Moving

Oh the joy of waking in a room stuffed with light. Not the splitting light of a morning after a late evening, but the fresh white of a sleep well-ended.

I packed, moved, and unpacked in an almost endless repetition Saturday which dribbled over into Sunday. Fortunately the move was only across town. Though, whether across an ocean or across town moving is deceptively difficult. After exhausting my boxes I still had a floor covered with junk that couldn't find a suitable spot to be crammed. So here's to recycling. The box in the morning that was labeled "Undies" made the trip a second time with my dishes. Its OK, the new place has a dishwasher.

Adam graciously donated his time, truck and muscles to this project. My labmate Patrick took off time from studying for his quals to help too. The three of us moved the big items from my dank dungeon and from my new roommate, Bebiana's place. Adam had to get to a wedding and Patrick back to forcing knowledge down his throat, but Beb and I kept the truck for the rest of the afternoon. And at the end of the day we had a new, beautiful apartment littered with possessions.

Leaving Beb to figure out the mess I jumped in the shower and put on my suit. Due in no small part to my terrific packing abilities I could find the shampoo but not the soap, the black belt but not the black shoes. I picked up Mazin and we headed to the Mansfield Garden party. Mazin, in a tuxedo and I in my suit and sneakers were over dressed and under "fooded" for an outdoor potluck. But I reassured him "no one has ever been turned away for being dressed too nice."

And as it turns out the party was supposed to be themed. The host was in a brown, blue, checkered leisure suit: the hostess, a long blue gown with a large sparkling black bow tied in her hair. She was strikingly beautiful, and being pleased with our getups struck up a conversation immediately. Mazin volunteered that I dance and before I knew it I was dancing in my sneakers on the grass with a beautiful woman with a sparkling bow whose glitter showered down decorating her face. It was May and lovely.

The day, one draped in cool breezy sunshine, just warm enough to start the summer, gave way to night. The fire was cheery and its warmth appreciated. The wandering smoke less so: I will need to get the suit cleaned. I was invited to the garden party through a friend of a friend and was all the more glad to go when Mazin said he would come along. My fears of being a stranger were completely unfounded as we were instantly welcomed and befriended. Certain people have a gift of welcome; within moments, and in any situation, a new person is a new friend. I wish I had that ability. I know that often I find it much easier to ignore new people while in a group. I am awkward with new people. Though I suppose with me there is always awkwardness, and in abundance, no matter how long I have known a person. So I might as well jump right in. I sure like it that way when I am the outsider.

Eventually we thanked the hosts and slipped up the street to the party for which we had dressed up. There was wine and cheese much like the name "Wine and Cheese Party" suggested. It was nice and everyone was dressed sharp. But It was warm on the third floor and my feet were tired from packing and I missed the fire and the sparkling bow. I didn't stay long. At home I tiptoed around trying not to make noise on the wooden floors. I failed. Each step creaked loud enough to wake the entire street. Our flooring system is, I am sure, used with great success in reform school dormitories throughout the country.

In my room I was pleased to find another tiny, but monumental change. I can climb into my bed from either side! My room is so big that my bed does not need to be squished into the corner. How easy it would be to make the bed in the morning. Not that I ever will.

I listened to the new apartment breath, and slipped to sleep, and opened my eyes to light!