Word of the Day: Quixotic (Kwik-SAH-tic)

I was walking through Barnes and Noble yesterday--Was it only yesterday?--when I realized something important. Besides the fact that I read way too much. (Really. I was browsing the teen section, and I couldn't find a book that I hadn't read. Excluding Gossip Girl and all that other crap that publishing companies try to pass off as literature. But I wouldn't want to read that anyway.) This new found realization was brought to my attention by one particular guy. Yes, he was just a "guy". Average, generic, cereal box cut-out... how ever you want to put it. And he didn't to anything to alter my life, but his phone did.

Here's the story:

I was walking by, minding my own business, eager to get to the teen section (this was before I found that I had already devoured most of the section. Oh, and NOTE: I feel I have to defend myself against all of those haters of teen literature. It isn't all stupid. You often have to hunt to find the good books. A lot of them don't really have any enrichment, sure. But the one's that are just for fun tend to have twice as much creativity as the others, because it's a war out there. Everyone is trying to set themselves apart, and with all of the over used plots out there, not many achieve this. But it's fun to watch them try. And every once in a while you DO stumble across a real gem, and then that book changes your whole life, because it questions something that you thought you believed in, or it makes you see something for what it really it. There is a lot of truth in teen literature, even in the fantasy books. In fact, one of the main differences between teen and adult literature is that adult literature has to hide behind all of the fancy words and concepts that "adults" have to deal with every day. Teen literature tells it like it is, with no walls or screens to trick you into thinking you're superior. Every one is equal in teen literature {not literally} because at some point, every one goes through being a teen. And it sucks, by the way. I just thought I needed to put that out there.) Um, where was I?

So I'm walking to the teen section, and Cell Phone Guy's cell phone goes off (predictably). And guess what the ring tone was? NO, guess. GUESS!

Okay, I'll tell you. It was "Don't Stop Believin'" by the only Journey.

What did I do, you ask? Well, I won't tell you how I tried very hard not to laugh. I won't tell you that, in an effort not to laugh, I let this really amazing ear-to-ear grin invade my face. And I certainly won't tell you how, after all of my efforts not to laugh, I ended up rolling on the ground with my uncontrollable giggles anyway. No, I won't tell you any of that, because if I did, you'd think me unbearably rude.

What the hell--I am rude.

I laughed at him.

And of course, I really couldn't help but over hear his conversation...

"What's that?"
"Oh, nothing. Just sitting in a chair reading."
"Yeah?"
"NO!"
"Really, some people..."
"Uh-huh."
"Uh-huuuuuhhhh...."
"Sure, honey. I'll grab some milk on the way home."
"I love you too sugar-bunns."
"Oh, stop it! You're making me blush!"
"*Gasp* Honey! You can't say those kind of things in public! Save it for the bedroom."

Okay... maybe I exaggerated a little, but not much.

And I have no idea why this whole event strikes me as so funny. I guess it's just the little things that you have to find that make you happy. And this guy certainly made my day, whether he knew it or not.

So here's to you: crayons, clean sheets, leather gloves, colorful socks, laughter, Vick's decongestant chest rub, chocolate, piggy banks (but not broke ones), and witty banter. You have all made me happy at one time or another, and some of you continue to do so.

Thanks for reading everyone. Have a happy leap year.

--Kacie Renn