the things people say, now/every night and every day, now

Hanging out in Yorkville for Toronto's very successful rip off of Nuit Blanche reminded me why sometimes, I really do like this city. Props to the organisers, I was well impressed and I had a blast - thank you.

The night started off by finding a free parking spot within five minutes of getting to Yorkville (score!), walking past oodles of yuppies to the ROM, where we checked out a fascinating and stimulating exhibit by Cuban artist Carlos Garaicoa. The ROM was crazy packed with families, couples, singles, and just peoplepoeplepeople of all ages checking it out. It wasn't just about the exhibition (which was amazing), as it was about the fact that here was a public space open to everybody for an entire night. This is what cultural accessibility is all about.

Afterward, we decided to make a cameo at the Ballroom Party, which consisted of a gymnasium, hundreds of balloon-like balls, and 10 year old DJs. Let me tell you, there is nothing cuter than 10 year old DJs. Not even fluffy little bunnies.

Due to time constraints, we were only able to check out a few other spots really briefly, but that little dose of fun was great.

Saturday night was all about eavesdropping and overheard fragments of conversations. As private conversations were made accessible by the simple act of having them in a public place, I managed to collect quite a few snippets of conversation.

Eavesdropping is the aural equivalent of voyeurism; there's a secret delight in receiving information you have no right to. Engaging in passive eavesdropping, as well as passive voyeurism, when there is no perverse intent behind it, is like finding a treat.

Here are a few of my favourites from Saturday night:

Two older ladies, yelled at the Bloor/Avenue intersection:
"Do you know the story about the opaque glass [in the ROM's crystal]?" "Which story?" "You know, about the opaque glass." "Yes."

Gino, on cellphone:
"We're on Dundas West.... we'll meet you on Dundas West..." (repeat til fade)

Two youths, outside the Ballroom party venue:
"Is this where the kids are?" "Darren's thing?" "Yeah." "I think this is it."

In the smoking section of a house party (a.k.a. the front porch):
"AKS.KJNKJBFDW:KF(@MNSE@END{@F#@*&@$UHSGRK;JHP&T@PIUHJ"
There were about 20 people on the porch, and I swear, everyone was talking, no-one was listening, and I couldn't make out a single word from the cacophony.

And the best - a totally random and apparently unsolicited - from a young tall male:
"Eeeuuuuurrrggghhh!"