Today

Walking home from the gym, I cut through the overpriced and overrated Berkeley Farmer's Market. Among the milling crowd I saw a couple whose exotic good looks seemed lifted from the aisles of a particularly expensive boutique.

I started thinking my typical thoughts: How expensive can third-world style get? Were dreads on special at the Ashby Flea Market this morning?

Then I thought: Why so nasty? These people look happy, why turn your cynicism in their direction?

And then came the inner smirk.

Fact is, I like my judgment. I neither need nor want to roll out the welcome mat in my mind for everyone who crosses my path.

Lesson to be learned in the Twilight Zone.