traffic jams

mid-may, and practically summer, insofar as the sun is out and the days are hot.

driving home last week, in the backwash of rush hour, i paced a cyclist from main street to clark. i would pass him, come to a red light, and before turning green, he would pull up next to me again. pass, red light, reunite. he was strong and fast and barely slowed for the steep hill of great northern way that my car jerks up. he also wasn't wearing a helmet. i liked our checkpoints, and was sure he didn't notice our pairing as i did.

the next morning, late for work, at the top of the hill about to descend, he pulled up on his bicycle next to me again and we started down the hill together. he got to main street before me.


yesterday, at a red light in front of the science world skytrain, i watched a woman with a head of permed blonde hair cross the street. 40's. her outfit very well coordinated, in itself and to the season, and it made me smile.

today, a few blocks from there, after a walk to pick up lunch (oh moss cafe, how i adore you) the same woman stepped out of the all brown brick windowless building on 5th. she kept glancing at me as i walked by and i wonder if she was noticing my clothes too. perhaps she was just eyeing my smoothie.