IPW

The World Has Changed

Every since writing my first blog entry last night, the earth has shifted slightly on its axis. I believe that by the mere act of unleashing my thoughts on the world, Spring will begin on March 20th instead of March 21st. Such is the weight of one's actions.
As there were yesterday there are a few things to note today. One thing is that I visited the Doctor in Chinatown, which is so much fun that I make excuses to go see him as often as possible. After not having health care insurance for several years, and now having a solid plan, I'm rushing myself to Trapper John every time I think about sneezing. That and that his office is on the 3rd floor of a Chinese mall on Elizabeth street and that it is an exotic journey that I feel should be experienced as often as possible. Today one elevator was broken and I had to stuff in with rest of my sickly Chinese compatriots. Of course I was the last into the tiny lift, and so when we reached the first floor of course it was I, the oafish gejin who was in everyone else's way.
Once inside the office it is a small cross section of the neighborhood, people of Asian persuasion, Italian background from little Italy close by and mixture of others. One thing that struck me strange was the UPS guy who came in and seemed to know the entire office, including the people waiting with me. "How's your mother?" asked an elderly Italian looking lady sitting across from me to the brown-shorted man (23º), "Hey I donno, yoo see'er more dan-I-doo!" he dialected back. "No really!" she laughed, "No serious! You doo!' He said. He then proceeded to try and get the numbers of the two Chinese receptionists. "I'm married!" said one, "So am I!" he replied, the waiting room laughing as they overheard, "Besides, that's what makes yoo a WOMAN!" If anyone was offended, they made no sign, including me. I kept reading a Cosmo from 2004. Maybe I'm a woman too. I suppose it should also be noted that he neither entered nor left with any packages to deliver.
Only one other event was worth noting. I was waiting for Magda in the sitting area of the YMCA tonight, with a great view of the swimming pool. As usual, I watched the varied bodies in swim-gear and thought about how we should all always go around naked so it wouldn't look so strange when we do. There was a water aerobics class in session and at a certain moment they all 15 of them turned to look at me. I was startled. Then they all looked away when I caught them watching me, embarrassed in unison. When they looked at me again I once again remembered that the world does not rotate around me and that this was their exercise, to look back and forth. I will reserve my judgement about whether looking back and forth in the water, startling the unwary, is a good way to burn off poundage.