Wednesday, September 8, 2010

Why I Love Grace Street, Chapter 73

After having to walk Broad Street the past few months for the shade, today's overcast skies afforded me the opportunity to return to my beloved Grace Street and its very vocal populace.

I'd barely crossed Broad onto Pine when a silver Lexus slowed and the driver called out, "Whatever it is you're doing, it's definitely working, young lady. Keep doing it!" I felt like I was being welcomed back.

Further up Grace, two guys approached me smiling and one said he sees me everywhere and asked how far I walk. "Four miles," I said. "It sure does make you look good," he offered. His friend just nodded.

Heading back, a student pointed at my Yo la Tengo t-shirt and said, "They're my favorite band. You like them?" and I responded enthusiastically, telling him about seeing them live. He said I was the first person he'd met since coming to VCU who even knew who they were. Undoubtedly that's because YLT got together in 1984 and this guy was maybe 18. Tops.

Piles of discarded furniture? Yep. Empty 40-ounce malt liquor bottles? Always. Talkative and complimentary humankind?

Guaranteed on Grace Street.

3 comments:

  1. gotta love it babe.

    Great Richmond commentary... one more reason we live here.

    ReplyDelete
  2. you may enjoy this aria (musetta's waltz) from la boheme ! I leave you to find (and savor) the translation :)

    Quando me'n vo'
    Quando me'n vo' soletta per la via,
    la gente sosta e mira,
    e la bellezza mia tutta ricerca in me,
    ricerca in me
    Da capo a' piè.

    Ed assaporo allor la bramosia
    sottil che dagli occhi traspira
    e dai palesi vezzi intender sa
    alle occulte beltà.
    Così l’effluvio del desìo tutta m'aggira,
    felice mi fa!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Found and savored. My, my.

    It does indeed say it all beautifully. Thank you for sharing.

    You excel at commenting, by the way.

    ReplyDelete