And now to institute a new feature here on Out of Focus: “The People I see.” Even the title is part of my attempt to say more with less, as a longer description could be, “The people I see who make my jaw drop, say to myself, ‘What the hell?’ and find me spending more than an idle second imagining the life and the world (or worldS) they inhabit.” Pretty self-explanatory, no?
Today’s edition: “Spandex and CB at Starbucks”
It is 2008, right? I’m not sure that I ever remember seeing people walk around with CB radio units on shoulder straps, but especially in 2008? I’ve watched enough Ice Road Truckers (which means about two minutes) to know they’re still in use, and that’s not surprising. Then of course there are the police, etc. I’m sure they’re used a lot in places without cell service, but even during my Sprint Wireless days, Sheridan Square never seemed like such a dead spot. And if you’re walking around with a CB radio slung over your shoulder, doesn’t that mean someone else is doing the same, or sitting somewhere or something. I don’t know … maybe I’m overthinking … but that was the last post.
Anyway, I’m sitting here typing when a guy sits down at a table near mine. He’s wearing a fitted workout sleeveless shirt, skin tight, as well as a pair of spandex shorts that are way too short. If not for the fanny pack placed run under his navel as opposed to his fanny, the circumcised or not question would be answered. He would take smoke breaks by going outside but would leave the pack on the table along with a poster packing tube — empty/filled? no idea. The cigarettes were an Asian brand I assume since the writing was either Japanese or Chinese. He was not Asian. Important? Probably not. Maybe. Who knows? He sat and drank a Venti something — with his sunglasses on. He read nothing. He wrote nothing. He just sat. And he had this CB radio … with a shoulder strap. When he went outside for his smoke breaks, he carried it with him. When he returned, he set the whole thing down on the table. I never heard it squak, but of course, I have my iPod on. I never saw him speak into it either though. He didn’t come with anyone and didn’t lleave with anyone, nor did he meet anybody here. Just killing time, I suppose.
Out of Focus 