Deep thoughts from a shallow person
Now that we are safely removed from our crazy situation I have had some time to think about everything.
On the one hand, it sucks to have been forced out of our house during the holiday season and to be totally dependent on the generosity of our friend(s). The end of the year is supposed to be a time of comfort and warmth, not a confusing period of fear and anger.
On the other hand, a forced uproot was probably one of the most focusing experiences of my life. Being in the same place for 18 months, parking in the same spot and walking the dog on the same trip every morning was comfortable, but dulling. Having a quiet neighborhood and cracker neighbors was fine, but uninteresting.
It was kind of like my mother’s lasagna – delicious and gooey, but eat it often enough and you stop noticing what makes it so special.
Toss in an insane neighbor who’s obsessed with my girlfriend and all of the ingredients that make up life suddenly each get striped down and important again. Walking the dog required all of my attention. Coming home in the evenings took on a severe urgency. Even turning off the last light in the house at night became a measured gestured – was he watching?
So hey, that’s enough bullshit for you guys. And sorry for the cooking analogy, it was unnecessary, but I haven’t cooked in days and I’m having withdrawals. My father told me last week that his insane neighbors while he lived in the Philly ghettos was some of the most memorable of his life, and I guess he’s right. Now that we’re out of danger (I hope I hope), this was probably an enlightening experience. Or something.