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Wednesday, September 25, 2013

Retromusing

Yes, I made that up.  Because I can.  I love the Power of Blog. 

I was sitting in the office the other day, thinking back to 15 years ago, when I moved up here from The City.  I cannot believe it was 15 years ago.  Of course, neither can I believe I am over 40 - but we won't go there.  Some of the early highlights of my life North of the Center of Civilization (or so they say) were:

Leaving a package on the bus (I didn't have a car), realizing I had done so after I got to the office, calling the bus company, meeting the same bus with a different driver on its next round - where the driver stopped, got off and handed me my package.

Standing at the bus stop waiting for my home bound bus and noticing a big, burly guy in a football jersey, blue jeans, pantyhose and high heels.

Going on a meet/greet first date with a guy who tossed a baby seat in the back of the car, told me he wasn't married and didn't have kids, drove to a cheap beer joint, got out of the car and headed for the door (without checking to see if I was out of the car), went in (without holding the door open for me), surprisingly, did NOT ask for separate checks, and then the first question out of his mouth was:  "If I came home really late and you had made dinner for me, would you be pissed?"  My answer was:  "No.  Because I will never be anywhere you are, dinner made or not."  End of date.

My cats, Tippet and Woody, lying on their separate windowsills in my glorious apartment - looking out of the windows at bushes and birds, instead of Brooklyn rooftops.  My first home here was in a beautiful, 70 year old apartment complex that was built in the English Tudor style - with hardwood floors, high ceilings, and a working fireplace.  If anything went wrong, it was fixed the same day.  I could use that now - where is the maintenance crew when I need them?!

Buying a car over the phone - a used Geo Metro - and having the dealer send someone almost an hour south to pick me up and bring me to the dealership to get it.

Driving the same car way north to spend an entire day taking kayaking lessons - after doing nothing more strenuous than dodging traffic and subway rats for three years.  I was so tired driving home, I was shaking.  And slept the entire rest of the weekend.

Opening my first paycheck and realizing I had taken a 50% hit in my salary.

It was totally worth it.

7 comments:

Carolyn said...

Wow. You really need to share more of your earlier dating stories. At least the dog/cats hold the door open for you and pay the food bill......wait a second. Nevermind.

I think our drastic reduction in income was totally worth it, although I occasionally have to remind Paul. With cheap beer. But at least I pay for it.....wait a second. Nevermind.

Tyche's Minder said...

Buying a car over the phone, lol. Those city survival skills don't have to go to waste.

Mama Pea said...

Great memories! (I think.) Thanks for sharing with us!

When we moved up here, we took a 50% salary cut, too. And had a house back in Illinois that didn't sell for two years. When it did sell, we were able to buy both groceries and gas. In the same week. I'm serious. Oh my, what we all don't go through to follow our dreams!

Susan said...

Carolyn - I've had some humdingers since moving up here. It's no wonder I'm still single.

Susan said...

TM - I bet I couldn't do it today! Of course, I wouldn't do it today, either. I was such a naif back then...

Susan said...

Mama Pea - I think that our dream lives pay us back hundredfold in keeping our minds sharp (having to count those pennies) and bodies healthier. I can relate to the groceries/gas exchange.

Leigh said...

It's so good to reflect back sometimes. Usually lots to be thankful for, sometimes not. For me, it's been learning how to learn from my mistakes!