Ice cream and bedframes
[Alt text: A vintage black round travel case with cartoon graphics promoting a movie (?) called Margie.]
On big changes
Last time I wrote this thing, I asked what prompted your big changes, and what about making those changes surprised you? A couple great responses:
"I have had this metaphor on my mind for a few days, and your question helped me put it in words. I love trees, and I love how when they hit a knot, or some injury happens (hi, Pepco) they change direction and keep growing. Same tree, maybe with ugly bumps and bruises, but growing in the new direction, aiming for the sky maybe, or just for some other view. The year I got divorced was nothing but change (change in marital status, zip code, car, coffee table...) and it was so, so hard, and left scars. But without even knowing what I was doing, I just kept growing. Maybe it's not pretty (hi again, Pepco) but it is alive and strong and birds love it."
"I was feeling very burned out at my job of >10 years but couldn’t imagine leaving it - until my mom died and I realized that I simply could not bring myself to show up again and keep putting up with everything that was making me miserable there. Part of my identity and self-worth felt tied up in my career and I didn’t know who I would be if I didn’t work there anymore. I was surprised to find out that leaving my old self behind was easier than I thought it would be. I used to put in 60-80 hour work weeks (yay unpaid overtime) and now realize how much I love not working. I’m so grateful to be freelancing now!"
*****
So far my big change is slow going. Tonight is my 10th night in the new apartment and I am still sleeping on a mattress on the floor because I cannot find the screws for my bedframe. Also missing: The Peloton monitor. But I did find one of the movers’ phones. With charger. I’m hoping to track him down so we can work out a trade.
All the major hurdles have been hurdled: Internet, drivers license, car inspection, car registration, license plates. All of which took about half the time it would have taken in San Francisco. And cost half as much.
(Before I got the new tags on my car, I felt self-conscious driving my California car here. I had a whole story ready, in case anyone asked, about how I was working undercover in Pelosi’s office on behalf of The Squad. I never got to use it.)
I’ve noticed myself smiling, like, a LOT. It’s not just the apartment, it’s the building and the staff and how goddamn EASY everything is. I thought brick wasn’t great for insulation, but it has gotten down to the teens at night and I still haven’t had to turn on the heat. Unlike fancy new high-rise apartment buildings, this one has thick walls and windows that open all the way. Parking is easy, free, and as far as I can tell there’s no street cleaning schedule that requires me to move my car every other day. When something doesn’t work (e.g. bathroom outlets) I can go talk to my new friend at the front desk, and he’ll send someone up to fix it. Last night I bought Talenti gelato and couldn’t get the screw top off. I sheepishly took it to the lobby like, Dad, can you help me with this? (He did.) I think one reason the staff is so great is because many of them also live here, so they care more.
And check out the vintage mail chute – that they still use!
[Alt text: Glass tube with metal plate that says U.S. Mail]
I haven't been getting out much, but every 5 or 6 days, a long-forgotten memory will resurface, depending on where I’m driving. Last week, immediately after making a left turn on 39th Street, I remembered walking down that block when I was 10, and seeing a station wagon down the street headed in my direction. A second later I could tell it was my grade school rival/crush/nemesis and a bunch of his older brothers. I bent over as if to inspect my skinned knee, and heard his brother call out, sing-song style, “Margaret, Margaret, pretend you can’t see us, Margaret.”
Then I remembered how I beat that kid so badly in a spelling bee I made him cry.
Links
Doing the free Showtime trial so I can watch W. Kamau Bell’s docuseries about Bill Cosby. This podcast interview with Bell is long but worth it. (NPR)
I loved this story about Okuda Hiroko, the Casio employee behind the “Sleng Teng” riddim that revolutionized reggae. (Nippon)
And I love the idea of museum security guards as guest curators. (Baltimore Museum of Art)
Bridging my family’s language barrier, one filthy Russian idiom at a time. Sample quote: “I don’t know who needs to hear this, but the Russian version of ‘have your cake and eat it too’ is ‘eat fish and sit on a dick.’” (Catapult)
Ann Lai took on Silicon Valley and won. (Elle)
“Get just the ingredients and instructions for any recipe. No life story, no popups, no email lists.” (Just The Recipe)
Last time I wrote, I mentioned meeting a mobile notary in a shitty Days Inn. This shitty Days Inn, in fact. Never again.
Lace boxers for men! (Sad and Useless)
I enjoyed this profile of Tunde (IYKYK). (Elle)
Scented candles for every occasion. (Sad and Useless)
I almost wish I still worked in an office so I could do this. (Twitter)
Garden State – but make it Wesley Willis. (Boing Boing)