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 Right now I'm sitting by my window, savoring one of those cool summer breezes. It has been absolutely sweltering the past few days, but today... today was so welcome, so wonderful and so light. I wish the weather could be like this all the time. Naturally, the coolness of the night makes me want to curl up with a book and read until I fall asleep. Except, I don't really have much. I'm in the midst of reading Freakonomics (so incredibly interesting) and sort of began Animal, Vegetable, Miracle, but decided to take a small break from it. The last book I read was Born to Run. Which I can't stop talking about. Have I told you about it? It is such a great book, I keep telling people to read it. Runner or not, athlete or not, read it, read it, read it. The story is really something, there's an intriguing topic, and it wonderfully shows that anthropologists are the eccentric aunts and uncles of the science community. I say that proudly and with affection, because that's what I studied in college and aspire to be. Yes, I want to be an eccentric aunt. Other than that, I don't really know what's good these days in the book world. So please suggest away! (Previously: Book suggestions?, Book suggestions, part 2)  We were down 2-1, last I checked before leaving for my lunch break to find Tall-J at the local bar. The sun was out, and I was starting to sweat as I made my way down the street. I ducked inside, told the person I was looking for a friend, plunged back into the game on screen and then— "GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOAAAALLLLL!!!!!" Screams, cheers and whoops erupted around me, shaking the place from head to toe. Hands went up in the air, high fives were thrown. The guy in front of me screamed, "YAAAAAAAAAAAAHHH!!!" And threw his arms around me, crushing me in a massive bear hug. I laughed and laughed, happily joining in on the cheers that we tied Slovenia. "U-S-A! U-S-A! U-S-A!" The chants began as I navigated my way to Tall-J (and company), whom I spotted after I was let go by the bear hug man. Replays were shown, and the cheers kept coming. So, I guess if you read what I tweet, I'm pretty sure 99% of the time, it's about sports. I don't know if it annoys people or they just go with it, but I can't help it. I love sports. I love playing them, and I love watching them. As a fan, you support and you help keep your favorite team's morale going by cheering or quietly understanding that your favorite players are trying their hardest when they're down. If it's not your team or sport, you enjoy it for what it is and get wrapped up in the excitement of "Who's going to win?" As a player, there is this passion and fire. When you're down, you're itching to make a come back. When you're up, you're itching to pull away and win it. And that whole idea of a team: how you lean on each other, how you help each other, how you rise and you fall together. It's all so thrilling, electrifying and nailbiting. A free kick was coming from the Donovan and— "AAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHH YEAAAAAAAHHHHHH!!!!" I jumped up with everyone else, yelling. Goal! Goal! We're up 3-2! We're gonna win— The celebrating subsided as we watched the screen. Foul?! No goal?! Boos filled the bar. "The ref-er-ee's a wanker! The ref-er-ee's a wanker!" Another replay flashed on screen. "There's no foul!" yelled someone behind me. "He was not offside!" yelled someone in front of me. I, personally, didn't see anything wrong with the play. There was some pushing and shoving and holding between players but... it should have been the winning goal. "Buuullll-shit... bullll-shit... bullll-shit..." I laughed as this chant began. The time was ticking down with only a few minutes to play. Slovenia kept at it but the end result was a draw. It was a thrilling comeback from being down 2-0, and we get another chance against Algeria. Keep the dream alive, USA! I said goodbye to everyone as I ducked back out and walked back to work. I didn't see the bear hug man as I left, which was okay, as I massaged my ribs. One of my favorite lunch breaks, ever? I think so, I think so.  I'm surrounded by people who are enthusiastic and passionate about what they do and want to do. For a long time, I always had this yearning, this... want to be like them. I was so taken that all I wished for was to have lives like theirs. But now, I'm just happy to know people like this. I'm happy to know that there are good, passionate people... people who glow. And that yearning? That yearning has turned into some kind of beautiful inspiration. Each of us is our own person. The things we love, enjoy and do are what makes each of us so unique and wonderful. Sometimes I have to remind myself of that.  "Step in and stand clear of the closing doors, please. Thank you." For the third time in the past two weeks, I've managed to catch the same 1 train with the conductor that sounds like a young James Earl Jones. I smiled, soaking in the unique voice yet again. -- Marx Brothers' films always cheer me up. I was chuckling during The Cocoanuts when Hammer (Groucho) says, "Why, it's the most exclusive residential district in Florida. Nobody lives there." My favorite is Duck Soup, and it's also one of my favorite films of all time. There's no one like Rufus T. Firefly. I'd suggest starting off with Duck Soup if you haven't seen any of their films, and then Animal Crackers, where you'll forever think of elephants when you hear Tuscaloosa. (Because in Alabama, the Tuscaloosa! Get it? Get it? Maybe it makes more sense with the whole quote...) -- I think people are disappointed in me. At least, that seems like the general feeling. That, or they feel sorry for me. I don't know which one I would prefer: disappointment or pity. -- Crif dogs, cupcakes and coffee with Marianne and Rachel. What? I finally met Marianne, and she's awesome like her writing. She's a good storyteller and likes to tease Rachel. I'm still laughing about the beatboxing... -- One of my favorite things is when people react the same way to a scene of a film in the theater, whether it's squirming uncomfortably or half-shielding their eyes with one hand. You can feel that tension rise and then a collective sigh of relief afterwards. -- I saw my favorite photographer at the Ukranian diner I frequent the other night. My mouth fell open as I struggled to keep myself together. My friend's eyes widened when she saw my face. "Amy, what? What's wrong?" I managed to string together a few words. I saw that he was leaving, but with his family and, I think, another friend. It didn't seem right to intrude, much like how you would leave a celebrity alone if you saw him or her with his or her family. I think I stopped breathing for those few moments until he and his family and friend walked out of my sight. "Amy, Amy, are you okay?" I shook my head. I was in a tizzy. I'll meet him one day, I know I will. He really is an inspiration to me, and a kind person, too. I've written to him a few times, and he has always thoughtfully responded. There's this one email that has been sitting in my inbox for months now. I keep it there because it reassures me. He ends the email with, "Be well and take care of yourself. Write me if you need to. I'm easy to find." |
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Hi, my name is Amy. Be well, and say hello!
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