It’s been about two weeks since my last entry but fret not, I’m still alive!! The days have been flying by, and I can’t believe it’s already a third of the way through August and I’ve been traveling for 6 weeks now. The job at Cheesecake Factory is going fairly well. For the most part, people are nice and welcoming. It’s been almost ten years since I’ve been surrounded by New Englanders, and the attitude is far, far different from that of South Florida. Everyone comes off “hard.” Not to be belittling or demeaning, but I feel like there’s a little cold left inside certain people from the winter months. The chill hasn’t quite come out of their bones yet. The accent is one thing (apparently I’ve brought back a southern one myself). I love the Boston accent, but it brings about a sharp and stern way of talking. It sounds as if people are constantly pissed off at you, when that’s just their true tone (at least I’d hope). It’s been weird to get used to, but I am. In some ways, my New England accent is starting to slowly remake an appearance and burst through the southern one I’ve picked up, but it’s not to the extreme as these wicked Bostonians.
Being new at the restaurant, I was immediately judged, and I could feel it the moment I walked through the doors. I heard people whispering (apparently not quiet enough) “Who’s that?” I’ve always been “the new girl” my entire life. I attended four different schools before even starting college, and have never seemed to fit “the mold” exactly. And I still don’t! So as I walked in, being this blonde, bubbly, outgoing girl from SoFla, I stood out amongst all of them. I could begin to see their thoughts of me develop behind their irises. It has taken a while for some people to warm up to me—some still haven’t yet–and of course, there are the few who warmed right up to me immediately, only because they shared the same sense of humor, same affinity for love of life, and same craziness as I do. Those people are the ones that stand out for me, and who I am going to be sad to leave. But for those who are still weary about me, I can understand. It’s difficult going about your entire life trying to make everybody happy. The good Lord knows I have tried immensely, and it never seems to work. There will always be that one person that’s pissed off at me just because of who I am, not because of anything I’ve ever done to them. I crave to make those around me like me, but I must learn this won’t always be the case. It hurts to know that people want to hate on me just for the sake of it, but every day I pray to not let their negative thoughts consume me. So far, so good.
With all that being said and done, at the end of the day, it definitely is more difficult a task to not judge a book by its cover than one would wish. I try to not judge, but it’s ingrained within me. At least, as a female traveling by herself, I’m on the judge and watch all the time. I have to be. Just because someone looks harmless doesn’t mean they’re not, and just because someone looks sketchy doesn’t mean they are. Case in point. I’ve been camping in the same campground for a few weeks now, give or take a couple of nights where they have been full and I’ve had to bunk in my car. Two guys who looked to be in their early 30’s pulled into the lot across the one way street from my lot. It was getting dark, so I couldn’t make them out well, but they were puffing away cigarettes while bickering at each other trying to pitch their tent. I saw them in the shadows of the moon and the bathhouse light, and they looked a little scruffy. One had long hair and a long black t-shirt to match. The other was shirtless with a backwards ball cap on. I wasn’t sure what to make of them yet, but was sure enough to sleep with a bottle of mace beside me. Of course I woke up the next morning unscathed, and quietly went about my business.
Later in the day, as I came back from the grocery store, I pulled up to the two of them throwing a baseball around. I smiled at the idea, of me thinking earlier, that these two guys were punks. But I still wasn’t ready to completely take my judgment down. I was setting up a campfire when a baseball comes close to colliding with Blue (what I’ve named my mini SUV), and one came running over apologizing. I threw the ball back to him with a chuckle. “As long as you don’t hit my car, then we’re good!” His friend responded with “Nice arm!” We got to chatting a little bit, and turns out they were just out here for a few days to get away from the city. They were 26 and 36 I believe; respectively, Craig is gearing up to have a kid in a few months and Matt is a scene builder for many top selling movies that I have actually seen. I asked if he’s met anyone famous, and he elaborated on how, yes, he’s met several famous actors and actresses. But above all that, one of the best moments he remembers about his job was not necessarily meeting famous people, but about all the coolness and calamity outside of that. For example, his job took him to a Zoo where he met famous ANIMALS that were in movies! Such as a brown bear, tigers, etc. It was a situation like that that allowed him to appreciate the random yet amazing experiences life, and a job you love, can provide.
They made friends with the neighbors earlier in the day, and therefore introduced me to them as well. Turns out this family, two daughters, a mother, and a boyfriend, for reasons unclear, are living here for the summer. Not the classiest bunch, but certainly a fun, expressive, and sharing family. I came upon their campsite in tow of Craig and Matt, and introduced myself. Immediately they warmed up to me, invited me “in” for a beer and some grilled meat treats. The next few hours were spent socializing, but headed to my tent well before the rest of them—I had a double to work the next day.
After a long day at the Cheese, I went out with a few girls from work and got CONSIDERABLY inebriated. They lived close by so I crashed with them instead of driving the 13 miles back to my camp. I snuggled up on the couch with their newly adopted, amber-colored kitten, and tried to sleep off what I knew was going to be the hangover of death; and it most certainly was. The next two days—long, grueling, and sickening—were spent hunched over in a toilet, a bush, or a grocery bag. Where did my inner party girl go? It’s been a long time since I’ve had a night at the bar like that. And I most certainly don’t plan to have another night like that again. I think a proper three-drink MAX should suffice for both my wallet and myself.
