Author: maggeh

Thinky

We did a bunch of interviews about the future of technology for an upcoming issue. A few interviewees were talking about how data acquisition is changing. We’re coming up with the technology and storage capacity to record the infinite details of everyday interactions. I’m curious about how this will affect mourning. Right now, we can go through photo albums, maybe some journals or home movies, to remember someone we’ve lost. What will happen when we have thousands of hours worth of tapes to review? It seems like it would take much longer to break out of grief when tangible reminders of a loved one are so plentiful.


FLOWER UPDATE

My landlord lives above me and operates a small convenience store nearby. This weekend, his wife stopped me as I was headed out. I think I know who took your flowers, she said. She told me her husband had seen one of our neighbors, an old lady, milling around the area. We walked two doors down, and sure enough, all of my plants were sitting on the lady’s front porch behind a locked gate. Let me type that again: two doors down, on the front porch. “She’s a little bit nuts, so wait until her son is home to ask for your plants back. Fabulous. First my neighbor steals my plants, and then I have to administer the smackdown to some poor senile old lady to get them back. I wasn’t sure if I had the stomach for it. Fortunately, my new roommate ran into the lady�s son and explained the situation. My flowers were waiting on the front porch when I got home. I like people again. I plan to buy ice cream for everyone.

Bitter Fruit

A few days ago, the Home Depot nursery seduced me. I purchased many blooming, good-smelling things and the terra cotta pots to go with them. I hummed all the way home, changed into some grubby clothes, and planted three pots of basil, some sage, thyme, red and yellow ranunculus, a happy red geranium, marigolds, small yellow roses, and a flowering cactus thingie.

I finished potting, swept the sidewalk, cleaned the dirt from under my nails, and arranged the pots artistically in front of my new apartment. I was about to sigh with deep satisfaction when my city-girl side said, Someone is going to steal these cheery little babies the minute you turn around, dearling. I frowned. Then my sunny optimistic side interrupted, Oh, shut up. Strangers give you directions, people offer their seats to pregnant women, five people held doors open for you just today. People are basically good. Why would anyone steal your precious flowers? I set my chin, watered carefully, and went inside to primp for an evening out.

When I got back home, they were gone–every last pot. People are bad, and I no longer like them.

Moist

I was out shopping recently and decided to buy a coat. I took it up to the counter, and the cashier proceeded to fold it. She seemed a little absent, and stared forward as she worked. I was about to look away uncomfortably, but then I noticed something. A long thread of saliva was stretching from her lower lip. Time slowed as it extended from her mouth to form a small, moist pool on my new coat. She put it in a bag, and handed it to me. I inhaled, and took the bag between two fingers. She told me the price, which I paid, and then she handed me the receipt. I said, Thank you! a little too brightly and left.

Overheard

A group of old guys meets at the corner coffee shop every morning around 7 a.m. Today, they discussed pop culture:

Old Guy 1: Do you like the “Cybil”? The T.V. show? “Cybil”?

OG2:They’re not making it any more.

OG3: It’s in syndication.

OG1: No, it’s on the Oxygen.

OG2: Who’s on oxygen?

All: Heheheheheheheheheheh.

OG2: Ohhhh Lord.

75051306


4.1.02 PUBLIC RESTROOMS

The toilet paper dispenser says Executive on the side. This gives me pause. It has never occurred to me that this is a situation in which I should feel professional.

Related

Lane is working on his 20 things project and needs help. He wants you to send him a short set of directions (walk until you see a tree, turn left, etc.), and when he gets to the end of your instructions, he’ll take a picture. Here’s the page with the details.


20 THINGS

I participated in the last 20 things swap. My artlet is the thumbnail in the top left corner. (I know I posted this awhile ago, but I took the link down because the site wasn’t officially open for the viewing public. Oops.)