Monday, January 26, 2009

Starbucks Monday

While comparisons are odious, they seem appropriate today at Starbucks. I notice an Asian man in line ahead of me. He is short in stature, dressed in black, lean, muscular, armed to the hilt. His flak jacket, emblazoned with “Los Angeles District Attorney,” gives him a boxy, almost robotic look. Similarly equipped, his companions wait for their coffee with quiet intensity. They are ready for action.

In contrast, I am unfocused and foggy in my blue fleece jacket--a portable blanket. I am equipped with multiple pens, an uncharged I-Pod, bus tokens, a Bible, a software manual, three journals (spiritual, observations, reading), an AM/FM radio, and a digital audio recorder in an old eyeglass case. I am prepared for something, but not until I drink my coffee, pray, and catch the latest on NPR on the way to work