Over the last two days I've been composing in my head a blogpost about things I love about my commute. While walking between Copley and my office (about 25 min each way), I use the time to think and mull and go through whatever happens to be in my brain.
Yesterday I was thinking a lot about how many adorable dogs there are in Boston, and how I really, really wish I had one to love on. They come in all shapes and sizes, but seem to share a dislike of doing their "business" in the snow. It's entertaining to watch their undercaffeinated owners cajoling them into finding the "perfect" mound of snow where they do what they need, marking their territory a bright yellow, and then moving on to warmer and cozier activities inside. I imagine these dogs don't wear their sweaters and coats inside, but rather curl up in a little doggie bed under a pile of plush blankets and nap. Much like the rest of us would like to do on days like today. Except dogs can't curl up with hot cocoa or read, so that's sad. Another reason to be thankful for my huminoid digestion and mental skills.
My walk is full of these adorable little bundles of love, as well as very interesting people. Boston is full of interesting people, this is indisputable. Some of these people are funny looking, or smelly, or super high fashion, or stuck in a different era of high fashion (hellloooo neon pink tights!). There are all sorts of peircings and hair colors and jacket and boot styles to see. I love the diversity of languages and skin colors and class. It's refreshing and interesting. Plenty of fodder for an overactive brain. And it's all set in a beautiful stone and brick environment with some of the coolest architecture in the new world (no, I'm not an architectural buff, but if I had to compare CO to MA, MA would win, consider the statement about the world to be creative hyperbole). Add to that the lovely snowfall today and you have a perfect recipe for....disaster.
Yes. Disaster. Not in the dramatic real-life way, but in the "ouch, my butt hurts" way. Let me explain. As I mentioned before, everything is brick or stone. Including the sidewalks. And they are uneven because they are old. This lends "character." Snow is slippery. This is a bad combination, though is relatively easily overcome by a solid pair of winter/hiking boots with good tread. This I have. I wore my hiking boots to work every day last week, and then would change into my "work shoes" in the office (a lovely pair of franco sarto mary janes with a modest wedge). Friday night, in my excitement over my good work review (did I mention that? I was ecstatic!) I rushed out the door to celebrate and forgot about my shoes until I was half way to Cambridge. My boots spent a lonely weekend under my desk and were of no use to me today.
Yesterday was "dry" and I wore my purple leather kitten heel tall boots that I LOVE. No problem, but I couldn't figure out how to fit them in my purse and wear the hiking boots home, or vice versa. So I walked home in the purple kitten heels. All this to say, I wore the mary janes on my commute today so that I could leave them at work and wear the hiking boots home (snow in the forecast).
I get to the train just fine, get off at Copley, say hi to the newspaper man (who has sadly been absent the past several days...I enjoyed his greeting this morning). Then I was walking along the plaza in front of the public library (one of the coolest buildings in Boston) and promptly wiped out. And what a spectacular fall! I giggled when I landed, after the initial shock wore off. I can see that moment slow motion in my mind as my arm flailed back and my feet flew forward. I landed square on my left butt cheek. Lovely. And as I looked up, trying to figure out how to gain the traction to stand, a lovely lady with creamy dark skin and a jovial face looked down at me with concern and asked how I was. She had just come from Starbucks (judging by the cup in her hand) and was dressed in what seemed to be a deep red plush full body coat and big fuzzy dramatic hat. I wish I knew her name! I told her I was fine and thanked her for her kindness in the most genuine way I could. Because really, so few people care when others hurt themselves these days!
Then I cautiously made my way to the bus stop so that I would not have to brave the 25 minute walk and risk falling again...booty forbid. After getting off at my stop, I walked gingerly along my way to work and as I rounded the corner near my building...wipeout! Again. And this time I landed hard on the same cheek (I anticipate lovely round bruises), arms and legs flying. Apparently my cell phone went flying as well. But I called my number and got an answer from a lady who told me "don't worry, mamma, we got chu!" My phone will be dropped off at my coffee stop today...perfect excuse for a cookie to soothe my bum (extra padding, right?).
Today was a great example of lovely people in a big ol' city where no one is supposed to notice you or care. Days like this are good...even if my joints are sore and a bruise is working itself artistically out on my sit-spot.
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