Friday, April 3, 2009

Short but Sweet

I have no idea if anyone except my Canadian friend reads my blogs, but I’m going to continue posting, with my usual irregularity.  I’m sitting at my laptop with a plastic bag on my head; underneath said plastic bag are layers of saran wrap.  Underneath the saran wrap is my hair, coated and clumped with thick, heavy henna.  I typically have my hair colored a few times a year, because my color is just bland, and it bores me.  Usually I lean toward auburn, but my life has been so full of changes this year that I decided my hair color should echo, and celebrate, these changes.  So I bought some dark brown henna, trying to respect the recession by coloring my own hair.  I’d done it once before, when I lived in Hampton Bays, and though I remember a bit of a mess, I don’t think I recalled it accurately: this stuff makes a f*%#ing mess.  And it’s a serious burden on my head—imagine balancing a pound of mud on your head.  Plus, I’m hot—my head is wrapped in layers of plastic!  This is the last piece of evidence I need—I’m just not the Do-It-Yourself kind of person.  Whether it’s putting furniture together, installing WiFi or dyeing my hair, I’d rather just hire someone to do it for me, honestly. It’s not that I’m lazy—I clean like a pro and actually (usually) enjoy it.  I like being part of DIY projects—I’m just not good at executing them.  I blame it all on my abhorrence and fear of math—all that measuring, tinkering, drilling, wiring—it reminds me of math (don’t ask how I’m connecting math to henna, just go with my flow here).  Now when the other side of the brain is needed—like for editing an admissions essay, doing a crossword puzzle, proofreading absolutely anything, writing a novel—then I’m the one you call.  Words stimulate me; numbers unsettle me.

 I am almost settled in my new apartment, back in the city at last (just a few more shelves, and artwork, need to go up; fortunately I possess fantastic friends who don’t mind drilling and hammering on my behalf).  I love my apartment—it’s in a cool old building that isn’t too old but isn’t rows of box apartments on top of one another.  My apartment is newly renovated—it’s a studio, but a big, L-shaped studio with a generous entryway and large bathroom.  I love my neighborhood, too; it’s full of professionals, students and families and, best of all, lots of dogs.  The architecture is stunning—I’ve decided I live on one of the prettiest blocks in the city, architecturally-speaking.  The details are amazing—it’s incredible how much more pride people took in their work 50 years ago.  And they had less machinery but still managed to create gorgeous columns, ledges, balconies and other architectural aspects I don’t know the names of.  I’m quite close to Riverside Park, and there’s a small but pretty park on my block, hidden by a colossal wall covered in vines.  I’m near everything I need—subway, restaurants, bodegas, stores—but my block is really quiet.  Perfect combination!  I’m never moving.  Really, I’ve moved more this year than most people do in ten years.  If I lean toward the “everything happens for a reason” credo, I guess I had to endure the journey to enjoy the reward.  And things right now are terrific—I’m even outlining, researching and naming characters for my new novel, and almost ready to send out the TV scripts a friend and I have written—and I’m happily embracing all life offers me.

2 comments:

angem said...

Once again, it is me all the way up here in thawed toronto. Is it good luck to step in goose poop? I am so happy for you in your new home. You need to be plugged in. I just got back from Montreal where I charge myself up so I can live here. It's me, I know! Not a match for t.dot as the pretentious like to refer to this concrete city. At least I live by the lake, thus the goose poop traps. Oh I am sure they had a good honk. You are short & sweet!! I wonder about your comment about the lack of construction machinery in the 5o's LOL It is like going to Canterberry I suppose...but not quite. How did they do it in 1066?
For now, xo Angela

Unknown said...

people in the states read your words too.
Very happy that you have found the energy, inspiration, peace, quiet, stimulation, etc., required for you to get back to what you do best: write!