a part-time misanthrope

In a surprising bout of spontaneity, I took an unplanned, whirlwind trip to New York this weekend. Sure, now I have this nagging voice going on and on about what that does to my carbon footprint, flying across the country for like, 24 hours of capriciousness, but that’s neither here nor there. Plus, I picked up some nasty little bug so that must even things out a bit with the Universe.

Last week, E (or Ari, for you fishblog veterans) had to put her dog to sleep. She was so sad and, having just been through that surreal bit of horribleness, it ate at me that I wasn’t there to ugly cry with her. And then self medicate with Apple Jacks. Whenever I toy with the idea of finding super cheap airline deals, I’m always disappointed. But this time, I lucked out and scored some $49 tickets on an airline that wouldn’t even let me take a carry on (that woulda been another $60-$90) or choose a seat ($40, please). Like I cared. I didn’t need anything more than a toothbrush and a change of clothes. Look at me being so free-wheeling!

So off I went, and when E walked in to her apartment on Saturday and there I was just sitting lah-di-dah on her sofa, well it pains me to say I didn’t record her reaction. She stood there for the longest minute looking confused and WTF-ing.  She told me later she thought she’d imagined me there. Surprise well executed.  Because it was so last minute, I was also able to show up, unannounced, at a friend’s Willow-watching party and get so much hugging in, I filled the reserves.

The Dork Lord sometimes worries that I want to be back in New York. And even I, knowing better, sometimes wonder what it would be like, living among my people again, under a whole different set of circumstances. It can seem a bit rosy. There’s a lot of love there. But then I ride the subway. And I’m out. No. Thank you. It’s why I left, in part, because I found myself clenching my jaw just to keep from screaming, “Stop touching me!” every time I hit the pavement or descended into the hot, smelly subway.  New York is really no place for the part-time misanthrope.

22 comments to a part-time misanthrope

  • RzDrms

    “having just been through that surreal bit of horribleness”

    are you referring to you in that statement? or E? if you, is that about the DL’s and your beloved dog, or…another beloved pet? now i’m all worried that your recent inner thoughts you’ve briefly mentioned have been about sir hal. say it ain’t so. :-/

  • Lisa

    I am so sorry to hear about your friend’s dog. I can so relate to your comment about “ugly crying”. Two months ago my dog had a stroke and I spent the weekend doing just that. Monday was going to be the “day” and miraculously that morning she woke me up just like she always did and I couldn’t do it. It took about 3 weeks for her to get back to normal and now you’d never know anything happened.

  • I bet that surprise made you both feel better.

    That certain airline does have some amazing prices at times. Until you realize that you actually want to get on the plane and go somewhere and that you need to take stuff with you. :/

  • You are a great friend – flying all that way for some pet support. I hope the trip is everything you meant it to be and more. Enjoy!

  • Robin

    I hear ya Fish. Neither is Chicago, which is why, as soon as my own Dork Lord finally graduates, my butt will be moving somewhere with wide open spaces; or at least a population far below 3 million people.

    But it’s always good to be able to go back and visit and feel the love :)

  • Carrie

    You are an awesome friend! I am sure that made her feel amazing. Well done. :)

  • CaliGal

    I’m real sorry to hear about your friend’s loss.

    And as Carrie says… You are an AWESOME friend! (Love that!)

  • You are the BESTEST girlfriend ever and I love you for literally blowing my mind.

  • You did a great thing. Maybe visiting New York is like eating anchovy pizza — you try it every once in awhile to remind your self why you DON’T eat it. (Full disclosure statement: I was born in New York City myself.)

    Demographically speaking, Texas is full of people who have fled New York and Illinois.

  • Shauna

    You are such a good friend, Heather. I read all of Ari/E’s old blog and sometimes read her new one. She doesn’t post that often. I clicked on the link attached to her comment and I’m sitting her crying for her loss. It’s one of the saddest things ever, to have to put a pet to sleep and by you flying there to comfort her, that’s so awesome. I’m really glad you were able to spend some time with her. She’ll never ever forget that you did that.

  • Shawn

    Good for you, Heather! So wonderful you could be there for Ari. And I know the cheap flight for a day routine- did that once to Detroit to visit my family- got the $9 fares each way! I think I also got sick, must be something unnatural about flying so cheaply. ;)

    • thisfish

      Omigosh! Yay! It was off the website and I thought it was gone forever. BOUGHT. That’s exactly what I was waiting for. Thank you!

  • So, CLEARLY, we need to know what airline offered such an amazing deal!!

  • KimMC

    I agree with Megan! I need to catch a few flight soon and I would rather not pay $600 (me and the monkey)!

  • CaliGal

    H e a t h e r r r r….. W h e r e a r e y o u u u u u?

    Just missin’ ya….so I thought I’d drop in.
    Hoping all is well. :)