Joy Despite
When I first moved up to Santa Cruz to attend UC Slug, I was alone in a new city and didn’t know a soul. Immediately when I got to town, my car broke down. It was a mess and I had to ride the bus to and from the university… an hour and a half each way to where I was living (which was with the nutty lady who refused to turn on the heat)… add on an El Nino year where it rained for over a month straight… I’m talking buckets, people… and yet…. I was happy. I was where I wanted to be, doing something I was determined to do, and loving every minute of it.
There is something about the college years that we always look back fondly on, isn’t there?
For me, it was biking 120 miles a week; full time classes at Cal State Fullerton; full time work on the graveyard shift at Disneyland and a backup job at West Orange Publishing; a roommate who was an actor, a singer, and had eaten lunch with Queen Elizabeth (no, really); and a wonder pet rat named Hildegarde. It was fun…
Yah… good times, Pete. The rat must’ve been interesting! You musta had legs of steel, too!
Which is faster, the bug or the Vespid?
When I was in England in the 80’s, I had a Mini. Top speed was 70MPH, going down hill, with the wind at your back, as you pushed it. That is, until it came time to rewind it and oil the hampster wheel.
I had a bug after I graduated high school. It always felt like the engine was staining when I got it up over 60.
To answer: Bernadette, or Sister Bernie Hot Wheels, is the speedier of the two. The pink Vespid can only reach the top speed of like 35 (it’s the low-end model… I know, Em could afford better being a Shufflebottom, but she bought it on her dime, not her father’s).
If today’s cartoon doesn’t bring a smile and a warmth to the heart, have your family call me. I do a lovely funeral service.
Aw, shucks, Lee. You got ME smiling.
“You sure feel free when you ain’t got a job…if you ain’t hungry.” -from the film version of ‘Of Mice and Men’ (1939)
There’s such happiness in finding your groove, realizing your self.
Nicely done brig.
And as appreciation of others’ joy can have limits, thanks for not showing Rye squealing.
Agreed, I’ve never seen Ryan happier!
Random question though, how come you refer to university you went to as UC Slug?
Dada… LOVE your comment.
Stick… thank you. And… yer welcome (?)
Meghan… I call UC Santa Cruz UC Slug because the school’s mascot is a Banana Slug. Not kidding. It factored into my decision to go there. Not kidding.