Earlier in the day I left my apartment in order to pick up a friend of mine. She was to arrive at the bust stop several streets away. When we returned we walked inside the apartment only to find everyone lounging on several different areas of the living room. The calm ambience of the day and the soft music of Imogen Heap’s newest album, ECLIPSE, had everyone drowsy. A few were already falling asleep.
One of my friends had commented that she liked how the day was going. After finishing the chores we had all taken seats around the living room and began doing our own thing. The simplicity of the action was relaxing. A carefree mood was created. It is nice that, even for a little while, we can engross ourselves in something simple that makes us forget our worries. Reading a book, listening to music, or even watching television with each other. The comfort of each other’s presence without anyone actually talking is something very precious to me. Moment’s like these don’t last for ever. Like so many other things in life they are limited.
Now I no longer live on the CSUEB campus. I live in an apartment several minutes away. And not with people I can’t stand, like the year before. No this time I am surrounded by friends and generous neighbors. This time I am surrounded by calming silence disturbed only by the occasional passerby or car. I have gotten to know the City of Hayward a little better. I love the small shops and the old buildings. I always get the feeling that I have stepped into the past when I walk outside. A feeling that is sometimes broken by one a the few new buildings scattered around the area. I love getting to know a new place. A place were no one knows me, where no one will remember me. I love standing and watching the people go by. Gazing onwards at the streets that seem as though they go on forever.
Who knows if I will still be here a year from now. Maybe so or maybe not. That is why I have decided to enjoy all these days that I have.
A few weeks ago I discovered a shop that has been in Hayward since 1960. The Book Shop. A small store that sells used and new books. I love the place, not only is the store clerk a interesting, easy to get along with, individual but also the store just has a relaxing vibe that draws people in. The first time I went there I bought an old 1980s copy of Peter S. Beagle’s “The Last Unicorn” (and also discovered that he lives in Oakland), and “Dayhunter” the second novel of the Dark Days series by Jocelyn Drake. I am still reading both. What I read always counts on my mood. Yesterday I returned to The Book Shop and purchased two more books and a diary. The diary is small and easy to carry with white flowers on a metallic sky-blue background. I loved the books I purchased also. The first being “The Crow: City of Angels” a novel by Chet Williamson, based on the screenplay by David S. Goyer, and based on the characters created by James O’Barr. (I own the VHS version of the movie.) The second book is “Red-Headed Stepchild” by Jaye Wells. I’m glad that I finally have something to read. I spent the entire summer break wondering what to do once I had no books to read. Well, no interesting ones at least.
However not all is fun and games. Tragedy struck the CSUEB campus on October 8th. A murder suicide took place in Oakland. Both involved were fellow school mates. One was only nineteen and lived in Pioneer Heights, the apartments I lived in the previous year. The other, like me, had lived there before. Though I might not have known these two, it is a still a shock to my mind. It shows how close we all are to danger and how we truly do not know what is occurring as we go about our day. We do not know what our school mates, classmates or even friends are thinking. It makes one truly wonder who is worthy of trust.
Now that I have begun a new school year. I cannot help but wonder what it has in store for me. I hope there is excitement and new experiences but I also hope that my future is warded against all evil and all pain. For me, and for my loved ones.
Well, here’s to a better year.
