Besides just being the title of one the songs on Arcade Fire’s latest album, this is legitimately how I feel about this school year. It may have only been a few days so far, but I really can’t shake the feeling that this year is going to be better than last year. Maybe that’s just getting over my so called “freshiness”, maybe it’s the self confidence I gained over this summer, or maybe the dining hall food has finally drugged my mind.
Classes so far have been decent, I think with my favorite being Italian. Those of who know me well know that I don’t consider myself good at foreign languages, but I actually think I have a decent accent when it comes to Italian. I love saying multi bene after every exercise I do with my partner, it briefly makes me feel like David Tennant’s Doctor Who.
As the title of this post suggests, I’ve become kinda obsessed with music. As some of you know I went to Lollapalooza this summer, and it was one of the best experiences of my life. Now I pretty much want to go to every live show I can, because nothing beats sweating like a pig due to all the body heat coming off the crowd.I’m also going to work on the local Ithaca College radio station (still debating if I want to work on both of them), so if you happen to be one of the three people who tunes in and hear someone making the equipment screech it’s probably me!
I’m not really sure how often I’ll be updating my blog, I know it’s become kind of sporadic. I hope to be really busy this year, because I’ve learned the busier I am the happier I am. It’s funny how having less time to reflect on stuff for an avid over-thinker makes things better right? I realize this post is more personal than my usual stuff, but I can’t go on random rants about how video game characters aren’t getting some from their significant others all the time...or can I?
Until next time,
I’m just your friendly neighborhood bloggerman
Thursday, August 26, 2010
Monday, August 9, 2010
I have a blog so that means I have authority to give my opinion about music, and actually think people care right? (Part Three)
Day Three:
The Miniature Tigers-I got very close because it was raining and early in the morning. Originally I was going to pass them up to hang out with my friends, but when I saw they had a huge crowd I went running up with my arms raised shouting “woo miniature tigers”. They put on a great show and were very chill!
The Antlers-I was also very close cause it was raining, and they were so awesome about how if stuff fell on them cause it was windy they wanted their ashes spread over the park. I didn’t know everyone else liked Two as much as I did though, it was pretty awesome when they played it.
The Dodos-I was kinda also hiding from the heat at this point, but I liked a few songs and didn’t like others. I think I would have needed to be in the crowd to get a better feal. If you couldn’t tell I the sun was kinda my enemy during this festival...maybe cause I’m secretly a vampire ( I later had sparkles on me too)
Blitzentrapper-Kinda Bob Dylan meets modern rock...though I guess that’s like a lot of bands these days? Regardless, I really enjoyed them and need to look into them more. I was disappointed I missed their show on the smaller stage though...I wanted them to look me in the eyes and sing so I could swoon...
Hockey-They played the one song I knew which was cool, but after that I kinda lost interest. Plus Yeasayer was at 4, and Hockey was at 3:30. They also need to put hockey sticks in their gimmick somewhere, as well as an ode to Canada.
Yeasayer- I liked what I saw, but I left early to go see if I could get to Blitzen Trappers’ smaller show. As you already saw that didn’t work out, so I kind of regret that choice. Not too worried because Ithaca is a pretty indy town and they’ll probably come through again at some point.
MGMT-Terrible live! Their new stuff is awful, and their old stuff doesn’t sound good if it’s not studio. The highlights though were green man (of it’s always sunny fame) crowd surfing, as well as being high five by a drunk guy who missed and basically punched me in the wrist hells yeah!
The National-I wasn’t a huge fan, but I wasn’t a huge fan to begin with. They did bring a lot of energy to their performance, but I was so pumped for Arcade Fire that the band before them was screwed no matter what.
