I was up in Maine this past weekend, eating pancakes and listening in on the conversation at the table of old guys nearby. One of them mentions Bob Dylan. Another lets out a loud “BAGH!”-type noise. “I can’t stand that one,” he says. “I never understand what he’s saying. He’s always mumbling!”
Entries Tagged as 'Overheard'
Tales from the Barber Shop
June 18th, 2009 · No Comments · Uncategorized
So my regular barber shop is on vacation, and I find myself at this other place down the street. I never go in there, because it looks like the type of place that’s full of filthy old men. But I’m weeks overdue and staring down a wedding this weekend, so there I am, in this [...]
Tags:Overheard
Things That Happened Yesterday at Walden Pond
April 26th, 2009 · No Comments · Uncategorized
A guy with a dragon tattoo covering the left side of his body showed his lady friend how to do a high-lo high-five.
Old people showed off lots of Speedos and pale flesh.
A kid harangued his girlfriend about how her post-graduation dreams of travel and relaxation and self-discovery were pretty much worthless, because all dreams are [...]
Tags:Overheard
Actually, I Don’t
April 14th, 2009 · No Comments · Uncategorized
Walking out of South Station today, I found myself next to this grinning slimeball, who’d made it his mission to place a phone call as loudly as humanly possible. And, success!
“Hey buddy!” he screeched into his phone. “I love the smell of commerce in the morning! Don’t you!!?!?”
Um, no.
And just to clear up any confusion: [...]
In Which Winter Finally Breaks a City’s Soul
March 4th, 2009 · No Comments · Uncategorized
Tons of bizarre behavior out there today – likely a) the after-effects of a brutal winter on the collective psyche, or, b) panic over the fact that there are only twelve shopping days left to score a “Kiss Me, I’m Marty Walsh” T-shirt.
Either way, it’s terrifying outside – particularly on the T. This morning on [...]
Cambridge Kid Not So Hot for Valentine’s Day
February 14th, 2009 · No Comments · Uncategorized
So I’m walking through Harvard Square this morning and these two 15-year old guys run by, backpacks in tow, grousing about how awful and oppressively sad life is. Obvs.
One of them wails, “I’m so distraught!” About what, you might ask? “My whole life!” Ah. Best of luck with that.
Corporate America: BURNED
February 1st, 2009 · No Comments · Business
Here’s a little business humor to while away the hours until the Mega-Wing-Gluttony Bowl begins.
So on Thursday night, I’m at this big year-end Boston real estate wrapup confab. A thousand people in a room watching stats roll by on PowerPoint slideshows and thinking to themselves, You know, that’s not good.
Towards the end, an analyst gets [...]
They’re Listening!
January 31st, 2009 · No Comments · Politics
Yesterday, I’m standing outside the 21st Amendment, and I see these two mid-level bureaucrat guys walking up the street.
One looks over at the Fill-A-Buster, laughs, and points. “Be careful what you say around here,” he says. “They’re listening!”
Girl: Unimpressed
December 19th, 2008 · No Comments · Media, Politics
So, writing about what happens when journalists drink is a bigger crime than revealing sources. Still, this thing here just cannot be helped.
Overheard in the halls of the State House: “Evening, Mr. Chairman.”
“Who’s that?”
“The chair of [redacted].”
“Oh.” Pause. Blank facial expression. Another pause. Finally, “Am I supposed to be impressed?”
Apparently not.
Tags:Legislature·Overheard
Merry? Try Terrifying
December 14th, 2008 · No Comments · Uncategorized
Tried to grab some coffee at Dunkin’ Donuts today. In the mall in Saugus. That was mistake number one.
So this deranged woman shambles up to the counter and asks, “You got hot chocolate in four sizes, right?” The guy working the counter answers in the affirmative. “I’ll take one in the second size up,” she [...]
