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March 14, 2003
Hawks!
On my way back from buying lunch, I saw my boss and her boss out in front of our building, looking up into the trees and pointing. As I got closer, they said "Look! Hawks!" I turned, and there was a huge hawk in the tree behind me, just at the edge of the little plaza in front of the building. He was sitting on a low branch, turning his head to check us out (possibly deciding whether we looked tasty or not). There is apparently another one hiding out in one of the other trees -- we can't see it, but the branches keep moving and rustling. We're hoping that it's a female, and that she's making a nest. The one I did see, which we're assuming is the male of the pair, took off from his branch, flew a couple of feet over our heads, and then went off to chase pigeons and squirrels. He's gorgeous. I hope they stick around -- he didn't seem to mind the people walking by and stopping to watch him, but that may change if they nest and have babies. Maybe we can train them to pick off the more annoying students... if they do stay, I'll have to remember to bring my camera in to take pictures of them.
This has been the longest week ever. Each day at work is The Day That Will Not End. I haven't been sleeping well, so I'm tired all day, and it's hot in here. I haven't fallen asleep at my desk yet, but it's been a struggle.
Okay, here's a thing that's been weirding me out lately: there is a small cafeteria in the building next door. I usually go there for lunch, since it's close by and cheap. (The food is also pretty mediocre, but I don't really care that much.) One of the cashiers has taken to giving me free lunch every day. She used to randomly undercharge me -- like, I'd get a sandwich, some chips, and a bottle of juice, and she'd only charge me for the chips and the juice. I'd point it out, and she'd say "Oh, my mistake, don't worry about it." Lately, though, when I get in line, she'll nod to me and say "You're all set," and wave me on without taking my money. I have no idea why. It's not like we're the best of friends -- I don't even know her name. Maybe I just look really poor to her. The thing is, I feel really funny about it -- guilty, I guess. I don't want her to get in trouble, and I do always have the money to pay. I've actually gone elsewhere for lunch the past few days because of it. Is that weird? Am I just being a big freak about it? What would you do?
And now, a Friday Five:
1. Do you like talking on the phone? Why or why not?
Depends on my mood. Generally, I don't like talking on the phone, but I do call my mom almost every day, and I get into chatty moods every now and again. I don't know why I don't usually like talking on the phone -- maybe it's because I can't really do anything else while I'm on the phone. Plus, it always seems to ring when I'm up to my elbows in dirty dishes, or I have to pee, or something. Also, my cat has some sort of phone fetish, and is compelled to demand cuddling from me whenever I'm on the phone. It's not because I'm talking -- she doesn't do it when I talk to her, or when I'm talking to someone in person. If I have the phone in my hand, though, she has to be cuddled. Last night she got in trouble because she sank her claws into my arm while I was on the phone, the little snot.
2. Who is the last person you talked to on the phone?
My brother, last night. I had emailed him, and he called to answer a computer question, and to tell me about his pet hamster, Twiggy.
3. About how many telephones do you have at home?
One regular phone, in the living room. My roommate and I each have a cell phone, too.
4. Have you encountered anyone who has really bad phone manners? What happened?
Does general rudeness count? I've gotten some rude telemarketers. The worst was a guy calling from the local police station, soliciting donations for their gym. I listened to his spiel, then explained that I had no money at the moment, and couldn't help. He sneered "Yeah, I hear that a lot. Now, how much are you going to donate?" Now, at the time, I had a whopping four bucks to my name. My mom had just sent me a box of food so that I would have something to eat; if she hadn't, I would have gone hungry until I got a paycheck. I was not in the mood for shit like that. I told the guy off and hung up on him. We get a fair number of manners-impaired students on the phones here -- people who call with music blaring in the background, or who eat while talking, stuff like that.
5. Would you rather pick up the phone and call someone or write them an e-mail or a letter? Why or why not? Depends on my mood. Generally, I'll write emails, because I can't call people while I'm at work, and that's usually when I have the urge to chat. (Procrastination, you know.) Also, I'll email if I really don't have much to say. I sort of miss writing letters; the last time I wrote an actual letter was my freshman year of college, I think. I only stopped because apparently none of my friends like writing letters -- I'd write long letters to them, and either get a phone call or a short note back. If anyone wants to write me a letter, let me know! I'll write back, I promise!
Now, I am off to go watch for the hawks some more. Have a good weekend!
Posted by Mary Ellen at March 14, 2003 11:43 PM