The sky is smokey again today but not as bad as Wednesday. I can still taste grit, unlike this day some time ago:

took a walk today ...

Wandered over to Washington Square to watch the goings-on for a while. The day is a ten, perfect early fall, not a cloud in the sky, a bit breezy with a hint of chill to come. Too bright for me actually, I prefer clouds, some fog maybe ... but hey, it's Sunday. It's early still, everyone's warming up including the fountain which starts to rise as I head for shade and settle on a bench.

Bare-skinned sun worshippers on the wrong side of the fountain duck the drifting mist while a doggie goes crazy in the pool furiously barking at frothing water, drowning out the Amish women choir gathered nearby with their outrunners of preachers who can usually be avoided by not making eye contact. Works with drug pushers as well.

Just then Master Lee struts into view dragging his huge valise filled with the tools of his trade, he'll be juggling an apple, a sword and a flaming baton, the plywood will be splinters after a karate chop; he's part Black he says ... from the waist down. Across the park The Theater For The New City sets up stage for 'Biotech', sure to include evil polluters, rapacious landlords and some heavy-duty breakdancing. Suddenly everyone's pointing up, a skywriting plane (NOW SPRINT ?) gets the tourists all excited.

All this time I watch a good-looking man standing near the arch, an actor I imagine, holding a small sign, up high when I first arrive but as time goes by his pacing increases, he looks at his watch more often, the sign disappears from view. Body language says it's not gonna happen. He's been stood up. I can't take it anymore and wander over, past him to see the sign. BIG ONION WALKING TOURS it says. I can't get myself to ask for details, but I'm sure he'll get over it, he's young; I leave the park and head on east.

₀₉₁₇₀₀