Tampa is starting to get chilly these days, especially after the sun goes down. I took a drive down to one of my favorite places: St. Armands' Circle, near Sarasota. There is just something enchanting about the place, where the words "economic turmoil" or "times like these" just don't exist and shoppers hold up handbags or shoes that just might purchase a Democrat's haircut. And, it is usually quiet on Sundays- a perfect place to stroll and shop and contemplate a myriad of things. I figured it would be a great place to get away to, even just for the afternoon. I'd do a little shopping, get a latte, and then kick off my shoes and go for a walk on the beach and clear my head.
Well, it wasn't so quiet today. There was a classic/current Mustang show going on in the circle, and there were people everywhere. I parked myself on a sunny little bench and finished my peppermint-mocha-decaf-latte and did one of my favorite things to do: think and people-watch. I was soon approached* by a nice looking man who introduced himself as Phil.
Phil seemed undeterred by my obvious leave-me-alone stature.
"You here for the show?"
"No."
"You from around here?"
"No."
"I just talked to my brother! He is married and has two kids and he lives in London!"
"That must keep him busy."
"Are you here with friends?"
"No."
"Ah, an independent girl! I like that!"
"Um, my boyfriend is over there in the port-a-john. [Wave in general direction of the blue pod with the long line.] I'm getting a little bit concerned because he's been in there for like an hour, and the people in line are giving me dirty looks. Maybe you could go check on him?"
"Um, yeah, well, enjoy the rest of the show..."
Crisis Adverted!!!!!!!!!
(Ok, so I didn't really say that last part to him, because he eventually gave up on trying to create a conversation with me. This was, however, going to be a last resort line.)*
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So anyways I drove all the way down there and I got some sunshine on my face and shoulders and I saw some really pretty things to get for Christmas presents (maybe next weekend) and I had a really, really good cup of coffee and saw a lot of sweet old people talking about their good old days in their Mustangs, and I wasn't cold until it got late and the sun started to set, and then I took a slice of pepperoni pizza down the beach and I found that bench we sat on that one time and the sun started to set and it felt great to have some sand on my feet and to watch the sunset and I felt like I had a little getaway but it didn't clear my head like I thought it would, so goodnight and sweet dreams, and thankfully I can count on time to help with that.
*I tend to get approached, a lot, by all types of people: old, young happy, sad, questionable.... My friend pointed this out to me tonight as I recounted this story. I just wanted to note that I love, love meeting new people and I love, love that people feel comfortable coming up and talking to me. I normally don't discourage this. I think if you had been there today, though, you'd understand. Thanks.
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