tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5682738581019360100.post-89984381311988511442008-06-23T09:25:00.003-04:002008-06-23T09:38:53.571-04:002008-06-23T09:38:53.571-04:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp0.blogger.com/_GSS_fGKzVCk/SF-m2XSeTqI/AAAAAAAABHo/D3PR2Tg3Jp8/s1600-h/chairwhite.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://bp0.blogger.com/_GSS_fGKzVCk/SF-m2XSeTqI/AAAAAAAABHo/D3PR2Tg3Jp8/s400/chairwhite.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5215070346412969634" /></a><br />I was eating a sandwich and writing at my friend's cafe when I felt something hovering over my shoulder.  It was a guy I know.  He looked like he wanted to sit down, but I wanted to dissuade that.  <div><br /></div><div>"I saw your friend.  He doesn't look like he's doing that well.  He told me that the only pleasures he has now are whiskey and masturbation."</div><div><br /></div><div>"Well, those aren't bad.  I thought he was back with his girl." </div><div><br /></div><div>"Not really.  She stops by and wants to talk, but they aren't really together.  I told him he needed a philosophy.  I gave him <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">Siddartha</span> to read.  He needs to learn how to be alone."  </div><div><br /></div><div>"I don't know," I said, "he might be a little old to read that.  It is something you should read in college like <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">The Hobbit</span> or the works of Ayn Rand or "The Prophet."  I don't think that stuff has much of an effect when you get older."</div><div><br /></div><div>I could see that pissed him off.  </div><div><br /></div><div>You can't tell.  Maybe the book will move him.  But I think he is probably better off just sitting and thinking.  </div>cafe selavyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15326753057795689263noreply@blogger.com1