It used to be that every time Tex saw a cat-sized rat run from an alleyway to a curbside garbage heap, he would flinch in shock and disgust. Now, he just casually paused on the sidewalk, let the rodents pass, and continued about his day. Tex was becoming more of a New Yorker each day.
As the leaves completely fell and the snow began to fall, Tex found himself slipping away into a slight depression. Not only had work begun to slow down, but the city actually seemed to slow down as well. The cold, harsh weather of the winter season appeared to make the soul of New York City crawl up into a ball and delve into the deep down of a comforting duvet, just as Tex was doing himself. He wondered how long this would last.
Getting acquainted with the seasons was something Tex was not used to. He felt guilty about being depressed, and it wasn't like him to not seize everyday like it was the last. He just had to trust that things would get better as long as he was patient. He decided to allow himself to go with the flow. Life was less stressful that way.
Thursday, December 1, 2011
Sunday, November 6, 2011
Learning to be a Grasshopper
"This is Tex, my personal assistant," Shirley said to the Brooklyn contractor.
Tex was being introduced as Shirley's personal assistant more and more these days, and that was fine by him. He had been working for her pretty regularly. They were beginning to build not only a great business relationship, but also a great personal relationship. One might even call them friends. Shirley would confide in Tex about her petty drama with her friends, her family history (that happened to resemble Tex's own coincidentally), and even her dear late husband, John. And, Tex would do the exact same, minus the husband part.
As more and more cups of tea were poured, Tex soon forgot of Shirley's fame and began to view her as a mother-figure that would give him advice on being in this crazy city and being in this crazy business. He couldn't have been more honored and grateful to have this wonderful woman in his life.
After borrowing Shirley's Burt's Bees on the Q train back to Manhattan, they began to discuss renovation plans for the condo on 95th street. She had decided to go with the Russian contractor from Brooklyn because he seemed to be the most kind. The renovations were going to be a lot of work--entirely new kitchen, entirely new bathroom, new walls, new baseboards, new closets, the list goes on and on. However, Tex knew that he could do it.
Life as a personal assistant was somewhat appealing to Tex. For the first time in his life, he actually felt like an adult--living and supporting himself in New York City. Although he wasn't performing at this given time, he knew that he was exactly where he was meant to be. Deep in the dark, empty pit of his gut, Tex knew he would always have his talents to fall back on.
Now, it was time to start letting his life evolve. It was time for him to discover who he was as an individual and accept that fate had a plan for him. He would just have to be patient.
Tex was being introduced as Shirley's personal assistant more and more these days, and that was fine by him. He had been working for her pretty regularly. They were beginning to build not only a great business relationship, but also a great personal relationship. One might even call them friends. Shirley would confide in Tex about her petty drama with her friends, her family history (that happened to resemble Tex's own coincidentally), and even her dear late husband, John. And, Tex would do the exact same, minus the husband part.
As more and more cups of tea were poured, Tex soon forgot of Shirley's fame and began to view her as a mother-figure that would give him advice on being in this crazy city and being in this crazy business. He couldn't have been more honored and grateful to have this wonderful woman in his life.
After borrowing Shirley's Burt's Bees on the Q train back to Manhattan, they began to discuss renovation plans for the condo on 95th street. She had decided to go with the Russian contractor from Brooklyn because he seemed to be the most kind. The renovations were going to be a lot of work--entirely new kitchen, entirely new bathroom, new walls, new baseboards, new closets, the list goes on and on. However, Tex knew that he could do it.
Life as a personal assistant was somewhat appealing to Tex. For the first time in his life, he actually felt like an adult--living and supporting himself in New York City. Although he wasn't performing at this given time, he knew that he was exactly where he was meant to be. Deep in the dark, empty pit of his gut, Tex knew he would always have his talents to fall back on.
Now, it was time to start letting his life evolve. It was time for him to discover who he was as an individual and accept that fate had a plan for him. He would just have to be patient.
Tuesday, October 25, 2011
An Unexpected Window
The email notification sound went off on his iPhone, a sound that Tex was getting more frequent with these days. As time quickly passed in New York City, Tex found himself receiving more emails than he usually did in Texas. He wasn't sure if it was because he was meeting more people here in the city or if it was just because that's what happens when you get older. Regardless of the reason, every time Tex heard this specific sound his anxiety level increased. Emails usually meant good news or bad news, bad work or no work.
Tex slid his thumb across the bottom of his phone to unlock his destiny. He often wondered if this metaphoric feature was a sarcastic design-ploy created by the big-wigs at Apple to continue to allow its users to be consumed with the idea that life was really just a game.
The new email came from Shirley Knight. Not only was she the mother of Tex's department-head at the university from which he graduated, but she was also a well-renowned actress. They had a met while Tex was still attending college, and Tex never thought he would see her again, much less receive a personal email from her. In the email she congratulated him on his move to the city and stated that she was in need of someone who could help her with a little work. She asked if Tex would be interested.
Tex was thrilled.
Tex slid his thumb across the bottom of his phone to unlock his destiny. He often wondered if this metaphoric feature was a sarcastic design-ploy created by the big-wigs at Apple to continue to allow its users to be consumed with the idea that life was really just a game.
