Yesterday I passed an open double-decker bus filled with Asians who were touring San Francisco. The tour director was Hispanic and conducting the tour in English. I stood on the sidewalk and attempted to understand what he was saying for at least two minutes. I couldn’t understand a word. The people in the bus listened very carefully and laughed whenever he did. They seemed entranced.

Sometimes I wish I weren’t so absolute about my own language as maybe life would be more entertaining