Reading Saramago on the Piccadilly Line

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yesterday (sunday) evening, 6.30 ish, northbound from kings x on the piccadilly line. a pink coat, reading jose saramago, she looked very familiar, but i just couldn't place her. i got off at my stop, i should have said something.

gareth, Monday, 7 January 2002 01:00 (twenty-three years ago) link

Gareth, popular as ILE is, I really don't think it's likely to have much success as an 'I SAW YOU!' message board.

N., Monday, 7 January 2002 01:00 (twenty-three years ago) link

There is a section in TIME OUT for this kind of thing, innit. Perhaps you should try it! But thank you for reminding me that I want a new coat. My regular CAMEL coat (read second hand car dealer) is bugging me and my black one opresses me and my jacket is loverly but too light for THESE HARSH CLIMES (although today it is mild so who know).

Sarah, Monday, 7 January 2002 01:00 (twenty-three years ago) link

yes, i wuv that section of time out. i remember laughing my ass off at one which was something like "on the picadilly line, you had a bjork carrier bag. did we have a moment?". sorry gareth, no harm intended.

Alan Trewartha, Monday, 7 January 2002 01:00 (twenty-three years ago) link

The Piccadilly line evidently has a better class of literati than the Northern and the Jubilee. As far as I can see there are only three books you are allowed to read by law on these lines, currently: any old Harry Potter, that Tolkien about the dark towers or whatever, any old chicklit nonsense and THE BIBLE (you have to mutter to yourself when your read this, apparently). Listening to the stuff people play on their walkpersons, there seems to be much more mad variety in musical taste. Why is this?

(I was once on a Glasgow-London plane and the women next to me [who looked very much like AL Kennedy, book fans] was reading Gravity's Rainbow. I spent the duration of the flight agonising over whether to strike up a conversation along the lines of "that is my favourite book in the whole world" and worrying that this would make me seem like a scarycreepynutfreak. In the end my scarycreepynutfreak paranoia won out. Is there an etiquette to this kind of thing?)

Edna Welthorpe, Mrs, Monday, 7 January 2002 01:00 (twenty-three years ago) link

which saramago was s/he reading?

geoff, Monday, 7 January 2002 01:00 (twenty-three years ago) link

reading London:the biography on the tube is difficult, but will result in some good fore-arm muscles.

chris, Monday, 7 January 2002 01:00 (twenty-three years ago) link

Emma's Etiquette Guide says that you should ignore the example of John Hannah in Sliding Doors and NEVER EVER attempt to strike up a conversation with a young lady on public transport. (Unless you have sought permission from her father / guardian first.) She will be scared of you.

Emma, Monday, 7 January 2002 01:00 (twenty-three years ago) link

John Hannah in Sliding Doors is v bad example, misusing Monty Python lines (do the script writers even understand that Spanish Inquisition sketch?) and getting all rockist about the Beatles. this is before he commits grave error of wearing deck shoes and singing rowing songs in a riverside pub

michael, Monday, 7 January 2002 01:00 (twenty-three years ago) link

"Listening to the stuff people play on their walkpersons, there seems to be much more mad variety in musical taste. Why is this?"

non-mentalists only read on the bus

mark s, Monday, 7 January 2002 01:00 (twenty-three years ago) link

"As far as I can see there are only three books you are allowed to read by law on these lines, currently: any old Harry Potter, that Tolkien about the dark towers or whatever, any old chicklit nonsense and THE BIBLE"

That's four you nutcase.

Only time in my life I've ever struck up a conversation with a stranger on public transport on account of what they were reading/listening to: on a train between Manchester Piccadilly and Sheffield, 1992 - very attractive young woman opposite puzzles over track-listing to cassette she's made herself. I spy first title she's written and hear a sliver of tinny melody from her headphones. For a moment, she can't think of the name of track 2, and I, quick as a flash, write "The Boy With The Gun" on the back of my timetable in red ink and show it to her. There follows, not awkward silence, nervous looks and my wanting to kill myself, but fifteen minutes of free-flowing chat during which time I learn she's a languages student called Becky, who's about to spend 12 months in Italy as part of her degree. She alights at Sheffield and gives me a cheery wave as my train lurches onto Chesterfield. What might've been, eh?

