Day 4, 8,169 words. Internet mysteriously begins working and my plot advances in a big way.
The internet is working! I don't know how or why but I'll take it.
I'm really excited by my writing today. I took my own advice and just skipped over a part I didn't feel like writing - it was going to be kind of like a montage in a film where about two weeks gets passed over really quickly, and it just seemed boring. Instead, I got to the beginning of the romance part. I'm loving it.
I had a hard time picking an excerpt, because today's writing included the introduction of Jackie Bauer, proprietor of Jackie's Place karaoke bar, some political discussions with Si Greengage, Hagrid as an Adele fan, and a couple of first kisses. Oh, and I renamed Seth's cat - it used to be Mr. Buttons, and now it's Mr. Mittens (little known first name, Carson) in honor of Heather's book.
Anyway, here's what I came up with. Hagrid and Seth have just returned from karaoke.
The night of surprises was not ended, however. When we unlocked and entered apartment 3B, Si was sitting on the couch. The circle of light thrown by the lamp turned his golden brown hair into a fuzzy halo, but he looked tired. Music played softly from the stereo. He was reading a copy of Black Feminist Thought by Patricia Hill Collins, and his black-framed reading glasses were perched on the very tip of his nose.
“I hope you don’t mind that I waited up for you,” he said to me, giving Hagrid a simple nod hello.
“For me?”
“Yes, I’ve been reading about Black Feminist Thought and wondered a little bit about gender essentializing. Essentialism? Essentialization? Since you recommended the book, I hoped you could answer a few questions for me. Crystal went to bed,” he checked his watch and blinked, “dear me, simply ages ago. I didn’t mean to stay so late, but I was absorbed in Miss Collins’ work. Or is it Mrs?” He caught my eye and hastily corrected himself. “Ms.” Another glance, another correction: “Or perhaps doctor. Err, that’s beside the point, I suppose,” he said hopefully.
“I’ll just toddle on to bed,” Hagrid told me quietly, giving my shoulder a squeeze in passing. There would be no more kisses that night. Or so I then thought.
“Goodnight, Hagrid. See you in the morning.” Hagrid crashed down the hallway towards his room.
“You know, Si, I’ve had a few glasses of wine tonight and I’m not sure I’m up for a deep discussion right now. But hold on while I get a glass of water.”
I wanted to buy myself some time. The truth was, I enjoyed talking with Si about politics; since his bad beginnings as Most Defensive Mansplainer in the UniverseTM (or perhaps even Multiverse?) he had come a long way. What I really wanted was to daydream about possibilities with Hagrid. I firmly told myself that my daydreams could wait at least ten minutes so I wouldn't seem rude to Si, and I returned to the living room with a pleasant smile on my face.
To my surprise, the ten minutes soon turned into sixty. Si and I had some of the same questions about Hill Collins’ work. Not only did we dissect the text itself, we went online to locate a few essays that would help us understand it better. Finally, at close to 3:30, we both yawned at the same time and then started laughing uncontrollably.
“I suppose I’ve been insufferably rude. Thank you for your kindness—“ Si suddenly broke off and cocked his head to the side. “This song – it’s one of my favorites. Will you dance with me?”
The song was Last Kiss by Taylor Swift - a surprising choice for a middle-aged man like Si. In my experience, most men would rather die than admit to liking music produced by teenaged girls. But Si was full of surprises. I liked the song too – in fact, I had wailed out the depressing lyrics just a couple of hours earlier at Jackie’s Place. So I stood, and soon found myself shuffling around the room, in the arms of Si Greengage, Hollywood hottie.
I'm really excited by my writing today. I took my own advice and just skipped over a part I didn't feel like writing - it was going to be kind of like a montage in a film where about two weeks gets passed over really quickly, and it just seemed boring. Instead, I got to the beginning of the romance part. I'm loving it.
I had a hard time picking an excerpt, because today's writing included the introduction of Jackie Bauer, proprietor of Jackie's Place karaoke bar, some political discussions with Si Greengage, Hagrid as an Adele fan, and a couple of first kisses. Oh, and I renamed Seth's cat - it used to be Mr. Buttons, and now it's Mr. Mittens (little known first name, Carson) in honor of Heather's book.
