Oh, I need...

Perhaps I am just double thinking things here. The past few days I have really been concerned about our upcoming move out of downtown. Ron said that we didn’t have to move but I said I wanted to. But still, I keep wondering how things will change for me, I am not worried about Ron-he is incredibly adaptable. I am anticipating my adaptability to having to do without certain creature comforts that I have come to know and love in and around downtown. Theses thoughts actually frighten me. I have gotten so used to living above the Urban Market and being within walking distance of restaurants, bars, etc.

I like to call this problem the “oh, I need…” factor. “Oh, I need….a lemon” “Oh, I need…a light bulb.” “Oh, I need…cat food.” “Oh, I need…a gin and tonic.” It is like having a vending machine with everything in it at my finger tips or better yet, one of those replicator things from Star Trek. Everything is within instant reach. I cannot “Oh, I need…” while living at the Verona.

I know I bitch and complain about the homeless and in some ways I really shouldn’t. They have certainly made downtown living interesting. Some are nice and some are not. Some are crazy and some are not. I could say the exact same thing about downtown residents and in some cases I would much rather be around the homeless than with those who are not.

There was a man last night getting cozy in front of DP&L. He had cute dog with him. The man was in the same spot when I left for the office and the dog was sleeping on his lap. I am not sure who I empathized more for, the dog or the guy. The man was very nice and his dog was cute as a button. Last week there was a incredibly intoxicated woman, clearly not homeless, that decided she needed to empty her bladder on the Browder Street entrance to DP&L. She pulled up her dress and urinated right there for everyone to see. So in this instance I would much rather befriend the homeless man and his dog and kick that drunken bitch in the face.

Once I really pissed a homeless man off to no end. He had a clip board with “official” looking papers on them. He said he was from some church and soliciting donations for an AIDS charity. I could tell this man was full of crap. I told him I already give to the Resource Center of Dallas and tried to walk away. He said “there are children DYING and you DON’T care.” I told him that people die everyday and I donate to official charities and not to harassing beggars on the street. About a month later whilst pounding down gin and tonics on the patio of Urban Market the same guy came up and this time his sad story was children with cancer. I guess it is always something.

I never give money to beggars but the other day while waiting on my bus in front of the Kirby and man approached me and asked me if I could please spare a bus pass. I said no. He said he was trying to get to parkland. For some reason I felt the need to ask why he needed to get to Parkland. He said that he had gotten into a fight and that his hand might be broken. Then he showed me his hand. OMG! I said “you’re serious about needing a pass!!” I gave him 1.50 for a one way pass and made sure that he got on the 44 to Parkland. His hand was a bloody and swollen mess. He thanked me about 20 times.

Basically I am seriously going to miss downtown but I feel it is in our best interests to move out. I will just have to adapt the best way I can.

Of course, there is no telling what lies ahead.