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You Just Never Know

This newspaper gig has brought some interesting things. Because of it, I have met all kinds of people and learned all kinds of things.

I have interviewed a potter, a stained glass artist, a horse barn owner, Guatemalan immigrants, winery operators and a woman with two uteruses. That last one may seem odd, but she's one of the few women in the world who has given birth to surviving twins, each developing in its own womb (you can see the adorable kids and read the article here).

I have learned about antique steamer trunks, dandelion wine, the history of steel drums and that people in Papua New Guinea are being evacuated from their island because of rising sea levels. I've read books on the repercussions of factory farming, and I've researched childhood obesity—did you know that Ohio ranks 17th on a list of US states in order of weight? Yet, someone in my own town would comment online suggesting we leave our poor kids alone.

The other day I was in a court room to cover a case between a railroad museum and a private collector of train cars and engines. During a bathroom break, I found myself alone with the collector's attorney, and he mumbled, "Off the record, I never thought I'd be arguing about a steam engine." I said that I never thought I'd be writing about one, and we talked about how you have no idea what's going to come your way. "You wake up in the morning and just never know," the lawyer said.

Isn't that a good thing? If you knew everything that was going to happen to you every single day, what would be the point of waking up?

Comments

kyle@sift said…
Were you in the mens room or was he in the ladies room?
Scout said…
Oh, funny. No, actually, everyone else left the courtroom to go potty, and the two of us stayed behind.

I probably should have worded that more clearly.
savannah said…
here i was thinking your little town was into unisex toilets! ;) xoxox
lol I was wondering what Kyle was. I had a not too inviting image of either you sitting down chatting through the door or him standing and...well you get the idea. It wasn't pretty.

he he you never know where newspaper articles will take you Robyn and what a great thing that is. I think one of my most unusual gigs, as you so rightly put it, was crouching in the bushes trying to photograph an accused (now charged) murderer. Got it. :)
Anonymous said…
Mmmmm... Dandelion wine. Tasty.
MmeBenaut said…
Oh hee hee!
I guess that if it was a great day with good things, friendly, happy people and delicious food, it would be fun to wake up. However, if it were to be the opposite, I'd opt for staying in bed!
Magpie said…
These comments are just funny. I wondered the same thing. Odd no one thought at first the lawyer could be a woman??
Shazza said…
If I knew everything ahead of time I'd definitely stay in bed and just wait until the day was over.

Thanks for the insight - sometimes you just don't think of those things!
Magpie lol! Robyn had said 'he' but it is amazing how often that happens!

As I often say, we may have got the vote, but .... all else!

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