Anyway, here's what I came up with. Hagrid and Seth have just returned from karaoke.
The night of surprises was not ended, however. When we unlocked and entered apartment 3B, Si was sitting on the couch. The circle of light thrown by the lamp turned his golden brown hair into a fuzzy halo, but he looked tired. Music played softly from the stereo. He was reading a copy of Black Feminist Thought by Patricia Hill Collins, and his black-framed reading glasses were perched on the very tip of his nose.
“I hope you don’t mind that I waited up for you,” he said to me, giving Hagrid a simple nod hello.
“For me?”
“Yes, I’ve been reading about Black Feminist Thought and wondered a little bit about gender essentializing. Essentialism? Essentialization? Since you recommended the book, I hoped you could answer a few questions for me. Crystal went to bed,” he checked his watch and blinked, “dear me, simply ages ago. I didn’t mean to stay so late, but I was absorbed in Miss Collins’ work. Or is it Mrs?” He caught my eye and hastily corrected himself. “Ms.” Another glance, another correction: “Or perhaps doctor. Err, that’s beside the point, I suppose,” he said hopefully.
“I’ll just toddle on to bed,” Hagrid told me quietly, giving my shoulder a squeeze in passing. There would be no more kisses that night. Or so I then thought.
“Goodnight, Hagrid. See you in the morning.” Hagrid crashed down the hallway towards his room.
“You know, Si, I’ve had a few glasses of wine tonight and I’m not sure I’m up for a deep discussion right now. But hold on while I get a glass of water.”
I wanted to buy myself some time. The truth was, I enjoyed talking with Si about politics; since his bad beginnings as Most Defensive Mansplainer in the UniverseTM (or perhaps even Multiverse?) he had come a long way. What I really wanted was to daydream about possibilities with Hagrid. I firmly told myself that my daydreams could wait at least ten minutes so I wouldn't seem rude to Si, and I returned to the living room with a pleasant smile on my face.
To my surprise, the ten minutes soon turned into sixty. Si and I had some of the same questions about Hill Collins’ work. Not only did we dissect the text itself, we went online to locate a few essays that would help us understand it better. Finally, at close to 3:30, we both yawned at the same time and then started laughing uncontrollably.
“I suppose I’ve been insufferably rude. Thank you for your kindness—“ Si suddenly broke off and cocked his head to the side. “This song – it’s one of my favorites. Will you dance with me?”
The song was Last Kiss by Taylor Swift - a surprising choice for a middle-aged man like Si. In my experience, most men would rather die than admit to liking music produced by teenaged girls. But Si was full of surprises. I liked the song too – in fact, I had wailed out the depressing lyrics just a couple of hours earlier at Jackie’s Place. So I stood, and soon found myself shuffling around the room, in the arms of Si Greengage, Hollywood hottie.
Wow... there is so much to love about this. Mr. Mittens (amazing, thanks Heather!), daydreaming about Hagrid (!), middle aged men hating music produced by teenage girls (oh wait, that's simply speaking the truth).
ReplyDeleteI should start skipping stuff, too, seems like a great idea, this is an inspired excerpt.
I agree with what Jill said. This whole this is wonderful! I feel quite honored to be part of it. I love the way your write Seth in a way that allows us to be part of the experience.
DeleteThere were so many truly funny parts to this that it's hard to chose a favorite but I'm going to have to say that "The truth was, I enjoyed talking with Si about politics; since his bad beginnings as Most Defensive Mansplainer in the UniverseTM (or perhaps even Multiverse?) he had come a long way..." was my favorite line. If only it was so easy to convert most mansplainers.
Agreed with everyone on all counts. I have met so many mansplainers in my life, and if only dealing with them were so easy! I wouldn't loan them my signed copy of "Black Feminist Thought," of course, but maybe I could procure a special mansplainers copy.
ReplyDeleteI'm loving this budding relationship! It seems as if Si is going to grow a lot, for the better.