“Are you excited about moving to New York?”
“Have you ever gone cliff jumping? I feel a little bit like you do when you take a look over the edge, take a few steps back, then—after a pause—put your first foot forward and start running.”
There had been indications since mid-July that my feet were experiencing a slight drop in temperature. But I never expected what would happen once I got to Brooklyn.
My last day at uShip coincided with the annual river trip. I opted against going to dinner after the conclusion of tubing, which I felt would only lead to goodbyes that were longer than necessary. I had always felt a bit fraudulent returning to uShip’s Austin headquarters in July after the goodbye I received in March (signed greeting card and all). Like Huck Finn viewing his own funeral. I said a few quick words to a few select colleagues and I was soon in a car on its way to Austin.
I got home and I’m ready to start packing when I get an IM from Jo. Jo’s a future librarian who speaks quickly and with energy, loves the Muppets and Star Wars, and is going to Barfly’s with her roommate to meet with others from the Information School. Would I like to join, she asks?
How often do I get to drink with a bunch of future librarians? Of course I want to go.
Jo’s roommate Jamie joins us on our bike ride to the bar. A 23 year old from Utah, Jamie’s acute in conversation. She’s been in Cuba for most of June and this is my first time meeting her. I mention to her the upcoming move to Brooklyn and she asks, “Do you have a place to live when you get up there?”
“I don’t. Not yet.”
“Where are you staying when you get up there?”
“That’s a good question. We don’t know yet.”
I had meant to figure this out. I really had. I just assumed that this would fall into place.
“I have a friend who just moved to Brooklyn. He’s helpful and he loves meeting new people. I can introduce you to him.”
This is things falling into place.
The night finishes not long after. I quickly say goodbye and bike home, ready to leave Austin.