Robert, Robert, Wherefore art thou Robert?

Romeo & Juliet 

Two households, both alike in design 

In fair San Francisco, where we lay our scene,

A family's tension breaks to continued incivility, 

Where cruel behavior makes innocent hands unclean. 

From the innocent wombs of these two foes, 

A pair of unlucky loves take their life…

Woah, I think I was heading into a dark place. My attempt to mimic great William is turning out to be more of a challenge than I thought. Perhaps a bit more peeping would help me out. 

The Monty's House 

The particular couple I have currently been observing is very similar to the star-cross'd lovers in Romeo & Juliet. Robert and Julie are secret lovers living in Pacific Heights in San Francisco. The couple comes from two rival families, who are affiliated with multi-billion dollar companies. I have often heard the words “Apple" and “Microsoft" thrown around, but I never like to assume. Robert's family lives here.

As you can see, they live a comfortable lifestyle. Robert is often forced to attend boring dinner parties and events that are affiliated with his father's work. Robert is forced to dress up in suits, when all he really wants to wear are plaid shirts and skinny jeans. Robert is what you would call a hipster. For those you who may not be familiar with the term, a hipster is someone who rejects mainstream consumerism and values independent thinking, indie music, and PBR. You can easily spot a hipster in the Mission wearing thick-rimmed glasses, tight skinny jeans, lumberjack plaid; all of which are vintage, tattoos, and androgynous haircuts. Of course, it is very easy to spot these hipsters when they are blowing through stop signs on their fixie bikes.

Nailed that description. 

Hipster Barista is not amused. 

All hipster jokes aside, Robert looks like that guy with the glasses. But his father wants him to look like that guy in the suit. Robert takes care of his well-groomed mustache,

Christian Grey?

 creates “unique" art installations, and makes a mean latte. Now, I would describe Julie in more detail, but to save time, and to prevent my hands from cramping, I'd say she looks identical to Robert, except she has longer hair, tighter clothes, and boobs. Moving on.  

The other night, I overheard her and her mother talking about colleges and the application process. She told Julie about attending Yale, Harvard, and Columbia. Then she mentioned Cambridge and Oxford. Oh, I wish I could attend such universities. Julie is, after all, a lit major, but she has no desire to go to college.

I would gladly take her place at Cambridge. 

The Capp's House 

She tells her mother she just wants to become a writer. She wants to "think independently and not regurgitate institutional propaganda." Isn't she just a gem! She tells her mother that she would rather kill herself then go to college. She then continued to rant about a retired chemistry teacher that she and Robert frequently visit. His name is Laurence Fray and he makes...oh dear. This can't be good. I can see where this story is heading. I only hope that Robert and Julie do not suffer the same fate as the two star cross'd lovers, “for never was a story of more woe than that of Juliet and her Romeo."

Let's hope they don't resort to this. 

To Peep, or Not to Peep: That is the question.

We are adorable, but not dumb! 

Many of my fellow companions ask me why I spend so much time observing people. They often criticize me for invading people's private lives. They much prefer to hang upside down or scavenge for food. Not me. I am different. I see myself as an intellect. I'd rather spend my time reading Othello or Comedy of Errors. 

Their evil will strike at any moment.

Most humans assume that all possums are dumb. They see my kind as unsanitary, aggressive, and diseased. A term often used to describe us is vermin. I am a marsupial for Christ sake! My species is related to the koala and kangaroo! You never hear humans say, “oh God, get that disgusting koala bear out of the vent!" or “let's poison the kangaroo!" There isn't a wiki called “How to Get Rid of Koalas," is there? No. You only hear humans say, “Aww, look how cute and adorable that koala is sitting in the tree." And, “look at the baby kangaroo sitting in its mamma's pouch!" Possums have pouches too, you know! A koala bear is just as likely to rip your face off!  Hell, kangaroos are known for punching unsuspecting victims! Unprovoked I might add.

That fool didn't see it coming. 

 But, I digress. For this is the very reason why I spend my days studying Shakespeare. I observe people from a distance without judgment. Since they cannot see me, they do not judge me either. I often imagine that I am in one of William's plays. I see myself as Antonio in The Merchant of Venice  or as Orlando in As You Like It. Those men are revered by all. To quote Jacques, from As You Like It, “All the world's a stage, and all the men and women merely players; they all have their exits and their entrances." The windows I peep through are my stage, and all of those who inhabit them are the players. 

Peeping through these windows would be just marvelous!

 As a side note, I discovered this online. I have no words.