Mickey Z

Cool Observer

Monday, June 09, 2008

I got your microcosm...right here

But first, a word from our sponsor: Thanks to my very unexpected sore throat/cough/cold/etc., I have decided to opt out of the June 12 reading at Happy Ending Lounge. Needless to say, the reading will go on just fine without me. Stay tuned for more event news…

We now return to our regularly scheduled nonsense:

Once upon a time...

I was walking down 30th Avenue in Astoria after a snowstorm. The sun was creating large, slushy puddles on every street corner and I focused in on a particular woman who’d decided to push her luck. Although she did not have the light, she had stepped out into the street to get a jump on crossing when it went green. The woman—large, in her 50s, lost in her thoughts—positioned herself directly next to a humongous puddle.

Right on cue, as the light was changing, a young guy in a fast car blew through the red light. He was obviously far too cool to submit to basic traffic safety rules. So, he stepped on the gas as the woman began her move to cross. The splash this car created was nothing short of impressive and in a flash, the woman was utterly soaked. Drenched.

The kid never slowed down to even notice what he had done. As for the woman, she stood perfectly still for about three seconds before performing what appeared to be an “oh well” shrug. She turned back in the direction she had just come from...presumably to go home and change her clothes. You could almost hear her thinking, “Well, what are you gonna do? Shit happens.”

What is it “they” say? Oh yeah: Don’t worry, be happy...

Who else has a microcosm for us?
The comments section awaits...