but come with me anyway.
at the bookstore on bedford, the one with about a dozen shelves of the best books by the best authors--Wilde, Butler, Atwood, Boyle. You name it, it's there, or they can order it for you. "One week. That's all." So, I'm eyeing the social activism section, without knowing i'm eyeing the social activism section. Pick up the Eldridge Cleaver biography, and it hits me "Is this the social activism section?!" Wasn't he a traitor? I recall someone telling me that. But what do I know about social activism and being a traitor? "I should read this book." I could learn something about being a black radical in the 60s.
Anyway, I slide the book back into its slot, trading it for the last literary masterpiece by some French guy. Not Voltaire--i think Descartes. I skim the back copy--it says something about him being the "world's greatest philosopher." I dunno, this wall is a bit too heavy for a Monday evening. Where's fiction? Didn't I come here to look for a cheap copy of "The Road"? I pivot--a little too fast--bolting away from the social activists, and at my 180 is this guy. We lock eyes (really, we do) long enough for me to deduce that he is not in fact someone I "know from somewhere" like college, or my commute to work, or my neighborhood coffee shop or bar. but I do kinda know him from somewhere--like somewhere on a stage performing in front of thousands, and not standing less than a foot away from me in a Williamsburg bookstore waiting for me to scoot out of his way so that he can eye the social activism section! 
He's my height. Lovely eyes beyond round specs. Cool afro and beard--perfectly messed up. He reminds me of a little brown bear--the friendly kind that share honey with you instead of biting off your arms and legs. I don't do anything brave like ask for concert tickets or say "hi-omigosh-it's-you." But before leaving empty-handed, I take an extra long time perusing the shelves, pausing to sneak peaks at him (hoping he hasn't noticed), and speculating on what book he ended up with. Soul on Ice?
photo: stereogum
Monday, March 23, 2009
this will not be cool to you.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
7 comments:
you saw the one with the beard???? ha!
tv on the radio, right? or did i read your post wrong
yes!! TV on the Radio! *huge smile* But I didn't just see him--we locked eyes. Not in a romantic way...lol...we just happened to be nearly the same height, and he was right behind me when I turned around.
are you sure it wasn't in the romantic way? you can't speak for him
well in that case, i can't be sure now can i? *giggle* In fact, I WAS having a good hair day--and those 3pimples on my chin were almost cleared up.
um this is very cool to me! the dude from TVotR. Neat! And i gotta agree with Hannah... are you sure it wasn't in a romantic way? I mean really, is there any other way to lock eyes? I mean unless its over a gun barrel at the O.K. Corral.
i say you scan craigslist for missed connections or hit up his myspace! :)
Also, what book did you wind up getting? I'm currently reading two but i need another for the rotation.
ha lex!! I'm thinking this dude just wanting to swat me out of the way so he could look for books...but you're right, who's to say?? if that's the case though, I want a private show :-) Anyway, I didn't find the book I wanted--"The Road," so I'm reading the Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime, by Mark Haddon.
You better be happy I wasn't there. . . I would have totally been like "oh hey, you're so and so, have you met my friend?". I'm bad about that sort of thing. . .
Post a Comment