Arcade Fire-Best live show of my entire life. The songs from the Suburbs sound even better live, and it’s so fun to sing and dance along to their stuff! They also played Keep the Car running as their “last song”, followed by Wake Up as an encore. I’ve never seen a crowd get more into a song than that crowd did for Wake Up. Even after the show was over, people were still singing the chorus line...myself included. My only regret was I missed catching the guitar strap they threw into the crowd...there’s always next time! I’m just lucky I didn’t pass out from overexcitement...though I may have come very close to a heart attack. Also remember the sparkles? This is where they came from, they were poured on me as I was jumping around. Would Edward Cullen jump around at shows? I leave you with that thought.
Until next time,
I’m just your friendly neighborhood bloggerman
The Miniature Tigers-I got very close because it was raining and early in the morning. Originally I was going to pass them up to hang out with my friends, but when I saw they had a huge crowd I went running up with my arms raised shouting “woo miniature tigers”. They put on a great show and were very chill!
The Antlers-I was also very close cause it was raining, and they were so awesome about how if stuff fell on them cause it was windy they wanted their ashes spread over the park. I didn’t know everyone else liked Two as much as I did though, it was pretty awesome when they played it.
The Dodos-I was kinda also hiding from the heat at this point, but I liked a few songs and didn’t like others. I think I would have needed to be in the crowd to get a better feal. If you couldn’t tell I the sun was kinda my enemy during this festival...maybe cause I’m secretly a vampire ( I later had sparkles on me too)
Blitzentrapper-Kinda Bob Dylan meets modern rock...though I guess that’s like a lot of bands these days? Regardless, I really enjoyed them and need to look into them more. I was disappointed I missed their show on the smaller stage though...I wanted them to look me in the eyes and sing so I could swoon...
Hockey-They played the one song I knew which was cool, but after that I kinda lost interest. Plus Yeasayer was at 4, and Hockey was at 3:30. They also need to put hockey sticks in their gimmick somewhere, as well as an ode to Canada.
Yeasayer- I liked what I saw, but I left early to go see if I could get to Blitzen Trappers’ smaller show. As you already saw that didn’t work out, so I kind of regret that choice. Not too worried because Ithaca is a pretty indy town and they’ll probably come through again at some point.
MGMT-Terrible live! Their new stuff is awful, and their old stuff doesn’t sound good if it’s not studio. The highlights though were green man (of it’s always sunny fame) crowd surfing, as well as being high five by a drunk guy who missed and basically punched me in the wrist hells yeah!
The National-I wasn’t a huge fan, but I wasn’t a huge fan to begin with. They did bring a lot of energy to their performance, but I was so pumped for Arcade Fire that the band before them was screwed no matter what.
Arcade Fire-Best live show of my entire life. The songs from the Suburbs sound even better live, and it’s so fun to sing and dance along to their stuff! They also played Keep the Car running as their “last song”, followed by Wake Up as an encore. I’ve never seen a crowd get more into a song than that crowd did for Wake Up. Even after the show was over, people were still singing the chorus line...myself included. My only regret was I missed catching the guitar strap they threw into the crowd...there’s always next time! I’m just lucky I didn’t pass out from overexcitement...though I may have come very close to a heart attack. Also remember the sparkles? This is where they came from, they were poured on me as I was jumping around. Would Edward Cullen jump around at shows? I leave you with that thought.
Until next time,
I’m just your friendly neighborhood bloggerman
I have a blog so that means I have authority to give my opinion about music, and actually think people care right? (Part Two)
Day Two:
MynameisJohnMichael-A relatively unheard of band from New Orleans, I happened to be passing one of the smaller stages and heard a sound I liked. I started out in the back, but eventually worked my way towards the front as I got more into it. For a start up band I was incredibly impressed by the energy they brought to the table, and how they got nearly everyone in their audience to clap along. Anyone who likes music like the sort that was played at Lolla,I highly recommend their only album that is currently out The people that come and go.
Rebultion-Put on a decent show. They play what I imagine is a cross between rock and reggae, or what I more simply refer to as stoner music. I didn’t stay for long because I wanted to get a good spot for Rogue Wave.
Rogue Wave-Put on an amazing live show! I didn’t think it was possible, but Lake Michigan was even better live than it was studio. After the show, I met all of them! I high fived every member, got my tshirt signed, and got Permalight signed. if anyone heard a giddy girlyish squee coming from the autograph tent...that was probably me.
