Adventures in Gastronomy

It’s Monday and I’m back at work after a very busy weekend. Since leaving work at 2PM on Thursday, I picked up the keys to my new apartment, bought a new computer, packed up the remaining items at the condo, moved, shopped for remaining necessities, unpacked, went to class, unpacked more, assembled furniture (LOTS of it), went to the Boston Gay Men’s Chorus with my friend, David, shopped for more household necessities and unpacked some more. OH, and I had lunch with my other David friend yesterday.

I’m exhausted. I was very nearly tempted to take a mental health day today, but realized I needed to access my work computer and fax machine because of a computer class assignment and some condo-related legal documents I need to fax. Maybe later this week.

Anyway, the move went well despite the torrential rain. It only took 2 hours for the movers to clear out the old place and deliver my things to the new place. Now that I’ve spent a few nights in the new place, here’s what I’ve discovered:

1 – I now recall why I opted not to live in charming buildings for the past few years. Although the unit was surface cleaned well enough (painted walls, mopped floors, cleaned sinks, etc…) – the insides of things remained untouched. One kitchen cabinet was full of electrical outlet plates (probably upwards of 30 of them). Other cabinets had cereal crumbs spilled all over them (I do see this as a good sign that there isn’t a cockroach problem since there would be no crumbs left if there were roaches). The window sills were clean, but the window tracks (I guess that’s what you call it) were quite dusty. Luxury buildings tend to do a better job at prepping a unit for new tenants (usually).

2 – I now recall why I never liked exposed brick…being able to hear the neighbors. It’s not to the point of them sounding as if they’re in the room, but any excitable talk is clearly audible. I’m thinking I’ll skip town on New Years Eve and during the Super Bowl. Also, the floors creak when my upstairs neighbors walk about. I do have left-over ear plugs from Dusty’s puppy days so I’ll be putting them to good use until I get a white noise machine.

3 – Living alone can be lonely. I was fortunate enough this weekend to have dinner plans and tickets to the Gay Men’s Chorus on Saturday night (fun, but not as fun as previous shows). And on Sunday I went shopping in the Back Bay with a friend. Those activities definitely helped me transition into living alone by not being, well, alone. But, like Matt said in his blog, there are just so many reminders: a piece of furniture, a photograph, a knick-knack, a song…even a tv show! For example, last night Dateline NBC was interviewing the entire cast of “Meet the Fockers”. Since it’s starring Barbra Streisand, it immediately made me think of Matt and I had to call him to let him know about it. I was let down when the call went into voicemail.

Anyway, the transition is a bit rougher than I had expected. In ways it feels like I’m being pulled in two directions. There is a certain level of excitement competing with a stronger sense of sorrow. Saying good bye to Matt on Saturday was very difficult. We hugged for the first time since our break up in October and I simply did not want to let go. I find myself absent-mindedly gazing at an empty wall thinking about what used to be. Most times I come back to reality to notice my eyes glassed over with tears. I was expecting to feel these emotions after the newness of living alone had worn off – but not this soon.

I also don’t think it helps that we’re in the middle of the Christmas season, the days are shorter, and it seems like we’ve not had a bright and sunny day since 1992.

HMMMM…this posting took more of a downturn than I had anticipated. But I guess that can be expected considering the circumstances. I’ll return to my normal cynical and bitter self for tomorrow’s posting.

December 13th, 2004
Categories: Uncategorized . Author: snarl

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