two things that made me feel old take two

1. i was called "ma'am" as in "excuse me, ma'am, can you give me directions?" while on a walk sunday.
2. a car full of teenage boys yelled something ridiculous and inaudible to me yesterday, again while on a walk. i presume it was on a dare, and after they yelled they hysterically laughed, congratulating themselves i'm sure on making fun of "that lady" which of course is ME.

once while running, a car full of guys yelled "bouncy, bouncy" to me and i was irate. another time when running in chicago in a not so great part of town, a car yelled something disgusting to me, so i flipped them the bird and a quite scary chase ensued. i lost them in back neighborhoods and one way streets. (side note: if that happened to me now i'd probably mess my pants). i used to get a few whistles here and there too. mind you, this was a while ago. i always wondered though if i'd miss the cat calls when they ceased to happen. i don't miss the derogatory remarks, but sometimes i am beginning to feel invisible too.
i was talking to my neighborhood friend maggie who lives only a few houses around the corner from me. she has a 3 year old and a one year old. i lamented how crazy it was we just met when i had lu, even though we'd been living close for four years. because now it seems as if us stroller wielding mamas flock to each other. i notice every single mom in my neighborhood and make and effort to say HI!!! (trav says a little too much sometimes. ha) she said in regards to me not noticing her with a stroller when i was childless "it just goes to show how invisible we are to singles and childless couples." huh. she's right.
bye bye catcalls. i will (not?) miss you.