I just came in from my back patio, enjoying a jack and coke and a few smokes. My brother is out doing God knows what and my friends are all working. So it was just me, the neighbor’s kids (in their own yard of course), and the rest of the neighborhood. Around the table, there were five empty chairs. Chairs that, from time-to-time, are actually filled with people.
But not tonight. And, honestly, only a handful of times over the summer. But it’s those nights that I live for.
Over a year now since I moved back from the Windy City and I’m still adjusting. Last weekend, I made the 8-hour trip to Chicago see friends, get some Italian Beef (not a gay reference. If you’ve never had one, you’re missing out), and get drunk. No joke. Seriously, do you expect anything less?
Anyway, in the three days I was there, I hung out with more people — both new and familiar faces — than I have since I’ve been back at home. I don’t mean to make this a “Ugh, I’m so depressed I’m in Chicago” post. I’ve done enough of those. Honestly, I don’t even know if I’ll ever move back. I had the chance this summer to do so and had to — in deference to my wallet — turn down the offer. In the end, I was completely comfortable and confident in that decision. I knew it was the right to do.
But I want to have what I had there, here. Why can’t I have the life I lived in Chicago, here? The city was the city, and it was pretty cool. But it was the people that made it what I was. Without the people, I would have been miserable in Chicago. Adrift in a sea of people, some 3-9 million people, would have been worse than being in KC with at least a small circle of friends.
So my goal for the upcoming academic year is to meet more people, or at least hang with people other than my “group” (which currently consists of four drinkers and as many non-drinkers [SQUARES]). I’ve done a decent job already, thanks to the Coach herself. I need to get out more and break out of my shell as I did in Chicago. Just because this places sucks doesn’t mean I have to live a boring life, confined to my room.
I say this every year, but it means more than ever. I’ll do it. Meet people at class. Hang out with my co-workers. Use my friends to meet people (lol).
And then one fine night…those five chairs will not be empty.
