2001-04-12 | 8:55 a.m.

corduroy licorice let the cat out of the bag.

his bratty brother ricky found the empty sack and was pissed.

"who let the cat out?" ricky queried.

***

it's funny how conversations work. how some are even give-and-take, some are tilted one way or the other, and some are one-way.

i remember vietnam called me up once while we were dating and talked for half an hour about stuff going on with him before saying, "well, i guess i'd better let you go..." without even a "how are you?" i was amazed.

i have a casual friend who is very sweet and funny and extroverted, but who rarely gives up the driver's seat when it comes to talking. i always enjoyed her company, but at a certain point realized that most of my contributions to the conversation were reactions to her. she talks so much, i can barely fit a word in edgewise. when i do, there will be a nanosecond pause before the conversation will almost instantly flip back to her monologue.

when i first realized the imbalance, i was annoyed. later i realized that if i was in a lazy mood, she was good dinner entertainment. i could chew while she did her revue. we kinda drifted apart as time went on.

i had dinner again with her recently and was amazed at how she dominated the conversation. i tried to tell her a pretty good story that she should've been interested in and i could see the blank look in her eyes as i spoke. i cut my tale short, figuring what was the point and we were back on her train of thought before the conductor could say "all aboard!"

she is a great girl, but i realize that for me to be comfortable with someone there's gotta be more quid pro quo. someone who'll ask me questions and listen before jumping onto their next thought. lucky for me i've got a great circle of friends who know how to share the conversational spotlight to the enjoyment of all parties.

communicating is kind of like dancing. some people know the steps better and know when not to take the lead. and some are into solo performances.

which reminds me of a gameshow question i heard on tv last night. the host asked, "what was referred to as the 'forbidden dance'?" the contestant guessed, "the charleston?" ahahahaha! maybe she was thinking of prohibition...the forbidden drink.

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