December 02, 2005
Friday
I stepped off the bus this morning and onto the sidewalk and took a deep breath, noticing that the air was unusually heavy with exhaust, with the acrid smell of burnt rubber and spent gas and oil hanging like a fog over the street.
I looked up at the steel-gray overcast sky, dark clouds rolling past behind the towering office buildings, and prayed that it wouldn't start raining before I got to work.
I walked over to the corner and pressed the button for the crossing signal. While standing there, traffic dashing past me with horns blaring, I switched my mp3 player to random and flicked the toggle switch. The Jam-That's Entertainment started blaring out of my headphones. I chuckled. Perfect song for the moment.
A police car and a screaming siren -
A pneumatic drill and ripped up concrete -
A baby wailing and stray dog howling -
The screech of brakes and lamp light blinking -
That's Entertainment.
A smash of glass and a rumble of boots -
An electric train and a ripped up 'phone booth -
Paint splattered walls and the cry of a tomcat -
Lights going out and a kick in the balls -
That's Entertainment.
Days of speed and slow time Mondays -
Pissing down rain on a boring Wednesday -
Watching the news and not eating your tea -
A freezing cold flat and damp on the walls -
That's Entertainment.
Waking up at 6 a.m. on a cool warm morning -
Opening the windows and breathing in petrol -
An amateur band rehearsing in a nearby yard -
Watching the tele and thinking about your holidays -
That's Entertainment.
Waking up from bad dreams and smoking cigarettes -
Cuddling a warm girl and smelling stale perfume -
A hot summer's day and sticky black tarmac -
Feeding ducks in the park and wishing you were far away -
That's Entertainment.
Two lovers kissing amongst the scream of midnight -
Two lovers missing the tranquility of solitude -
Getting a cab and travelling on buses -
Reading the graffiti about slashed seat affairs -
That's Entertainment.
I crossed the street and started on my way into the village. I turned my head and saw a grizzled old homeless guy petting a fat and obviously happy dog. The old man sported a big grin, with a handful of dirty teeth jutting out from a wiry, gray beard. He was laughing as the dog bounced around, wagging its tail.
I smiled and kept on going.
A little further along, a gathering of pigeons swarmed around something on the sidewalk, picking at it here and there and fluttering about as they fought over whatever it was. Upon closer inspection, six fat pigeons battled over a half-eaten container of Chinese food.
I chuckled and walked on.
A few minutes passed as I walked aimlessly through the village, taking my time and just checking everything out. Cafe workers scrambling to get everything prepared for the morning rush, a storeowner hosing off the sidewalk in front of her little corner of the world, a longhaired woman in a flowing dress unlocking the door to a meager staircase, a sign reading "Palm and Tarot Readings" hovering overhead...
I crossed the street and headed to the convenience store.
The chime blurted its familiar "ding-dong" as I stepped over the threshold. The cashier smiled and greeted me in Spanish. I nodded, grinned, and greeted him in return. The coffeemaker loomed ahead of me like a shrine in the middle of Mecca. I walked over to it and poured myself a cup of coffee. My phone suddenly rang. It was my co-worker.
"Jake, it's a hot chocolate morning. You mind getting me a cup?"
"Of course not. Anyone else want anything?"
"Not that I know of."
I paid for the drinks and walked the few blocks to work. As soon as I stepped in the door, I heard my boss cursing. I walked into his office to see what was the matter, and saw a massive posterboard bearing all kinds of anti-UCLA, pro-USC stuff. The big game's this weekend, and my boss is a major UCLA fan. Of course, everyone else heard the cursing and came in, and we all started laughing.
I sat down in my chair and started typing.
It's days like this I wish I had my camera.
Posted by Jake at December 2, 2005 08:44 AM
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