from Gael from snarg

[diello]

I often wonder how people lose their shoes beside the highway. You never see a pair, either, just one lone shoe sitting there by the side of the road.

So what exactly happens in these cases? Was someone dangling a foot out of the passenger window and then- oops!- their shoe fell off? Wouldn't you stop and get your shoe if that was you? Or don't people notice? How could you not notice...unless perhaps you were sleeping or passed out. Ah, maybe that's it, a certain percentage of people pass out with their feet out the window while wearing ill-fitting shoes...

Whatever the case, an abandoned shoe is a lonely sight. It's lonely because you know that that particular shoe has lost all sense of purpose, and although it continues its life as an object, it will never walk again. No one's gonna see that shoe, pull over and say, "Hey, I needed a black, Nike size 8..." No, a shoe without a mate is about as pointless as...gum.

Gum is a strange concept to me. You get this dry, rectangular thing and chew it, just to taste something for a while or maybe blow some bubbles and that's it. Nor do I understand such concepts as "pure chewing satisfaction." Basically, gum is just something to keep your mouth busy.

Gum just seems to bring out the worst in people, too. Have you ever looked at the floor in the subway or studied the sidewalk for any stretch? What you will see, among other things, is lots and lots of squished and blackened gum resembling lichen growing all over the place.

When we had our coffeehouse I was amazed by the amount of gum that ended up on the carpeted portion of our business, just a few feet from the garbage can, but they just...couldn't...make it...must...eject...gum...now...

Again, what happens? Does the gum just fall out of people's mouths? And why do people feel compelled to spit it out or stick it to tables and seats? Not to mention that stepping in hot gum is one of the most annoying events that can happen on a summer day.

But, like so many things in this world, when it comes to gum and lost shoes, all I can conclude is; people, they're my species and they're damn strange.

I'm still open for testimonies (see two posts back)

Comments

[insecuritytape.livejournal.com]

I have anxiety. Chewing gun helps me feel less anxious. cuz I'm doing something - and it doesn't require a lot of thought.

[diello.livejournal.com]

it helps me that way too sometimes :)

[digaazthehated.livejournal.com]

why did you run away on friday ... like .... you came .... got 20 cents ... and ran away ...

its cuz im fat isn't it?? that was the only thing me and eugene could think of ... well ... i thought of other reasons ... but that is the main one ...

[gael.livejournal.com]

Haha... How funny that you posted that from snarg. I'm the person who originally wrote those words about 'lost shoes' way back when...

[gael.livejournal.com]

Btw, who's Jen?

[diello.livejournal.com]

Oh dear. Perhaps I meant to say Jef, having forgotten which of you is the writer and having had no clue how to get back to that part of the site at that moment. But I can sure fix it now :)
Also, I am quite pleased to meet you.
Also, snarg got me through many boring, silent days. So thank you so much for the entertainment!