opabinia

tell you about my day. I got up late. I went to E.L. Mills in Everett, with two bike frames and forks for sandblasting(1). I turned into the parking lot, which runs alongside the train tracks. On the tracks stood a model in a black business jacket, panties, fishnets, and heels. Her (?)(2) photographer crouched a little ways down the tracks with his DSLR. I drove to the opposite end of the lot, so as not to interfere.

OK, the bike frame dropoff was uneventful. Mr. Mills (I'll just call him that) seemed confused when I told him about the photo shoot. He was pleasant and professional, though. He wants me back at 3PM tomorrow to pick up. Holy crap, that's fast.

So then I went to the PetSmart in Everett, because the Amazonian leaf fish needed prey. While I waited for an attendant, I noticed an Asian woman in her forties, dressed in a pink cape, cowboy boots, hair-mounted silk flowers, and a dime-sized, bright red bindi, speaking excitedly to the fishes on display. In French.

"Allez, allez! Pensez! Regardez-nous! Nous sommes fabuleux! Nous sommes merveilleux!" (3)

Another Asian woman -- a relatively unremarkable one in her early sixties -- patiently stood aside, sort of waiting.

The nearest employee looked subtly amused. (Politely so, I'd have to say.) I looked at her, smiled, nodded a little. She did the same.

Then, very quietly, I asked the employee: "Do you speak French?"
"No."
"I dooo."
And then she giggled (the employee, not the spectacle).

"Do you see this a lot?"
"Once in a while. Last week she was right outside with a couple of plastic swords, playing samurai."
"By herself?"
"Yup."
"That's quite a draw."
"Yeah! She's good for business."

Then I bought feeder fishes and went home.

(1) Yeah no. I weaseled my way into the Mass Art sandblasting cabinet once. I went the drill brush/chemical stripper/emery cloth route the second time around. Both methods were... effective. I'm letting a pro handle it this time. I'll have two clean frames tomorrow afternoon, instead of black lung and chemical burns for three weeks.

(2) I wasn't close enough to verify lack of dongage.

(3) Come on! Come on! Think! Look at us! We are fabulous! We are marvellous!