Blues Traveler-Brought me back to the 90’s, which is always a good thing. My inner bro also came out and sung along with them when they did a cover of “What I got” by Sublime. I bailed on them a bit early after changing my shirt in the middle of their show to go get it signed by Rogue Wave (I apologize for anyone who was blinded by the sun’s glare of my very white body).
The XX-I got dragged here by a friend, and I didn’t really enjoy it. Just not my scene. They had some good beats, but the singing wasn’t really my style. I bailed kinda early to go see Grizzly Bear.
Grizzly Bear-I feel bad, but it was sooo hot that I really didn’t pay much attention to them as I desperately searched for shade. What I did hear though sounded very good. I bailed a little early on them to go to Edward Sharpe.
Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros-The largest hippy fest I’ve ever seen personally. The only songs I knew really were 40 day dream, janglin’, and home...but they were all good live. I probably didn’t enjoy the show as much as I would have otherwise because I went all the way to the back from pretty much to the front to be with my friend. Sometimes though, it’s more the people you’re with than the music as sappy as that is. I’m sure good people could even make the worst show awesome.
Cut Copy-Sounded pretty good, I didn’t pay all that much attention because I wanted to get a good spot for Phoenix...even though I didn’t really know Phoenix well before this show.
Phoenix-Was sooo crazy! We got pretty far up and there was crazy moshes, I didn’t get kicked in the head 7 times this time (did I mention that already? no? Are you sure) They brought so much energy, and it was so much fun. The lead singer may need to redefine what last means in english, everything was their “last” song haha.
MynameisJohnMichael-A relatively unheard of band from New Orleans, I happened to be passing one of the smaller stages and heard a sound I liked. I started out in the back, but eventually worked my way towards the front as I got more into it. For a start up band I was incredibly impressed by the energy they brought to the table, and how they got nearly everyone in their audience to clap along. Anyone who likes music like the sort that was played at Lolla,I highly recommend their only album that is currently out The people that come and go.
Rebultion-Put on a decent show. They play what I imagine is a cross between rock and reggae, or what I more simply refer to as stoner music. I didn’t stay for long because I wanted to get a good spot for Rogue Wave.
Rogue Wave-Put on an amazing live show! I didn’t think it was possible, but Lake Michigan was even better live than it was studio. After the show, I met all of them! I high fived every member, got my tshirt signed, and got Permalight signed. if anyone heard a giddy girlyish squee coming from the autograph tent...that was probably me.
Blues Traveler-Brought me back to the 90’s, which is always a good thing. My inner bro also came out and sung along with them when they did a cover of “What I got” by Sublime. I bailed on them a bit early after changing my shirt in the middle of their show to go get it signed by Rogue Wave (I apologize for anyone who was blinded by the sun’s glare of my very white body).
The XX-I got dragged here by a friend, and I didn’t really enjoy it. Just not my scene. They had some good beats, but the singing wasn’t really my style. I bailed kinda early to go see Grizzly Bear.
Grizzly Bear-I feel bad, but it was sooo hot that I really didn’t pay much attention to them as I desperately searched for shade. What I did hear though sounded very good. I bailed a little early on them to go to Edward Sharpe.
Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros-The largest hippy fest I’ve ever seen personally. The only songs I knew really were 40 day dream, janglin’, and home...but they were all good live. I probably didn’t enjoy the show as much as I would have otherwise because I went all the way to the back from pretty much to the front to be with my friend. Sometimes though, it’s more the people you’re with than the music as sappy as that is. I’m sure good people could even make the worst show awesome.
Cut Copy-Sounded pretty good, I didn’t pay all that much attention because I wanted to get a good spot for Phoenix...even though I didn’t really know Phoenix well before this show.
