Impressions; Cycling Trials

Yesterday I had lunch at one of the multitudinous Chinese places that are taking over the landscape. It was not my first choice, but I was getting desperate. There was a steady stream of customers, and soon the place was full. The lighting was almost as bad as the food, so I gave up trying to read my copy of "Web Techniques." Instead, I began scoping out the clientele. Have you ever noticed how a Chinese lunch buffet can bring in such a disparate group? Across from me was a table of six workers in sweat-stained tees with dirt-encrusted boots. Two table over were three guys in suits. Ahead was a large man in shorts, sandals and a ugly polyester shirt. Several upscale-clad women nibbled at another table.

I became curious what sensations I could pick up. My theory is that we engage in facial movements, body posturing, arm motions, head positioning that are done so quickly that they only register at a subliminal level. Literaly the movment is not "caught" by the eye. Yet, we form an impression of the person but would be hard-pressed to explain how. And this impression may override what our conscious mind is telling us.

(On a related note. During the Kennedy - Nixon debates, those who watched television considered Kennedy the winner. But the people who listened on radio were certain Nixon did a better job.)

I can't say that I sensed anything remarkable. Or it may be that I don't know how to process what I did sense. The one thing I did notice was a young guy with two woman. He was wearing an auto meachanic's shirt with the name "Kevin" on the front, baggy jeans, running shoes. For just a second, the body language seemed more feminine that masculine. But that's all I can come up with.

Maybe I should practice this some more. I suppose the thing to do is to observe but don't concentrate on it. Maybe this is a skill that somehow can be honed.

The city is hosting the Olympic Cycling Team Trials tomorrow. Although I'm not a great fan, the skintight polyester outfits are certainly interesting. I had no idea that each item was designed solely for cycling. Nor did I realize that many of the bikes are custom designed for that individual's "body geometry." And I had assumed that you wore a jock, but a biking friend says no. And shaved legs are the norm, not for aerodynamics, but because it's easier to clean the area in case of an injury. The trial course is 137 miles! Yikes! 137 miles! I'm thinking of meandering over to the trials. Maybe, I'll get to take the thorn out of cyclist's paw, and he'll follow me home.

PAX!