A Nice Night for a Stroll

[AFK]

I was walking down Main Street as I like to do from time to time.  It feels good to stretch one's legs.  And I like to enjoy a well crafted cup of Joe, and they brew some mighty find brew at Annie's Corner Diner.  Indeed it was yet again the ultimate destination of this nights jaunt.

I entered the diner and sat at my usual stool.  I ordered the joe with a slab of Annie's famous French Apple Pie.  As I waited for my order, a gentleman came in and sat a couple of stools over.  It was someone I had not seen before.  At least, I hadn't seen him in this particular establishment.  

"The name is Don.  Pleased to meet your acquaintance."

I proceeded to introduce myself.

"I heard the coffee here was good, and not too expensive.  I don't have a lot on me right now and I really could use me some good Joe."

"It's pretty good." I said.  "Don't put too much sugar in it though, it ruins the character."

"Is that what happened to this town?", he asked.

"I'm sorry."

"Did someone dump an assload of sugar on this town?  Is that how it lost all of its character?"

"Maybe.", I chuckled.  

"I remember back in the day when this place had real character.  It wasn't just a dot on a map.  It was a destination.  It was where you came to meet people.  Interesting people.  Not just some sack of meat filling up space.  You'd meet the sort of person that left a mark on you.  The sort of person you think of every now and again and wonder, "Where is that guy!  What's he up to?"  You know what I mean?"

"Yeah, I think I do.  I used to live in one of those places too.  Had to leave it though.  No work."

"Too right brother.  That's what happened to this town.  Local economy went to shit and everyone just up and left.  Can't blame them.  A family's got to eat.  I'd have left too if I could have."

"Oh, you live here?" I asked.  "Where?"

"Oh, it's just a little place I have nearby.  A place with a great view of the river.  I've lived there for quite a few years now.  I've been hoping to upgrade and find a place that's a bit bigger.  But, it does the trick for now."

"I understand.  I know what you mean.  I'm in that spot too.  Where is your place?"

"On your way here did you happen to notice that old cobbler's shop on the corner of Main and Fifth?"  he queried.

"Yeah, I think I remember it.  It had a bunch of big cardboard boxes next to it." I recalled.  

"That's the place.  That's where I hang my hat these days."

"The old cobbler's shop?  Really?  That's cool."

"No." he replied.  "I live in the boxes."

The rest of my time was spent in a cold, awkward silence.  We both sipped on our coffee.  I ordered him a slab of the pie to go along with the joe.  He seemed to enjoy it.  We then both quietly left and went our separate ways.

The moon was very bright in the crisp fall sky.  Tomorrow should be pleasant too.  

[Doktor Howl]

This is awesome.

Dok,
Thinks one of those PD periods is rolling around again.

[Adios]

Damn, gave me chills. Well done.

[LMNO]

Yeah, man.  Good shit.


I dig the pacing.

[AFK]

Props to Bradbury whom I think I channeled (sans the sci-fi) a bit in that piece. 

[Doktor Howl]

Props to Bradbury whom I think I channeled (sans the sci-fi) a bit in that piece. 

S'ok.  I "channel" Ellis, Mencken, Thompson, and Clemmens all the fucking time.

Taking a bite out of someone's style = okay, as you develop your own.

Taking a bite out of their actual text = not so much.

[Luna]

Awesome work, this.

[Cardinal Pizza Deliverance.]

Nicely done.

[Mesozoic Mister Nigel]

Very well-done.

[East Coast Hustle]

Excellent stuff. All the more poignant for me since I'm fairly well familiar with where you're writing about.

[Dysfunctional Cunt]

NIIIIIICE!!!

[AFK]

Excellent stuff. All the more poignant for me since I'm fairly well familiar with where you're writing about.

Character is so important.  As an old fart who is getting older it is easy for me to sound like some jaded soul pining for the golden days.  But I feel that I can objectively observe that our society is losing character.  And that our kids don't have the same opportunities to know characters, to be characters, to build character.

