The Rape of Europa

I haven't read the book but I saw a doc based on it on either Netflix Instant or Hulu. Netflix, I think.

Just discovered my mom watches The Sing-Off. That's cool. Not sure if we'll actually watch together, though, since my mom likes to cocoon herself in her room.

OMG, My sister is taking some kind of business course, and is currently in a business law class. She sent me her final assignment to proof. She's supposed to review a case, summarise it and answer questions. It's been a half hour and I've just finished page one.

Storing my bottle of lotion on the bathroom radiator? AWESOME.

On the long leg from LA to Chicago, had a 80something old guy next to me. He was very sweet, but clearly no longer firing at 100%. I heard the same stories, over and over, often starting up right after he finished. Didn't bother me much, new details emerged with each telling, and I tried switching it up by sharing different stuff every time, which only kinda worked. He was a veteran, born in Mexico, 4 times married, outliving all but the latest. He was so very proud of his kids and grand and greats. I think I saw his dermatologist dr daughter's card 5 or 6 times. He was in the middle seat, and about halfway through, the window seat passenger suggested they switch, and she got to hear the stories. She later told me (we were on the same flight to B'more) she thought to give me a break. Without really thinking, I said it didn't bother me much, I'd just spent the week with 3.5 year olds. And it hit me, it was a lot the same. Singular focus on telling certain narratives to create an order.

Honestly, though, it wasn't annoying once I just settled into it. These stories were his touchstone, much as they are with the much younger set who are trying to figure out their world (the green piece in the potato ball. I ate it! I ATE A VEGETABLE.) It's how he frames a life that's lost its current linearity: find the linearity in the past to define himself now. And frankly, his framework was lovely and loving and clearly well lived.

I only wish I'd had the foresight to remember his daughter's name and details, I'd love to send her a note.

I can converse with a rock.

Dude, I can converse with a rock. Eye contact is much less confusing.

Rocks are even less judgmental than cats. ( and we all know how much cats care about what we are saying)

I remembered I have marshmallows I can put in my hot chocolate! Not tiny marshmallows, but still, yum.

When I'm really talky, I can make a rock an interesting conversationalist for other people, okay?

(Seriously, for all I need my quiet time, I can do the Peoples like whoa and be the freaky catalyst who gets all sorts of people talking to each other. But only if I'm up to it. When I'm not, I'm not sure who the hell that person is and it makes me want to cry, thinking of even talking to family.)

I may have to brave the wind and shove an empty dumpster out of the wind. Two doors down and it is banging a lot.

I still remember this brilliant conversationalist on a flight to Montreal. She was on one side of me, and this pro tennis player on the other, and she engaged him in stellar conversation the whole flight. I was actively jealous of her ability to do so. But I wasn't switching seats. Nuh-huh.

I still got his number, and I hung out with her a little bit in Montreal (she was going to the same event I was), but man, I have never seen such deft talking in my life. And I grew up with a diplomat for a father.

I've seen that doc. I know, shocking that there's a documentary that I've watched... It was interesting.

I can't believe you people talk to strange people in airports.

I don't try to talk to them. But occasionally it's interesting.

And once a guy was blatantly hitting on me, even. We were flying to the same location. If I'd been single that weekend, it'd have worked too.

But usually it's just talking to pass the time. And I can always claim it's time for my flight and walk away. There's always an out if I need one.

I'm definitely not that good. Just people-don't-look-like-they-want-to-escape and I get numbers and such unsolicited. Which I pretty rarely chase down, but then, neither do they!