I have a confession to make. I look into my neighbors' windows.
Okay, shoot me. But have a heart.
Because, it's basically impossible for me not to - since my loft building faces their loft building - and even though we are a half a block apart - my huge six-foot high windows still face their huge windows and I can see in.
Well, sort of. Not everything. But...
...I want you to know, I AM NOT strange or twisted or weird, I am CURIOUS. A writer for godsake! Filled with imagination. Stuck 24/7 in my own downtown movie.
And since I live and I work in my loft, I can basically tune in and tune out, whenever I want to - that is - if their shades are up and "my neighbors" (loosely defined) are there.
A couple have caught my eye.
There's the dark-haired woman, who during the day, smokes, sitting on her window ledge (four floors up) and talks on the phone. I sware, between you and me, one day she's going to fall right into the parking lot below. I have a fear of heights and she worries me.
Another curious one is the photographer. He's on the fifth floor, and I see his strobe lights, and the flashes from his camera, going off constantly. He must be a very busy photographer, either that or maybe he is a drug pusher. I just don't know, I can't see that far.
And then there are the two guys on the top floor. Chefs in the making, or maybe chefs already made. They are constantly cooking, because I see them carrying pots and pans around a lot. I assume they have a gourmet kitchen but I just don't know. I imagine they will star on Top Chef one day.
Of course, there are more neighbors. All, mini-movies. I often wonder what they're up too. And miss them, when I don't see them for awhile.
Well, maybe I am a little strange. Not a peeper, though!
But, here's the real kicker.
If I can see them - guess what? They can see me, too! And I wonder if they do, and what if they've made up a story about me, or point, or even let out a scream!
Which brings me to getting dressed.
On days I'm feeling confident, I walk out of my bathroom - gasp - naked - and get dressed with the shades up - some 20 feet from my windows. On fearful days, I hide behind my bed getting dressed, just knowing someone is watching - maybe even with a telescope, no less.
Then, on the few days I'm rational, I think unless they have eyes like Superman, a mind like Fellini, and are seriously damaged, I'm just a fleck of a person living across the wide, wide street.
Hopefully, with a life of my own.
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