Dispatches From the Underground

Have you ever given any thought to the guy who creates the long index at the end of complicated and unwieldy textbooks?

Me either — until I started being That Guy. And let me tell you, That Guy is exhausted. Having elected to give myself a day off, I'd like to allow you a glimpse into the world of such an indexer by highlighting the past week. When your eyes start bleeding, remember: Today is Halloween!

Hour 1: Download template and print out bookmaps. Reward self by checking e-mail.
Hour 2: Click back on template file. Well, that was exhausting. Time to eat.
Hour 3: Decide you woke up too early. Go back to sleep.
Hour 7: Finally working, really working. Realize you don't even understand this project. What are you indexing, exactly? What terms apply? What does the word "Collocation" even mean? Is it too late to quit?
Hour 12: Why, why you damned fool, were you so incompetently lazy this morning? It's 7:30 p.m. now and you've so much work ahead of you. Time to get cracking! Oh, wait, what was that one song you wanted to hear? Search for video on YouTube.

There is Nothing Left to Fear // Now That Bigfoot is Captured

I try to live strongly by the philosophy of "Just Say Yes." Generally speaking, this proves to be a pleasant way to go. I've traveled a lot, have gotten lost in weird places, and once had a random person give me a foot massage in the middle of a cornfield. That said, there are times—and  I can only speak for myself, so the following are just things people have said to me (really)—when it's best to forgo this decision-making process and simply break into a run:

Recent Conversations I've Had With My Cat

"I need to give you fresh water, don't I? Yeah, I didn't do that this morning. Want some of this Gatorade?"

"Stop looking at me with those eyes."

"Get a job!"

"When, WHEN will you learn to read the newspaper?!"

"Alix, where are you? Alix, come here! Alix! Alix!?"

"Oh my god, are you dead?"

Venereal Disease: It Can Happen to Anyone

Spending the last few days glued to my desk on a soul-crushing freelance assignment, I caught a glimpse of my future. It came right after I spilled a bunch of salsa on my keyboard, and it spoke with a nasally voice. In fact, I'm pretty sure it was Wayne Knight's character from Jurassic Park:

While not surprised, I am disappointed that this large, wide, and slightly off-putting vision did not bring me snacks. When my future self comes to visit my present self, I at least expect pretzels, and not that terrible unsalted kind.

Day 25: And what exactly is the sum of all thrills?

Luckily for the thrill seeker in all of us (besides me personally, as I don't have health insurance, and all the people who vehemently hate thrill), Disney has debuted a new, design-your-own ride at Epcot Center called "The Sum of All Thrills." Evidently, this ride was named by Michael Bay, perhaps in consort with Tom Clancy. The description by John Sutter on CNN.com states: "sitting in a carriage with their legs and arms outside the ride, kids watch a video version of their ride while the arm moves them from side to side and up and down to stimulate the feeling of a real roller coaster. Fans blow air at the riders at various speeds to give people the sensation that they're moving forward."

Now, honestly, this is fantastic. I've been looking for more ways to do things without actually doing them. Especially when I have to stand in line and wait to not do them. Sign me up! After a little research, I found information on other rides in the works by Disney:

Just Another Day at the Office
Full-price ticket holders will be ushered into small, self-contained cubicles called "Action Offices." Once strapped via thick belt of steel into an uncomfortable desk chair, they will be greeted by an overenthusiastic "manager" named Ted, whose real name is Eric, a 16-year-old summer employee who honestly just wants to go home already; his girlfriend's parents are out of town and his older brother Dan is letting him borrow the car, but only until 11 p.m. as as long as Eric doesn't "do anything" Dan "wouldn't do." Ted wears a polyester suit with tennis shoes and shows ticket holders how to stare soullessly at a nearby desk phone, which is from 1987 and rings incessantly. Action Offices are equipped with free Wi-Fi for patrons to check Gmail and Facebook status updates in between infrequent or nonexistent visits from Ted, who asks, "How are things going in here?"always walking away before ticket-holder can answer.
Length of ride: 8 hours

Los Angeles County Traffic Jam
Ticket-holders are ushered into Go-Kart like area where they have their choice of vehicles ranging from Now That's Just Unnecessary, What Does a Schlep Like Me Have to Do To Get a Beauty Like This, and This One Looks Like My Friend Steve's Car Actually. Once seated, riders delight in noting the lifelike smog emitting heavily from surrounding concrete barriers. Riders are not permitted to drive these vehicles, but are encouraged to honk their horns and call whomever they wish on their cell phones. Only one rider per car, please.
Length of ride: 2 1/2 hours

