Up, Down and Away!

My blog-world has had to be shoved aside lately and it’s time for a re-think about how I can recapture it. No, I haven’t run out of writing topics (as if), and I surely haven’t lost interest in reading others’ posts. I’ve simply run out of time in the past few weeks ~ over and over again. Oh I usually make my way to the computer twice a day, but haven’t been able to devote the number of hours I used to ~ before things turned upside down at the job.

I apologize that I haven’t been able to visit as many blogs as I normally like to. I need to develop a little system for myself, and as soon as things calm down at work, that’s something I intend to do.

All in the past few weeks time, our office coordinator resigned, our office was suddenly relocated (across campus), another coworker moved on to a different department, we’ve taken on a way-too-huge task assigned by our Marketing people (poor timing), our little department was reassigned, and while trying to adjust to all the changes, we’re being flooded with bookings for those who have included the aquarium in their vacation plans.

Being a creature of habit for the most part, this is like a test of survival for me. Some days it feels more like Candid Camera ~ without the laughs.

My little routine in the mornings has changed; my routine in the afternoons has all but fallen apart, and in fact, the only constants in my life at present are my family, and those beloved hours when I lay still sleeping. Lately, I appreciate these constants more than ever.

My generally happy and upbeat demeanor has suffered somewhat and I find myself less tolerant ~ more testy. I’ve given some thought to throwing up my hands and leaving the job, but somehow, in addition to being a creature of habit, I also welcome a good challenge ~ so I’ll stay, believing that “this too shall pass.” Cripes, it better!

Sadly, this week will be more of the same ~ longer and harder hours, non-stop prioritizing, coming home in a heap, connecting (for way too short a time) with those I love, grabbing whatever computer time I can manage between getting ready for work in the mornings and fixing dinner in the evenings, and trying hard to look forward to the coming weekend when Ed will take me away from all this insanity.

When asked some weeks ago what I’d like most for my 50th birthday, I told Ed I’d like a slice of pie (that’s a slice of pizza for the non-New Yorkers) from my favorite pizzeria back home. I wasn’t joking. Neither was he, and he has made arrangements to take me “home” for a visit. We’ll leave on Friday and return ~ when the mood strikes.

Yesterday I received a lovely Mother’s Day greeting from an old neighborhood friend on Staten Island. I wrote back to him telling him about my upcoming plans and he quickly wrote back again saying that our favorite pizzeria had closed eight months ago. CLOSED? Pal Joey’s? I couldn’t even imagine this.

This place had been in business since the 1950s and as a young girl I would go there for take-out on Friday nights with my dad - watching them build pizza after pizza behind the glass partition as we waited for our own order.

It had been the most quintessential New York City style pizza I’ve ever seen or tasted. One slice would take up the better part of a dinner plate and the REAL mozzarella cheese they always used would string apart with every bite. The REAL olive oil would drip onto your plate as you folded your slice and raised it up. (nowadays many places use imitation crap)
A blend of just the right spices in a savory sauce (perfectly infused sweetness with a sharp edge) could be detected from nearly a block away. The thin and slightly crisp crust completed each pie as though it were a piece of art; a carefully ‘painted’ masterpiece.

Shit. So the one thing that I wanted most of all just isn’t going to happen. Still, with hotel reservations made, I’ll get to go back to the place of my birth and visit some of my favorite childhood sights. All in all, I feel lucky to have this opportunity amid such hectic and turbulent times at the office, and I know we’ll have a blast while we’re there! It’ll all be good.

If I seem scarce for the coming week, rest assured it’s not from lack of desire. I’d like nothing better than to roam about Blogger reading and commenting on post after post on all my favorite sites, and even taking in some new ones. It probably just can’t happen this week and for this, no one is sorrier than I.

The bad news is that I’ll be 50 years old when I return after the weekend, the good news is that I’m sure, come hell or high water, I’ll have something interesting to add to my posting list!

Stay well all, and thanks so much for stopping by!