And The Loss of A Way Of Life That Followed

The air feels colder now. Now that the Michaels rest in peace. Cary Street is a mere shadow of the wondrous place it used to be. Then—before—everything was bright, everything was happy. Cary Street offered a sense of belonging and happiness. The Saturday shopper—he’s worked all week in a high-rise downtown and, needed to get away from the humdrum of everyday life—walked down the graying grungy sidewalks, in and out of each shop with a smile on his face. The street vendors would flag him down and ask if he wanted to buy a shirt or a poster, likely with Bob Marley on it—and if he was fresh out of cash, there was always the ATM in the 7-Eleven between Belmont and Auburn. He’d smile and walk into River City Wines or Penzey’s Spices, something a little more “his class.” The hippie, long hair and thrift store clothes, would rush to PLAN 9 when they had their sidewalk record sales—just to make sure she was there in time to snag the last original Dylan record she didn’t already have—or to Mongrel when they got a fresh batch of tie-dyed attire homemade by the owner, Brad. Beads and Bangles would make custom dog collars for Dogma’s bi-annual “Families and Friends” pet adoption. If the Saturday shopper were bad at parallel parking, he’d pray that there would be a space in Cary Court since that’s the only place where there were normal parking spaces. Mr. Farouk would stand outside his restaurant and say hello and ask “You want to try my curry? Come in and try my curry!” and sometimes he’d even have samples. After the movie—perhaps it was Some Like It Hot or Breakfast at Tiffany’s—let out at the Byrd, people would walk across the street and stand in line out the door at Bev’s—she had the best ice cream in all of Richmond. If someone was a “first-timer” the first place anyone would take them was to For The Love Of Chocolate—just walking in was a heavenly experience, not to mention the chocolate itself was to die for. The favorite of the shops was World of Mirth—not your average toy store, but one of near epic proportions, containing everything from Halloween costumes to Giant Doll houses; from every variety of funky sunglasses to large electronic robots. It was fun for the family, an escape for the Saturday shopper, a haven for the hippie. It was owned and operated by the Michaels, who knew everyone. Who knew… everyone.

The Watermelon festival was the most important part of everyone’s summer. Vendors would pull clothes and shoes and books and toys outside and set up shop. The Saturday shopper’s favorite stand was the used books stand—and the hippie, her favorite was the “make-your-own” tie-dye tent. The family might visit the sand art or the basket making booths. Hairdressers would cut hair in the open air, while someone else was getting the free ten-minute massage offered by Spa L’Amor. The Byrd had movie showings every two hours—mostly kids’ movies. Restaurants would sell concessions on the street—the Galaxy offering homemade moonpies; Can-Can serving a large variety of crepes; Bev with her ice cream; and of course, there was watermelon—everywhere. It became an open-air market and everyone became part of something larger than themselves. Everyone’s favorite part of the day was around nine o’clock. People would gather in Cary Court for the famous Michael’s Fireworks Extravaganza—the best fireworks show around. People oohed and ahhed, and everyone was one with the crowd. The hippie was one with the Saturday shopper—a greater soul.

Now—now, there are no street vendors selling earrings that are too large for anyone. The 7-Eleven is run down—and not somewhere that someone would want to go alone. The hippie and her friends have shifted their Mecca to Shokoe Bottom. The Saturday shopper goes to Short Pump with other yuppies and there are always free parking spaces in Cary Court. The Byrd theatre officially closed last month—no more old movies on a Saturday night. And there is no watermelon festival. No shop owners telling passersby not to walk too closely with their watermelon, no restaurants showing off their exotic and tasty delights, coming together of the masses, and there are no fireworks. Cary Street is now just a street like any other street in Richmond—one that is simply passed by to get to another place. The sidewalks are still grey and grungy and there are still a few shops that stay open out of hope—most have moved elsewhere, out of economic necessity, to somewhere like Shokoe Bottom or Stony Point. It seems dark and bare, even during the day. Almost like a ghost town. Occasionally, one lone soul—to whom Cary Street meant more that shops and restaurants—will walk down the street in hopes that a glimmer of what the street used to be, what it used to represent will magically appear and time will forget itself. Everything will be as it was. PLAN 9 will have their annual poster sale and the street vendors will have to compete for the first time all year. Penzey’s will have their annual chili cook-off. People will gather around the corner on Saturday nights for the Wurlitzer concert at the Byrd—while Bev hands out free samples of Ice Cream. And there will be fireworks on a hot night that brings people together in one heart to celebrate the summer. Perhaps one day—but for now, the lone soul will continue her walk in the cold air, in the sadness of lives lost in a great tragedy, and the loss of a way of life that followed.

