i spent the last 30 minutes at work making these cold-calls to kids who had been accepted to brooklyn law, to say "hi im an alum, do you have any questions," basically- which is a great idea, very warm, involving, caring- but on the other hand, so potentially awkward right? first, few people actually pick up. when someone does pick up, all i can think is, "you saw that an unlisted number was calling you and you picked up? who are you?" ... answer: they are either not phone-screeners, or perhaps they are just that kind of psycho person who *always* picks up, no matter what. dont worry, curiosity doesnt kill the cat in this story. i thankfully only dealt with one person who picked up today, and of course she barely had any questions, but she was sweet and we chatted for a little bit before i then went on to leave 5 more identical messages: "im an alum! congratulations! call me!"
when i was leaving these messages it was like i had this brief out-of-body experience, where i could basically hear myself singing into strangers' voicemail. i mean, i know i tend to leave such messages for friends, varying in tones, pitch, rhythm- and i never really think about it. its just the sing-song message, right? normal to me. but then i thought, wow, there are two options here: the law school admitted nerd who listens to this version of me on their answering machine will either think:
(a) this person is justifiably insane, the lady in the corner who is a middle aged modern dance teacher or "performance artist" who uses too many gestures in speech, still wears spandex leggings way past her prime, and has way too many mismatched accesories on, making everyone cringe slightly in embarassment, or
(b) how cool is this random person who apparently doesnt care that we're not friends? shes like ten years older than me and she is still leaving me a message as if we are besties.
you know, in retrospect, i would rather contribute sing-song random messages in voicemails all over, on any day of the week, rather than sounding like the stuffy-faced lawyer that im sure otherwise makes these kind of cold calls. so bring it on.
anyway after going through this alumni-charity rigamoral, i met the girls & assorted husbands for dinner. the sushi restaurant was in a strip mall in the middle of coral gables- totally unassuming. next door is "georges pizza and pasta," and down from that? "blue by the pound" (some kind of pound-buffet? i dont know, read the title of that restaurant how you may: are you blue because you are eating pounds of gross food? thats the normal reading, isnt it?), and down from that, a walgreens, some trashy clothing store, and a quest diagnostics (you know, where they dispose of all your medical samplings after you go to the dr. gross.). so i walk to this sushi place and go in, and its like i was transformed into a heavenly little japanese kingdom- blonde wood paneling, clean, light, soothing, crowded but still peaceful. yes, perhaps it had something to do with my anticipation at popping ikura into my mouth, feeling those little salmon eggs pop against my tongue, but it was just so unexpected for a strip mall. the food was delicious, and we laughed and talked for over two hours...
the only problem with going home after such a lovely time is this weird spaced-out-surburan feeling-- i never felt this way in new york, in the east village- but theres something irksome about leaving people to drive home and go into your apartment building where you barely see or hear anyone and just lock yourself away for the night. not that i am reminessing for those "better days" when i had to bang a hammer repeatedly on the floor to shut up my inspiring-rapper neighbors downstairs in apt 14, but it is quite a change to go from the vibrancy of a city to the apartment in a tower with a solitary view of the ocean. maybe its a good thing, though, to be able to enjoy the best of both, without necessarily being uncomfortable in your surroundings- not always being trampled on in your personal and mental space.
work was really freaking me out last week and earlier this week, but i think i finally have a somewhat minor hold on things- unfortunately, i also somehow keep thinking its wednesday night. i mean, i thought it was wednesday last night, and again tonight... wednesday night must be my default mood. no matter-- tomorrow it will be wednesday night for sure, and then i might feel normal again. ive only got the rest of this week & then next to finish up my case-load for the next round of hearings in march, so the pressure is quite literally on. when im so hectic at work i think, "was this what finals time was like?" because i think that was probably the only time in the past 3 yrs (other than as a summer associate) where i legitimately felt like i barely had time to get up and pee and drink water because i was so frantic at researching and writing. how do the hours peel by so quickly? .... then again, after a few days of that kind of pace, once that job is all over and done with, its hard to transition back into normal: the default position then becomes facebook, facebook, email, nytimes, email, facebook. and the brain takes a minivacay until it has to kick into turbo gear again. can we ever find a place in the middle? i would quite like that. unlimited time but slight pressure, please.
enough random ranting. time to sign off and smell the wonderful groupings of tulips and baby's breath that are scattered around my apartment in random vases and pickle jars. i must admit, i am jealous that i missed the snow up north yesterday, but i am also happy it is set to be 80 & 83 degrees on saturday and sunday respectively, so that i can loll around in springy dresses and watch the spring-training red soxs game with benjamin in the sun. i tell you, sometimes i think i could get used to this! the disclaimer of course, is that you would all have to relocate down here with me...
xoxo
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