Tonka, Trams, Talking, and Trouble

A day can't possibly pass without a Tonka moment taking place, and today was no exception.  As I write this entry I can't help but wonder who felt most awkward tonight.  Was it me or the unfortunate man that I decided to talk to on the tram?  I guess this is the consequence of  sequestering myself for two weekends in a row.

Chris left OZ last Friday, and since his departure I haven't done anything other than go to work.  I’m not complaining, it just is what it is, but as of this afternoon blondie was expressing some worry.  He kept insisting that I leave the hotel and I was getting sick of hearing it.  In true Chris fashion he forced me out of the room by taking matters into his own hands.  He bought a ticket for me to see Les Miserables tonight.  Yes, I have seen the show several times, and the last time was with Chris while he was here visiting.  I guess he figured it was the only way to get me out of the room.  He was probably correct.

Most people just sit in silence while traveling to their destination via the tram.  Tonight I decided to break that silence by finding a stranger and striking up a meaningless conversation. The unlucky recipient was a well-dressed older gentleman who made the mistake of standing next me.  Playing the part of the novice tram rider, I started the conversation by asking him which stop to exit for the theater.   It was the only thing I could think of at the time!  He took the bait.

My unsuspecting victim provided a friendly, and very detailed, answer to my question.  This guy was a talker, which meant that I picked the right person!   He asked if I was from Canada, and when I told him that I was an American he looked shocked.  Naturally I asked him why he was so surprised to learn that I was an American.  He answered, “You aren't as aggressive or as loud as the Americans that I have encountered in the past”.  I couldn't help but crack a Tonka smile and wish that Chris was around to hear his statement.  

At some point, and while I was still daydreaming, the man decided to tell me more about his life and how he came to reside in Melbourne.  By the time I realized he was still talking it was too late.  I only caught the last part of his statement, and what I thought he said wasn't even close to what he actually said.  It gets worse…   

Tonka’s new friend continued to talk, and every time he paused I repeated back his entire sentence.  Yes,…I repeated every single spoken word back to him.  As I write this, I cant figure out why he kept talking!  At the very least he must have thought I was crazy.  I am certain that anyone who witnessed this take place must naturally assume I'm nuts.   To be honest, for some reason I thought he wanted me to repeat what he was saying in order to prove that I wasn't Canadian.  Like he was looking for an accent or something!  Don't ask me how I came up with that, bud I did.  I parroted back every word that man spoke and he just kept talking.  Finally, and much longer than I care to admit, I figured out that he didn't actually want me to repeat everything.  By then it was just too long and too late.  I couldn't wait to get off that tram!

Thankfully the rest of my evening went much better than the tram ride!  The ticket Chris purchased for me was very close to the stage and easily the best seats that I have ever had in my life.  It was like seeing the show for the first time!  I was a bit nervous at first… The show was completely sold out and I was flying solo.  I can't even begin to tell you how weird it is to feel alone in a crowded room.  Suddenly I didn't know how to act, where to stand, or what to do, and it was becoming a little uncomfortable.  The doors to the theater eventually opened and I was at least able to find my seat and relax.  It was a full-house (once again, it was a sold out show) and I was sitting in the last seat of our row.  It was an aisle seat.  Get this… Whoever bought the tickets for the EIGHT seats next to me didn't show up!  I stuck out like a sore thumb!  LOL!  That could only happen to me.  

I think todays lesson was about acceptance and self-confidence.  Will I ever really learn self-confidence, probably not…  I accept it though…    

When Chris and I exchanged our final texts of the day, and just before he went to bed, I told him to dream that we were together watching Les Miserables.  Do you think it is a coincidence that the only “no shows” were the seats right next to me?   I guess we will never know.

Thank you for a great night out blondie!  Did you enjoy the show?  I love you!