Believe it or not, there are certain benefits to unemployment. What is the biggest benefit? It’s the ability to do things that most mere employed mortals can’t do.
I’m not Sabrina of Bewitched. Though, after kissing Liam most days, I do wriggle my nose due to the fur that lingers on my nose or gets stuck to my lip gloss. Anyway, it’s magical to be able to do what I did today.
I went into Cambridge to see my friend, Dee. I know that doesn’t sound magical in the least; in fact, we didn’t even have lunch together. The magical thing about it was that I traveled there only to walk 30 minutes along the Charles River with her during her lunch break.
Crazy, huh? When I proposed a meet and walk, she said, “Ok. We'll plan on noon time and talk again.” I replied with “Roger wilco.” She answered with “You’re crazy!”
Yes, I was crazy, because I said, “Roger wilco.” I would have thought I was crazy for traveling all the way to Cambridge* just to spend 30 minutes walking with her. But, no, I was crazy, because I liked to talk like a radio operator!
*A 45-minute car ride to Alewife and a 30-minute subway journey, well, approximately
Before I left this morning, Dee, like a good hostess, said, “And did you know that the Galleria mall has a Sephora, in case you want to stop in before departing for home?” I laughed out loud. You have to love someone who thinks you’re crazy but who also supports and feeds your passion.
Before any major journey, especially one that’s prefaced with “Roger wilco,” it is important to chose the right footwear. Okay, maybe it’s not for you; however, it is for me. I had to choose Nike or Chuck.
Of course, fortunately, I didn’t have to think too long. Well, I did initially, because I have four pairs of Chuck Taylor sneakers. In the end, the decision was made in the state of New Hampshire; “Wear Chucks or Die!”
Dee was going to eat at her desk at 11:30. So, I made a tuna fish sandwich that I knew I’d have to enjoy somewhere between the Harvard and Park Street stops on the red line. Note: Always bring a napkin. You’re a peasant if you eat your tuna fish sandwich on the T without one.
After a 45-minute car ride, I arrived at Alewife station. I had a CharlieCard from my last trip to Cambridge to see Lovely Laura; however, I was sure it only had one more fare left, and I needed two for the entire journey. I popped it into the CharlieCard machine, added $5, and then I paid with a $20.
My energized card popped out of the machine. I glanced toward what I thought was the bill change slot. Just then I heard kla-klunk, kla-klunk, kla-klunk, kla-klunk, and it went on until $15 one dollar coins had been spit out.
I was horrified by this handful of change. I was glad I got the right change; however, my coin purse shouted, “Nooooo!” as I dumped all the coins in it. Even the Amtrak parking machine can dispense bills for change, why couldn’t the MBTA fare machine?!
I left the MBTA machine a pound heavier in my purse. No woman likes to leave anywhere a pound heavier, unless it’s due to cheesecake or chocolate! The MBTA should really work on that one.
It’s a good thing I know where I’m going.
Lunch between the Harvard and Park Street stations.
When I got on the train, I heaved a sigh of relief. I was contained, and I could think, and given all the job thoughts swirling in my head, I needed the time alone with myself. In about two minutes, I was reading the signs on the train.
One caught my eye. It asked, “Have you experienced a traumatic event (i.e., combat, physical assault, motor vehicle accident, sexual assault, or marital disaster)?” Initially, I wondered why unemployment wasn’t listed; then I thought, “marital disaster?” Is that the new term for divorce?
When I got up to get out of the car, I read the sign again; okay, someone needs to wear her glasses more often. It said “natural disaster” not marital disaster. It was too bad, because I had become so fond of marital disaster!
I walked up the stairs to the Park Street station. Do you think when my blog becomes famous that the woman in this picture will be like the woman wearing the white scarf and cat glasses in the Mary Tyler Moore opening theme? Yeah, I think so!
Once I had arrived at the Green line via the Red line, I stood there waiting for a Lechmere train. Two Government Center trains came in; I looked at my phone, and I was now late. Who knew that there were two Government Center trains for every Lechmere train?
When I was on the train, my cell phone rang. I looked at the number, and it was Dee. I answered and said, “I’m two stops away. I’ll call you when I’m at Lechmere.”
Once I got to Lechmere, I called Dee; she asked, “Where are you?” I said, “I’m, well….” Just then a friendly T passenger told me where I was; I knew where I was, but I didn’t really know where I was going. He said, “Go down this street; that’s one of the new buildings.”
As I traveled down the street, I got the sense that I wasn’t going in the right direction. I called Dee again and we tried to describe to each other exactly where we were. When I was at an intersection, Dee said, “Let me get to the lights, and I’ll wave.”
I was standing at the intersection, and then I saw her approaching. It was as if we were playing Hide and Seek via cell phone; I called her cell and said, “Oh, I see you.” I started to jump up and down, and then I saw her look at me and wave.
It took me about 10 minutes to get through the intersection. When I finally saw Dee, we hugged, and she said, “I wondered if you were biking in. I kept looking for you on a bike!” I’m crazy, but I’m not that crazy, Dee.
Once found, we began to walk along the beautiful Charles River. We caught up while we walked. We shared job search horror stories; it was lovely and consoling just the same.
When I left Dee, I was thirsty. So, I went to the Galleria Mall, but I totally ignored the Sephora; yes, I did! I got a Caramel Light Frappuccino.
Note: While I do not endorse Starbucks products, I do drink them occasionally.
I walked a mile or so to the Lechmere stop. I stood there for 10 minutes, until the T driver, who had just dropped off a slew of people asked me, “Are you waiting for someone?” I answered, “No. I’m trying to get an inbound train,” and he said, “You need to cross under the bridge!”
I crossed under the bridge, put my CharlieCard in the machine, and within 2 minutes, I was on a train back to Park Street. As I was jostled to and fro, I thought, “I just spent almost two hours to walk 30 minutes with my friend.” By the time I arrived at Park Street, I thought, “That was so worth it!”
When I arrived back at Alewife, I was sad the journey was over. As you know, I could have spent more time on the train. If I did, there would have been that much more to write about!
Once I arrived at Alewife, I was thirsty again. After I went through the gate, I saw a Dunkin’ Donuts. I thought, “Iced tea with lemon, Iced tea with lemon,” and so it was.
Note: While I do not endorse Dunkin' Donuts products, I do drink them occasionally.
As I contemplated the job opportunities I had before me, I realized that, despite everything, it had been a very good year. I will not look back fondly on unemployment and all the feelings it brought. Though, I will look back fondly upon the time spent with Iz and Nate, on my bike with Bill, at the beach, and with my friends this past year. In retrospect, this had been and will always be the best year of my life. ♥
The Seven Stages of Broken: This morning, I arrived in the kitchen to find Iz wiping the ledge of the bay window with a spray bottle of carpet cleaner. I asked, “Iz, what are you doing?” She said, “Liam barfed.” I said, “Oh, where’s the barf.” She answered, “In the trash can.” I thanked her for cleaning it up, and then I said, “Oh, we want to use the wood cleaner.” I opened the cabinet, pulled out the bottle of Murhpy’s Oil Soap, and I squirted it on the ledge. I said, “Go eat your breakfast. I’ll do this.” She said, “No, Mommy. I’ll do it. I need to do this to buy Nathan’s swan bowl,” which was said with no animosity whatsoever and with the utmost determination. And, we have the seventh stage – Responsibility.
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