There are moments when the pieces of conversation are less exciting than the theories about the conversation. Tonight at Ladro is definitely one of those moments. There is white guy probably in his mid-to-late 40s and he's on his cell phone with a simple day planner and a giant cup of tea and he became far more fascinating when I heard "I have pocket knives in my car." It sounds like he's doing some sort of business deal. Could he be supplying the Russian Mafia in Seattle with weapons? Because seriously if you don't need them for illicit purposes, why is there a conversation on a cell phone in a coffee shop at 8:15 at night about pocket knives.
I know I have no idea.
They may be all we get - the music got turned on louder and the only other people here tonight are her alone. I could eavesdrop on my own conversations with my study buddy, but really that's not nearly as fun.
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
Monday, April 28, 2008
Random Night at Chocolati - Monday, April 28, 2008
What an odd night at Chocolati.
First a family was having some kind of political discussion, and I couldn't understand a good portion of it, but what I did overhear was some discussion where the mom was saying something about how she thought Maria Cantwell took someone's seat (only heard male pronouns) and her son or pre-teen companion corrected her that Cantwell couldn't have taken his office because she's a senator and he was a Congressman. I wanted to correct him that Congressional Representatives (get rid of your sexist wording kid) are actually the neutral term for referring to representatives and senators.
Second is the kids behind me - I guess having a bible study discussion and they're talking about a couple and this couple is living together. And the boy in the group is seeming a bit incredulous about this. He is questioning whether they slept in the same room, and the girl is responding uncomfortable saying that it was a two bedroom apartment but that she never asked if they were sleeping together, but assumed that they probably were because they've been together for five years and engaged for two and so they're practically married. And the guy in a the world must be black and white kind of tone said something about how we're supposed to hold people accountable to the Christian life.
Kirkland is the newly divorced people, 50 year old guys with 25 year old girl friends and this is some how connected to hot yoga. This is news to me. I wonder if this kid goes to Marshill or something because of the way he talks.
Okay back to work for now, they may inspire me to write more because they're doing bible study and I'm an athiest and maybe they really are Marshill kids, so they will likely annoy me.
So as they're talking about who testifies for Jesus and I cannot help but wonder - why do bible studies flourish but we don't really have political studies groups? Why aren't kids sitting over the text of presidential statements, congressional actions, etc., and having questions about their actions? Why is can't we get as interested about things that could truly change the lives of people?
First a family was having some kind of political discussion, and I couldn't understand a good portion of it, but what I did overhear was some discussion where the mom was saying something about how she thought Maria Cantwell took someone's seat (only heard male pronouns) and her son or pre-teen companion corrected her that Cantwell couldn't have taken his office because she's a senator and he was a Congressman. I wanted to correct him that Congressional Representatives (get rid of your sexist wording kid) are actually the neutral term for referring to representatives and senators.
Second is the kids behind me - I guess having a bible study discussion and they're talking about a couple and this couple is living together. And the boy in the group is seeming a bit incredulous about this. He is questioning whether they slept in the same room, and the girl is responding uncomfortable saying that it was a two bedroom apartment but that she never asked if they were sleeping together, but assumed that they probably were because they've been together for five years and engaged for two and so they're practically married. And the guy in a the world must be black and white kind of tone said something about how we're supposed to hold people accountable to the Christian life.
Kirkland is the newly divorced people, 50 year old guys with 25 year old girl friends and this is some how connected to hot yoga. This is news to me. I wonder if this kid goes to Marshill or something because of the way he talks.
Okay back to work for now, they may inspire me to write more because they're doing bible study and I'm an athiest and maybe they really are Marshill kids, so they will likely annoy me.
So as they're talking about who testifies for Jesus and I cannot help but wonder - why do bible studies flourish but we don't really have political studies groups? Why aren't kids sitting over the text of presidential statements, congressional actions, etc., and having questions about their actions? Why is can't we get as interested about things that could truly change the lives of people?
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
High School Students - Chocolati - 4/23/08
So I'm in Chocolati again, and it's interesting - kids are studying or something and talking about inflation and Hitler.
Things that are interesting - listening to the distinct cadence of high school girls and the number of times they say "like." One girl was talking about seeing a Holocaust survivor and how cool it was and seeing his number tattoo and it seemed like she was sincere in her feeling that it was a powerful experience, but it still had that upbeat cheery tone that seemed in disconnect with what she was saying.
But study time is over - so that's all I'll write...
