Damn.
Where is the switch for that weirdo magnet? And how the hell do I turn it off?
After that whole Redcoat fiasco yesterday, I wandered around Union Station, did a bit of souvenir shopping (what a tourist I am), and then showed up at my old workplace, the California Governor’s DC Office. Of the people I knew when I worked there, only one remained. I was very glad to see him and to visit with him. We quickly caught up on old times and pledged to stay in touch (we’d better this time!).
From the Hall of the States, I walked down to the new (to me) National Japanese American Memorial, which was a big hole in the ground the last time I saw it. It was very moving for me and while I was trying to take it all in, a weirdo walked up to me.
Weird-Crazy Lady (WCL): Are you Japanese American?
Joz: No
WCL: What is your extraction? [Extraction?! What the hell am I? A tooth?!]
Joz: My parents are from Taiwan.
WCL: Thailand?
Joz: No, Taiwan.
WCL: Oh. [Obviously disappointed that I'm not JA. I think she wants to apologize on behalf of all white people right then and there and is disappointed that I can't be the recipient for the apology for all JAs, near and far. Darn the bad luck. This chink isn't a nip.]
I think it’s just awful that this happened. I mean, I never KNEW!
Joz: [ignoring WCL.]
WCL: It’s an outrage, simply an outrage! Don’t you think?!
Joz: [ignoring WCL some more.]
WCL: Don’t you think it’s an OUTRAGE?! [She pokes Joz. Joz is not thrilled at being poked. Especially by a weirdo.]
Joz: Yeah, an outrage. [Joz shoots mental darts at the WCL. 'Go away and leave me alone' darts fly toward WCL. Unfortunately, my darts misfire completely. WCL stays and talks incessantly for another 20 minutes. I ignore her with only moderate success. It is hard to ignore the poking.]
The silver lining is that she took a couple of photos for me at the Memorial. I know I look lame because I don’t know if I should smile (to look good in the photo) or grimace (since that’s what I feel creeping onto my face).
I breathe a monumental (pun intended) sigh of relief when she says she has to catch the Metro at Union Station. I walk across Capitol Hill and over 6 blocks to the next Metro station to avoid her.
Do you see why I don’t like public transportation?
you are truly a freak magnet. or maybe i just don’t pay any attention to those who speak to me whom i don’t know, and therefore have no recollection of their freakiness? it’s late, i’m making no sense, but thank you for being the asian there (albeit taiwanese, not japanese) to accept the apologies of WCL…i think any asian would have sufficed, given her weirdness.
no, she’s a freak magnet … i NEVER have that many freaks latch onto me.
speaking of freaks latching on … i’ll call you today to chat … promise. hee hee.
Now what would have really freaky is if the WCL had been wearing a redcoat. Then you would have known for sure they were after you.
It’s all a big conspiracy I tell you!
Have fun, but leave your magnet behind today.
Yes, I admit power of the freak magnet is quite strong. And I can’t control it. Imagine if I could harness the power and use it at will. I could rule the universe!
AWESOME pictures..I want to go to DC too! Maybe someday, when all my dreams come true…