The first thing my co-worker asked me this morning when I got to my desk was where I was seven years ago today. I told her my story, and then she told me hers. This will always be one of those days where people ask, “Where were you?” just like when Kennedy was assassinated.
Once we got off that subject, I told her I wanted to talk to her privately. We went into the boss’ office (she’s still on sabbatical). I told her that Eric is leaving on Tuesday and that I’d like Monday off. She’s been very supportive, letting me make phone calls in the boss’ office, and I’ve told her that Eric is depressed and very unhappy here. She suffers from depression and is on medication, so I know she understands. Like I've said before, talk to people about depression and they’re either on medication themselves, or someone near and dear to them is suffering from it. It’s rampant in the world these days, and it’s easy to understand why.
I’ll be the sale of anti-depressants in the world went up 25% after 9/11. That was something that so many people – all over the world – just couldn’t come to terms with. Forget about New York. Half of New York was depressed or had anxiety after 9/11.
I had a pretty busy morning. This afternoon was much calmer than usual. Four of the girls were out today, for one reason or another, so it was pretty quiet in HR. There weren’t that many resumes to go through (it peters out towards the end of the week and then gets crazy again on Monday and Tuesday). I brought in my big leopard photo album with all the memorabilia and photos from my days in the band – THE AMBUSH! We played from 1982 – 1984.
Last night, when we were with Elsa and Stephen, the band came up, because they played REELIN’ IN THE YEARS, which I used to sing with the band. I also sang DR. WU and Rizzo (the lead guitarist) sang HEY NINETEEN. So, we did three STEELY DAN songs. Elsa didn’t know I was in a band. I had spoken about it to a few of the girls in HR, but I didn’t realize Elsa didn’t know. I decided to show them all the album. I knew they’d get a kick out of it – and they did.
They were laughing at all the 80s fashions, and they couldn’t believe how different I looked. Oh, yes, those were the good old days, when my body was young and firm, my hair was dark brunette – naturally – and wrinkles were something I never even dreamed of. It’s really amazing to grow old, to see how your face and body has changed, and to lament those changes and yearn for the good old days. I can see why people have plastic surgery, because it’s not necessarily that you want to look different, you just want to look the way you used to.
If there are any young people out there reading this, I want to tell you to enjoy your youth. When I was young I complained about my skin (I always had a lot of pimples), my hair (I always wanted straight, silky hair – not kinky curls), my lack of breasts (I was always flat-chested) and my white skin (I never tanned – just burned). Now, I wish I had back my pimply-faced, frizzy-haired, flat-chested, pasty white body. Really! I never appreciated what I had when I had it and now that it’s gone, I realize I had it pretty good!
Meanwhile, I’m 50 and I still have pimples, frizzy hair and a pasty body. The only thing that’s changed is I now have a bust, because I’ve gained so much weight! And one out of four is NOT good enough! I always say it’s so unfair, because I went from pimples to wrinkles without a day inbetween, but I’m STILL breaking out. Is there no justice?
Back to today! Eric picked me up at 4:45pm and we went to see our therapist. This would be Eric’s last time before he leaves on Tuesday. We talked a lot about a lot of things and it was very productive. I really think she likes Eric a lot (who doesn’t?) and I know she is glad I’ll still be going to see her each week, so she can get an update on his progress. It’s amazing how she knows just what to say to both of us. She’s really a calming presence. Wish she could move in with us!
When we left, Eric asked where I wanted to go to eat. I still had a real craving for pasta, but I wanted Capellini – real Italian pasta – but in something other than plain marinara sauce.
We ended up in Little Italy at a place called LITTLE ITALY’S SPAGETTERIA. I knew from the name that they’d have what I was looking for – and boy, did they ever!
The place was really big, with a brick oven for pizza in the front, a long bar with 4 or 5 TVs over it, each playing a different channel, and three separate eating areas – a beautiful patio in the front, where you can enjoy the busy streets of Little Italy as you eat, a smaller room, with a tiny red FIAT on the floor – a real car that’s about as big as the new SMART car, and a large back room we could barely see from our booth.
We shared a Ceasar salad, and then Eric had bowtie pasta with mushrooms and I had capellini with smoked salmon and a pink sauce. Mama mia! It was SO good. They brought a basket of garlic bread to the table and we each had a couple of pieces. It was fresh-baked and just melted in your mouth. I think I made a sound like, Oh! and Mmm! after each bite!
Our waitress was so adorable. She told us we better come back soon and we promised we would, but it made me so sad, because I knew we wouldn’t. So sad.
When we left we went straight to Pappalecco, which is only a couple of blocks away, and we brought home gelato. I’m eating it right now – as I type. Eric got Stratiatella and Nutella and I got Mocha and Nutella. They’re so darn good! Just smack me if I complain about being fat! I’m going to have to work extra hard to work off all the extra pounds I’m going to gain, but it was worth it tonight!
I know I said I’d download the pictures tonight, but I’m just too tired. How about tomorrow? Does that sound good? I must go relax with Eric. Goodnight!