To help sweat out the toxins and get back into shape, I’ve been focusing on running a little more. I used to be big into running a year or two ago, but just lost the bug for it. I’m slowly getting back into it, and I mean slowly. I used to run just over an 8-minute mile. Now I’m a good plus two minutes atop that. But, to succeed, one must start somewhere. Slow and steady ultimately wins the race. The only person I am competing against is myself; just a little farther or a little faster than the day before. That is my goal! Something feasible and obtainable to start with, so I don’t feel so defeated. That was my problem before, setting goals too high and holding myself to such a ridiculous standard. I need to learn to love myself more, for who I am and what I can accomplish.
A quick blurb in the week provided me with some alone time with one of my favorite people in the world, Mazza. He drove us up to this amazing smoke shop in NH that sold every item a hippie could ask for. I was in love. Two weeks prior, my chillum had the unfortunate encounter with the pavement, so I was in search of a new piece. Low and behold, I found a beautiful baby steamroller for $16. It was a good day for the two of us, as we christened my new member of the family on our ride back to Mass.
I closed out the weekend with something I’ve ALWAYS wanted to do: go to a Red Sox vs. Yankees game, at Fenway itself! My friend Lenny was given tickets from one of his coworkers, and we took full advantage of the day. But before we met up, I spent a couple of hours touring around the city. I parked on a side street by the Museum of Fine Art and took the T into downtown. The first time going into the city by myself, I had no one to help me get around. I’ve been to Boston a few times before (last time was half a decade ago) and was usually accompanied by someone who knew their way around well. So I was left to my own skills to find my way around. The T, for those who aren’t familiar, is the subway system in Boston, and it’s comprised of a red, blue, orange, and green line, with many subdivisions branching off those lines. Luckily I did not have far to go from point A to B, but it still was thrilling.
I got off at Park since Government Center was closed, and had to walk a half-mile into downtown. I encountered a parade celebrating something Mexican or Latino, not exactly sure what, but all the YA-YA-YA-YA-YA’s and loud music blaring through the crowd gave it away that I was surely just a little gringo meandering through the sea of ethnicity.
I finally spotted the famous Samuel Adams statue standing mighty and tall in front of the Historic Faneuil Hall, and Quincy Market hidden directly behind that. I moseyed around, looking at all the different vendors and smelling all the delicious food being made. As I walked from one end of the court to the other, it was like walking through a sea of vines, getting tangled in the crowds of people, swimming my way through. I was being thrashed and bumped around by overstuffed backpacks, guide dogs, and little kids on leashes. A situation I normally would let overwhelm me, one breath in through my chillum and I let it wash over me without consuming my emotion. I contemplated ending my journey with a lobster roll, but there was a girl outside on the street doing theatre performance, and I figured that was more worthy of my money and time. Kate the Great put on one hell of a show—juggling machetes and balancing on one hand high in the air. It was awesome and inspired me to get back into my yoga poses.
So I met up with Lenny and we bar hopped our way around Yawkee. When they opened the gates up to the stadium, we rolled in on a good buzz. I pointed to The Red Seat across the park, and he grabbed my arm and took me all the way across. I actually got to sit in the Ted Williams’ seat! It marks the longest home run in Fenway at 502 feet. A happy experience it was!
The Red Sox lost to the Yankees (figures) but I still had an amazing time! Lenny was so nice to have provided such a great experience for my trip! Unfortunately, I was far too drunk to drive home so I crashed in the back of my car outside the Museum of Fine Arts. I woke up with yet another fine hang over. I thought I learned my lesson that first time but apparently not. At least I didn’t have to work, so I sluggishly made my way back to Andover to set up camp. But before doing so, I stopped into a laundry mat and washed some clothes… I was running low on freshness.
Right as check-in opened, I was back at camp to sign up for another four nights. The rawness of nature is something I’m falling in love with. So what if I’m not enclosed between four walls and a roof? I don’t have the same amenities as those living normal lives, but I also don’t have the same worries. Granted, it’s a day-by-day situation: I always have to fend for food or shelter or a shower. Lately it’s been pretty easy (finding a shower is the hardest) but I’m making do. Having an air mattress that sometimes leaks air, leaving my ass to touch the ground by morning, really gives me appreciation for a real bed. Although the shower is meant for someone no taller than 4’9’’, I’m blessed to be able to have warm water. I may not be able to eat a full course meal, but the will to cook my own food over an actual fire is more deserving and appreciated than using a stove or microwave. The struggles are still real, but they’re different. And it’s giving me such a greater insight about my life, one minute, one moment at a time.
(^that’s a deer playing hide and seek)
All I’m focusing on now is getting through the next few weeks, exploring a little bit more of Boston, meet up with some friends and family, and then head off to my next adventure! For all that have been following my blog, THANK YOU!! If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to post.
As always, have a peaceful, happy, blessed day 🙂
BLONDIE WANDERS... 