Going to take a bit of a break from “book writing” to share a stupid, “day in the life of Jana” moment….
Yesterday Blake and I went to the gym. I had already worked out earlier in the day, so I took my computer to the gym’s cafe to do some writing. While I was sitting there, there was a man and a woman, both divorced who were carrying on conversation, most of which I could hear every syllable and repeat it verbatim. Usually, “coffee house” chatter serves as white noise for me in the writing process. But yesterday, it seemed to be more distracting that anything. It was the typical, cat and mouse game, of flirting and trying to impress. And she, in particular, was trying way too hard. It made me completely uncomfortable for both of them. It felt awkward and a little forced and so for some reason I could not relax and just do my own thing. A part of me wanted to interject and say, “Come on guys! This is just way too painful and embarrassing! Cut it out!”
As a woman, I wanted to take her aside and say, “He’s not really that into you.” I wanted to spare her further humiliation. But I couldn’t for obvious reasons. It was not my place. They were both complete strangers. And I guess this is what the dating world of adults looks like nowadays. And besides, she was going full speed ahead and I wasn’t about to step in front of that train!
At long last, Blake was done working out, I had gotten a little bit of writing done and knew more about two single strangers than I ever wanted to know. So I packed up to head out. Blake went out ahead of me to wait. As I came around the corner I could see them through the glass. She had snuggled up next to him to show him something on her phone. I cringed. I leaned over and whispered in Blake’s ear (he was sitting on a bench in front of the window), “Oh my gosh! She is so hitting on him! She needs to stop!” You know, just a little friendly gossip between mother and son.
Or so I thought. The face that looked up at the woman who had just whispered in his ear, was not, in fact, Blake. No, this was another total stranger that I had just shared some valuable scoop with. I looked up and across to the front door to see Blake standing there smiling and just shaking his head as he watched me. We laughed all the way to the car and he informed me that he was pretty sure that all of my embarrassing moments could fill up the number of years that he has lived. I’d say that’s a pretty accurate estimate. Dang.
Moral of the story? Number one – Don’t go to the gym to get any writing done. Just not gonna happen. Apparently the meat market mentality doesn’t just stop on the gym floor around all the equipment. It makes its way even into the cafe. And it’s horrifying to watch. And number two – Be careful who you share such valuable information and judgmental gossip with. It might just be a stranger’s ear you’re whispering into.
So, that’s my silly break for now…now back to real writing….
