close encounters

 People always tell me how jealous they are by the fact that I am brazilian. They say: "Wow! you live in a country surrounded by wilderness!"They literally think I actually live in the middle of a rain forrest, surrounded by crocodiles, carnivorous plants, and anacondas.

In fact, I've never seen any rain forrests because they are all located in the extreme North of Brazil . I'm from the south, and the only animals you actually have there are pigeons. These are extremely boring and dirty birds. They shit everywhere and have no respect for people.

Then, a few years ago I came to live in Burbank. I was amazed to see how many amazing animals you guys have here. For instance, you guys have raccoons, rabbits, possums, skunks, deer, coyotes, and my favorites of them all: Squirrels. The are so cute and keep moving their tails around.

Sadly, The Burbank community take their squirrels for granted. Everyday I go to work, I witness these wonderful creatures being run over in most terrible ways imaginable.

Whenever I go have lunch at the comissary with my co-workers, we have to cross a path filled with  squirrels.

                                     I cannot contain myself with excitement.

                                          My co-workers ridicule my behavior.

                             Co-worker:  "See?! I told you he acts like a bum sometimes."

                                    Overhearing those comments I feel so lame.

            I have to hide my feelings and pretend I don't care about squirrels so people think I'm cool.

          That repression kills me from inside out. I have to find a ways to express my feelings.

                                          So one afternoon I have an idea: A underground operation.
                      

...I sneak out of the building without no one noticing.

                                                                ...disguise myself...

                                                          .....and go to starbucks.

                                         I exchange goods with the Starbucks lady.

                              I pay for the product. She gives me the the usual caffeinated stuff.

                                             But this time I ask for the pink stuff too.

                                        Carrying my goods, I go to the commissary.

                                         There I am at the underground zone.

                                         I look around to see if the coast is clear.

I Sip my coffee and discreetly check my surroundings.

No signs of co-workers or burbank people.

                                            So I pull the pink stuff from my pocket.

...get ready for action...

                                                    ...and wait for it.

                             From behind the trees, a little chubby one finally comes.

                                               He looks suspicious at first.

         With his big eyes he looks at me while moving his furry tail up and down. 

I am also a bit nervous. I look back to him and awkwardly smile.

To my surprise, the little guy smiles back.

                           He slowly approaches and gently grabs one good from my hands.

      Then, noticing I am a trustworthy fellow, he feels comfortable in grabbing all the three goods.

                                        After that,  he runs back to the woods.

                                          ....and disappears forever.

                           
                                      I knew that at that moment I had made a connection.

                                          One might even call it, a friendship.   
                         

                        almond nuts: 3,50 dollars    caramel machiatto: 4,35 dollars

                        being catch by co-workers: un-coolness title

                                      close encounter with a squirrel: PRICELESS.