The Purging Flame
There were no dragons to blame...
It is odd how often you hear about homes going up in flames and never remember the particulars. I dare you: name the reason behind the last fire you heard about in conversation...on the news! You cannot recall, correct? It really doesn't matter...here's another for you to forget.
My friend Harvey and I had been discussing, oddly enough, our new 'watercooler' show, Fringe. We IM'd at my sister's until I was CT'd (carpal tunneled) and I started my journey back to my apartment. At first, there was just the smell of 'something burning' in the air. Then, I noticed what seemed to be a 'fire emergency' in the distance; as I got closer it seemed to be in my complex; my building...MY APARTMENT! I have been told that the gentleman (stretching the limitations of THAT title!) that started the fire with his burning ciggy, blamed the couple on the other side of him (who were burned out too) and me for the disaster.
I had a get-together with a few new acquaintances that ended before eleven pm the night before: as in, the lights and music were off and I was resting in my bed by eleven pm- no later. The couple on the opposite side- according to him- decided to (throat clearing) have-at-it around midnight; and between these two events, he claims that caused him to be sleep deprived and eventually fall asleep on the sofa with a lighted ciggy that afternoon. I was assured by the Fire Marshall we were not to be legally blamed- TO BE SURE!
As I recounted to my friend Harvey the disaster I'd returned to that afternoon, he, in an attempt to lift my spirits, gave me his 'Fringe version' of what happened:
'A female Federal Agent, jealous of my vast high-end handbag and shoe collection sent an alien to burn up all my belongings forcing me to move back to the city I fled after 9/11, so they could better observe me.' Of course, I challenged his logic..."Why MY handbags and shoes?" He was silent for a moment then said, "Your feet are so little and your bags are so big- it's like an abomination!" Touche! I suppose my attitude has been not what other's have expected...upon reaching the parking lot and realizing my apartment was one of the three gutted by flames, a neighbor came over to offer sympathy. "I'm so sorry! Look on the bright side-" I cut her off, "Yes...at least I didn't go to the APL and get that kitty..." I mused. It happened during the day and most people were safely back in their apartments by evening.
Having been 'a gypsy' for a while now, I have moved around shipping and toting an astronomical amount of 'baggage' with me from one state to the next. Some of it was actually part of my wardrobe. There were the frat tees from every boyfriend that was ever IN a fraternity; the paraphrenalia from my sorority years; the 'keepsakes' that amounted to a smaller-scale pack-ratting; and clothing that should have found its way to a thrift store long ago. As it is, I have only the clothing I have accidentally-on-purpose left at relatives homes (thank GOD I left my high school cheerleading and highstepping uniforms at my Uncle's!). I do have one tote-worthy item...my Beaumont basketball camp tee. It's dingy and has ink dots on it from where my friend and I washed them together and tried to distinguish them with marks, but it is my grungy little keepsake from a peaceful time.
For those of you who know me best, my intellectual property is safe. My computer was burned to soot, however, I saved every completed/incompleted short story and novel; character synopses; plot summary; and unpublished/published poem onto my email. Kudos to me for being anal! My mother is traumatized however..."This would NOT have happened if you'd just come home to Mommie!" To be sure! Fortunately for me (or her?) my Hermes bags I inherited from my great-aunt are at her house.
I do not know what to expect. I left New York so long ago...I have been told by friends that there is a different atmosphere to the place, some underlying melancholy brought about by a loss of 'arrogant-innocence' after the attacks. Shopping on weekends and actually living there again are completely different! Let one hope for the best.
Do not fear if I do not blog here as often for a while...I have to get settled in.
Kisses, M.~
It is odd how often you hear about homes going up in flames and never remember the particulars. I dare you: name the reason behind the last fire you heard about in conversation...on the news! You cannot recall, correct? It really doesn't matter...here's another for you to forget.
My friend Harvey and I had been discussing, oddly enough, our new 'watercooler' show, Fringe. We IM'd at my sister's until I was CT'd (carpal tunneled) and I started my journey back to my apartment. At first, there was just the smell of 'something burning' in the air. Then, I noticed what seemed to be a 'fire emergency' in the distance; as I got closer it seemed to be in my complex; my building...MY APARTMENT! I have been told that the gentleman (stretching the limitations of THAT title!) that started the fire with his burning ciggy, blamed the couple on the other side of him (who were burned out too) and me for the disaster.
I had a get-together with a few new acquaintances that ended before eleven pm the night before: as in, the lights and music were off and I was resting in my bed by eleven pm- no later. The couple on the opposite side- according to him- decided to (throat clearing) have-at-it around midnight; and between these two events, he claims that caused him to be sleep deprived and eventually fall asleep on the sofa with a lighted ciggy that afternoon. I was assured by the Fire Marshall we were not to be legally blamed- TO BE SURE!
As I recounted to my friend Harvey the disaster I'd returned to that afternoon, he, in an attempt to lift my spirits, gave me his 'Fringe version' of what happened:
'A female Federal Agent, jealous of my vast high-end handbag and shoe collection sent an alien to burn up all my belongings forcing me to move back to the city I fled after 9/11, so they could better observe me.' Of course, I challenged his logic..."Why MY handbags and shoes?" He was silent for a moment then said, "Your feet are so little and your bags are so big- it's like an abomination!" Touche! I suppose my attitude has been not what other's have expected...upon reaching the parking lot and realizing my apartment was one of the three gutted by flames, a neighbor came over to offer sympathy. "I'm so sorry! Look on the bright side-" I cut her off, "Yes...at least I didn't go to the APL and get that kitty..." I mused. It happened during the day and most people were safely back in their apartments by evening.
Having been 'a gypsy' for a while now, I have moved around shipping and toting an astronomical amount of 'baggage' with me from one state to the next. Some of it was actually part of my wardrobe. There were the frat tees from every boyfriend that was ever IN a fraternity; the paraphrenalia from my sorority years; the 'keepsakes' that amounted to a smaller-scale pack-ratting; and clothing that should have found its way to a thrift store long ago. As it is, I have only the clothing I have accidentally-on-purpose left at relatives homes (thank GOD I left my high school cheerleading and highstepping uniforms at my Uncle's!). I do have one tote-worthy item...my Beaumont basketball camp tee. It's dingy and has ink dots on it from where my friend and I washed them together and tried to distinguish them with marks, but it is my grungy little keepsake from a peaceful time.
For those of you who know me best, my intellectual property is safe. My computer was burned to soot, however, I saved every completed/incompleted short story and novel; character synopses; plot summary; and unpublished/published poem onto my email. Kudos to me for being anal! My mother is traumatized however..."This would NOT have happened if you'd just come home to Mommie!" To be sure! Fortunately for me (or her?) my Hermes bags I inherited from my great-aunt are at her house.
I do not know what to expect. I left New York so long ago...I have been told by friends that there is a different atmosphere to the place, some underlying melancholy brought about by a loss of 'arrogant-innocence' after the attacks. Shopping on weekends and actually living there again are completely different! Let one hope for the best.
Do not fear if I do not blog here as often for a while...I have to get settled in.
Kisses, M.~
Labels: Life Changes, Pyres of Cleansing
posted by ScreenGoddessComplex at 12:19 PM
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