Brawn and no bite...

I had a dental appointment today for a check-up, and cleaning. As I waited my turn a uneasy looking man of perhaps 35 years entered the office. He looked more nervous than most who hate going to the dentist. His black jeans, tank top, and sneakers were covered with paint splatter. I noticed that the sneaks were actually randomly artistic. He gave me a quizzical look; I imagine most guys don't smile at his footwear. I shot back a look intended to mean "Yo, dude, deyz art everywhere!"

I also thought it semi-curious how muscularly carved this man was... Greek God, yada, yada, yada.

He was next. The very attractive receptionist offered to help. "I want to make a appointment to see somebody, but I don't do no dentist chair." The young woman told him that new patients, had a teeth cleaning, and an examination on their first visit. He demanded and questioned at the same time "Y'all put people to sleep for dat?" The poor woman still smiling broadly seemed to ask with her eyes. "What the F' is happening here?" She turned to her co-worker. The man repeated himself to her. "I can't take nothing done to me in a dentist chair." "Hmm... I never tried that," I thought, never missing an opportunity to amuse myself.

His huge muscles tensed further as they seemed to plead his case. A supervisor was summoned... The nice lady carefully explained that it was not the practice of that particular practice to sedate patients for routine office visits involving cleaning, and such. Brawny dude became agitated, and stammered as he seemed to look about for them, the big dudes that would take him to the chair. I had now crossed the line from entertainment to fear, and moved a tad to the left in my chair for an easy escape if necessary.

Suddenly, the man remembered that he knew a nurse on staff there and asked to see her. He sat next to me for a half hour staring at his phone. He probably didn't even know I was there. I imagine this was just as well because I would have been pummeled, after I involuntarily blurted out, "Nice muscles, afraid of dental equipment are you?"

Then, as if scripted, the outer office door opened, and there stood an eight year old Asian boy with his parents. He extended his arms and pressed his palms against both sides of the door frame while declaring loudly "NO!" The man and the boy both looked too tough to cry.

No way to end a week...

Around 4:45pm, I started my 3 1/2 mile walk home. There has been beautiful sunshine and 77° temps today, which always puts me in a great mood. Roughly a mile and a quarter into my walk is a stretch of blank space; an almost empty medical parking lot, an Asian restaurant, and a church that won't come alive again until Sunday morning.

This area is heavily trafficed by vehicles in that this is the main road through the city. I usually only pass a handful of fellow pedestrians on this route. I have been uncomfortable in this area since I was followed by teens last year.

I don't know if the teens that I encountered today were the same two, but they were equally as dangerous with the same intent I believe. I am very aware of my surroundings and did not hear the bicycle until it was upon me. I figure they must have been laying in wait for me. I heard a speeding bicycle, and felt a large thud against the back of my head. I was a bit stunned, but kept my footing. I now know that the smack to the back of my head was made by having a two or three quart Tupperware bowl filled with dirt tossed at me.  The bowl and lid bounced from my head, then apart, and into the street, near the curb. As they sped off, I noticed the two teens were on one fairly small bike. The one peddling wore a white T-shirt, and asked the other "Did you get him? Did you get him?" The other wearing a black tee giggled as he looked back at me, and said "yeah, but..."

I stood for a couple seconds, and with the exception of a pounding headache, I was okay. I noticed a bus shelter across the street, but feared they might return before the next bus arrived. I continued my walk a little weepy. What an incredibly messed up world we live in?

Dear Kitty: Friday's Almost Done

Random things from my Friday:

1.
Freaked out... Phone wouldn't charge with 11% battery power remaining. Wires, and old chargers everywhere, they were all useless, then I discovered that nothing was plugged into the wall. I might go to bed early tonight. 😕

2.
Random guy on the street: Yo OG, 'sup, babe?

Me: Hey

*I was however thinking "He probably knows that I am going to have to Google all that."😕

3.
I found a twenty dollar bill on the ground, said a little prayer for prosperity for whomever lost it, and stuffed that sucker in me pants!

4.
A personal best; 170.5 miles of walking in one month. That's just the 22 business days that I am counting, and inclusive of four days that I took public transport... So, 170.5 miles of walking for 18 business days.

5.
An acquaintance/stranger says "Hello, how are you?" Then you respond with "Fine, and you?" Aren't you a little put off when they actually answer the question, with something like "very well, thank you..." or, more startling, they add why they are or aren't okay.

Whoa, this is on its way to quickly becoming a conversation. I really didn't want that. No, I was just trying to do what I imagine extroverted people do. 😜😢

Good night!

All before noon..

Why me, Universe?

I was standing downtown when a total random hip-hop stranger dude walked up to me and timidly asks "So, what made you shave your moustache off? A little creeped out, I told him that "it was time for a change." He awkwardly added "it's really nice." I thanked him, and luckily the bus arrived to end our exchange.

To take aways:
1. The weirdest stuff happens to me.
2. People aren't dealing well with Les Sans 'Stache.

And this earlier...

Years ago I was given this diamond/silver ear stud, but never wore it. I thought it lost, but it reappeared recently. While, I have a pierced ear, I usually wear a tiny flat disc. Anyway, I've worn this for about a week until some time during last night.

I woke this morning to a slight discomfort in my right butt cheek, only to discover that the diamond was stuck there. I'm taking this as a sign. 😜

...but, but, covfefe. What about covfefe? 😀

Les, sans 'stache

Little Nephew: Uncle Lester, your face looks kinda weird.

Me: Hmm...

LN: Yes, something is very wrong?

Me: Is something missing?

LN: (Stares a bit, and then wide eyed covered his mouth while screaming...) Nooooooooooooo! Your moustache is gone. Get it back! Get it back!

Me: You don't like it?

LN: WOW. Didn't see that coming.

Me: (Smiles)

LN: You are very handsome, but grow it back by tomorrow!

Dedicated to serve...

*This is Les Bryant, reporting from the terrifyingly tense situation at Townsend and Harrison Streets. Apparently, a mother duck was leading her ducklings across Townsend Street, when one of the little ones got trapped in a sewer grate.

I took the attached photo from my doctor's office. The excitement slightly elevated my blood pressure reading. As you can see; Three police cruisers, an animal control officer, and an actual news team are on the scene. It was touch and go for more than an hour I am told, but yours truly witnessed the successful capture of the duckling. He/She was placed in a pet carrier to the delight of those dedicated to serve.

Friggin People?

This from my file: Friggin People?

On the first floor of the little mall where I am seated there is a US Post Office. Over the railing I notice a stylish, suited, forty-ish man going from person to person. He made his way to the second floor, and eventually to me. He asked if I had a couple dollars. He offered no explanation as to why a total stranger should give him money. I told him "No" as I noticed letters in his hand.

I told him I could give him a couple stamps if that's what he needed. He said that he indeed needed two stamps. I still snail mail cards and notes and always have stamps. I started to tear off a couple Harvey Milk stamps, (Milk, was of course, the gay San Francisco councilman who was murdered by a fellow politician. There was a major motion picture celebrating his life a few years back. Nevertheless, the postal service honors those who have contributed greatly to this country and culture.) The man interrupted me and asked "Do you have anything other than Harvey Milk, I'm not comfortable with that?" 

I was speechless as he took two planet stamps, and hurried away.

I refuse to be on constant guard because the next guy could be a jerk, but goddamn if I didn't want to chase him and tackle him to the ground.