Fire!

Alack! Fortune has not smiled on me today. My job search has proven fruitless. This city is decidedly more competitive than I might have thought. Take this thing, the “subway”, (It is both the name of a restaurant and a form of public transportation. It’s most confusing and I was thoroughly embarrassed today when I was asking for directions and- Ah, but I digress).
I’d inquired as to work opportunities through a local periodical, along with addresses. I borrowed some coinage from the old man and promptly went on my way. I rode the subway for the majority of the day, missing most of my stops. The subway is an odd place. The people are grim-faced and look down to the floor as though burdened. As we race along, people scurry in and out, oblivious to one another. Thankfully it is cold out, affording me an excuse to wear a scarf that covers my face. I did not wish to draw stares. Then it happened that a band of ruffians came barging it at one of the stops, howling mad and knocking people down. Then pulled out cigarettes and lighters and I turned away from the lit flame in both fear and anger. A sudden impulse took over me. I swatted the cigarette from the youth’s hand and in a voice that was my own, yet not, I growled:
“No smoking.”
and pointed to a nearby sign. I felt my heart pounding in my chest. The gang thought to crowd me, but I stood up straight and I found I towered a good foot and a half over event eh tallest one. The youths quickly fled and (shockingly) I was given an ovation (including one enthusiastic “You go brother!”). I gave them a bow, then hurried along my way. Such exhilaration! The joy of the applauding crowd! I felt it deep within my chest and it made my soul sing, which I suppose is why I didn’t feel so bad when I was rejected from job after job. As usual, the moment I removed the scarf a look of worry came across the potential employers’ face and I was promptly rejected. I felt again dark storm clouds, and I released a sigh upon reflection of my own failure. Some of the employers were kind and tried to soften the blow, but it did little good. Some didn’t even try. Abercrombie and Fitch has earned my eternal loathing.
Still, the day was not a total loss. My writing output has increased tenfold since I arrived here in the city, and today was no different. I feel such an outpour of feelings as I have never felt; rage and pity and sadness. I’m putting it all into a play, I don’t know why. No one’s going to read it.
I’m still holding out for tomorrow
P.S pardon the length of this post, sometimes I can’t control myself from simply writing everything I feel. I’ll try to be more succinct in the future.

Well, things have progressed smoothly since my last post. First order of business, I have found a home! A kindly old man saw fit to grant me shelter during a brief storm that appeared shortly after my time at the Al’s. He runs a small restaurant and the space above was vacant. His son used to live there, though he left some time ago. I could not thank the man enough for his generosity, I can only hope that all the people I meet are so kind.

We haven’t yet spoken of payment (he brushed away the subject every time I sought to broach it) and I do feel this time is a gift that I must not squander. I came here to restart my life, to find something new. Well, this seems like as auspicious a start as any, from an apartment on top of an old chinese restaurant. I am kept awake now by the sound of delivery carts and the trucks of purveyors.
Still, it will not do to simply lounge about, whiling away my days. I must attain employment of some kind. I do not think it will be very difficult, at least, I hope not. This is a big city, and I seem to be gifted with preternatural strength. Heavy boxes pose no problem to me, at the very least. Surely I’ll be able to find work? Anyway, tomorrow my search begins in earnest. Please, wish me luck. I feel I’ll need it.

There was one shining moment to the day, or, shall I say, to the night. While walking along the street, my senses happened upon a most delightful pairing. This fine establishment was called Al’s. Using my newfound wealth, I purchased an order of something called “Italian Beef.” OH! Such wondrous flavor! Such balance, as great and perfect for one another as the moon foils the sun! The unexpected but wondrous synergy of gravy with beef, two things that were apparently always meant to go together.  I finished in only a few bites, much to the surprise of the chef de cuisine behind the counter.
“You like it, man?” he asked me, giving me toothy grin and a showing his hand in a fist with the thumb raised up.
My face covered in gravy, I raised up my own thumb and the both of us started laughing. Hopefully the coming days will lead to equally meaty progress.

I suppose it’s a dire portent that my second post should bear such grim tidings of my state, but such is the way things are. My search for company has led me to naught but slander against my good name and the unmitigated ire of seemingly decent folk.
Their contempt of me was palpable, and it took every fiber of my being to keep myself from shouting into the sky in rage over all the madness and cruelty I have encountered. As I approached people, with the sole goal of engaging them in friendly discourse, mind you, they either waved me away or pushed past me while uttering such a reprehensible sounding vulgarity that I would feel ill merely recounting it to you. One man had the audacity to pitch a handful of coins into my FACE!
I felt anger begin to well up, but I fought it back. I was too busy gathering up the coins. The man had actually been quite generous, and I was left with two dollars and Fifty-Six cents. This happened twice more throughout the day. As I approached strangers, they reeled back and held out a handful of change for me before scurrying away with their bags or their children or their pets. I spent the rest of the day trudging through the streets and sapping WiFi from unprotected routers.
Still, I shall not lose faith. This is but the first day, after all! Who first uttered that phrase “It’s always darkest before dawn.”?

I’m not really sure how to begin, this is the first time I’ve ever done something like this, document my life, I mean.  It’s strange, the feeling of baring one’s self to the internet.  When you think about it, truly think about it, it’s a terribly nerve-wracking experience.  I’ll be doing my damnedest to update this WordPress as often as I can, so add me to your bookmarks, please.  This will serve as the chronicle of my journey through this new city.  My trials and tribulations.  Who knows, maybe I’ll find a better life here than I ever could have had back home.

And so I come to you with a request, no, a plea.  This is a new life, a turning of the page.  I…have left my old name behind, there are too many terrible memories associated with it.  So instead, I will turn to you, my new friends, in the search for a name.  I will leave the choice entirely up to you, dear readers.  For the sake of time and decency, please do not suggest anything that might be seen as innuendo or double entendre, and please no vulgarities.  Trust me when I say I eagerly look forward to your responses.