, 14 June 2004 at 04:39:00 GMT-4
Queenie said…
Thank you AJ. I am so awfully delighted by your comments, too. Thank you for taking yout time.
Monday, 14 June 2004 at 07:30:00 GMT-4
Anonymous said…
geeks rule these days...dont u think? :)
Monday, 14 June 2004 at 18:16:00 GMT-4
Queenie said…
I could not stand myself any other way.
Monday, 14 June 2004 at 19:43:00 GMT-4
Anonymous said…
^^that was me by the way. thanks for coming by -- sparks
Tuesday, 15 June 2004 at 23:05:00 GMT-4
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