A Walk to Remember
Well, this past Friday was a very interesting for one. It started with me traveling to my soon-to-be new home, and ending with a long walk to my current residence. After I somehow managed to win money while playing darts, I knew that would come back to haunt me. Never have I ever one money from darts, but hey, this has been a weird week. After paying a small amount for the bar tab in return for a "get home yourself" card, I stepped out of the bar and onto the street - the wrong way, however.
Walk, and walk I did. Right past where I needed to turn. Right past a drunk college kid who was yelling at his girlfriend on the phone. Right past a homeless dog (?). Right past another turn I could've (should've) made. Then I turned, the wrong way yet again. I did a 360, to an extent, more like a few turns, and ended up 20 ft passed my initial turn. But wait - a soda machine! Oh yes, wait. I have no money on me. None. Nothing. I used it all to cover my nominal bar tab. So, I kept on walking, the wrong way, until I asked an older man where to go.
The conversation was basically like this:
"How do I get to The Market (code name to hide my secret location)."
"Why the fuck are you walking this way, son? You got to go that way (pointing to the way I was coming from). You should take a cab."
"Yeah, that's a problem with no cash."
"I could give you a few bucks if you need it."
"Thanks, I appreciate it, but I'll pass."
And so I walked back the way I came from. I hit an ATM, got some money, which is useless in a soda machine since all I have now are 2 twenties. And so I get to where I needed to go. And I was there - well, I knew where I was. A 24 hour convenience store also added to my relief, as a pack of Starburst and a bottle of water made it into my system rapidly.
And so I walked further, this time towards my apartment (that was key). And I walked, and walked and walked. Miles later, I needed a restroom and contemplated pissing in the park, but we all know what could happen in the park after hours, so I held it in.
I walked down the streets and noticed a lot more homeless people live in my city that what I originally thought. Upsetting, disturbing, but what is also disturbing is that not 1 cab passed me in about a 2 mile stretch. More streetsweepers passed me than cabs. Odd.
And I walked even more. I finally had to "go" real bad and used a street bush as my bathroom. Lake Huron would've been impressed. I got to a stretch of land that was inclined, albeit very slight. I though I could do it, but the cramps started and I needed a rest. 2 minutes later, I walked.
The walking was almost done, and I knew it. I was close. So I ran. Yes, I ran. Not like Carl Lewis, but like that last guy in the Marathon. I finally made it to my doorstep and collapsed in my bed. It felt good.
Why did I walk home? Well, I was determined. I also knew how good that night of sleep would be if I did walk home, and I was right. It was good. I won't do it again, but it was good. It took me 2 hours. 2 hours of weird sights (like when a guy running at 4am said, "good morning" to me). Weird thoughts (I went to even bicycle on B**** street and checked to see if it was locked. I wanted a bike that night - preferably a Huffy, but a Diamond Back or a big wheel would've been fine). Weird actions (remember, I ran because I wanted to get home. I ran.). But it is all over now, and all that is left is this story.
Walk, and walk I did. Right past where I needed to turn. Right past a drunk college kid who was yelling at his girlfriend on the phone. Right past a homeless dog (?). Right past another turn I could've (should've) made. Then I turned, the wrong way yet again. I did a 360, to an extent, more like a few turns, and ended up 20 ft passed my initial turn. But wait - a soda machine! Oh yes, wait. I have no money on me. None. Nothing. I used it all to cover my nominal bar tab. So, I kept on walking, the wrong way, until I asked an older man where to go.
The conversation was basically like this:
"How do I get to The Market (code name to hide my secret location)."
"Why the fuck are you walking this way, son? You got to go that way (pointing to the way I was coming from). You should take a cab."
"Yeah, that's a problem with no cash."
"I could give you a few bucks if you need it."
"Thanks, I appreciate it, but I'll pass."
And so I walked back the way I came from. I hit an ATM, got some money, which is useless in a soda machine since all I have now are 2 twenties. And so I get to where I needed to go. And I was there - well, I knew where I was. A 24 hour convenience store also added to my relief, as a pack of Starburst and a bottle of water made it into my system rapidly.
And so I walked further, this time towards my apartment (that was key). And I walked, and walked and walked. Miles later, I needed a restroom and contemplated pissing in the park, but we all know what could happen in the park after hours, so I held it in.
I walked down the streets and noticed a lot more homeless people live in my city that what I originally thought. Upsetting, disturbing, but what is also disturbing is that not 1 cab passed me in about a 2 mile stretch. More streetsweepers passed me than cabs. Odd.
And I walked even more. I finally had to "go" real bad and used a street bush as my bathroom. Lake Huron would've been impressed. I got to a stretch of land that was inclined, albeit very slight. I though I could do it, but the cramps started and I needed a rest. 2 minutes later, I walked.
The walking was almost done, and I knew it. I was close. So I ran. Yes, I ran. Not like Carl Lewis, but like that last guy in the Marathon. I finally made it to my doorstep and collapsed in my bed. It felt good.
Why did I walk home? Well, I was determined. I also knew how good that night of sleep would be if I did walk home, and I was right. It was good. I won't do it again, but it was good. It took me 2 hours. 2 hours of weird sights (like when a guy running at 4am said, "good morning" to me). Weird thoughts (I went to even bicycle on B**** street and checked to see if it was locked. I wanted a bike that night - preferably a Huffy, but a Diamond Back or a big wheel would've been fine). Weird actions (remember, I ran because I wanted to get home. I ran.). But it is all over now, and all that is left is this story.
posted by Vandelay Industries @ 11:08 PM
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