Wonder what he would have thought if I'd gotten out my video camera and started recording???

Since it's the first of the month, I decided to take myself out for a little supper tonight. ( For those of you who need to know, "Bob Evans" now features a big screen TV mounted over the counter. Serving alcohol, and making the 'waitrons' wear revealing outfits can't be far behind now..) But that's not really my story....

In my part of town, the "Bob's" is next door to "Borders", so I thought I'd go over there and check to see if there were new issues of the the magazines I'm interested in. After all, I figured, it's a new month, should be new issues. However, this particular "Borders" anarcho-style of store management is such that I'm never sure when they will decide to get the stuff on the shelf. Figured it couldn't hurt to look, and I was in no hurry to get home.

Usually, I check the various "Buddhist" mags, and then take a look at the photography mags. Mostly the ones that have real 'photography' on the covers rather than the latest camera model or lens-y gadget. As I was standing there paging through one of them, I could hear a guy blabbing away on the other side of the rack where the 'cafe' section of the store is. Not an unusual occurrence, since it is sort of a public gathering place over there. Unfortunately, for the rest of us, he seemed to lack the ability to moderate the volume of his voice, so everyone within 30-40 feet had to endure his conversation whether we wanted to or not.

My curiosity was piqued. (as was my annoyance level..) I peeked over the stand to see who he was talking to. Of course,.. there was no one in sight. Instead, he's wearing some set of headphones (covering both ears) that functioned as a telephone. He's got a bunch of books on the table and he's 'selling' them to some person on the other end of his (non-private) conversation. Due to the fact that he can't hear anything except the world inside of his head (I'll bet there's quite an echo in there...), he's shilling for the rest of us, too. But, dude, we're not really interested in your banter, and you aren't that slick.

I was hoping for a swift end to the spectacle, but he kept getting up and walking over to the 'bargain racks' (talking the whole time) and getting more books!!! What a treasure hunter!

Finally, I gave up, and removed myself from his vociferous vicinity.

After poking around the rest of the store for a while, I decided it was time to leave. When I got outside, I could see through the window that he was still 'at it', and oblivious to his effect on those around him. I wonder if he'd have gotten a bit more self-conscious if I'd gotten out the little video camera I carry in my coat and started recording... nah. Probably not. Besides, I was already outside.. ah-this modern world.