"Call me"

Talking on the phone is overrated (though now I'm a little more OK with it and there are a handful of people that I enjoy hearing from, whereas before, hate may have been accurate). There's something about not seeing someone's face and holding something to your ear that's not appetizing.

And why are people always saying, "Call me"? Why don't you call me? Or better yet, e-mail me what you want to discuss and we can correspond at our convenience. Receiving a Call me is another thing to remember to have to do, lest you hurt the other party's feelings by accidentally (or not) forgetting to pick up the phone.

It would also be nice if people could refrain from leaving voicemails or e-mails that read, "I have something to tell you." Why not just say or write what you want to tell me? These types of messages would be better reserved for serious occasions like a death or accident that really warrants a conversation. Some would argue that things get lost in translation and it's "easier" to get a point across with words. That is true sometimes, but misunderstandings can happen at any point, especially since the coveted "excellent verbal communication" bit has bypassed many a folk, including myself.

Let's talk about it.

Subway walking

Tired and wet, I walked through the subway today, in the midst of Monday morning rush hour. Everyone was intent to reach their destination, to escape the stifled air below.

I felt myself shutting down senses and the masses became a blur but the bodies moving in slow motion. Some people were intent to keep their heads down, iPods in their ears, skinny jeans pasted to their legs, scarf thrown carelessly around their necks, a stony expression on their faces. Less will look you in the eye, and when they do, I was still surprised that they seem like they're really looking, seeing, assessing. Others wear a vacant, cool look in their eyes, artfully donning the city "personality" as if they don't care, and maybe they don't. Or they're just used to the stares and probes and find this an easier way to maneuver through the streets. When I'm alone, I, too, am like them, wearing a mask that's necessary to deal with the assault on the senses. These people are anonymous, original, commonplace, pawns.