0 days and counting

Posted July 2nd, 2004 by Michelle

It’s my last day at work, so what am I doing? That’s right, writing a blog! Yippee!!!

I went to the St Helena Farmer’s Market this morning, as I do on most Friday mornings, to buy heirloom tomatoes at about $300 a pound. They are so beautiful, and so delicious, that I can’t resist, but I can’t wait for my own plants to start bearing fruit of their own. I also go to the market to see the world at its best: sleepy. Cats are so awesome when they first wake up, as are babies, and flowers, and people. Eyes are crinkly and fuzzy, hair has not yet settled, limbs are stretching and “good mornings” are plentiful. I love to smell the tomatoes, to hold them close and sniff deeply as if they were a deep glass of Amarone. I love that I run into people I might not see, and also see my best and closest friends. I love that the fog and mist has not yet broken over the mountains and that it’s cool enough for a sweater. I love that there is always both bad and good art for sale. I love to see old people leaning on their push-carts and little kids reaching for Kettle Korn. I wish I could afford the linens, I wish I could eat all of the strawberries on that table. I don’t care that it is overpriced, or that I’ve always had to go on my own. It’s one of the best parts of my week.

Today there was a table of local authors, all of them famous, most of them friends. I talked to one noted wine country author for fifteen minutes about my American Frontiers Trek two summers ago. This time that year, I was quitting my job and packing my apartment in preparation to fly to Utah for training. The author just thought it was the coolest thing since spice racks, and this is a guy who has done EVERYTHING. I’ve looked at his books sitting on my dad’s coffee table for years.

I’ve had an incredible outpouring of support from everyone here at my job, my job of only six more hours. But I’m finding much of it suspect. I’ve never been in a position where suddenly it might be beneficial for people to be kind to me. Not that I think my new position is going to have influence over all of these people, but many of them seem to think it will and are treating me accordingly. All I’ve ever had is what charm and confidence I’ve been able to muster. Suddenly it seems, with some select people, that merely my title will open doors, even if just into minds. This is by no means universal, but it is a fascinating phenomenon. And it is so utterly transparent. But at the same time, those who might be upset about me leaving, and might have punished me, are bending over backwards as if I didn’t know their true mind. It’s pretty entertaining.

Speaking of which, I ought to get done what I can in these six hours. I cannot wait for the end of this day!