Michael Jones, Monday, 7 January 2002 01:00 (twenty-three years ago) link

This sort of thing never happens to me..... I am basing my non- communication laws on my own experience which is: Stranger talks to Emma = Stranger is insane, drunk, smelly etc.

Emma, Monday, 7 January 2002 01:00 (twenty-three years ago) link

i've just been reminded of a strange incident in which a strange gurl what was next to me on the jubbly line was looking over her wedding present purchase. i was trying to sneak a peek at what it was, when she noticed me, and she was v drunk and v loud and persuaded me to get off at stop after mine and "escort her" home. i didn't know what to do with myself. or her as i recall. :-/

Alan Trewartha, Monday, 7 January 2002 01:00 (twenty-three years ago) link

Emma, I think your contribution is required on this thread.

N., Monday, 7 January 2002 01:00 (twenty-three years ago) link

new answer!
ahem,

gareth, Thursday, 10 January 2002 01:00 (twenty-three years ago) link

God, he really thinks she's going to turn up. Are you OK, Gareth?

N., Thursday, 10 January 2002 01:00 (twenty-three years ago) link

This is all code and Gareth is working for THE RUSSIANS!

DG, Thursday, 10 January 2002 01:00 (twenty-three years ago) link

Shit! I fear DG may be on the money. Red fox to pine fox: the weather is clement.

N., Thursday, 10 January 2002 01:00 (twenty-three years ago) link

three months pass...
Right, so the girl sitting on the computer opposite has the most looks so fucking cool (but approachable), and has the most incredible eyes. What do I say?

(Bearing in mind that I am never going to say aything, and she'll have left by the time you read this)

Graham, Tuesday, 16 April 2002 00:00 (twenty-two years ago) link

Ignore the first "has the most" in that post.

Quickly people, she's still here!

Graham, Tuesday, 16 April 2002 00:00 (twenty-two years ago) link

"Hi."

Ned Raggett, Tuesday, 16 April 2002 00:00 (twenty-two years ago) link

"Jeepers Creepers, Where d'you get those peepers?"

michael, Tuesday, 16 April 2002 00:00 (twenty-two years ago) link

Dan had a romantic Outhere Brothers quote that might not be out of place.....

Ronan, Tuesday, 16 April 2002 00:00 (twenty-two years ago) link

"do you read saramago?"

Queen G-bah Humbug, Tuesday, 16 April 2002 00:00 (twenty-two years ago) link

"Boom boom boom, let me here you say wayoo"? And I don't think that will help Geoff.

I actually think I would say something if I had something beyond "Hi, You look cool, who are you? I wanna fu...", and if I hadn't got myself all worked up and giddy with the LUV (But then I may be highly volatile after watching Amelie tonight).

(Thank god I don't have my spy camera on me. Shall I describe her? Somewhere between Starry and Amelie, but younger, more fresh faced and dynamic, long fabulous slightly fluffy hair)

Bucket of cold water please someone.

Graham, Tuesday, 16 April 2002 00:00 (twenty-two years ago) link

I my God, she's puttign her COAT ON.

Graham, Tuesday, 16 April 2002 00:00 (twenty-two years ago) link

Gah, EYE CONTACT.

Graham, Tuesday, 16 April 2002 00:00 (twenty-two years ago) link

Well? What happened?

Ned Raggett, Tuesday, 16 April 2002 00:00 (twenty-two years ago) link

She's still here, she's talking to someone, she is really cool (Ah, a name - Emma). So I'm gonna sit here and do nothing.

Graham, Tuesday, 16 April 2002 00:00 (twenty-two years ago) link

GWAN! Say something.

Ed, Tuesday, 16 April 2002 00:00 (twenty-two years ago) link

Eye contact again (mmmmm). I think she knows.

Graham, Tuesday, 16 April 2002 00:00 (twenty-two years ago) link

Quick! Take off your pants!

Dan Perry, Tuesday, 16 April 2002 00:00 (twenty-two years ago) link

wouldn't it be interesting if she had been reading ILE too...

michael, Tuesday, 16 April 2002 00:00 (twenty-two years ago) link

Don't say that, Dan P will now post a fake message. ;-)

Ned Raggett, Tuesday, 16 April 2002 00:00 (twenty-two years ago) link

Don't hate the playa, hate the game.

