Cooling it!
Taking a break from the usual business
It’s hot people. It’s really hot if you are in NYC as I happen to be today, which is why we’re keeping today’s post short and sweet. I’m on an apartment moving mission for a young’n and of course it is happening in a heatwave. That’s the way it works. Walking around yesterday, amidst the sights and smells and mass of humanity, I realized it is exactly 31 years since I moved myself into this fine hot city.
I did not have help. I did not have a friend. I had two duffle bags and a job. And after that first weekend I also did not have a wallet. Learned my first lesson: don’t walk around exploring the city with your wallet in the easily unzipped back pocket of your back pack.
Wandering from one neighborhood to the next I marveled at how many things in the city don’t change: the corner stores, the jaywalking, the traffic, the noise, the street vendors, the delicious bagels, the pop up rallys, the quiet little parks amidst the concrete chaos, the…everything.
Another thing that never changes is the pure luxury of a walk-in pedicure. After miles of walking I had just enough time to duck into one of the many side street salons and get one. The woman was politely horrified at my bone spurs and knee scars which I explained all came from the same thing: ski racing.
“Does it hurt?” she asked of the spurs and scars as she moved on to the task of sanding and chipping away at my feral feet. I thought, yeah, all of it hurt at the time. And now, it all makes me smile. It reminded me that you need to suffer a little (or a lot) to get to the good stuff.
It’s kind of like that first move to New York, leaving my cocoon of comfort for Mordor. It was hell at the time but I wouldn’t trade it for the world. As I look at the forecast for the next few days, however, I’m glad it’s not my turn here!
Wherever you are in this heatwave, I hope you can grab yourself a Slurpee or an ice cream and chill out. Happy 4th celebrations to all!
