Shrugs

Today was a pretty odd day. I don't want to write, but I feel as though I should.

I saw a homeless man a few days ago while crossing the bridge on Cherry here in town. He was walking down the train tracks that go through Massillon, carrying a large plastic garbage bag and a big wooden plank. I can only imagine he used the plank for sleeping, eating, and maybe other things that require a generally flat and level surface. I locked eyes with him for a second as he walked down the train tracks, me in my polo shirt and my head phones on playing what I imagine is generally snobby music.

In that moment, I felt connected to the man with no home. I understand I'm not homeless but the fact that we both saw each other, if only for a moment, seemed surreal to me. Massillon isn't especially known for its homeless population, though it is there if you know where to look. I'm not really sure what brought us together for that short lapse of time, but it made me feel like a bad guy.

I was also driving home this evening after having a night of fun with my improv troupe. We went out for italian food in Wadsworth and went back to Kevin and Mandy's apartment when we were done. We had a few drinks and played some games, had a generally pleasant time.

While driving home, in a partial stupor due to the alcohol I drank, I noticed I was the only person on all of highway 21 except for one car about a mile ahead of me. I drove slow deliberately to see if the would pull away as I wanted to be alone on my drive home.

Once they left my sight though I felt guilty, just as I had when I saw the homeless man. I'm not sure why, but I felt like I should speed up till I could see them again. Once I did see them though, I was to late. They had turned off of the highway onto one of northeast Ohio's many backroads.

I felt like this may all be some sort of bizarre symbolism that would be appropriate material for a blog. Perhaps along the lines of my fear of being alone or forcing people I love away.

I dunno.