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lightfingers

a lazy sunday in the parc di cituadella in barcelona. independence weekend back in the states..
two drum circles forming rythym-heavy war parties while masses of young and not-so-old nod to one circle’s beat or the other.
people paddling aimlessly in the pond around the palm tree islands and enough pigeons to look like grey swarming ants.

taking in the sounds and views of happy spanish folk, i sat on a shaded grass plot in good proximity to one of the drum groups. i was writing in my sketchbook and sketching an interesting face or two when two guys plopped down just behind me, almost too close to make any sense as i was easily ten feet from my nearest neighbor. since i was preparing to get up and walk around some more, i thought not much of it. yet moments after slinging my bag around my back, i felt a curious movement that i didn’t create and a slight creak of a hinge or zipper. quickly i stood up and spun around, grabbing my grocery sack of food as well. i glanced at the guys and as i walked away looked back for closer inspection, noticing the bigger of the two was eyeballing me harshly. he had on a black button-down shirt with a huge yellow and orange lion head on front and back, his friend wearing nondescript ball cap and khakis. walking a bit further i thought i’d watch the guys and noticed they hopped up and walked on right after i was out of view. they moved a short distance and proceeded to do the same routine. sat or layed down really close to someone where it seemed they would latch onto some item if possible, one making a visual distraction, then they jumped up and moved on. i was unable to see what they might have nabbed, but it was certain there was an ongoing scam. i saw two other guys talking to them and they may have been doing the same gig. everywhere i go i meet such nice people…

2002-07-07 15:06

* * *

1. baby bubba, Glad to hear you're keeping up those keen wits and unsinkable (un?)common senses of yours. After some talks with Uncle Mike in SD, one comes to realize that even in the remote and most friendly confines of extremely rural midwestern areas there are greedy opportunists who seek to make money at the expense of others. Keep smiling like dad always says, at they won't know what you're up to. Of course being attuned to the universal flow like Snake Eyes, Storm Shadow or that Yoda muvfugga is always a damn good idea too. But Yoda didn't have no dog to help him out, how about you? keep on truckin'
   — jmmygoggle    Jul 9, 03:04 AM    #
2. Good thing you gots that sixth sense, huh, (i.e. all your zipper grips linked with peppermint floss to the hairz o' yer ________)? Nothin getz past you, ay, Champ? Pickpockets, pi-shaw! I just looked at your slides and shared the URL around. That wood/metal thing you gotz is really nice. I love those forms. Your new work is right dandy, and worth the attention of the paying crowd. If we weren't family, and I was a woman, and you weren't so damn cocky, well ... I'd be happy to bake your biscuits any time.
   — Chambertooth    Jul 11, 06:49 PM    #
3. So now you are all worldly... back in the states.... living in the bunker......... beware the claws of the sisawat..... invest in a good pair of flip flops........... don't drink the tap water........ don't be frightened if the earth shakes and the ground rumbles, it's just the EL.......... use your wrist watch, hard to tell if it's 5PM or 5AM sometimes.......
   — Sisawat    Jul 16, 05:31 PM    #