Little m Long a

… all hands fold
As the two year old says grace.
She says help the starving children to get well.
But let my brother’s hamster burn in hell! … John Hiatt, Your Dad Did

That has absolutely nothing to do with anything, but it made me smile this morning so I thought I’d share.

My kid says I talk to much, my wife says I’m too nice.  I don’t believe either one of them.  People approach me with the mundane shit that happens to be going on in their lives, I don’t seek them out.  But I guess I will oblige the conversation.  If it makes someone feel just a little bit better about their day, about themselves,  because they got to release just a little bit with someone whom they felt was listening well then I guess I can live with that.

I met a guy this morning while taking a walk.  I noticed him from a pretty good distance and knew instantly that he was something of a kindred spirit.  His green t-shirt stood out, distinct in an otherwise sea of red and gray.  Or is it crimson?  Or scarlet?  Hell, I don’t know — what is the color of arrogance?  (I kid, really.  Did my disdain for all things Ohio State just bleed through?  Sorry.)

The t-shirt.  Dark green with white letters across the front — TULANE.  I happened to be wearing my crawfish t-shirt that reads “pick. pull. suck. pinch. repeat.” (Because in addition to being impeccably fashionable — I’m also classy!) and a purple and gold LSU hat.  I saw him smile about 50 yards before our paths were to cross.

The conversation lasted but a few seconds with each of us continuing our original paths, both of us lifted ever so slightly at knowing that the world is not a big as is sometimes seems.  He wasn’t from Louisiana but went to school there.  He was quick to add though, that his dog — a rather vicious looking pit bull — was in fact born in Louisiana.

Good to know.  (See earlier comment regarding mundane shit.)  The dog and I did not bond.  As I said, he looked pretty vicious and I still have plans for my left hand.

Walk On.