Benchmarks

It's Friday night, and I'm waiting for the cab to be here so I can leave work and go home...and drink. Also I'm finishing off my weekly status report to send to my manager. Yea, he kind of has trust issues. 9 points down I can't remember anything else and that's not good. I mean that's enough work but a list that has 9 points looks...weird. I mean it should have like even numbers...if the numbers are in fives or tens that's even better. It's like this pet peeve I can't get rid of. But then, I realised there is a 10th point in there.

10. I cleaned up your mess!

With the list complete , mentally of course, I was just looking at random things on Facebook. I just decided that I am GLAD I have benchmarks for certain things in my life. Yes, I do have a ridiculous number of benchmarks but at least it keeps me from turning into people I dont like, or lifestyle I'd rather not have.

1. I'm never going to hold some one responsible for the mess I have created. Never. Even if I become the CEO or win the damned Noble Prize.
2. I know some friends who are SO married it just gets on my nerves. I also know friends who act like they are married couple celebrating their 25 years together, when they are only dating. I'm never going to be that married. I'm always going to have at least of couple of friends crashing my place, and I'm always going to do Thursday Ladies night with Pasta and some drinking session with the girls. I have a full proof plan. Pasta is allowed to bitch slap me into another galaxy if I become too married at any point in my life. I can do the same.
3. Have lazy Friday nights. Lazy weekends? Yes. Friday night? No, sir! I mean why in the world would I sit and laze at home when I'm perfectly healthy and capable of getting drunk and being a nuisance?! I'll act 50 when I'm really 50. No my ideal Friday night will never be drinking coffee and cooking food.
4. I will not a be a corporate slave or a brand whore. 
5. I refuse to be an obese couple. This is why I'm waking B up at 6 in the morning to run. He probably hates me by now.

Rest are a little to detailed or personal. But what I;m saying is - Have Benchmarks. Super solid, non-vage, real benchmarks. You don't want to be 50 and be someone you never wanted to be.

City Of Dreams?

We have a million questions

All about our lives

And when I got to New York

Everything felt right

I wish you were here with me tonight

~FM Static (improv)

I always thought NYC would be special. I don't know why, but I knew. It's like looking at the new roommate and knowing you'd hit it off.

 

The first time I saw the skyline appear I was in a shuttle with 6 strangers. I drew in a sharp breath and thought “this is your moment, Mr Life List, this is it.” And I made sure I carefully registered their faces. Nothing about this moment should be lost on me. I was to be dropped off at Port Authority an avenue/block away from Time Square and take a cab from there. I had the details carefully written in a bright pink post-it. As I stepped out I felt the warm clammy air …and bright lights. It was 1:41 AM and the city was abuzz with people, cabs and noise. I looked around at the street names and on impulse I decided I’d be walking to my sister/friend… sister-friend’s (?) place. I remember her telling me that it wasn’t too far away. Later she told me almost everybody she’s known has been utterly confused whenever they’ve been here for the first time. I found their place nice and easy. I told you we were supposed to fit. We did.

And I took my time. I felt the place. I breathed that air. You know just before you are about to cry that burning  behind your eyes? That happened. I thought why am I crying? Turns out it was overwhelming emotion. Walking in the City Of Dreams. A HUGE check on my Life List. But that overwhelming emotion wasn’t for that…

…It was the realization that this would not have been possible had it not been for B in my life. At the end of the day that is who you really need. Someone who cares so much about your dreams that they make it happen for you. You’re very own dream-maker.

Maybe it’s called the City Of Dreams not because it makes your dreams come true. Maybe it’s called the City Of Dreams because it helps you realize that for someone your dreams are as big a deal as it is for you. That there’s someone who doesn’t read your life list and goes “Oh, cute!” but actually makes it happen.

Being Anonymous

I think we've already established that I like travelling. It’s mainly because I like how a new city feels. Anonymous. Yes, it feels anonymous. You break away from your usual lifestyle and fall into this routine that is mostly not you. I like it. Mostly for a few days before the I crave my usual routine. But right before the craving for familiarity begins I like that whole anonymous feeling. You could walk for miles and not see anything that you know about. Typically I don’t like surprises. If you want to surprise me tell me in advance. But the small surprises that comes with a stroll or a cab ride in a new city is a different rush.

And then in the middle of the break I like to make routines for myself. My life, you could say, is gigantic collage of life lists, routines, weekend rituals, to-do lists. Without these I feel like my life’s spinning out of control. Yea, I’m kinda crazy like that…

 I wasn’t kidding, see?!

So having these mini-routines while I’m away from my real life is important. Very important. Like making coffee first thing in the morning, or the small walk back to the hotel, or responding to my emails at night. It’s funny because I’d never do ANY of those things back home. Walk back home? Physically impossible. Respond to email at night? Sorry, dude, I don’t take work back home.

Also the best part about being here has been my counterpart here who is a Foodie. Yes, with a capital F. He’s taken me around to eat weird Chinese food and the best burger in town and cold tea with tapioca balls. Food is always the best part of going to a new place. But the craving for home is kind of coming at me pretty fast and the euphoria will only last so much. But before that happens, it’s going to be New York tonight. My Life List should be doing a crazy victory dance right now

Music Monday #7

Someday We'll Know
New Radicals

(slight improv)

Someday we'll know if love can move a mountain

Someday we'll know why the sky is blue

Someday we'll know why I was meant for you

Someday we'll know why Samson love Delilah

One day I'll go dancing on the moon

Someday you'll know that I was the one for you