My public SONAR ping

Listening is an art. This is not something that I realized by myself, it is a talent/skill that I have been developing since 1992. This is the year I was told that I am not a very good listener. I have done a few things since 1992, the most important (in order) are:

1. Getting older and wiser.

2. Practicing my listening skills.

Now, yesterday as I was in the movie theatre to see the newest installment of Batman (note to other dads out there- always pick the longest movie available when given the chance. Don't go to the short film festival- no no no. If the director's cut of Ghandi were playing, I'd see it no matter how good or bad it may be)... Matinee movies equal solitude and maybe even time for a nap.

Before said violence-fest movie. I was waiting in line to put a down payment on a 280 ounce diet coke. The line was incredibly looooooooong and moved at the pace of an Amtrack train from DC to NYC. It was here that I used my "bat-hearing" to listen in to the (I assumed) the two teenagers behind me. Their conversation went something like this:

"Look at the picture of this guy I used to date. He was so gorgeous."

"Oh my God! He is gorgeous."

"Yeah I had to stop dating him because he was so attractive other girls would try to fight me for him."

"Oh! I had the same problem with an attractive boyfriend. People were always looking at him."

"I stayed with him as long as I could- I'm sure he was as faithful as he could be when he was with me. (in a hushed tone) I was addicted to the sex with him, though."

"Is he married?"

"No, I look him up on facebook sometimes. He's not married."

"How old is he?"

"My age- 39" (!!!!!)

Now, maybe yours truly is naive, but I figured this was a conversation among teenagers, not grown women. Shows you what I know about what adult women talk about!

 I was so tempted to turn to them and tell them:

"When I was young, I had the same problem, except I was the hot one." just to see their reactions. But by the time I thought of it, it was my turn at the register.