Studied, then around ten went to Rachel's party. Spent half of the two hours there telling people I was leaving, but kept getting stuck in more and more conversations.

My housemates are big fans of "The Best of Will Ferrell" ever since Vanessa found it in the bargain rack after spending half and hour looking for it in the regular shelves. Anyway, the last sketch in the collection is one where Ferrell plays a state department employee who can't stop shouting because of Van Horton's Syndrome. It's one of the highlights of the film.

As I go to fetch my jacket and scarf I hear a man talking to a woman. He says, "But I think that real change has to come from Bolivia or Honduras. It can't come from Washington." I shake my head at anyone so naive as to be using that line to pick up women. White liberal do-gooder trash.

So I'm smiling in condescension at him as I fetch my jacket and I make eye contact with a different woman. This woman is seated on the couch, wearing a green sweater. She won't break eye contact, so I feel like I have to talk to her. I explain to her what the stupid man said and why it makes me smile. The green sweater woman nods and smiles eagerly. Then she says, "YOU HAVE TO EXCUSE ME. I CAN'T MODULATE THE VOLUME OF MY VOICE."

We chat briefly about Venezuela, Chavez, liberal do-gooders, and an argument I got in last night related to all of that. I don't feel bad about excusing myself quickly; I really was leaving, had put on my jacket, and would have headed out the door shortly regardless of which stranger struck up a conversation. I couldn't resist telling my housemates the story for laughs when I got home, though, and for that I felt bad.
posted by weiss @ 1:14 AM