eye of the beholder

This morning on Wise Avenue I spotted a young woman in a black burka, a bit of a surprise in our homogeneous yellow-cake of a city. But it's an eclectic neighborhood so a new flavor of citizen icing isn't totally out of the realm of possibility. "Wow" I thought, "it must be interesting to live in Roanoke as a very conservative Muslim." and then, "She's going to get in hot in that today."

As I neared the person I realized it wasn't a burka or a girl. It was a young man in what is a some iteration of "goth": large wide-legged, drag-the-floor black pants resembling a flowing skirt and a black sweatshirt hoodie, pulled way below his eyes. "How juvenile" I thought. Followed by "He's going to get hot in that today."

So I ask myself, if the look is the same - and either would end up uncomfortable in today's heat -- how can I assume they are different people inside. One I almost pity for what I assume would be a difficult life thrust upon here; the other I feel aggravation at for setting himself up for trouble by resisting conformity.

How can I know whether the look of the person standing at the bus stop is a measures of how he or she stands in his or her heart? Burka, scarf, cross, Star of David, big hair, funny hat. There is little I can truly know about a person until I actually KNOW the person. Except that "It's going to be hot today."

-30-

of mice and men

Robert Burns said it best: "the best laid plans of mice and men gang aft agley" (oft go awry.) I started this blog with good intentions. I have much to say. Even so, having something to say - especially things or great insight or merit (which I don't necessarily claim) are of now value - even as entertainment if they are not actually said. So I will start again, remembering this is not Small Talk 1.0 where a good 250-500 words were needed (not necessarily to be complete but to fill the available space.)
So today I start Small Talk 2.0 because I have things to say