YES, it has been a near-perfect day so far. i wrote, i read, i cooked, i went to the gym and i went to starbucks where i had the pleasure of sitting outside on a cool day and reading for 1.5 hours...

until...

why is it that people think that when you're in a public place, alone with a book, that you want to be talked to? if my nose is in a book, i'm probably interested in reading said book. if i have a far away dreamy look on my face and in my eyes, let me have my perfect moment, ok?

i noticed a presence on either side of me. NBD (no big deal). everyone had a book or a computer or a notepad so i figure they're interested in doing what they're doing, like me.

i love to go to coffee shops or cafes and sit outside, weather permitting, and read, or daydream. i like to watch the people, look at the dogs and children, and i love being able to drink bottomless cups of decaf or whatever i'm in the mood for on that particular day.

apparently, so do many other people, as evidenced by the quiet solitude both inside and outside starbucks today. i was in the zone - even the light traffic seemed especially quiet - almost soundless - today. conversation among patrons was extremely brief, and hushed.

it was so perfect.

i closed my book and sat for a few minutes, just soaking it all in. the perfect day (the rain had stopped, there were a few clouds in the sky and it was maybe 70 degrees, no humidity), the quiet solitude, the book, the perfect thoughts running thru my head.

then the davy jones look alike next to me with really bad teeth said "reading is great".

i kid you not.

well now, maybe i hadn't heard him correctly.

"excuse me?" i said with yes, a bit of annoyed sarcasm in my voice.

"i love books. books are great"

well no shit.

"um, yeah" and i checked my cell for the time. it really was time to go and pick up the baby girl, but even if it hadn't been...well, you know.

shattered. my perfect peaceful day was shattered. not only shattered, but could it have been shattered in any more stupid manner with any more stupid comment??? dur...

i know, i'm probably a little testy about this, but hey, i was in the zone.

he continued to talk and i left. "have a good afternoon with your books" i did manage to say as i walked off.

i'm completely over it. i know he was probably just trying to be nice and strike up a conversation. i'm actually a bit amused by it all now. but maybe i should've draped a sign around my neck: I'M IN THE ZONE. PLEASE DO NOT DISTURB.

mebbe next time.