Signs of Spring on a Grey Day

Lunchtime Entertainment

No long ago, on a chilly, rainy day, the boyfriend and I went to lunch at a Nolita restaurant.  We were seated in a cosy little nook next to the bar.  There was a banquette with three tables and a window looking onto a pretty little fire escape.  The mirrors above the banquette and next to the window gave the area the extra light needed not to feel claustrophobic.  We were seated next to a young couple who were having their ups and downs during their meal.  (The girl next to me was obviously more expressive because all I noticed were sweet glances from the boy and quite tender hand-holding between courses.  I only heard about the drama after we had left.  There were tears on her part.)  They spoke either French or Italian softly throughout the meal.

Shortly after our main courses arrived - a perfect salmon and sublime braised beef shoulder - this tall, skinny English guy meandered over to our cosy corner speaking loudly into his cell phone.  Needless to say, we looked up when we heard this barking overhead.  Then I noticed he was looking at himself in the mirror and arranging his artfully "messy" hair during the phone conversation.  I was just thinking, "It's really not very attractive when a guy fusses over his hair and primps so obviously in front of a mirror," when he lifted his t-shirt and started to scratch his flat, very hairy stomach in front of us.  The preening was amusing enough, but the boyfriend's eyes widened when the shirt went up - just inches away from his head.  Said guy was completely oblivious.  He swiveled round and started fussing with his hair,  admiring himself in the other mirror before stalking back into the other room.

All this in the space of about two minutes.  In a restaurant full of people.  The boyfriend and I guffawed and went back to our meal.  We loved going to the restaurant.  Entertainment as well as lunch!

Hands

I was drawn to the contrast between the grey nails and the bright coral ring.  The unexpected colour switch was a nice surprise.  Of course, it helps to have graceful, ivory hands.