These Are The People In My Neighborhood

My laconic roommate Jim was the quickest wit in the west. I lived with the guy for about 10 years, and he never said much, but when he did, it always counted.

I got my first taste of this when I came to interview for the room and meet the roommates. We were all musicians, so the subject came up. I mentioned I was a Jethro Tull fan, talked about a few of the concerts. Jim, who hadn't said much during the interview so far, said, "I always pictured a Jethro Tull concert as being something like a cross between a Dead show and the Renaissance Faire." Which wasn't much, but it was astute, and I noticed it.

Jim just turned 39. The day before his birthday, a friend of his asked him what he planned to do for it.

"Well, my favorite bartender gets on at 4…

Fly Bar, Alamo Square
[My eccentric neighbor Allison walked into a bar where my friend Brent and I were sitting at a table near the door and I called out to her.]

Me: [to Brent and Allison] Do you guys know each other? You both live in the neighborhood.
Brendan: No.
Allison: I don't think so. You might have seen me around the neighborhood. I always walk around with a little dog. [pause.] ...I used to walk around with a little dog. He died three days ago.
Me: Oh, I'm sorry to hear that.
Allison: Yeah, he was sick for a while. A few days ago I could tell, it was the day, so I put him out in the backyard and he curled up in the grass... I went out for a while, and when I got back... ...
Me: I'm really sorry.

Front stoop of my apartment, day after Thanksgiving, 11/25/05
As I was arriving home, my eccentric neighbor Allison was just leaving her building.

Allison: [waves at me]
Me: Oh, hey, how ya doing?
Allison: Good. How 'bout you?
Me: Good!
Allison & me: [awkward pause while I hunt for something else to say.]
Allison: Thank you!
Me: [pause] uh... you're welcome!
Allison: Thanksgiving, and all.