That was self-serving, because the “something” is an article I wrote that went up today, a profile of the founder of Overheard in New York. It is noteworthy not only for its subject, but for the audio, my first chance at the Monitor to put my audio production skills to work with a voice other than my own.
Here’s a taste:
“Let’s sit here,” Friedman says, settling into the arm of a couch, where we will be literally surrounded by iBooks and people to spy on. “We need to reduce the human-to-laptop ratio.”
Friedman picks through his salad and watches the crowd. He looks at the pair of women gazing out of the window. “Do you think they’re mother and daughter?” he asks.
“Could be,” I say. He agrees, saying that too many years seem to separate them for the women to be simply friends. Also: “It looks like they have nothing to say to each other, which implies a familial relation to me.”
Check it out, and let me know what you think.
This is the second article that I know of that you’ve written about listening to people in public places. I completely understand the appeal – it’s like journalism without having to explain yourself to the person you’re writing about, without the person’s behavior modified because of your presence. It’s like facebook stalking, in person.
Am seriously missing NY and feeling homesick. Saw some pictures of friends in the East Village in cute fall coats. Sigh. I’m still wearing that ratty navy t-shirt.
In other Uganda news: I tried to call the head of the police force this morning and accidentally called the minister of education. The latter seemed surprised when I asked for the former. Must get better phone number organization system.
What an absolutely interesting idea for a website. I shall have to check that site more i-depth when I get home.
Great article by you, Miss Jina, as always.
i am a chronic eavesdropper… i can sit for hours and simply people watch, and new york is the place to be if you want to hear something said that just makes your jaw drop.
my notice of arrival in the city was when i was quoted in overheard… i was almost as proud of that as i was of my first published piece of fiction.
http://www.overheardinnewyork.com/archives/011054.html
great article, your writing never fails to entertain me, educate me, make me think.
thank you for that.
Quin, I’m glad you liked the piece. It is *awesome* that you were quoted in OINN. I’ve never actually met anyone who made it on the website! I love it!