Technology – my new best friend, I love you. First of all, I apologize deeply for complaining bitterly about you this past year, for sometimes treating you with contempt, especially publicly. I will never dis you on social media again. I won’t threaten to chuck you out the window when I don’t understand you, I promise. And I won’t make idle threats about ‘living off the grid’ anymore. It’s just a generation thing, it’s not personal.
One week ago today, we took Marco to the airport and that seems so far away already. All the worry and preparation prior to Marco’s departure was, frankly, exhausting for all of us. The anticipation was, as it so often is, more painful than the event itself. This past few days, I think Marco and I have talked more than we do when we’re home together. There was a moment at work last week when Marco and I were talking (he was situated nicely on my desk, while I drank my coffee)…it was lunchtime for me and dinnertime for him the next day (that has been the hardest thing, getting the timing right). A colleague walked in, we discussed something, she said hi to Marco, and carried on. It was oddly normal. This weekend, I perched my iPad on the kitchen counter and puttered away, talking to him while I made tea and cleaned up the kitchen before heading off to bed – it was Friday night, and he had just come back from doing his grocery shopping on Saturday. He pops up randomly throughout my day, although on Sunday, he had his first day of work (it was, of course, Monday) so this will likely become more of a weekend occurrence.
This past week I’ve tried to create a new routine – of course now it includes all the things that Marco was doing this past year and a half while in his semi-retirement mode, meaning, pretty much everything. Laundry, house-cleaning, cooking, chopping wood, making fires, making the wine, feeding the cats, bringing me tea or coffee in bed…it’s been pretty sweet. Surprisingly, I’ve kind of enjoyed doing some of those things again. Keep in mind, it’s only been 6 days. Another 200 days of this and I might get a housekeeper and maybe a butler. A cook isn’t really necessary yet, as Marieke, who’s an excellent vegan cook, has been great about taking much of that on, at least until she gets busier again with her classes. The one thing I’ve really enjoyed is taking the axe outside and hacking away at our woodpile, making little starter pieces. I discovered it does wonders to relieve stress. I’ve also started tai chi again, I’m going to the pool and I am starting piano lessons this week after years of not playing (this activity will likely only make me happy, not so much my teacher or family members).
My ticket is booked for my first visit to see Marco in Sydney. I’ll do this at the end of February, into March. It’s kind of like the lead up to a really big date, except more expensive. I plan to buy something new to wear. Hopefully he’ll pay for dinner.
cindy rublee - living without beethoven 