Dan Perry, Tuesday, 16 April 2002 00:00 (twenty-two years ago) link

I'll catch her as she leaves. Yeah, that's it.

Graham, Tuesday, 16 April 2002 00:00 (twenty-two years ago) link

Ah, she's gone. I'll see her around (and I'm in no fit state to be talking to strangers).

Graham, Tuesday, 16 April 2002 00:00 (twenty-two years ago) link

& love lies shattered in pieces on the floor

anyway what was the saramago she was reading on the train? and sorry, I'm not good with opening lines...normally, "Hey, do you wanna taste my butt mucous" seals it either way and explains why my hymen is growing back.

Queen G-bah Humbug, Tuesday, 16 April 2002 00:00 (twenty-two years ago) link

It's Gareth that fancies Saramango girl, mine was someone entirely different.

Not entirely shattered: I left the library just after her (because I had no reason to stay), and the journey home turned into stalking, as she lives in the SAME PLACE as me, huzzah huzzah. She was too far away to catch up with, but I saw what house she went into, so I still have options. What are they?

Graham, Tuesday, 16 April 2002 00:00 (twenty-two years ago) link

so i get confused...blame it on the lithium...

as to what to do now, you could always set up a tent on her front lawn...or you could go around and ask her for half a cup of sugar as you wish to bake her a cake.

Queen G-bah Humbug, Tuesday, 16 April 2002 00:00 (twenty-two years ago) link

Just wait until you're pissed sometime and then conveniently make sure you're in the same bar/club/whatever as her and go "oh hey don't you live near me" or something inane. If she's a nice person the least you'll get is a pleasant conversation.

Of course I'm hardly the one to be giving relationship advice.......given my last and ongoing rollercoaster experience.

Ronan, Tuesday, 16 April 2002 00:00 (twenty-two years ago) link

Oh this is all GREAT stuff. I miss this - the thrill of the chase etc. The engineering of situations where there's only you two left in the library, or you *just happen* to get in the lift together. It's great. I was fairly crap at it actually, but not entirely unsuccessful. I usually blurted something out eventually and was never treated like a stalker or told to f.off. So accept some advice from a grey panthXOR folks - just say it!

Dr. C, Tuesday, 16 April 2002 00:00 (twenty-two years ago) link

Same place as me = Student Village w/ it's own club, so hopefully Ronan's advice can be put to good use. Or I might fo and see her.

I'm off to buy a tent. And some cake mix.

Graham, Tuesday, 16 April 2002 00:00 (twenty-two years ago) link

noooo! not cake mix - then you won't *need* the sugar, you see?

michael, Tuesday, 16 April 2002 00:00 (twenty-two years ago) link

Quick! Take off your pants!

Dan Perry is, in case any of you had forgetten, a very bad man.

katie, Tuesday, 16 April 2002 00:00 (twenty-two years ago) link

"Excuse me, could you direct me to the gents' toilet, please" might have avoided possible confusion.

Tim, Tuesday, 16 April 2002 00:00 (twenty-two years ago) link

Dan Perry is, in case any of you had forgetten, a very bad man.

This is very difficult to deny, but surely one must accept, following that last post, that Mr Hopkins is an even badder man than Mr Perry.

RickyT, Tuesday, 16 April 2002 00:00 (twenty-two years ago) link

"Excuse me, could you join me in the men's toilet? I need assistance."

Ned Raggett, Tuesday, 16 April 2002 00:00 (twenty-two years ago) link

As Ned makes a late attempt at Baddest Man On ILE.

Dan Perry, Tuesday, 16 April 2002 00:00 (twenty-two years ago) link

ask her if she likes the apples in stereo!

jel --, Tuesday, 16 April 2002 00:00 (twenty-two years ago) link

I think Jel wins.

Ned Raggett, Tuesday, 16 April 2002 00:00 (twenty-two years ago) link

In which case I will ask for cake mix. And a tent.

I am going to see her tomorrow, whatever (to ask about her Apples In Stereo fandom obv.). Beat me about the head with chickenbears if I don't.

(BTW Listening to Don't Falter too much before torking to GURLS = Me being called creepy and being paranoid about it for six weeks thereafter)
=> (Watching Amelie before => ?)