Sure, our schools probably throw out some Hallmark "build character" slogan, but I question how genuine it may be.  It can come off simply as another, "just don't act weird" caution.  

But our kids need the weird.  They desperately need the weird.  I would not be me if I had not experienced the weird.  If my parents didn't allow me to explore my weirdness, and to hang out with the other weirdos.  You can be weird and still be safe.  Indeed, I think safety is what can be harmful.

Yes because "be safe" can be take way too far afield.  It can translate into cookie cutter existence.  That you always need to wear a helmet and be wrapped in bubble wrap when walking through life.  Indeed, the world can be dangerous and it is important for our kids to keep their wits about them.  But to strip them of character, to insulate them from the weird, to isolate them from that which may have a slightly different beat.....that's not safety.

That's suffocation.

[Adios]

Excellent stuff. All the more poignant for me since I'm fairly well familiar with where you're writing about.

Character is so important.  As an old fart who is getting older it is easy for me to sound like some jaded soul pining for the golden days.  But I feel that I can objectively observe that our society is losing character.  And that our kids don't have the same opportunities to know characters, to be characters, to build character.

Sure, our schools probably throw out some Hallmark "build character" slogan, but I question how genuine it may be.  It can come off simply as another, "just don't act weird" caution.  

But our kids need the weird.  They desperately need the weird.  I would not be me if I had not experienced the weird.  If my parents didn't allow me to explore my weirdness, and to hang out with the other weirdos.  You can be weird and still be safe.  Indeed, I think safety is what can be harmful.

Yes because "be safe" can be take way too far afield.  It can translate into cookie cutter existence.  That you always need to wear a helmet and be wrapped in bubble wrap when walking through life.  Indeed, the world can be dangerous and it is important for our kids to keep their wits about them.  But to strip them of character, to insulate them from the weird, to isolate them from that which may have a slightly different beat.....that's not safety.

That's suffocation.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o7Ys9RkvxgI

Little Boxes (The Showtime "Weeds" Theme Song)
by Malvina Reynolds

Little boxes on the hillside, Little boxes made of ticky tacky
Little boxes on the hillside, little boxes all the same
There's a green one and a pink one and a blue one and a yellow one
And they're all made out of ticky tacky and they all look just the same.


And the people in the houses all went to the university
Where they were put in boxes and they came out all the same,
And there's doctors and there's lawyers, and business executives
And they're all made out of ticky tacky and they all look just the same.

And they all play on the golf course and drink their martinis dry,
And they all have pretty children and the children go to school
And the children go to summer camp and then to the university
Where they are put in boxes and they come out all the same.

And the boys go into business and marry and raise a family
In boxes made of ticky tacky and they all look just the same.

[Placid Dingo]

Excellent stuff. All the more poignant for me since I'm fairly well familiar with where you're writing about.

Character is so important.  As an old fart who is getting older it is easy for me to sound like some jaded soul pining for the golden days.  But I feel that I can objectively observe that our society is losing character.  And that our kids don't have the same opportunities to know characters, to be characters, to build character.

Sure, our schools probably throw out some Hallmark "build character" slogan, but I question how genuine it may be.  It can come off simply as another, "just don't act weird" caution.  

But our kids need the weird.  They desperately need the weird.  I would not be me if I had not experienced the weird.  If my parents didn't allow me to explore my weirdness, and to hang out with the other weirdos.  You can be weird and still be safe.  Indeed, I think safety is what can be harmful.

Yes because "be safe" can be take way too far afield.  It can translate into cookie cutter existence.  That you always need to wear a helmet and be wrapped in bubble wrap when walking through life.  Indeed, the world can be dangerous and it is important for our kids to keep their wits about them.  But to strip them of character, to insulate them from the weird, to isolate them from that which may have a slightly different beat.....that's not safety.

That's suffocation.

First time I've actually heard 'builds character' and stopped to think what 'character' actually is.

[LMNO]

If you don't regret at least half the things you've done as a kid, you did it wrong.