Saturday, February 28, 2009

6 things you can do

I have never had the intention to change the theme of the Fullybooked blog. But when unexpected, tedious or even funny events do occur, I give myself permission to make a note which is completely irrelevant to the glamorous party scene of Fullybooked postings. Or even two.

Here is the story: you are in your sleepers and PJ's and you have just made a fresh cup of coffee. At this very moment, you realize that you want to check your mail (the real one, arriving in your mailbox, not the digital) so you open the door, leave it unlocked and walk to the mailbox. But the door refuses subbornly to remain open and suddenly closes and you, with a pile of letters in your hands, look at the closed door and can't believe what has just happened. You managed successfully but unintentionally to lock yourself out. With no money, no blackberry and obviously no keys. An experience you may not have had until today.

The episode just described happened to me a few days ago. I found myself in my PJ's and sleepers locked between the front door and the my apartment's door, with a few letters, cold air and emptiness. At this moment, and while thinking what my next step would be, I caught myself thinking that it was probably a nightmare, that the door will open, all of a sudden, and will allow me to enter in, have a sip of my freshly made coffee and check my email this time!

But no, not a chance. The first effort to ask for help by opening the front door and literary drag the first person inside proved unsuccessful: he couldn't help me and also told me that the only way to enter in the apartment was either my keys or a lock man. Disappointed, I didn't give up. Making sure that I left the front door open (because if not, I would have stayed locked out on a wintry, New York street), and looked for - I don't even know what or who. Despite my good efforts and intentions, nothing proved really helpful. Then, I came into terms that the only way to open the apartment's door was my roommate or a neighbor who would call the landlord.

It was 4pm. My roommate returned at 7.50pm. So, how did I spend those precious four hours?

Here is my list for some ideas - by all means you get diversify as much as you want. Those are suggestions for the "just in case" scenario (that hopefully won't happen to you).

1. Read the mail. First, yours and then the mail of others. Believe me. You will have plenty of time
2. Meditate. Being locked between the front door and the apartment's door, you won't find plenty of things to do. A few moments or hours of meditation, is not a bad idea. You can think of a better present (when you had the keys in your hands for example) and a brighter future. This nice beach in Florida or even Long island does seem very appealing, doesn't it?
3. Walk up and down the stairs. It's a good exercise and that keeps you warm especially if it's winter
4. Find and read old, trashy magazines in the building. You won't necessarily find them in the mail box but they are somewhere hidden. You can catch up on your celebrity gossip, bargain shopping and the latest trends in lipstick. The following day be ready to impress your friends with the latest exercise regime of J-Lo!
5. Take a nap. That helps. It's easy and relaxing.
6. Make a mental to-do list. You don't have a pen anyway.

What you should do to avoid a similar situation?
1. Make sure you memorize a few telephone numbers. And I mean it. I didn't know - and still don't - any phone number. If you have a few numbers handy in your mind, you could ask some one's cell phone just to make a quick phone call. Than a friend will show up to your rescue.
2. Hide a set of keys somewhere, safely in the building. Just to avoid similar situations.
3. Finally, make sure that next time, you get the keys with you wherever you go. Even if it is just to get your mail.

While writing this posting, I feel so relaxed and happy in front of my laptop and the warmth of my room. Maybe those funny and unexpected events have one major outcome: appreciate the small, tiny moments of the day, those you never "see" or feel grateful for. Like having your keys.

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