The disappearing shower

The Hobbes types believe that the pool showers lose pressure exactly at 9 p.m. closing time as the result of an untoward staff effort to clear swimmers out of the building, regardless of shampoo half-rinsed from hair.   The Rousseau types believe the pressure drop has to do with excessive water demand at peak use, "back flushing the filters",  or other benign technical reason.  This locker room discussion has gone on for four years.  Dropping off a Christmas wreath today, the neighbor kid mentioned that her high school swim team practices in the early pool before school begins.  A frustration that favors Rousseau: sometimes the morning showers lose pressure,  leading the swim team heading off to homeroom with half-rinsed hair.

Still Life by Sandy

Yet, when alone, we entertained ourselves
with everlastingness: there we would stay,
within the gap left between world and toy,
upon a spot which, from the first beginning,
had been established for a pure event.

Ranier Maria Rilke, from the Duino Elegies

Jury Duty

To tell the truth, I was not even called for voir dire, so after being excused I went downstairs to watch arraignments, an endless line of restrained individuals charged with possession of marijuana, DUI, driving without a license, failure to appear who, when they reach the front of the line, were moved around like chess pieces by steroidal marshals while the judge and the attorneys played King and bishops and decided to let the pawns go for now.  Then back upstairs for a gang-related murder trial, the witness recalling years of an eye for eye.  It called out for cup of coffee at the shop near the subway, and I would have pondered there  the sad game of life if a patron had not kindly come to the table and handed me my wallet, informing me that I had dropped it after paying the cashier.

Not really going anywhere

The Groke next door, in a surprisingly good mood.