The new email came from Shirley Knight. Not only was she the mother of Tex's department-head at the university from which he graduated, but she was also a well-renowned actress. They had a met while Tex was still attending college, and Tex never thought he would see her again, much less receive a personal email from her. In the email she congratulated him on his move to the city and stated that she was in need of someone who could help her with a little work. She asked if Tex would be interested.
Tex was thrilled.
Thursday, October 13, 2011
Fasten Your Seat-Belts
Tex looked out the window of his New York City apartment. The gray skies hovered as he watched another crisp, brown leaf fall to the sidewalk. This was something new to him. Texas didn't really have seasons like New York did. It was just hot or cold, no in-between. The realization that there was a Fall, an adequate transition between two complete opposites, was making it easier for the grand transition of his own.
Tex wasn't able to really recognize that his life was finally beginning. He was just along for the ride. And, what a ride it was going to be.
Day-jobs seemed to be the hardest thing to find in New York City. No one wants to hire anyone who doesn't have New York City experience, so making a start was almost impossible for Tex. Luckily, he knew someone. Everyone in college had always told him it's all about who you know, and the illogical myth was actually being proven for the first time in Tex's life without his comprehension. Although it was just another serving job, Tex decided to pounce.
However, Tex knew he wasn't meant to serve. Maybe it was the pride or maybe it was the laziness, but Tex hated everything about being a server--the hours, the uniform, the lifestyle. And to top it off, he wasn't even doing anything to fulfill his passion. He was just working. He felt like he was wasting time. But for now, it was all Tex could do. The city wasn't going anywhere.
Tex took a breath, took a sip, and got comfortable as the ride continued.
Tex wasn't able to really recognize that his life was finally beginning. He was just along for the ride. And, what a ride it was going to be.
Day-jobs seemed to be the hardest thing to find in New York City. No one wants to hire anyone who doesn't have New York City experience, so making a start was almost impossible for Tex. Luckily, he knew someone. Everyone in college had always told him it's all about who you know, and the illogical myth was actually being proven for the first time in Tex's life without his comprehension. Although it was just another serving job, Tex decided to pounce.
However, Tex knew he wasn't meant to serve. Maybe it was the pride or maybe it was the laziness, but Tex hated everything about being a server--the hours, the uniform, the lifestyle. And to top it off, he wasn't even doing anything to fulfill his passion. He was just working. He felt like he was wasting time. But for now, it was all Tex could do. The city wasn't going anywhere.
Tex took a breath, took a sip, and got comfortable as the ride continued.
Wednesday, October 5, 2011
Relying on Faith
As Tex continued to make the drive down the Interstate Highway in the 30-foot U-haul, he could feel a lump coming up in his throat. He had told himself he wasn't going to cry. He quickly reached for his last-season pair of Ralph Lauren sunglasses, thinking that they would hide his welling tears from his two best friends that uncomfortably sat right beside him.
Tex made it a point not to cry. He didn't like people seeing him so vulnerable. He believed the more vulnerable people were the easier it was for them to be attacked. Tex had learned this the hard way, being a little different from the norm in a small, conservative town. Although Tex seemed to have everything going for him, he had often had first-hand experience of what it's like to be made a mockery. It didn't happen so much now that he was older, but Tex often thought of those dark days. Perhaps that was the foundation of his dreams--running away. Whatever the reason for the dreams, Tex had the dreams.
The lingering thoughts of leaving his family and the comfortability in Texas only made the waterworks worse. He looked at his two best friends and noticed they weren't doing too good of a job hiding their tears either. Thank God, he wasn't the only one. Why were they putting themselves through this? Who in their right mind decides to pack everything they own, drive non-stop for 35 hours, and hardly see any family ever again? The only thing that kept Tex's blurred eyes forward was the fact that he wanted to be in New York City. He wanted something better for his life, and he knew that he had the potential to make it happen.
The three idiots decided it was time to stop the blubbering and enjoy this wonderful adventure life was about to take them on. Tex turned the radio up, secured the pet fish in its container in his lap, and plowed ahead, severely anxious for the moment when they would cross into the new world.
Tex made it a point not to cry. He didn't like people seeing him so vulnerable. He believed the more vulnerable people were the easier it was for them to be attacked. Tex had learned this the hard way, being a little different from the norm in a small, conservative town. Although Tex seemed to have everything going for him, he had often had first-hand experience of what it's like to be made a mockery. It didn't happen so much now that he was older, but Tex often thought of those dark days. Perhaps that was the foundation of his dreams--running away. Whatever the reason for the dreams, Tex had the dreams.
The lingering thoughts of leaving his family and the comfortability in Texas only made the waterworks worse. He looked at his two best friends and noticed they weren't doing too good of a job hiding their tears either. Thank God, he wasn't the only one. Why were they putting themselves through this? Who in their right mind decides to pack everything they own, drive non-stop for 35 hours, and hardly see any family ever again? The only thing that kept Tex's blurred eyes forward was the fact that he wanted to be in New York City. He wanted something better for his life, and he knew that he had the potential to make it happen.
The three idiots decided it was time to stop the blubbering and enjoy this wonderful adventure life was about to take them on. Tex turned the radio up, secured the pet fish in its container in his lap, and plowed ahead, severely anxious for the moment when they would cross into the new world.
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