Sunday, June 1, 2008

One Fish Two Fish Red Fish Blue Fish...

Today I'm sharing a little Seussology. My theory is that you can learn an awful lot about someone by inquiring about their favorite childhood Dr. Seuss book.

I did a little inquiring.

The OCD accountant - "The Five Hundred Hats of Bartholomew Cubbins"

Go figure.

A crazy programmer friend with the highest IQ of anyone I've ever met in person - "On Beyond Zebra"

Yep.

A very strange passive aggressive person - "Hop on Pop"

That one worries me.

I think there's room here for a doctoral thesis. But I'm not going there.

What brought this to mind was my bus ride home last Thursday. In the downtown Seattle shopping district, between one of the ten million Starbucks and PF Changs, across from Macy's, stood a man in hip waders with a fishing pole.

How do you tell that story? I can't make this stuff up. I only caught a glimpse of him as the world according to the 510 Express continued to rotate on its axis to the I5 on-ramp.

For the next 45 minutes I pondered a fish tale. An actor, on his way to work to a play or promotional gig? Was there someone in a salmon suit around the next corner that I didn't get to see? (Flashback to the Ivars commercial where the guys ran around with giant clamshells over their heads...)

A legitimate fisherman who went 20 miles out of his way to find a Starbucks because he couldn't do without his venti caramel machiato?

Or maybe an interesting sort with a non-traditional idea of how to dress while window-shopping on Fourth Avenue.

I don't know, but I could (and did) go on and on with these trains of thought.

Oh. MY favorite Dr. Seuss book?

And To Think That I Saw It On Mulberry Street

The first Dr. Seuss book. Wherein all poor Marco sees on his way home from school is a plain horse and wagon. But by the time he arrives home he has fabricated a fabulous parade of interesting characters and activities. When his father asks him what he saw, he of course tells the truth about the horse and wagon.

Possibilities abound in this world, you just have to find them.

And my friend with the hip-waders? His favorite Dr. Seuss must be...

One Fish Two Fish Red Fish Blue Fish....

Happy June 1!

2 comments:

John said...

If you ever saw the contents of the various containers in our fridge, you would have to assume our favorite Dr. Seuss (or at least, most appropriate) would be Green Eggs and Ham.
John

Patience-please said...

Sam I Am DOES like green eggs and ham. He does like them, Sam I Am.

great post!

Jenn and the City

An Award

An Award
Thanks Patience!

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