Wednesday, May 09, 2007

This n that

Does it look like I have "free cigarettes" stamped on my forehead? Geez, I sat for 10 minutes outside the library to enjoy a smoke in the sun (it was close to 80 degrees yesterday) and six, count 'em six strangers approached me for cigs. Two of them offered to buy a cigarette and were clearly disturbed when I said, "No." Are there this many smokers out there who bum off strangers? I don't want to "sell" them either as I'm pretty sure it's illegal and anyway buy a damn pack if you smoke!

At the library, I found the second and third Harry Potter books as well as "The 5 People You Meet in Heaven". (though this one is in French, they were out of the English copies) I hope it's enough for the 20 hours of trainride to and from New York.

I'd blather on, but I've got an early class today. So I'll leave you with another sunset pic. This one from two days ago shows a rare phenomenon - a sun pillar. This happens when the light passes through ice crystals. The ice crystals have to be flat octagonal shapes and all tilted the same way for this to occur. The sun is actually below the horizon here. Even Serge was intrigued.

21 comments:

Anonymous said...

Is this the weekend in NYC? Enjoy!

Thanks for the pic. beautiful.

I could tell you how to stop people from bumming cig's from you, but I think you already know. :)

Anonymous said...

This is a truly beautiful pic, I have never seen a sun pillar.

KipEsquire said...

Welcome to NYC!

Anonymous said...

Go to Columbus Avenue before 9 A.M and attend a live show of Regis and Kelly. I watch everyday. One member of the audience wins luggage or cookware and stuff. Try the world's finest Hotdogs at Gray's Papya. (sp) Go to Rockefeller center and get on the Today Show. Try an Egg Creme (contains no eggs) Fun Times!!!

dpaste said...

If you can wait until your arrival in NYC, I have TWO copies of "The Five People..." and I would gladly give you a copy to have for all eternity.

Anonymous said...

NYC? Oh, I never been there, not even to a land out of Sumatera, or Medan.

You're a frequent visitor to a library? Nice.

You often take photos? Gr8

Nice to know you. You have a nice blog anyway. :)

JD
www.hessogood.blogspot.com

Petie said...

The 2nd and 3rd Harry Potter books are not that long so I think you will breeze through them with ease.

The 4th and 5th books seems to double in size compare to the first three.

I guess you might have seen the TV movie version of "The 5 People You Meet in Heaven"?

Chunks said...

I know a foolproof way to get moochers to stay away from your ciggie butts...

QUIT SMOKING!

:) (I'm just trying to make Em's day by calling you on your shit) lol

Grab another book in case. Five People isn't a very long book, it sure gets you thinking though. But that is all I'm going to say about it.

Patricia said...

wow you sure know a lot about sunsets. me, i just look and mutter, ooooooh, purrrrty.

Jason said...

How did you know that that was called a sun pillar?

Very nice though.

Anonymous said...

Yeah, I secretly pay Rox to all bust you on your shit. LOL.

Hey! Weather news! You know I love this.

GayProf said...

Given the cost of cigs these days, I am not surprised that people would resort to basically begging strangers for them.

bardelf said...

Pss, pal, got a light?

dantallion said...

That shot is really, really sharp.

Anonymous said...

I have been in that situation many times and I have learned to say no. It seems that some people have no qualms about "bumming a butt" from a total stranger. They feel that since we are in the same "brotherhood" we almost have an obligation to concede to their request.

The worst ones though are friends or co-workers who are cutting down or giving up smoking...
THEIR cigarettes.

Scottsdale Girl said...

When people ask me for a smoke I say "Didn't you quit smoking?" when they say "no" I say "oh then you just quit BUYING".

And 5 people you meet in heaven is AWESOME.

Enemy of the Republic said...

I remember my smoking days--I hated the bummer types. They usually were too cheap to buy a pack, and they wanted to pretend they weren't smokers, especially in a bar where a drink or two can whet the appetite. I started charging $.

David said...

Five People You Meet in Heaven -trite BS and dumb as box of bricks. What ever crancks your engine, I guess.

But I left that sappy, weepy genre long before Highway to Heaven drained the life out of me.

And the smoking...well, as pointed out above, the best way to stop those moochers, is to give it up. It's a filthy habit anyway.

Maybe Five People is funnnier in French?

Earl Cootie said...

I saw a pink sun pillar one evening a few years ago, but I had no idea it was so rare. Thank you. You have just made that memory (and photo) so much more special.

dawn said...

The "sun pillar" looks a little like an "alien landing". Be careful.

tankmontreal said...

20 HOURS ON THE TRAIN FROM MONTREAL TO NYC - which you did voluntarily?!?!? I took the train down once, and never again. If you don't want to fly, well, the bus is pretty miserable - but at least you're there in a measly 8 hours or less. 20 hours??? That's a day in the city, lost.