Graham, Tuesday, 16 April 2002 00:00 (twenty-two years ago) link

damn, i saw 34 new answers and i thought she'd been identified. sigh

gareth, Wednesday, 17 April 2002 00:00 (twenty-two years ago) link

you clods really hurt gareth. bastards. it's okay baby.

jess, Wednesday, 17 April 2002 00:00 (twenty-two years ago) link

so, err, which saramago book was it gareth?

toby, Wednesday, 17 April 2002 00:00 (twenty-two years ago) link

i dont know. the saramago books all have generic covers, and my saramago (the stone raft) was a different publication.

gareth, Wednesday, 17 April 2002 00:00 (twenty-two years ago) link

She's French. Her name is actually Anne-Laure.

I did it. KISS MY SHINY METAL ASS I FUCKING DID IT. I came into the library today and she was at the photocopier. A quick reckie for a suitable vantage point left me in the journals section completely not subtley not reading (that bit was hard) a magazine about how to build a robot girlfri cyborg. She left soon afterwards, I gave chase but the girl in front of me's card wouldn't work in the barriers. A quick leap into the other gate and I had eyeball again. I followed her for a bit, then suddenly found myself running after her:

"Hi.
"This is a bit weird, but I am totally fascinated by you.
pause
"Sorry to be weird."
Gorgeous European accent: "Is this a joke or a bet or something?"
Thus followed a serious of difficult silences interspersed with stilted conversation, ending in:
Her: "So, I'll see you...in zer library?"
Me: [nods] [runs off grinning]

Graham, Wednesday, 17 April 2002 00:00 (twenty-two years ago) link

[giddy BWANE just made France=Amelie connection RAR!]

Graham, Wednesday, 17 April 2002 00:00 (twenty-two years ago) link

Bloody Hell! You forgot to ask about the apples in stereo!

Dr. Love, Wednesday, 17 April 2002 00:00 (twenty-two years ago) link

It's a start, Graham. Nice one. But you don't want to see her in zer library really do you? What about zer bar 'aving ze drink, followed by ze sack? Step it up!

Dr. C, Wednesday, 17 April 2002 00:00 (twenty-two years ago) link

Library's are a wanton hot bed of innuendo!

jel --, Wednesday, 17 April 2002 00:00 (twenty-two years ago) link

Oh Dr C, I wouldn't know about zat.

Graham, Wednesday, 17 April 2002 00:00 (twenty-two years ago) link

graham ce'st un chanson d'amour

Queen G-bah Humbug, Wednesday, 17 April 2002 00:00 (twenty-two years ago) link

My heart sings.

Graham, Wednesday, 17 April 2002 00:00 (twenty-two years ago) link

well done! i wish i was brave enough for this sort of stuff.

michael, Wednesday, 17 April 2002 00:00 (twenty-two years ago) link

Very neat, Graham -- and you even started with "Hi," bless your soul. :-)

Ned Raggett, Wednesday, 17 April 2002 00:00 (twenty-two years ago) link

Woh! I'd never have done that. I'm currently relapsing into relationship disaster. I need that annoying Friends/Ally Mc Beal word.......CLOSURE like starving children need bread. Nightmare...

Ronan, Wednesday, 17 April 2002 00:00 (twenty-two years ago) link

I shall invite her to POKEMONG! the musical.

(It's a couple of weeks away, but I'll buy two tickets today and drag along Sara instead if A-L is [insert a million reasons])

Graham, Thursday, 18 April 2002 00:00 (twenty-two years ago) link

Graham, well done. Now you have to be AMAZINGLY INTERESTING. That's the bit that always kills me. Cheek goes down well.

/me envies.

Mark C, Monday, 22 April 2002 00:00 (twenty-two years ago) link

Graham, you may regret this later when you find out she's working for the Nazi guy who's trying to get the diamonds back. But that's OK, there can be a great final sequence behind the scenes at the Bronx Zoo. You will have to undergo painful and unnecessary dental procedures first though.

Alan Trewartha, Monday, 22 April 2002 00:00 (twenty-two years ago) link

five years pass...

nice

elan, Sunday, 4 November 2007 05:53 (seventeen years ago) link


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