The Gossip Machine

     I came to San Francisco in 1996 on an art scholarship. 
     Within a week, I noticed how much gossip circulated around North Beach.
     Everything I did seemed to be observed by somebody, and discussed.
     I wasn't the only one being talked about.  They talked about everybody.  I was just one more person to talk about.
     I wasn't really well received when I got here, but people wondered where I got money.  For the first two years here, I was pretty much living off of my scholarship money.
     After graduation, I found a live/work situation which made me really unhappy, doing things I didn't want to do, in order to survive.
     Eventually, I got a job as a doorman in a local bar.  That worked out for eight years.
     Then I worked at the ballpark for three years as a cotton candy vendor.  That was fun, but the pay was miniscule.
     For the past two years, I've been selling my art in a bar, barely scraping by, but having a good time.  I love what I do, and I'm happy.  Sometimes I have nights of $0, sometimes I do pretty well, thank you very much.

     So, one thing is constant.  The Gossip Machine is intact.

     Well, I guess it gives people something to do, and to focus on.

     Somebody said the other day that it was like 'Peyton Place', that famous old soap opera.

     It is pretty much a trap to get caught up in The Gossip Machine.  I have allowed myself to get sucked up in it as a joke.  I don't take it too seriously because all the people involved aren't even worth it to gossip about.

     I mean, what am I going to say?  This person is getting drunk again?  That is old news.

     People talk about who is dating whom, and I care nothing about such matters.  It is none of my business, unless, of course, it is as a joke.

     They don't talk about important things, like how to get ahead in business, or how to finish the final draft of a short story so it can be sold to a publisher.

     Mostly, they just 'blah blah blah', and quite frankly, it bores me to tears.

     I guess if they don't keep their lips moving at all times, their mouths might seal over.

     I don't see too much thought or philosophy in action.  Sure, there is some, but mostly it is just drinks and conversation.  Nothing wrong with that.  It is just a bar.
     But can't it be more?

     I often wonder what people do in the day.  I don't know how some of these people make it to their jobs on time in the morning.

     They probably go to their coffee shop, and do their day-time gossiping, talking about the previous night's events, in order to get ready for the evening.

     Some of these people say they are poets and writers, and I don't know when they do any writing.  How good can their work be if they are getting slammed every night?  Also, what in hell are they writing about besides drunken nights talking smack?

     I don't know.

     Anybody who questions my writing, or takes it too seriously should have their head examined, pronto.