Wednesday, November 27, 2002

Paint smells. (11/27/02)

THINGS I NOTICED THIS WEEK:

-- BIG WIDE WORLD

There are so many cultures and peoples in NYC. It really is amazing. And people bring their cultural idiosyncrasies with them. For example, in Asian countries, people are used to squatting, especially if they are from the older generations. If they are hanging out by the corner or cooking near a stove on the floor, they squat. Anyway, I was walking towards the Amish Market near work, and these two fairly young Asian guys were walking towards me, smoking their cigarettes. They noticed the bench outside of the market and decided to cop a squat. Literally. They put their feet on the"seating" part of the bench and then they squatted, like hens. It was really interesting. Maybe they're more germ-phobic than me about sitting on public property? Or it was just more comfortable for them to just cop a perched squat. I don't know. Side bar: Also, although many are considered old school and have been tossed for the new American models, there are still squatting toilets all around the world. Yes, you squat and do your business.

-- BABY IT'S COLD OUTSIDE

It's been getting colder here in NYC, with threats of snow and wind (which have yet to materialize). However, people have brought out their winter wear. Hats, scarves, gloves, mittens, parkas, you name it. A couple of days ago, this woman, in jeans, sandy-colored fur-trimmed parka, sunglasses and frosted hair, walked by. I then noticed her hands. She was wearing boxing gloves for mittens. Now, do you think she was "on a mission?" Mama said knock you out! Or, just a really quirky lady? You know, there was this woman in Boston who used to roller skate around Ann's neighborhood wearing oven mitts on her hands. She was a little mentally off, but if you are rollerblading/skating and don't have the money for safety gear, I think oven mitts are an excellent alternative. And so are boxing gloves.

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Big Thanksgiving Turkey/Tofurkeys to:

* Bob and Russell

* Ann, Dabney, Diane, Jack and Fiedler

* Michelle E.

* Carey and her brother Matthew

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