Phoenix-Was sooo crazy! We got pretty far up and there was crazy moshes, I didn’t get kicked in the head 7 times this time (did I mention that already? no? Are you sure) They brought so much energy, and it was so much fun. The lead singer may need to redefine what last means in english, everything was their “last” song haha.
I have a blog so that means I have authority to give my opinion about music, and actually think people care right? (Part one)
I love self mocking titles.So as some of you may or may not know, I took my first trip without my parents to Chicago this weekend for Lollapalooza. I LOVED Chicago. The city is tailor made for people in our age group who love indie music, modern art, and just generally chilling in parks ( I just described about 90 % of our age group...how sad is that). As much as I’d love to go on and on about Chicago, this post is about the bands I saw.
It'll be broken up into three parts (three days, three parts look mom I can do math!)
Day 1:
The Walkmen-There is absolutely nothing bad to say about the Walkmen, besides that I didn’t expect them to be as good as they are. My friend played me some of their stuff and they were a band I checked out because I had nothing better to do, and because honestly...my body refused to let me sleep in ( I apologize Walkmen, I know the error of my ways now). They sound almost exactly like they do in the studio, and bring a lot of energy to the table. I also like the fact that their gimmick is to dress up like they are business men while rocking out.
New Pornographers-They led off with Sing me Spanish Techno which I’m pretty sure is the only song of theirs anyone actually knows. I didn’t stay for long because I wanted to get a good spot for Matt & Kim, which was either a mistake or one of the best decisions I made all festival.
Matt & Kim-Was CRAZY! Whether it was Kim dancing on top of the audiences hands, Matt pretty much standing on his fingers while playing piano, or being kicked in the back of the head by crowd surfers seven times, they brought SO much energy to the show. I was exhausted after, but at least I helped my friend fufill his dream of getting his picture with Kim (he missed out on his attempt to give her a butt touch though... shame for him)
Hot Chip-I kinda passed out on the ground near the Hot Chip stage being so tired from Matt & Kim. While I wasn’t busy getting high off second hand smoke (I hope this isn’t true, but the smell of pot became second nature), they sounded pretty good in the background. Not much else to say because I was in a daze from having been kicked in the 7 times (did I mention this already? ...I’m like one of those rappers, I got kicked 7 times!)
Lady Gaga-The biggest disappointment of the festival! Before all you fans get your panties/thongs in a bunch, let me just say that all she did was rant for nearly an hour while only playing one song. As much as I agree with her message that it’s ok to be who you want to be, it was a music festival, not tell us all about your daddy issues festival. I may have enjoyed this show if I had taken the acid some dude offered me at the start. It sucks because I’m a straight male and will admit I used to have dance parties to Lady Gaga...but now I’m not so sure.
The Strokes-I should slap myself for not trusting my gut instinct to go to The Strokes in the first place. At least I got there in time for all my favorite songs...I even sung and danced along..in public! *gasp* The Strokes reminded me of why I used to love them so much, and made me slap myself for ever doubting them.
It'll be broken up into three parts (three days, three parts look mom I can do math!)
Day 1:
The Walkmen-There is absolutely nothing bad to say about the Walkmen, besides that I didn’t expect them to be as good as they are. My friend played me some of their stuff and they were a band I checked out because I had nothing better to do, and because honestly...my body refused to let me sleep in ( I apologize Walkmen, I know the error of my ways now). They sound almost exactly like they do in the studio, and bring a lot of energy to the table. I also like the fact that their gimmick is to dress up like they are business men while rocking out.
New Pornographers-They led off with Sing me Spanish Techno which I’m pretty sure is the only song of theirs anyone actually knows. I didn’t stay for long because I wanted to get a good spot for Matt & Kim, which was either a mistake or one of the best decisions I made all festival.
