It’s Friday and I have two thoughts, each of which I will expand upon below.

1. A subway car is a really awkward place to say goodbye to someone.
2. Katharine McPhee is not Natalie Portman

After a morning appointment in Washington, D.C., this morning I took the Metro back home to Virginia. When I boarded the train there were two young women sharing the seat just in front of mine.

I would guess they are of college age, mainly because it was the middle of the day and they were talking about things that sounded plausibly like school assignments. At one of the first Virginia stations one of the girls got up to get off the train. She wrapped up the conversation and as she took a step towards the door she said “have a great day.”

The train stopped. The doors didn’t open right away, leaving the girl to stand four feet away from someone she said goodbye to. She was left looking down at the floor for a solid 25 seconds. I don’t know how she fought the urge to turn and at least make some sort of remark to break the obvious tension.

Last night I was watching the NBC show Community with one of my roommates (CA from earlier posts). This episode featured guest star Katharine McPhee, who I understand has some sort of American Idol fame.

I think during the entire episode CA was trying to figure out who she was, because late in the show the following exchange took place:

CA: “Oh, it’s that chick from Star Wars!”
CJH: “Natalie Portman?”
CA: “Yes.”
CJH: “That is not Natalie Portman.”
CA: “Yes it is.”
CJH: “I assure you it is not.”

If you read somewhat regularly, you may know I am a Natalie Portman fan and thus should be an authority on “is that Natalie Portman?”

Compare for yourself:

Katharine McPhee

Natalie Portman

I rest my case.