The Sum of All Lines
Patrons stand in half-mile long line whilst being occasionally shoved and mocked by sullen teenagers. Heat lamps surround the formation, as to simulate the feeling of waiting in a really hot line. Disney employees comprise a shorter line nearby, which moves much more rapidly in appearance of "going somewhere," but patrons are assured their line is the right line. At the end, patrons are given a second ticket and told to "go stand in that other line."
Length of ride: One hour

Chicago's Navy Pier
A reproduction.
Length of ride: Endless

Day 19: Disappearing Acts

I know something undesirable is going to happen every time I put on a suit.

Today, I put on a suit. I should clarify this, however. I refuse to buy an actual suit. My foolish getup consists of a pair of black pants from JCPenney's preteen section and a tiny Ann Taylor jacket I haggled for midwinter at a consignment shop on Halsted Street. Who haggles at a consignment shop? This is my brother's store, the man behind the counter had said. I am not sure the price of these things. Twenty dollars later, this lady's got her first power piece. 

I wear the cheap imitation ensemble with an awkward scarf of abalone, forced upon me by a Rotarian of local chapter 6440. I dislike suits for many reasons, one of which is I feel they say, "Today, I am going to broker a sweet power deal, then chug a Red Bull. Chug-a-chug, son!"

Day 17, Part II: On Bicycles and Hacksaws

Armed this evening with a gigantic hacksaw fit with a 12" carbide grit rod, I venture west, ready to free the remains of my bicycle from the clutches of a broken Kyptonite lock at the corner of Dickens and Damen. It grows dark as I carve into the steel, reminiscing about the drunken strangers who tried to help me fix this problem nights earlier, breaking the lock further upon attempting to kick-jam it loose with the pole-end of my bike seat, running away after realizing what they'd done. 

Twenty minutes into sawing, I reach a deep, deep point of weakness. It's taking a long time to cut through this steel, and besides, maybe I should just get a man with a strong arm to help me. As this regrettable thought fashioned out of time-related desperation scrolls across my brain, a man comes up and asks me what I'm doing. "I am stealing my bike," I say. Maybe, I think, this dude is good with a hacksaw.

Day 17: Cheerleaders and Concrete

One is witness to peculiar behavior during the week, things I imagine are nonexistent to the average working denizen. My runs, now at midday, have actually amassed a cheering section of  boisterous and presumably homeless gentlemen who hang out at the corner of Catalpa and Broadway. This group of gloved, hat-bearing, unshaven chaps yell things as I pass such as “YAY!” “YAHOO, GO! GO!” and “WOOO HOO, HELLOOOO LADY!” all while pumping their fists and waving their arms. This fills me with joy. Cheered by their enthusiasm, I started thinking about other things in life that need a cheering section:

• My seventh-grade math teacher, particularly during Valentine's Day breakdowns
• That friend who will not stop listening to the Red House Painters on repeat whilst lying on the floor, weeping, drinking too much vodka, refusing to shower or speak in comprehensible sentences, all while keeping vise-like grip on cell phone, in case she ever calls again
• Patrons perusing films that don't have a Criterion Collection release at Select Video on Clark Street while that terrifying, angry girl with the lasers for eyes is working, judging you, oh, god, she's narrowing her eyes ... not again! Run! Run away! Oh no, you forgot your umbrella! Enter store again sheepishly. 
• The moment you realize you missed your certification call-in for unemployment benefits because you were ... wait, what were you even doing yesterday? What time did you put on your pants? Unacceptable. 
• Holiday turtlenecks tucked into sweatpants 
• Wives of politicians who don't stand by the dude during press conferences when he says things like, "Sorry for wasting a bunch of taxpayer money and draining social services while I was on that 'hiking trip' with my 'brother'."
• Cats, who always have to deal with the fact that it's kind of  funny when they barf
• Stepping in cat barf
• Cleaning up cat barf
• Finding old cat barf behind couch
• Putting cat up for adoption
• Crying, because you don't know why you did that.

Day 12: Are you Uninsured or Underinsured?