Matt & Kim-Was CRAZY! Whether it was Kim dancing on top of the audiences hands, Matt pretty much standing on his fingers while playing piano, or being kicked in the back of the head by crowd surfers seven times, they brought SO much energy to the show. I was exhausted after, but at least I helped my friend fufill his dream of getting his picture with Kim (he missed out on his attempt to give her a butt touch though... shame for him)
Hot Chip-I kinda passed out on the ground near the Hot Chip stage being so tired from Matt & Kim. While I wasn’t busy getting high off second hand smoke (I hope this isn’t true, but the smell of pot became second nature), they sounded pretty good in the background. Not much else to say because I was in a daze from having been kicked in the 7 times (did I mention this already? ...I’m like one of those rappers, I got kicked 7 times!)
Lady Gaga-The biggest disappointment of the festival! Before all you fans get your panties/thongs in a bunch, let me just say that all she did was rant for nearly an hour while only playing one song. As much as I agree with her message that it’s ok to be who you want to be, it was a music festival, not tell us all about your daddy issues festival. I may have enjoyed this show if I had taken the acid some dude offered me at the start. It sucks because I’m a straight male and will admit I used to have dance parties to Lady Gaga...but now I’m not so sure.
The Strokes-I should slap myself for not trusting my gut instinct to go to The Strokes in the first place. At least I got there in time for all my favorite songs...I even sung and danced along..in public! *gasp* The Strokes reminded me of why I used to love them so much, and made me slap myself for ever doubting them.
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
A rant about Super Mario Galaxy 2
Forgive the lack of a creative title, but I am calling this what it is. It is a rant about Super Mario Galaxy 2. I was playing earlier, when I noticed all these stupid little bulletin boards that would show me hints/videos of how to jump across the platform. Really nintendo? Anyone who uses those hints deserves to have the game taken away.
I don't care if it's a three year old. Part of the fun of the game is figuring out how to accomplish what needs to be done on your own. Video games taught me to be persistent and keep trying until I got it right. You don't get that same feeling of accomplishment if someone does it for you. Hell, you might as well just buy Super Mario Galaxy 2:the abridged version.
"Bobby Koch you're the most succesful businessman in the world what taught you to never give up " "Video games, not that shit with the signs that tell you how to fucking do it, no the old school way. You messed up, that was game over. You could go cry to mommy or you could try again. Well me? I wanted that fucking star. It was shiny"
That would be like buying a copy of Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince back when it came out and having someone tell you Snapes kills Dumbledore and then going on to say that *gasp* Snape was the half blood prince...and telling you every part except that Harry's dad gave Snape a wedgie which honestly who wouldn't? I can imagine kids today, "This is the greatest game ever. All I have to do is sit and watch while other people show me exactly what to do. This teaches me that if I cry enough, people will do everything in life for me. That will definitely come in handy in the workplace"
And nintendo wonders why people think they are for kids? You know what? Mario finally needs to get some from the princess. Yeah I said it.
How many cakes can one man (even a fat italian man) eat? Seriously? No. He is done with cakes. You may say won't the parents of little kids lash out against Nintendo if Mario finally gets what he deserves? No, because even when they were kids he was still only getting cake. It's time.
Also what's with Peach always getting kidnapped? Seriously! Is her security detail worse than the detail for the Kennedy family?
Finally, Toad. Why don't you stop telling my princess is another castle, world, or now...galaxy and be useful. Like bring me a piece of that cake I've eaten twenty times in the span of my gaming career now.
Until next time,
I'm just your friendly neighborhood bloggerman
I don't care if it's a three year old. Part of the fun of the game is figuring out how to accomplish what needs to be done on your own. Video games taught me to be persistent and keep trying until I got it right. You don't get that same feeling of accomplishment if someone does it for you. Hell, you might as well just buy Super Mario Galaxy 2:the abridged version.
"Bobby Koch you're the most succesful businessman in the world what taught you to never give up " "Video games, not that shit with the signs that tell you how to fucking do it, no the old school way. You messed up, that was game over. You could go cry to mommy or you could try again. Well me? I wanted that fucking star. It was shiny"
That would be like buying a copy of Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince back when it came out and having someone tell you Snapes kills Dumbledore and then going on to say that *gasp* Snape was the half blood prince...and telling you every part except that Harry's dad gave Snape a wedgie which honestly who wouldn't? I can imagine kids today, "This is the greatest game ever. All I have to do is sit and watch while other people show me exactly what to do. This teaches me that if I cry enough, people will do everything in life for me. That will definitely come in handy in the workplace"
And nintendo wonders why people think they are for kids? You know what? Mario finally needs to get some from the princess. Yeah I said it.
