Drinking it up with Guys from Germany
Friday night was a blast! Went to a place called the Landmarc. Great wine, great cucumber soup, great wine (did I already say that?). The people I went with were: Cheryl (friend of a friend), her friend Gary, and two of his friends who were pilots from Germany. We talked about differing characteristics between American and German citizens. I learned that when an American tells someone: "take care," which admittedly I do, it means nothing. It is like saying goodbye. To a German person it is an insult. They believe that people should say things from the heart and not use mere puffery. When they say best of luck or good health or take care, they really mean it. If they have just met you and there was "no connection" then they merely say goodbye.
Maybe it is because I was brought up in the mid-west, but when I say "take care" I typically mean for them to take care and not merely puffery. However, I think that it is interesting to see this from another culture.
Still Searching in NY
On Friday, during my LONG subway ride back from Manhattan (took 2 hours to get back) there were a few people on the subway, however, there were no police! Granted, it was 1am, but I guess there is only a concern for the safety of those who are "normal" commuters, and not the rest.
One thing that was noticed is that there are signs in EVERY booth saying that use of the subway may result in you being searched. In addition, on Friday morning there were police with small tables in front of them getting ready to search people. One police officer looked me in the eyes as I walked by, and I was sure that I would get my bag searched (again, they would have seen the 6th Book of Harry Potter and my court schedule - not all that exciting). You can obviously tell by the looks on their faces that they (the police) do not want to be doing this. And you can obviously tell by the comments of the passengers that they do not want you searching their bags. One homeless person (I only say that because he looked as if he was carrying all of his possessions and smelled like someone who is showerly challenged) was going on and on about how he would like to see him search them. It was quite amusing, because although he had a valid point, all that I could think about was Christie and MDB - hahaha.
I try to laugh at this because that is all that we can do. I do not think that they police are really giving people a hard time. I can see how it may turn into that, but for now it is okay. I can see hoe not too far down the road people will begin to have serious issue with this - until then I will just post silly comments about the smell of people.
Harry Potter
I finished it! Finally finished the book last night at 2am. I had no one to talk to about it. I spoke to Hillyg about it, but all she could say was "maybe I will read them now." It was the best one yet. There were times when I had to put the book down because it was so good. Kristen was correct when she told me that the last 1/3 goes by SO fast!
I have noticed that more and more people finally have the book on the subway. Everytime I see someone with the book, I always ask them where they are in the book. It always continues with a good conversation. I met a person yesterday on the way to Philly and who just picked up the book.
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7 comments:
Yes, James, you do have a valid point about individuals who say things that they don't truly mean. Like "take care," "I'm sorry," and "I love you." I know that I automatically say "I'm sorry" too often. But, when I say "take care" I do mean it. I don't say it to people I don't know well. Like in Bath and Body Works, I usually say goodbye to a customer by saying "have a great day." I think that is a generous comment. And yes, people deserve to have a great day. Especially after buying some expensive lotion, etc.
But, one peeve I have is when people I know do not return comments. For example, I grew up in a house where the words "I love you" were rarely uttered. Is this healthy? Probably. But still, I have friends who hang up the phone with their family members and end the conversation with "I love you." Yes, it's not a necessary comment. But, it has a nice sound to it. Yes, it can be overused and lose it's meaning. Needless to say, it's always nice to hear. It's reassuring. I know my parents love me. But I never hear them say it.
Sorry, about the whole Harry Potter thing. I don't like to follow the crowd. I don't like to do what millions of other people do. Like, read Harry Potter. Maybe someday I'll read it when the novelty is gone.
I read it and finished it in 2 days. I couldn't stop. I think it was the best one yet as well. Call me and we can chat about it sometime! :)
Saying "goodbye" always seems so final. Like you're "saying goodbye." "Take care" -- I've taken to saying that too, but it is a little odd when you think about it. Sometimes I just say "bye" or "bye-bye" -- but then its turns into that whole "buh-bye" thing -- which is so played.
Anymore I just smile and give people the finger. The ones who really care accept me for who I am.
Great Michael...just great! You give attorney's...well...you give them a good name.
doing my part to live up to the image.
I didn't call you back on Sunday. I am a bad person. I thought about it several times but since I'd had about six minutes of down time all weekend, I just crashed. Solly. I hope you have a good move this weekend.
You're right, Jamie -- Potter read FAST, maybe too fast. I gotta wait another year or so before I know what happens next?!? No!! I have now looked at MD's t-shirt from hell and groaned. I have a friend who was told the ending (don't know the details but just knowing is enough/too much) and she is NOT happy. But getting there is half the fun and I had heard the what but not the who months ago. Still I didn't want to believe it. (Shades of Martha in Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf: "You can't do that!") The book is so alive with magic -- and I love how J.K. Rowling plants little clues which you identify as such chapters later.
As for subway searches, nothing much has gone on where I travel -- I've seen some cops but no one being searched -- does this bode well or ill? In NYC we can't think of it too much. We dare not.
(And how much cucumber soup do you eat, heh? I like cucumbers with sour cream -- yummy. And cucumber sandwiches.... I'm getting hungry and I just had breakfast, what is this?) Smiles!
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