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Pseudo Cyborg
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"I don't wanna stop now."

Posted over 3 years ago

I was on a flight earlier this year, solitary and ear-deep in my iPod—as was the custom at the time.

I'm used to shutting myself off to the world with headphones, being the master of public transportation that I am. The days I forget them are always filled with the longest rides. Perhaps strangers speak to me because I have an approachable face. I really have no idea. And, sure, sometimes I don't mind a random conversation. Most of the time, however, I like to have a few moments to myself.

Colorful characters can only be taken in doses.

We were preparing for takeoff and I was instructed to turn off my iPod. The woman sitting next to me told me that she was nervous, that it was her first flight. She was off to visit her son.

I removed my headphones from around my neck and placed them on my lap.

Talking her through take-off proved helpful. She was visibly nervous, which is understandable. Once the plane levelled, the conversation switched toward my iPod.

"What's that?"

"Oh, it's kinda like a Walkman™. It holds all my music."

She went on about how fascinating that was. I whole-heartedly agreed. Being able to carry the vast majority of my music library with me in my pocket at any time is definitely a sign of progress.

"What were you listening to?"

"Otis Redding, Live at the Whiskey in 1966."

"Oh really?"

We talked about all sorts of Classic Soul and R&B the duration of the 30 minute flight. It was refreshing and fantastic.

As I gathered my bags and began to make my way out the plane, she asked me a question.

"What is it you like most about Otis Redding?"

"He sings like my tears sound."

She smiled and we wished each other well.

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Comments (21)

  1. Anna
    Anna says David....."He sings like my tears sound".......where the hell have you been all this time. Promise us you'll stay on MOG.
    Permalink posted 10/27/2006
  2. Pseudo Cyborg
    Pseudo Cyborg says : ) I promise. I like it here.
    Permalink posted 10/27/2006
  3. lemontwist
    lemontwist says Cool story. :)
    Permalink posted 10/27/2006
  4. Killa
    Killa says see anna, i bring the good ones. i liked this story, i have one of those faces too, or maybe i'm the colorful character approaching people, good to know i need to adjust the dosage at times. my favorite song ever is by otis, ahh, love him.
    Permalink posted 10/27/2006
  5. Pseudo Cyborg
    Pseudo Cyborg says Thanks, lemontwist. I’ve been listening to Otis quite a bit the yesterday and today and was reminded of that story. Psh, there’s no finder’s fee/credit, April. Or maybe there is. I’m not sure. I don’t think you’re one of those people I was talking about. You, unlike them, actually have some things worth saying and are intentionally funny. Big difference.
    Permalink posted 10/27/2006
  6. steve simon
    steve simon says a crushing piece of music!
    Permalink posted 10/27/2006
  7. Pseudo Cyborg
    Pseudo Cyborg says I absolutely concur, Steve.
    Permalink posted 10/27/2006
  8. Heggs
    Heggs says What I find the most interesting in your story is that the wonderful conversation you had with this woman would not have happened if you were permitted to keep your headphones on. Sometimes the universe is trying to communicate with us, sending us signals and we completely miss them since we're blocking them out with our own personal distractions. Nice story though!
    Permalink posted 10/27/2006
  9. bubb
    bubb says Otis Redding was cool!
    Permalink posted 10/28/2006
  10. Pseudo Cyborg
    Pseudo Cyborg says Heggs: You may be right. I should say, though, that I'm a firm believer in things happening for a reason. So, who knows. Something else may have happened where the conversation would have begun. I'm just... selective when it comes to my random conversations. Taking public transportation daily has taught me to be so. But just because my ears are occupied doesn't mean my other senses are. I can still pay attention to my surroundings. ; ) Indeed he was, bubb. It's such a shame he had to go at such a young age, too.
    Permalink posted 10/28/2006
  11. Misstee
    Misstee says Great story. She's got poetry in her soul.
    Permalink posted 10/28/2006
  12. etcvisitor
    etcvisitor says sounds like random interactions are sometimes better than the ones that we plan.
    Permalink posted 10/30/2006
  13. Pseudo Cyborg
    Pseudo Cyborg says Most definitely. Those are the kind that make life interesting.
    Permalink posted 10/30/2006
  14. debm
    debm says Wow. You really are something of a poet, aren't you? So is Otis soft and salty? I'll have to listen to hear a tear. Wonderful reply!
    Permalink posted 10/30/2006
  15. Pseudo Cyborg
    Pseudo Cyborg says Heh, danke. I'd like to think I have a decent command of the English language. : ) "These Arms Of Mine" and "I've Been Loving You Too Long" are such beautiful lamentations, deliciously tart-filled pangs. Take that, Emo!
    Permalink posted 10/30/2006
  16. Lowdown
    Lowdown says I thought wearing an onion on your belt was the custom at the time????
    Permalink posted 11/01/2006
  17. Pseudo Cyborg
    Pseudo Cyborg says LMAO @ Lowdown "The town of Springfield was born on that day, and to mark that sweet moment, our people planted this lemon tree—lemons being the sweetest fruit available at the time."
    Permalink posted 11/01/2006
  18. Spike
    Spike says An elderly woman who was a friend of my parents gave me that Otis Redding LP when we visited her on Christmas in 1968. It was my first record of his. Listen to "Satisfaction," and when it gets to 1:45 it starts really getting good, and at 2:00 it never fails to get my shoulders tingling. The drummer of course was Al Jackson, Jr., whom so many of the top pop drummers of the late sixties mentioned as their favorite. The cover of the album followed a long-time traditional tactic used in trying to sell R&B and black jazz to the mainstream white audience. So that's Otis? I didn't know she was white.
    Permalink posted 11/30/2006
  19. Pseudo Cyborg
    Pseudo Cyborg says "So that’s Otis? I didn’t know she was white." That's both hilarious and simultaneously sad. I love his version of "Satisfaction". I remember being a kid and cracking up—in a good way—and singing "I can't-a git me no".
    Permalink posted 11/30/2006
  20. Spike
    Spike says Seeing that is so satisfying.
    Permalink posted 11/30/2006
  21. Pseudo Cyborg
    Pseudo Cyborg says Funny: you took the words out of my mouth. Otis really was a powerful singer and entertainer. It's a shame that he had to go at such a young age.
    Permalink posted 11/30/2006

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