I had a very interesting Juneteenth. What was shaping up to be a bad day had an unexpected turn. I woke unfortunately early. It started off well enough, with the federal holiday many of my associates had the day off and were on a morning gaming session. I treasure the times the stars and schedules align so that the fellas can get online together organically. But I had this feeling, that should I spend the entire day in the confines of my house I would feel a sickness and regret. When there was a break in the gaming, I took myself begrudgingly to the shower.

I cleaned up the piling dishes and picked up a few things around the house. And even though the load wouldn’t be worth the coinage, I resolved to hit the laundromat. While there I deviated from my usual routine of watching downloaded YouTube videos and instead took advantage of the good weather to walk to the nearby supermarket. I purchased a single banana. I walked the entire store, not sure of what I was really after, and decided upon a fruit. With the looming threat of 2024 (future clarifying post inbound) I took my chance for a banana while I still could. It was quite whimsical to weigh out and buy ONE banana at the self checkout. As I walked back to the laundromat with the skin in hand, I felt good. Strangely, I felt good. I got back just in time to switch from washer to dryer.

I make a habit of getting change and a powerball ticket (future post about the value of a lottery ticket inbound). On a whim, I got a pack of wintergreen nicotine lip packets as well. I don’t do the nicotine thing, however I think it is a shame I don’t have any in my possession. I plan to try a single lip pack tonight. Anyway, it seemed a natural continuation of the banana feelings. When I got back to the laundromat it wasn’t time to unload yet and I had noticed earlier the state of the floor in the establishment. Snack crumbs, wrappers, plastic and paper trash, unnamable bits littered the floor! I spotted a broom and dustpan in the corner and debated internally whether or not I should, or even if I could, do a little bit of sweep around. There were a few other patrons, but no noticeable staff.

Most people would assume its not their job to sweep up at another’s business. I agree. It wasn’t my job. We could have all gone along with our laundry and eventually an employee would arrive and clean up, and all would be well. In the grand scheme I would make no difference. But I felt compelled. This was my laundromat. It is a pillar of my community. In a weird way, even though its just a place to make a profit off of the need for clean clothing, I feel like its partly my responsibility. This may sound silly to some. But you yourself take up A LOT of responsibility in the places you frequent. You are responsible for waiting in line, for sitting in the designated seats, for putting away your food tray, for flushing after you use the bathroom. People make such incredible distinctions between these things. In some cases I think we do not go far enough. We all have to use the laundromat, so in some way, we all should take care of it.

It is a shitty laundromat to be sure. But that doesn’t mean it has to be miserable. I took up the broom and gave it a cursory sweep. The broom was broken down the middle and unwieldly. I felt silly, and I felt the eyes of the other patrons as they tried to decide what and why I was doing what I was doing. Did I work there? Was I just a weirdo? I don’t know what they thought, but I could see thought weighing on them.

I have often felt that picking up litter for the sake of picking up litter (for example) is more difficult if strangers, or especially someone you know, is watching. Why? Shouldn’t peer pressure go the other way. Where its harder to do something wrong with other people’s eyes on you? I guess I don’t want to feel like a goody-two-shoes or better-than-thou.

My laundry finished and I went home. To find the fire alarm blaring and my house filled with pungent smoke. I had left my cast iron pan heating on the electric element. Whoops. I quickly removed the pan, opened the windows, set up the fans, and disarmed the alarm. What a wild few minutes.

In desperate need of exercise, I decided to take up a new route on my bicycle. Just when I thought I had taken a bad turn, the road ended in a nature preserve. I walked my back along the wetlands and watched the ducks and birds and wildlife. Along the 2 mile path, about every 20 meters there was an 8 foot pole topped with a bird house. A helpful infographic sign explained that June is the time for the local swallows to nest. Every few strides I was greeted by the seemingly smiling face and welcoming chittering of a little yellow face looking out the door of a cute little bird home. I heard weird frogs croaking and a snake even crossed my path. An old woman who I suspect may be a witch (not negatively connotated mind) who told me that the rainbows would be excellent following the slight drizzle. “Once the sun drops to about a 40-42 degree angle to our horizon.” Incredible.

Then it seemed the gamers would be back online. However, I had yet to eat besides the banana all day. So I walked to the little down town and ended up a pizza place. With the benefit of walking and a wait for my pizza to cook, I had a single beer. As a guy who rarely has alcohol, and is a lightweight anyway, and had an empty stomach, one beer is all it takes to get me wobbly. What fun for a walk home with a pizza box. I got home and gorged myself, with a glass of wine. I then sucked at video games with my pals. It was a great day, a total reversal of my expectations.

The moral of this story? Buy a banana while you can. Do something silly but helpful. Don’t forget to turn off the oven. And drunk drivers should rot in hell.