Things that are interesting - listening to the distinct cadence of high school girls and the number of times they say "like." One girl was talking about seeing a Holocaust survivor and how cool it was and seeing his number tattoo and it seemed like she was sincere in her feeling that it was a powerful experience, but it still had that upbeat cheery tone that seemed in disconnect with what she was saying.
But study time is over - so that's all I'll write...
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
UW Cafe - April 22, 2008
Is it really eavesdropping when you're sitting in front of people who you know and they know you and they're talking loudly? You know the kind of tone where it's obvious they know they're being overheard. It's like they want people to hear their conversation.
So here in this graduate school cafe with people in suits, it's amusing to hear - Female 1 "Dude, did you see Gossip Girl Last Night?" Male No. 2. "No. And don't tell me, I'm going to download it on itunes later!" I'm not sure what is more amusing - a guy liking gossip girl or liking it enough that he's going to pay to watch it.
So Guy No. 1 is obviously working and preparing for this competition that is going on tonight and Guy No. 2 is having a conversation with Guy No. 3 (In fair disclosure, Guy No. 2 is someone I have very little respect for because I think he's lazy and arrogant). It becomes obvious that Guy No. 2 is Guy No. 1's partner for a big competition happening tonight. Guy No. 1 in a suit diligently working, seeing Guy No. 2 looking scruffy, unshowered, and definitely not dressed appropriately for the competition. Guy No. 1 asks if Guy No. 2 has prepped his witness. Guy no. 2 responds aloofly and sort of shrugs it off, and then says something about how he was going to do it at home. Guy No. 1 fortunately doesn't seem stressed about it, but he probably knew what he was getting into when he signed up with this guy.
Eavesdropping on people you know isn't nearly as fun either. I know too much about the competition, the people involved. In some ways it's amusing. But I like strangers better.
So here in this graduate school cafe with people in suits, it's amusing to hear - Female 1 "Dude, did you see Gossip Girl Last Night?" Male No. 2. "No. And don't tell me, I'm going to download it on itunes later!" I'm not sure what is more amusing - a guy liking gossip girl or liking it enough that he's going to pay to watch it.
So Guy No. 1 is obviously working and preparing for this competition that is going on tonight and Guy No. 2 is having a conversation with Guy No. 3 (In fair disclosure, Guy No. 2 is someone I have very little respect for because I think he's lazy and arrogant). It becomes obvious that Guy No. 2 is Guy No. 1's partner for a big competition happening tonight. Guy No. 1 in a suit diligently working, seeing Guy No. 2 looking scruffy, unshowered, and definitely not dressed appropriately for the competition. Guy No. 1 asks if Guy No. 2 has prepped his witness. Guy no. 2 responds aloofly and sort of shrugs it off, and then says something about how he was going to do it at home. Guy No. 1 fortunately doesn't seem stressed about it, but he probably knew what he was getting into when he signed up with this guy.
Eavesdropping on people you know isn't nearly as fun either. I know too much about the competition, the people involved. In some ways it's amusing. But I like strangers better.
Sunday, April 20, 2008
Telaporting at Chocolati - Sunday, April 20, 2008
Apparently Chocolati is a hotspot for people to have a brainstorming sessions or interviews about all sorts of projects. The one behind me right now is another film conversation. This time I'm thinking its fictional. There's a conversation about the first time he telaports maybe (male name no.1) may be sitting on the lap of (male name no.2) (yup already forgotten their names). And then that would be bad because then they wouldn't be together for the entire story.
Then something about how being different is bad and scary. Also ironically mixed with a repeating comment about the old world and the new world and leaving something behind from the old world. Which is ironic to me, because it sounds a little like a story about accepting that your different, but then encouraging assimilation.
As they talk more it seems like maybe it's supposed to be a journey into fatherhood and being a good father. The old world is apparently not the land of ones past but rather something a little less profound ("swinging singlehood").
That's all for this moment in the eavesdropping world as I really should focus on my own project, and not eavesdrop on them. (Oh if your curious, an Asian woman and a White man are having this conversation. And I get the feeling whatever they're doing is the woman's project more than the man's.)
Then something about how being different is bad and scary. Also ironically mixed with a repeating comment about the old world and the new world and leaving something behind from the old world. Which is ironic to me, because it sounds a little like a story about accepting that your different, but then encouraging assimilation.
As they talk more it seems like maybe it's supposed to be a journey into fatherhood and being a good father. The old world is apparently not the land of ones past but rather something a little less profound ("swinging singlehood").
That's all for this moment in the eavesdropping world as I really should focus on my own project, and not eavesdrop on them. (Oh if your curious, an Asian woman and a White man are having this conversation. And I get the feeling whatever they're doing is the woman's project more than the man's.)
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