A life long journey

Who could have guessed all those years of curfew in college would have prepared me for life in the big city:

Here in CBL the subway/EL is my primary mode of transportation. It is quick, easy, inexpensive - and far less stressful than driving in COWSL (City of One-Way Street Love). Unfortunately, the trains stop running at/around midnight. The SEPTA buses still run-on through the night - but seriously, who takes buses anymore?

Last night, after a lovely night out, I realized it was far too late to catch the subway. My options were either a cab, or a bus.

And then I started thinking.

I often tell people that my apartment really isn't that far from downtown - perhaps I was right. To prove it to myself, and get an accurate time/distance, I decided to walk home.

3.1 miles and oh-so-many blocks later, I was home.

My intention was never to economize, but when I returned home I was terribly impressed with myself for the money I had saved on a cab...all the trip had cost was 45 minutes of my time, a little peace-of-mind and the six dollars and fifty cents I gave out to homeless people along the way.

Friday, Saturday and Sunday

Weekends do not matter to someone without a job.

All I am asking for is a reason to care about the weekend.

Does that sound desperate?

- more -

There is a chance I will never grow tired of seeing the skyline as I go throughout my day. On my way from the EL stop I have a beautiful view from the north, on the way back from the super-market I have a stunning view from the south. Riding the train back from the airport there is an overwhelmingly comforting view - welcoming home the tired and poor to the huddled mass where it is kinda hard to breathe.

Difference #464

I flew home last weekend. My little brother was getting married.

I am old.

I packed my suit and two changes of clothes, threw in sandals and my dress shoes, my toothbrush and deodorant (I left behind toothpaste, shampoo, shower gel and hair product - I was not checking a bag). I trudged 5 blocks to the nearest ATM, and back 2 blocks to my EL stop. Took the Blue Line to Market East and caught the R1 to the airport. Used my credit card for self-check-in. Argued with the security guy about my deodorant being a liquid/gel (He said it was, I contended it was not. I eventually pointed out that the container actually says "Smart Solid." I won.). Worked on cover letters on my laptop on the plane, and sent in another resume from the Charlotte airport. Talked with everyone and their mother about "What I am doing these days," and "Why Philadelphia." After the weekend, I flew home.

I am a grown up.

As I arrived back in CBL I gave directions and tips to a lovely woman flying in for an extended lay-over from Paris. I told her what to see, where to eat and what trains to take to fulfill said advice.

I am from Philadelphia.

CBL

I live somewhere else now. I have always known it would happen...but now that it has, the feeling has yet to sink in. Possibly things will change once I get a job (yes, that was me saying I still don't have a job).

The building I live in, however, is incredible. Our place is wonderful - high ceilings, hard wood floors, lots of space (very little storage) - just the way I like it. I have met really nice people:

Katie: works in the handcrafted-all natural-wood-furniture store (all the shops around here are hyphenated, and most of them include "natural" somewhere in the title). She was a huge help when things went a little wrong upon our arrival.

Sara: "with no H," she is quick to inform you. I suppose that is helpful in remembering her name. I am not sure if she also works in the store, but she sure spends a lot of time there.

Ken: one of the building managers. He saved our lives by letting us move in to the place, even though our broker had messed up a lot of the details (a lot=all). He is constantly checking with all the tenants to make sure we are doing well.

Ken's cronies: two larger guys that are constantly with Ken. A sort of Crabb and Goyle - minus the dark arts.

Joe: our neighbor. Joe wears Under Armour.

The job search continues. It is hard to know what to do at this point, my computer is sick of typing cover letters - but if he types the right one, I have promised to buy him the new wireless keyboard he asked for.

Alternatives to the norm

In the event that the hum-drum, same-ole job searching methods do not work for me I have started compiling a list of potential alternatives. Whether or not they are valid has yet to be seen.

1. In planning to move to the CBL (City of Brotherly Love) I have been continually warned that finding an apartment in a Big City is no easy task. This advisory has always seemed silly and illogical to me. A bigger city has more apartments, therefore it should be simpler to find an apartment (I have never had trouble finding a place in a small town. With more options to choose from...well, I repeat myself). However, I heeded and sought out The Philly Apartment Company - a free service dedicated to placing newcomers in appropriate housing within the CBL (I think it is catching on).

Yesterday my roommate flew to Philadelphia to tour several of the apartments they have found for us (spacious loft living, ahh.), if he signs a lease today I am contacting the Philly Employment Company.

2. I ran for S.A. President at my university, and lost. The man who defeated me turned out to be a great friend, and a decent president...I was content to allow him to rule-the-school, but I stayed on and worked on special projects.

Yesterday he called me. One of his groomsmen cannot make it to the wedding, would I be willing to step in and be an attendant in his wedding. I am getting used to coming in second to Travis (that's his name).

Travis has a fantastic resume, and pretty good people skills - I am encouraging him to apply for jobs in the Philadelphia area and then reject them... inevitably I will be called next.

A nibble

In the arena of job searching I have learned a few things.

1. You actually have to send out resumes in order for people to respond to them.

2. You actually have to have a resume to send one out.

3. Jobs don't find you, you have to find them.

4. If, by some stroke of fate, there is minor contact made about a potential job - no matter how minimal the contact - it is all you can think about until you hear otherwise.

A brave new day

An ideal day for me:

8 a.m. - Stir awake. Realize how early it is and immediately go back to sleep.

9:30 a.m. - Officially wake-up. Work on laptop doing trivial things (facebook, email, read some online news, etc.)

10 a.m. - Shower, dress, make my bed.

11 a.m. - Brunch with a friend. There are few things in life that bring me the same joy as brunch, especially when it involves dishing.

12:30 p.m. - Errands. Inevitably there will be a stop by the dry cleaners, bank, grocery, drug store, florists and perhaps something completely superfluous. This is also the time when appointments (dental, medical, cosmetical) should be scheduled and attended.

3 p.m. - Lunch. Somewhere delightful. This time will be reserved for out-of-town visitors and business associates, or a chance for me to enjoy some time alone...in public.

4 p.m. - Work. A little freelance writing or design. Perhaps focus on a specific character in my new novel, really hash out their inner psyche.

4:30 p.m. - Stop working. Relax from the busy day I have had. Perhaps pick kids up from their after school program, or at least make sure the nanny has.

5 p.m. - Exercise. Make a couple rounds at the gym. Swim a few laps. Something low impact, just for toning purposes.

6 p.m. - Shower and dress for the evening. If dinner is to be at home - begin dinner.

The evening will, of course, be varied. Dinner reservations should never be made before 8 p.m., and the late movies are always less crowded. If the performance starts at 8 p.m., tapas or cocktails should be had previous - with dinner to follow.

11 p.m. - Read.

Sleep when reading allows.