Urban Musings

The heat has settled oppressively around the city.  I have been temporarily relocated to a much more urban environment for the last week and I find that the pace has gotten to me.  In the mornings I have been waking earlier.  The view from my room is harsh on the grit of the well worn buildings, the old industrial core wrapping its metal arms around the city's spires as if they will bring them tumbling down with a heavy hug.

There has been no rain, just the heavy drugged heat, full of the wet that lifts from the lake to drench me not just in sweat but in its humidity.  I am not tempted to find my way outside during the day.  It is far too easy to hide in the interior of the building with the artificial light and wait for the temperature to ease a bit as evening drags itself forward. 

At least on the days that I can.  Twice this week I have driven from neighborhood to neighborhood, circling for a place to put the car, feeling somewhat like a Tinker who could not find a place to put the wagon in the community that was not his own, that would never be his.  I marvel at the people who manuever so easily in the maze of streets.  The ones who so effortlessly slip in front of me to claim the parking space I have finally unearthed.  I am so awed by their apparent fit in the environment it does not occur to me to be upset that they have taken what I was seeking, I simply circle again and end up walking an extra 4 blocks to the meeting, the humidity pooling along my neck and dripping down my shoulder blades.  Have I mentioned yet that this is the Midwest? 

I go to a meeting where I have alotted an hour and a half.  I think this will give me plenty of time to drive 10 minutes and find parking for my meeting which is an hour after this alotted time.  Somehow the hour and a half extends and I find I have only 15 minutes to find the elusive spot.  In a series of miracles, I manage to get to the next appointment, park and arrive on time.  For this client I have arranged in advance to start on time.  They know I have a meeting in an hour.  Which is why, of couse we start 20 minutes late.  I break at my appointed time and call into my other meeting.    I stay on the phone for a few minutes and slip off, sending a text that I will join again shortly.  I go back to my clients to say my goodbyes.  I have to be someplace else in 20 minutes now.  They keep me there for another 15.  I text the client with whom I am supposed to be on a conference call.  I will be back shortly.  The heat has slipped into the air conditioned building now and I can feel myself melting into my shoes.  Finally I escape, make the call in the elevator and join.  I race to the car and juggle phone, bags, and notebook, scrambling to keep everything in forward motion.  It is already time for me to be at my next destination.

How did all my planning go so far awry?  On my way, I skim into lanes with haste.  I make sure only that I have enough room to slide in, as if it is my right of passage.  I turn on the last vestige of yellow and make my way through the next light just before it can blink to red.  Pulling in front of the building I see an open parking space and a slip into it without hesitation.  I end the call and get out of the car.  Looking up I see the startled face of someone I recognize.  It is me, the person who was driving earlier this afternoon, circling for her chance.  And I realize that perhaps the awe of fitting in is not quite what I should have been feeling.  Perhaps it should have been sympathy for the others who are running just as far behind in the heated haze of this rushing urban setting.

I must admit, I am glad that I will be happy to make the drive back tonight.  I am used to a fast paced life in terms of what I accomplish in a day at my desk.  I know that.  I think I have just discovered that I like it better when I live it in surroundings where I do not have to move as fast as I may have to think.

Here's to life with less traffic, a few less meetings and cooler climes........

Have an awesome weekend................................