More New Things

Throughout the day I've been wondering why I chose to subject myself to this work trip. I did have a choice, and I might have been able to make the same amount of money -- or close -- working from home. That's always a gamble; putting in availability for scoring doesn't guarantee I'll get any shifts. This is, at least, a sure thing. But it's also exhausting and, especially by mid-afternoon, stiflingly boring. This evening I had an adventure to break up the monotony a bit.

After work, I really did not feel like going anywhere. My room is very nice, more than I need since I'm working too much to enjoy it much. On the other hand, if I'm going to be here working I like having a private safe haven to retreat to. I would be fine with having any or all of my sons and/or their girlfriends here, and/or any of my friends, but I will never again room with someone I don't know. So that part's nice. And the building where I'm working is close enough that I can run back up to my room at lunchtime if I want, as I did today. But back to my adventure . . .

I can see the streetcar stop from my hotel window. I also have a nice ninth-floor view of most of the city. The clouds were building later in the afternoon than usual, so I was on the fence about going to the Pulse memorial service in Ybor City. I sat looking out the window for a half hour, thinking of all the reasons/excuses I could come up with not to go. Then I thought about why I was going -- which is a little difficult to articulate beyond the obvious of paying tribute to those who senselessly died that night a year ago -- and I couldn't justify the excuses. As soon as I got outside, the streetcar went by. That meant it would be another fifteen minutes until the next one came. There was a nice breeze in the covered station; I actually enjoyed just sitting and waiting. The ride itself was fantastic! I know I've been on a streetcar before, but I can't remember where. Maybe San Francisco? I'm thinking maybe New Orleans, but I'm not sure. Tampa has fantastic streetcars. I can't wait to ride it again! The only downside, which was a novelty but would get old after a few trips, was that the operator has to get out frequently to move palm fronds off the tracks.

Our driver was very nice, and she joked about having to remove the fronds. I hadn't scheduled that into my timeline, so I knew I would be late. I asked where I should get off to go to Centennial Park. She told me but followed up with, "Nothing's going on at the Park tonight. There's some kind of rally." I said, "Memorial," which she repeated. A nice young man got off the streetcar with me and introduced himself. When we got to the park, he said he was going to wander and would see me later. I had thought it would be packed. It wasn't. About twenty minutes after I got there, the rain started. The event continued for a few more minutes until the rain got heavy -- along with lightning strikes. Ultimately, I was glad I went, but I didn't get out of it (or feel I had given) whatever I was hoping for. I also didn't get to see much of Ybor City. That's a good reason to take another streetcar ride.