[i]
☼ ○ ▬
I’m stuck in a different country, hard to tell which one. I’m sworn into an American volunteer group that helps poor children. But things take a dramatic dark turn. It’s understood our land vehicles have been equipped with bombs that will go off any minute. My fellow leader that resembles the actress Sandra Bullock insists that we stay with the vehicle no matter what to show honor and commitment. We all gather around and hold hands. Nothing happens. None of this makes sense to me. I grab her hand and in an assuring voice say, “We don’t need to be martyrs. Maybe now’s not the time.” So we disperse. But up the hill are various soldiers and strangers marching in our direction ready to seize us. From a distance a cop tries to shock me with a Taser gun but I avoid it somehow. Eventually I’m being led by a boy teenager who seems hospitable enough even though he’s probably not supposed to be. He’s confused as to why I’m so calm. He kind of leaves me and I realize it’s on purpose to test me. I crawl on my hands and knees along the grass through a long line of big construction machines. They slowly drop their mechanical arms in such a way that if I don’t move along I’ll be killed. I keep moving at a quick pace. I make it to a long foggy stretch of field. I’m greeted by another boy teenager with glasses. I’m taken to a warehouse room where boxes are being sorted. Maybe this is a drug operation. The other boy is here too. I realize I’ve been chewing on a diamond-shaped piece of glass this whole time. Proud of my possession I show it off to my new partners.
▬ ○ ☼
Waking up just after 10:30 a.m. The jetlag is still wearing off but has opened up an opportunity for me to awaken earlier, something I’ve wanted to do for quite some time now.
Honey and Peanut Butter Bagel, an Orange, and Orange Juice.
It’s Easter Sunday. Jesus has risen, but I’m still going to China Wok for an all day work shift.
For the first two hours or so it rains. It feels like the city is revitalized now. It smells fresh.
Hard Boiled Egg, Five Guys French Fries with Ketchup, and Honey Green Tea.
While driving around I think about Aysena’s face, more specifically her infamous sad face, the frown of the century, and those few sporadic freckles on her face that resemble a connect-the-dots page.
On the down time I read this article about a genius physicist who fell in love with a young woman online and was caught smuggling drugs unknowingly, a wildly humorous, suspenseful, and slightly tragic story.
My bosses are eating Chanello’s pizza today. They normally eat the same foods daily but for some reason today they decided on pizza.
Kinder Chocolate.
The day continues quite steadily.
Emily Hill drops by to visit. I was surprised to get a text from her. She happened to be at the beach trying to kill some time.
While waiting at the First Colonial/Laskin Rd stoplight one of those big 4x4’s pulls up behind me. His blinding bright headlights of course shine through my mirrors making my eyes squint. This is a typical scenario with any 4x4 trucks of this kind. Their height is just high enough to flash right into my eyes. It’s a pet peeve of mine, as I’m sure is anybody else’s. But this guy actually shuts off his headlights altogether during the wait to turn green as a kind gesture. I’m in shock. I’ve never come across a considerate truck driver. Most of them are so oblivious and too egotistical to think about the other drivers around them.
Finally off work after what seems like a long day.
Hot and Sour Soup with Broccoli, Rice, and a Beer.
Banana.
Sleep 2:30 a.m.
[i] Mona Lisa Connect the Dots by Thomas Pravitte.
