The Ice Storm
1/21/2007
It's the waning of a record-breaking ice storm in Tulsa. I write this in the comfort of my apartment, warm and cozy, enjoying a long week of being stuck mostly at home, not having to work so much, having been gifted with the company of a close friend who came to visit last weekend and has been stranded here because of the weather and my ailing vehicle.
The car situation has been frustrating. The ice storm hit, and then my car decided to break. Once the engine starts to get warm, the radiator begins to steam. I've been making small trips, but I haven't been able to drive further than two miles from my house, and that's only if I can allow the car to cool down once I reach my destination. The head gasket is leaking, causing back pressure in the coolant system that intends to blow out everything between the gasket and the reservoir. Fortunately my 2006 tax return should be arriving in my bank account within a week, because it will take all of it plus an additional $200 to repair the engine. *sigh* I will try to get that knocked out this weekend so I am mobile again, ready for longer trips and possibly a few weekend vacations.
Still, life hasn't been all that bad. I would never have chosen South Tulsa as a living location if it were not for the proximity of my work, but other advantages have cropped up in the light of my vehicular challenge. I'm only a mile or so from pretty much anything. Super Target for groceries, Cinemark 16 and Movies 8 for my cinema addiction, and there's a crappy sports bar down the street if I'm desperate enough for a drink and a game of pool. I'm not thrilled about Starbuck's, but it's there, right next to Panera Bread and Kohl's and Michael's Art and Framing supply store. It could be worse. I find myself surrounded by mostly white people with good teeth and perfect complexions, a contrast to the rougher-looking people and mixed nationalities of my old neighborhood.
I miss the sincerity of the old neighborhood. Contrasted with the picture-perfect happy families of South Tulsa, the bleach blondes and the sporty males, the mega stores and Starbuck's on every corner, the difference in culture and 'village' dynamic has struck me as extremely surreal. In this new neighborhood, there is no 'village dynamic.' Life in South Tulsa is fueled by consumerism, squeaky clean WASP culture, and a meat market mentality. The old neighborhood was run-down, worn and weary, yet honest and functional. You wouldn't find a Starbuck's there no matter how hard you looked, but it wasn't a long journey to find a place to immerse oneself in local art, hard living and the sweet release of fair trade espresso.
I'm finding myself getting back into the swing of things. My musical endeavors are warming back up, and I'm discovering that there are a few people in my circle of friends whom I can rely on for good conversation, rabid trips to the movies, and warm, fuzzy memories. Life has been throwing me every challenge in the book lately, from health problems to car and financial burdens, but at least I'm self-sufficient and capable of pulling through on my own. What more could I need?
Movies. I've watched nearly everything at the theater, some worth paying for, others not. In the last couple of weeks, I've seen Pan's Labyrinth (a MUST SEE), Children of Men (a definite MUST SEE), Stranger Than Fiction (quirky and worthwhile), Deja Vu (don't waste your money), The Prestige (twice, great F'in movie), Curse of the Golden Flower (good but forgettable), and Jonestown, an excellent documentary on the Jim Jones massacre. My friend Jennifer has been the best movie buddy; it's nice to find someone willing to indulge in one of my greatest passions.
My pantry is full and I rarely eat out anymore. And I've managed to squeeze into jeans two sizes smaller. So all is functional and moving upward in my life at the moment. I'm crossing my fingers and hoping that things continue to go in a more positive direction.
posted by novachild @ Sunday, January 21, 2007,
1 Comments:
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At 12:39 PM,
~Jennifer~ said...
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awww, it's an honor to be your best movie buddy. lol :)
The ice storm week was the greatest movie week ever-tons of fun!
hehe
;p
