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Buzz
In the backyard, I found myself stringing up tree lights for a party we were about to host. Standing on the ladder, I heard a faint, approaching, raspy whir. The corner of my eye saw the noisemaker as he neared. soon enough, a large Wasp hovered 'round my head like a News copter checking traffic on a big city highway.
He swooped directly past my earlobe - pausing, yes pausing, just inches from my face - then swiftly darted away. As annoying as Wasps can be, I am about a zillion times larger than the insect in question - my massive size and mumbled gripes probably scared him off. At least that was my first thought.
Moments later, the sound returned - in triplicate. My previous visitor had called for backup. Slower than a flying insect should be able to, the trio of troublemakers floated past my face - their reconnaissance mission leaving me officially spooked. After a couple more circumnavigations of Planet Lightstringer, they sped off in unison, and in formation, reporting back to the head of the Apiary Air Force from whence they were sent.
I finished with the lights quickly, then packed up the ladder and took a rest indoors. I've not been bothered/surveilled since - but I have noticed a tendency to turn my back on the yard when I'm staring out the kitchen window and want to eat some honey.
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Grumble
At the day job, we displayed a "fountain" featuring a water propelled rotating Buddha. Despite the deities reputation, his influence on the store was all but calm.
The piece itself was finely constructed, but also fragile and expensive. It's ideal placement, however, left it vulnerable to the curious hands of malicious schoolchildren, obsequious teens, or numskull grown-ups - all whom want to reach for/into the fountain, and touch the spinning Siddhartha (or, as actually stated by an aforementioned grown-up, to "see if the water wuz real.").
Troubles got to a point whereat it was decided that we'd put up a sign:
"Please Do NOT Touch..."
Within days - we needed a second.
Two signs, positioned in such a way that one couldn't even approach the fountain without being aware of our clearly printed and artfully decorated pleas. Yet, still they touched. And touched. And touched.
Oh, I get the attraction, I do. As the luckiest animal, humans are naturally expected to grab at whatever we please - our native instinct is that of
"Want To Feel. Must Be Mine."
For the majority of every work day - I try to be the gentle, helpful, tall guy for co-workers and other folks 'round the shop. Heh.Heh. Nonetheless, the willful ignorance of my fellow beasts is the quickest trigger to unleash my Bewildered and Grumpy Nostrilfaced Giant. A dozen times a day I had to restrain myself from crossing the very thin line between Shop Steward and Serial Killer. I resisted the urge to summon my most demonic chortle - "Do you not know common decency," I ached to roar, "or at least how to read?!?"
Oh how I wished to melt those words onto the bloody pulsating ear drums of those whom stoked the Giants ire...
Then, we sold the fountain. Oh, I happily cleaned the algae from it's nethers, drying the columns and wiping clean the "soothing stones" that had rested in the fountains basin since the day of it's arrival. We boxed it up and gladly handed the Rube Beacon to it's new owner, who whisked it out the door - returning to this manse with the home game of "Annoyance Decor."
The Nostrilfaced Giant retreated to his pod in the realm of retail fantasy - at least, for now.
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Hum
Walking from downtown to home, I crossed into a regularly tedious intersection. I breezed through it - mentally noting that there were absolutely zero cars within any significant distance.
Mid-crossing, I glanced up - suddenly grateful for the absence of vehicular traffic. There was a glitch in the system; the lights in all directions, simultaneously green.
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tDfE.
Z.F.L., Prop.
escalatorville@yahoo.com, speaks for itself.
