i've discovered something about myself: i like to read t-shirts.

maybe this is because i was always a very literate person (just ask everyone who tried to drag me out of a book when i was younger), but i tend to read shirts like a beginning reader (or debbie sue) reads signs in the car: "it says 'STOP'! it says 'PIZZA'! it says ..." well, you get the idea.

i figure if they are wearing one, they are trying to say something to the world and i'm doing them a disfavor by not figuring out what that is (one of my uncles uses similar logic about bikinis and staring, but we don't need to go into that now).

the problem is that reading the shirts usually involves staring at people for longer than new yorkers are comfortable with. here, meeting someone's eyes is already too much personal contact (unless something crazy has happened on the subway and then you are allowed to look at the person across from you and raise an eyebrow in a "my goodness" sort of way) so you can imagine what glares reading a t-shirt garners.

the worst part is that while t-shirts used to be all statement-making, now they are either fake (for concerts the person never attended), offensive (you can figure that one out), or cliche (a la old bumper sticker).

they say insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results. it's either this or hope that keeps me reading - waiting for that one special memorable t-shirt. i'll keep it up till then.

(or until some new yorker gets pissy and slaps me).