Hello.
The other day, during a break at work I found myself doing one of the things I do best: people-watching and listening in to conversations.
And, as is usually the case in these situations, my fingers reached for my notebook so I could trap what I was seeing between the nib of my pen and the paper.
It wasn't until after I'd finished I realised that it was just the thing to contribute to the 'Simply A Moment' meme created by Alexa of 'Trimming the Sails' which, in her own words, is "a mid-month opportunity for pausing, noticing and recording". Alexa welcomes all who'd like to join in and share their moments ... so here's mine:
Choreographed Crossings
Date: Thursday 17th January 2013
Time: around 2.30pm
Location: Staff Lounge - at a window overlooking a main campus thoroughfare. While this part of campus is clear, everywhere else is snowy.
I watch as people below cross the quadrangle. How, like slow Red Arrows, they pass one another. Synchronised. Choreographed.
They merge as groups then pass through and intersect. Some meet. Some part.
And still they come.
Left to right. Right to left. Top to bottom. Wave after wave. Never colliding. It's a flight path and I can see their contrails from up here.
Warm coats. Flat shoes. Bags. Earphones. Occasional colour. Occasional cigarettes.
A wave. A nod of recognition across the way.
Behind me they're talking business/promo speak. Someone at another table says "Prescott turned out the Great Unwashed".
Below someone is running. Are they late? Am I? No, it's only 26 past.
They clutch phones, coffee. Clipboard. Carrier bag.
The people behind me complain that Dmitri doesn't understand.
A man in a full fluorescent high-vis suit and balaclava passes by a girl wearing those odd pale-fleshy coloured leggings. No, they are her legs. Bare legs.
Bare legs?! Imagine.
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Thanks for pausing and taking a moment with me.
If it's something you'd like to read more about then don't forget to visit Alexa.
See you soon.
Julie
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