Observables #75

on grocery stores convos, exquisite indie movies and under water check-ins

A man asking me where the natural hand soap might be. I happen to be in the natural hand soap aisle so I’m happy to direct him. Happy might be strong. I’m not unhappy, let’s say. I wonder if he thinks I’m an employee, although my hands are full of items and I decidedly do not look like an employee, but a harried mom—is what I think. So if there’s anything really making me unhappy it’s the prospect of not being seen. He sees me for who he wants me to be (a helpful employee at his service directing him to natural hand soap), and not for who I am in one of my many actual multiplicities.

When we cross paths again, he’s now cradling his three bars of beige natural hand soap. He wasn’t kidding! I’m ready for his next question: Where’s the line? He surprises me:

“Did I just ask you where to get hand soap?”

“You did!”

“I thought you worked here. You handled it so well.”

“Thank you…”

I start to say something more. About how I handle things because I’m a good actor, but next time maybe he could really take in the person he’s talking to. But he’s…somewhere…not seeing me.

Outside now, I see him again. (Come on, world!) He’s on one of those mini bikes with big tires, that make grown men look infantile. I wonder if he’s going to ask me how to get home.

Aftersun, a stunning movie by writer director Charlotte Wells that follows a young father and his 11-year-old daughter on a holiday in Turkey.

The father is clearly suffering from some kind of depression but trying hard to overcome and make it fun for his kid. And the daughter is trying to keep her dad up, while also just living in the childlike space of one who can get caught up in joy. Watch this movie if you’re looking for an experience.

When you’re not looking to seriously contemplate the human condition, try Young Sheldon and then maybe tell someone to “mind their own business” à la Mary Cooper.

Spanish signs. The girls and I have followed Simon on a work trip down to Cancun. Violet inspected me under water yesterday and says I’m okay. No warts. Given that my body is intact I’m considering a photo shoot in a bikini. Lots of back arching and kneeling over 49 takes which I will pass that off on my Instagram as a moment that just occurred.

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