how to become an observer extraordinaire

two things I do sometimes, for laughs or perhaps to feel less lonely:

listen very carefully to random pieces of conversations; remember something specific a person says (i.e.- there are never enough yellow skittles). months later engage yourself in a casual conversation w/ that person and insert the line. they won't remember they said it, but they'll relate so much to it that you'll immediately gain their respect.

keep a book of quotes. tape in bookmarks found inside used books; words found written by strangers; pieces of your favorite book. [something written in big loopy handwriting I found inside a discarded library book: "...I'm not supposed to spend my life wishing you were there, I'm not supposed to constantly wonder where you are..."] these things are beautiful. step inside them & treasure them, set them away in your shelf and come back to them when you're feeling sad.

most of all- keep a journal. this may seem like a dumb and childish thing to do, but I've been at it for seven years and it's one of the most rewarding things I've done. even during a writer's block, I have found that writing about my day is a unique form of catharticism that a poem cannot always bring me. it has kept me going through some of the roughest days and is a routine I never want to break.