A Reader speaks

Winding down a day of walkabout around Oakland, I stopped by Lake Merritt - Oakland's oversized urban pond - to watch the loons, ducks and cormorants cavort in the sunset.

There, I bumped into A. Reader.

This was like the second or third time we've bumped into each other in random places around town. Tres weird, we agreed - as neither of us has ever run into anyone else in the Bay Area that we know, online or otherwise.

(I may have glimpsed Gabz in the Silver Surfer as I crossed Telegraph Avenue in Berkeley this morn too, but I was so into my CoffeeUndDonut at the time - I didnt take a second look after I realized it couldve been her. Could've gotten the make of the vehicle wrong too. Eh.)

Anyway she asked me how I was settling into the area

"Yeah, I think I'll be around here for awhile."
"Really? You dont seem to like the Bay Area much."
"Mmm? Me? Nah - I like it fine."
"Going by your writing, it seems you dont like it."
"Oh. That. Nah, me constantly bitching about the cold doesnt mean I hate the place.
Think of my moaning and complaining this way - its like breaking in a new pair of boots. Your feet are gonna be barking and moanin for awhile before everything adjusts."

Basically.

Hell, I wasnt fond of NY and its &@%@ nor'easters for awhile either.