The burnt bagel effect.

So.

Today was--today was not too hot.

Hmm.

So, I'm in a place in my life right now--finally--where I can truly say I'm happy. I stand here today and look back on October 1st, 2008, and I know that I am much happier than I was then. My life up to this point has been pretty tumultuous and there have been times in my life where I have been unhappy. This time is not one of them.

I had one of the most amazing summers of my life. Truly and honestly. I learned so much about who I am and what I want out of life, and that is so wonderful. Now, at the beginning of the school year--save for a week or so that I was in a small slump--I'm doing really really well. I'm motivated, and I'm studying. I don't have a social life, really, but it's been okay... because being busy has made me incapable of having any sort of drama in my life whatsoever. I've never really known what that's like, since I've always either had my own drama or someone else's ALWAYS burdening me. I must say--it's rather nice.

However--being busy all the time also prevents me from thinking about a lot of things. Which, in a way can be good, but I'm also a firm believer in not bottling things up, so it can put a strain on a person. So, today--after I spilled coffee on myself, had my trail mix bag explode open al over me, accidentally got bleach on my brand new shirt at work, and face planted it into the sidewalk in front of Krannert, I lost it. I've not cried [at all in about two weeks, which is really unlike me] like this in a reallllllllly long time. It's not so much that was sad, or felt like things were overwhelming as I think I really just needed to cry, release emotions. I really did feel better afterwards. I'm still pissed about my shirt though... bah.

Tonight, Chelsea and I had "life story" time, which we haven't had in a really long time. It was so nice to talk to her, because I know that I can talk to her about whatever I want and she won't judge me, she'll mostly agree with me, and she'll listen. It was much needed--on her part too.

Hmm.

I wrote for a long time tonight when I got home. I wrote about my life and things that I need to write about. Things that I'm tired of waiting for.

Okay life. Please start now. Thank you.

I'm going to continuing being happy though. I like it.

Also, I love Emily Williams a whole whole lot.

Love love.

SAC

This week:

Today was long, as all Mondays are. I'm tired and I still have a lot to do tonight. Bah.

For tomorrow I have a WASC due for Geology. I have a couple of stories to read for Fiction. And, I have a project I need to turn in for Realism. But, NCIS is tomorrow night, so that will be a good breather from school. I do have some reading I'll need to do for Realism, but whatevs.

Wednesday I've not really got anything major due. I'll have to work on my setting exercise for Fiction, which I'm actually having a bit of trouble with--but, I'll figure it out. And, knowing Dr. Corry, I'll probably have a quiz to study for in Spanish. And, I'll have a Geo quiz to study for. I have a massage at 3:00 on Wed. though, which is really nice.

Thursday my Setting exercise is due. Spanish & Geo quizzes. It's my dad's birthday so there will be lots of celebrating. Realism reading/response for Friday.

Friday is the Alumni dinner for the theatre! I'm so so so excited. Should be fabulous.

Saturday is Mountain Day. I won't be participating in anything--except maybe Marthapalooza. I haven't decided yet.

All throughout the week I'll need to be reading stuff for WNS as well as working on my paper for that class. Yay life.

It's going to be a very busy week.

Now to homework. Thank goodness I've got Amos Lee and Tyrone Wells to keep me from going insane.