How many cakes can one man (even a fat italian man) eat? Seriously? No. He is done with cakes. You may say won't the parents of little kids lash out against Nintendo if Mario finally gets what he deserves? No, because even when they were kids he was still only getting cake. It's time.
Also what's with Peach always getting kidnapped? Seriously! Is her security detail worse than the detail for the Kennedy family?
Finally, Toad. Why don't you stop telling my princess is another castle, world, or now...galaxy and be useful. Like bring me a piece of that cake I've eaten twenty times in the span of my gaming career now.
Until next time,
I'm just your friendly neighborhood bloggerman
Sunday, June 20, 2010
Boy Story
This father’s day I saw Toy Story 3 with my sister and dad. While I won’t spoil any of it for people, the basic idea behind it is that people grow up and move on. As I sat there with my dad and sister watching the end of a saga that started when I was four, I couldn’t help but have flashbacks to my own childhood.
We all have things we hold onto that remind of us being a kid, whether we openly admit it or not. For some people it may be a stuffed tiger, for others it may be a blanket they carried around everywhere like Linus from the peanut gallery. These things give us comfort when times are rough, and remind of us a time when simple. They remind me of us of a time that our parents took care of everything for us, and made the monsters go away.
Just because we are capable of handling our own boogie men now for the most part doesn’t mean we no longer need our parents. Everyone makes mistakes, and when you really need them parents are there ...sometimes even when you don’t. We move out into the real world, go off to college, find jobs, but we take these things from our childhood with us. Why? Because they remind us that the people who provided them for us are always there with us, and while we may miss them they would want us to do our best.
Personally, the kid who wondered if his toys could talk after he watched the original Toy Story with my parents will always be a part of me. To this day, I still believe the toys come to life when we sleep. Parents, take note. I may seem more grown up, but I’ve just managed to organize my pretend games into something a tad more socially acceptable.
I realize this is just about the sappiest post I’ve ever written, but I’m willing to take that risk. This post goes out to both my parents, whose encouragement of my imagination led to the some of the topics you’ve all enjoyed reading here. I blame all my eccentricities on them, but I also love them for it.
Dad, consider this an extra father’s day present.
Until next time,
I'm just your friendly neighborhood bloggerman
We all have things we hold onto that remind of us being a kid, whether we openly admit it or not. For some people it may be a stuffed tiger, for others it may be a blanket they carried around everywhere like Linus from the peanut gallery. These things give us comfort when times are rough, and remind of us a time when simple. They remind me of us of a time that our parents took care of everything for us, and made the monsters go away.
Just because we are capable of handling our own boogie men now for the most part doesn’t mean we no longer need our parents. Everyone makes mistakes, and when you really need them parents are there ...sometimes even when you don’t. We move out into the real world, go off to college, find jobs, but we take these things from our childhood with us. Why? Because they remind us that the people who provided them for us are always there with us, and while we may miss them they would want us to do our best.
Personally, the kid who wondered if his toys could talk after he watched the original Toy Story with my parents will always be a part of me. To this day, I still believe the toys come to life when we sleep. Parents, take note. I may seem more grown up, but I’ve just managed to organize my pretend games into something a tad more socially acceptable.
I realize this is just about the sappiest post I’ve ever written, but I’m willing to take that risk. This post goes out to both my parents, whose encouragement of my imagination led to the some of the topics you’ve all enjoyed reading here. I blame all my eccentricities on them, but I also love them for it.
Dad, consider this an extra father’s day present.
