I’ve only recently begun listening to music on my iPhone, once on the train, and twice yesterday while walking around on my usual quest for food. I’ve also just discovered the Genius option and yesterday I picked an Alicia Keys song as the catalyst for my Apple-induced playlist as I walked towards Whole Foods. Having already walked around extensively while sweating profusely in my poorly ventilated jacket earlier in the day, I was hesitant to walk at any sort of pace that would make me sweat. Plus, I was listening to Alicia Keys, and she does not make one want to pick up the pace.
As I walked, tuning out the world, I noticed this guy walking slowly somewhat ahead of me. He was older, walking with a limp, and wore a fanny pack. I decided it would be rude for me to brush past him, so I just minded my business and we basically started walking side by side. At that point, I decided enough time had passed to make it impossible for me to go faster without it being obvious that I was trying to get away. No need to make a decision though, as the guy, despite my headphones, remarked loudly and proudly, “I’m keeping up with you!” I gave a polite chuckle. “We’re walking at the same speed. But I can’t go faster because of my heart.” I didn’t know what to say, so I kept walking next to him. We reached a corner and I made like I really wanted to stand at a Don’t Cross light even though I wanted to continue around it like him. When I looked and didn’t see him walking, I realized he had sat down at the bus stop. The light was nowhere near changing, so when I determined he wasn’t going to turn around to see me, I hoofed it past the bus stop for half a block to the next light. And broke into a slight sweat.