Exchange*

What's the exchange rate these days? There's high-tech, high-profile, high-exposure rates of communication zooming past us at the rate of an old hang-over....and it all gets mushed up. In the fibers of everything I don't want other people's opinions on, or the new dialogues that feel like relaxing finally. I have to retrace the verbatim quotes, and the word-for-word phrases that once created some wonderful reaction. Last night or last year, going up and down 83, 495, 50/301, and 702. 

We try to capture the words spoken outside one's own mind. 

"...talk is rich, even when it sounds cheap: a mighty means of measuring and asserting power, of confirming one's place in the scheme of things" (Ben Bratley, NY times issue 10/24/08, pg C6) 

So maybe that's it-the rich blanket-phrase of "the scheme of things", the "it" in life, that keeps speech exchanging. The currency equivalency changing, the trains running, the tires spinning, the traffic lights flickering, and the people trying for....something. 

But then sometimes I'd like a pause. I'd like a sign painted across my very clothing reading: "", (like the saturday afternoon hiding in a perfect corner in Starbucks, headphone-clad, hot cocoa in hand, and paper spread about the tiny round table. Do not disturb-you're ruining my mellow creepy old men). 

And I'm wondering, walking away, ...what prompts someone to pick up a "how are you?", a friendship, a project, a book, or a phone? Is it the need to hear someone's voice and response (nearby through w/e mode), or is it a cheaper substitution for real touch? Real feel?

What matters more--the kindred souls, or kindred hands? 

The friends you create with, or the friends you remember with, or the friends you play with?

Exchange. Exchange for me the money poorly spent, for the priceless penniless things. Exchange the mistakes, for the times of proven correctness. Exchange the silence for speech. Exchange words for...active quiet. 

Still this weekend (sorry i've been slacking on these lately): 

-"The Crucible" at TU, see drama website for times . I hear it's well worth the $7 cost for student tickets ($12 otherwise)

- Sat. Oct 25th - sold out Pepper show at the Recher

Daily headphones: Ingrid Michealson's "Way I am". Warning: it will stay in your head for hours after one play. And local fellas the Hint's "Things we do in the Dark". In response to multiple questions- this song and cd IS on itunes, buy it.