Wednesday, August 5, 2009

recurring characters

I see the same three people every morning on my way to work. I don't know them, they just happen to be engaged in their morning rituals on the same road that I happen to take for my short commute. I guess there's not much to do in a car on the way to work, so I people-watch. I have named them all – each one gets their very own uncreative name. The recurring characters in my little world are:

Smoker Lady – like clockwork, the smoker lady waits for her bus on the side of the road. When I'm driving to work in the winter when the mornings are still dark, I can see the glow of her cigarette long before I can actually see her. She takes up the exact same burly stance with the exact same expression on her face as if staring straight ahead and down the road will somehow cause her bus to arrive more quickly. She's the only person who is ever waiting at that particular bus stop. She guards her post. She waits inside a nicotine cloud.

Energy-Waster Guy – he backs into his parking spot every morning. Maybe he's perpetually in need of a speedy getaway. He is always sitting and waiting inside his parked car and he leaves his headlights on even if the sun is already up. I don't know if he leaves his engine running while waiting in that car. Something tells me he does. I judge him for wasting fuel and energy. And I want to know why he thinks it's necessary to leave his lights on.

The Running Lady – she is motivated and runs every morning. She reminds me that I am lazy. She runs as if she has a thirty pound weight attached to each foot (an observation, not a criticism). I have never seen anyone else run in this particular manner. It is unnerving. I should start running. But not at six in the morning.

{ photo by: ME }

8 comments:

Southern Girl said...

That is a great picture. I enjoy people watching too!

Michelle said...

I love this post - great reading and great Picture!

Anonymous said...

I really like that picture. Blow it up and hang it on a wall. Good stuff.

Danielle said...

I heart that picture. totally cute. isnt it funny how we see these people everyday but they never say hello.

Lindsey said...

such a fun post...it's funny how our lives intertwined with random strangers. Do you wonder if any of them have a named you?

Mrs A said...

Your photography is just fantastic! This is such a great blog- I found it via Etsy. I'm going to add you to my "blogs to read" list- I'll link to your blog if you'll link to mine (not an offer I make very often at all:)

jane said...

love this! one of my favorite past times is to people-watch too! this photo is great! ok am off to catch up with you some more. besos-jane

nicole said...

your descriptions are so poetic Heidi... you are so observant!! I *love* this post.