Out of the gait

After I worked out today --abs, obliques and quads-- with lots of sweat, I was wandering home near sundown and found Thomas sitting with his laptop at the newish public space at 17th and Market.

I sat down, we started to gab. Spent a lot of time on the history of the devil and hell. He had watched a History Channel piece on it and had lots of questions. As often happens, it turned into a lot of laughing.

And given the spot, a river of men walking by. It amazes me how different people's gaits are. I first started noticing it years ago when, after living in Toronto for 10 years or so, I realized that I could often pick out American on the street just from how he walked. One of my favorite George W Bush moments was at the 2004 convention, when he said, "People look at me and see a certain swagger, which in Texas is called "walking."

A 19th century man who knew how to walk!

Along with looks, obviously --face and frame--,  and voice, I get a sense of a man from how he walks. I don't think there's a "right" way for a man to walk, but there sure as hell are lots of wrong ways! A lot of men do not seem to be at home in their skins. Last Friday night we sat there and watched the crowds gather for the Gay Porn awards. For some reason, I recognized a few of the lads. Were I a superficial man, rather than one of deep feeling and sensitivity --ok, calm down; stop laughing---, I might have enjoyed that. Even though I still have one man on the brain.