April 29, 2007
Target, 26 Things, B&N, and Vandalism
Today (ok, yesterday) I decided it was too nice outside to stay in and do homework all day, so I planned a day out.
First I went to Target to exchange towels. The story there is that I’ve been learning a lot about myself in the last few weeks, and one of those things is that I tend to deny myself basic comforts by convincing myself that they are selfish, unnecessary expenses. Well, I’m trying to learn to give myself what I deserve, so I threw out the old ratty bath towels that I bought for my freshman year of college ten years ago, and I bought nice fluffy new ones. :) But they didn’t quite match my shower curtain, so I decided to exchange them. What do you think? As I learned at a very young age from my mother, mixing and matching different patterns is very Japanese. (Her master’s degree is in Japanese art.)
(At Target, I also bought a bag and two pairs of earrings. And three greeting cards.)
Then I went on a 26 Things photo scavenger hunt in DC. It was fun, but a lot harder than I thought it would be. Go check out my 26 Things - March 2007 photoset (they didn’t do an April list). Or view the photoset for the entire day, which includes the 26 Things photos as well as others.
It was tons of fun to watch all the people on the Mall and walking around the city. Tourists are amusing, and families are interesting. I lost count of how many languages I heard. I ate really yummy miso soup at Teaism, and drank bubble tea. I wore comfortable shoes. When I got chilly, I headed into the Barnes & Noble at 12th & E, one of my favorite hangouts. Not only did I buy a book, but I also bought 9 greeting cards. That makes 12 total greeting cards for the day. I think I have an addiction.
Also at B&N, I was impressed by probably the coolest pickup line that’s ever been used on me. This guy saw me looking at graphic novels and classic comic strip collections, so he came up and casually asked me who my favorite superhero is.* That’s so perfect. Why? Because it’s non-threatening, non-sexual, and gives me a chance to expound about something I like. We had a nice conversation and he gave me his number, but I’m not going to call. If a guy is interested, he doesn’t wait for the girl to call him. So thanks, but no thanks.
Finally, I headed home. As I approached my car in the parking garage, I noticed that the little teeny side-back window was smashed out. I got all paranoid because I was alone in the parking garage at dusk. I was afraid to get any closer to the car in case someone was inside. I looked under the cars around, and into windows to make sure I wasn’t going to get kidnapped, or something. I finally got in the car, and noticed that the door was unlocked, but nothing was stolen. I picked up some groceries and headed home, where I noticed glass on the ground at my parking spot. I realized the window must have been smashed before I left in the morning, but because of the way I approach my car at home, I didn’t even notice it!
Needless to say, now I have to figure out how to deal with this. I’m wigged out. It’s spooky, because it makes me feel somehow violated. There was a stranger in my car, trying to steal from me, or just poking around and causing trouble. It’s unsettling. Now at all how I wanted to end the day.
Aside from that, it was a good day. Now I’ve been up late trying to catch up on the homework I didn’t do all day. Ah well. Less than three weeks left. Yay!
* For the record, my favorite superhero is Batman.
I tend to deny myself basic comforts by convincing myself that they are selfish, unnecessary expenses
Amen. Either that or I go to the other extreme and convince myself that I really need these shoes.
So wait, does he have your phone number? How’s he supposed to get ahold of you if you aren’t going to call him?
That’s the point. If he wanted to get ahold of me, he would have asked for my number. Instead, he wants me to do the legwork. Nuh-uh.
And you do need those shoes. So do I.
I love people watching. Especially at the metro (like if I’m waiting for someone, I don’t just go sit outside the metro.)
I don’t see it so much that he’s making you do the work as he’s letting you make the decision. He’s not going to stalk you if you’re not interested, but if you are interested, the ball’s in your court.
What decision? Nah. He approaches me, has one 5-minute conversation, and thinks he’s left an amazing enough impression that he can just sit back and wait for my call to roll in? Nuh-uh. To me, that seems arrogant, not gentlemanly. If he’s interested in me, let’s see him show a little more effort than handing me his phone number. Let’s see him show me he thinks I’m worth the effort.
And if he called me, I could still choose not to answer. If he asked me out, I could choose to say no. The ball’s still in my court.
Meh. Agree to disagree. Your loss! :D
I’m with srah on this. Only having known you for five minutes, he doesn’t know whether or not you would consider a request for a phone number as being too forward. Give the guy credit for not wanting to seem too aggressive.
Plus in this situation he is in a position of giving personal information to you, rather than requesting that you give him your personal information. That seems like a more polite thing for a stranger to do.
You guys have a point. I’m being unreasonable. And he did seem nice. I’ll give him a call. :)
Yay. We win. Now you have to give us a shout-out at your wedding.
Unless, to your Batman, he just turns out to be … a Joker!
Bad joke. :)