Until next time,
I'm just your friendly neighborhood bloggerman
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
On display for your viewing pleasure: Foreigners
This post brought you by Naxos, Greece. Famous for it’s Potatoes, Naxos is the stop for potato lovers of all sorts. (Somewhat sadly, I didn’t totally make this up. The guide book goes on and on about Naxos’ Potatoes)
The setting is a European cafe, a place where one stops to get coffee and as my Greek friend so eloquently put “argue over politics”. Suddenly, the pair turns their chair to watch the on coming crowd and stare at them as they walk by. A spectator sport, people watching seems to be much more blatant in Europe than it is America. While turning to watch people is creepy in America, in Europe it is nothing but status quo.
As I walk by these cafes and notice the people watching me as I walk by, I always wonder what they think about me. While I hope they think, “there goes a dignified gentleman with his head held high” they probably think more along the lines of “there goes a young man who slouches, wears stupid slogans that he thinks are witty on his T-shirts, and he is definitely American. No self respecting European man would ever dress like that” That may be a tad extreme( and harsh towards my fashion sense), but one can’t help but feel the silent judgement that is passed as they walk by.
I never know what to do in those situations. Do you simply look away and pretend that you don’t notice their eyes watching you? Do you acknowledge them with a smile, or for the more playful of us a wink even? Is it a cultural difference that makes me more uncomfortable being watched than a European would be?
While none of these people are quite pulling an Edward Cullen ( the term for creepily watching me as I sleep), I still feel a sincere discomfort from being watched. I realize though, I am guilty of it on a much more subtle level. We all are. We all take into account our surroundings and make silent judgements (or not so silent depending upon the person) about the people who are surrounding us. You’d think knowing this, the lack of subtlety wouldn’t bother me but it still does.
I’ve decided the next time someone is so blatant as to turn their chair to see what I am doing as I pass by, I will stop where I am standing and give them something to look at. If they are so curious as to fully turn their chairs to see what I’m doing, why should I be so ungracious as to bore them? I will continue to wear my shirts with the silly slogans. Some Europeans may think of it as me being a dumb American, but maybe my shirts will make one bored Coffee drinker’s day.
Until next time,
I’m just your friendly neighborhood Bloggerman
The setting is a European cafe, a place where one stops to get coffee and as my Greek friend so eloquently put “argue over politics”. Suddenly, the pair turns their chair to watch the on coming crowd and stare at them as they walk by. A spectator sport, people watching seems to be much more blatant in Europe than it is America. While turning to watch people is creepy in America, in Europe it is nothing but status quo.
As I walk by these cafes and notice the people watching me as I walk by, I always wonder what they think about me. While I hope they think, “there goes a dignified gentleman with his head held high” they probably think more along the lines of “there goes a young man who slouches, wears stupid slogans that he thinks are witty on his T-shirts, and he is definitely American. No self respecting European man would ever dress like that” That may be a tad extreme( and harsh towards my fashion sense), but one can’t help but feel the silent judgement that is passed as they walk by.
I never know what to do in those situations. Do you simply look away and pretend that you don’t notice their eyes watching you? Do you acknowledge them with a smile, or for the more playful of us a wink even? Is it a cultural difference that makes me more uncomfortable being watched than a European would be?
While none of these people are quite pulling an Edward Cullen ( the term for creepily watching me as I sleep), I still feel a sincere discomfort from being watched. I realize though, I am guilty of it on a much more subtle level. We all are. We all take into account our surroundings and make silent judgements (or not so silent depending upon the person) about the people who are surrounding us. You’d think knowing this, the lack of subtlety wouldn’t bother me but it still does.
I’ve decided the next time someone is so blatant as to turn their chair to see what I am doing as I pass by, I will stop where I am standing and give them something to look at. If they are so curious as to fully turn their chairs to see what I’m doing, why should I be so ungracious as to bore them? I will continue to wear my shirts with the silly slogans. Some Europeans may think of it as me being a dumb American, but maybe my shirts will make one bored Coffee drinker’s day.
Until next time,
I’m just your friendly neighborhood Bloggerman
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