First day with no health insurance. Therefore, probably wise to scratch plans for one of these:

 Parachute Overcoat

Day 10: Working for Suits

Had job interview today. Decide soul is burning when interviewer says for fourth time, "we're a bottom line corporation, and we're all about revenue." When asked about three-year-plan, skip professional jargon and say happiness. When asked about constant data entry, mention bleeding eyes. Somehow, this makes interviewer laugh and smile; answers are dubbed fresh and honest. Once home, quickly depart on a non-competitive, non-salaried nine-mile run along the lakeshore, where no one is outsourced, makes a business metaphor out of the clouds, or yells directions from speakerphone. Three miles in, get chased by surly Canada Goose with its tongue sticking out. Later, pass a beached, headless pigeon. Take this as sign that A) revenue is for the birds, and B) birds are pretty weird, and also kind of scary.

Day 8: What Happens When You Major in English

At party, concoct grand scheme to crash university lectures around the city with new friend. This plan is good, because degrees are expensive. Knowledge, however, can be free, if you find a lecture hall large enough.

Day 6: Reduce Grocery Bill

Decide to shop exclusively at local Dollar Tree. This could be a mistake. Local Dollar Tree appears to only sell Bah Mitzvah banners, Kit Kat bars, and a drink called "Fizzzzz!"

Day 5: When Hunger Strikes

Realize Wednesday night's heart-thumping love of life was related to excessive coffee consumption when find self awake at 4:30 a.m. Suddenly painfully, mind-numbingly hungry, raid kitchen for snacks. Come across block of cheese and crackers. Wait, not enough crackers. Eat block of cheese and next best thing, croutons. This is new. Not so bad. Eat entire block of cheese with croutons while reading Sherman Alexie piece on health care and diabetes. Decide not to top off meal with high fructose corn syrup sugar pop topped with sugar. Wonder briefly if sleep will ever come again.

Day 4: Somebody's Dreams Got Crushed Today

For some inexplicable reason, set alarm for 6 a.m. Put on pants and walk to Lake Michigan. Take no photographs of value, but feel good about life, until glimpse is caught of baby bluebird, stomped to death on walking path. Mourn for humanity.

Day 3: Matchmaking with Saul

Go to landlord's office to plead case for shorter lease, lowered rent. Admire array of mismatched furniture reminiscent of friend's grandma's sitting room while landlord is on phone. Is ushered into office by landlord. Proceed to have the following conversation:

Saul: You live off the alley?
Me: Yes. And I love the apartment. I'm very happy there.
Saul: Good, good. Of course. I am glad.
Me: But I just lost my job.
Saul: [Begins to laugh, steady, and then hard, enough so that his whole body shakes.]
Me: [Silence]
Saul: You know, I just went into the car shop and asked for used tires. They said, 'Why you want used tires?'
Me: Oh?
Saul: So it is a hard time. You want rich husband?
Me:[laughs.]
Saul: Do you want me to find him, or do you want to find him yourself?
Me: [following along] I ... [laughs]  uh ... I will find him myself.
Saul: OK.
Me: But I want to like him ...
Saul: Yes, that has become important.
Me: I can't marry someone for money.
Saul: So what can I do for you?
Me: Well, I'd like to live month-to-month. I don't feel comfortable signing a year lease.
Saul: If you move out in December, not so easy to find new tenant. I give you March. If you move out in March, easy to find tenant.
Me: So ...
Saul: Stay until March. Find this rich husband.
Me: What if I, say, get a job offer in Colorado in November?
Saul: So you go in November. Just don't go in December.
 [Marcie, the administrative assistant, enters with an envelope.]
Marcie: [Lays envelope on desk.] Jerome's here.
Saul: I'll be with him.
Marcie: I know!
[Jermone enters the room. He's thin, in his mid-80s, and wearing a brown jogging suit and sunglasses.]
Saul: Jerome, listen to this ...
Jerome: I can't stay.
Saul: No? What's the matter with you?
Jerome: My back is killing me. My goddamn back.
Saul: Want me to take you out to lunch?
Jerome: I need to go. I need rest. I can't get peace.
Saul: [Motions to me] Would you believe, Jerome, this beautiful girl can't pay her rent. We need to find her a rich husband.
Jerome: Oh yeah? Find me a rich wife. I gotta go. My goddamn back. 
[Jerome leaves with Marcie.] 
Saul: You can be a secretary somewhere?
Me: Yeah, sure, but ...
Saul: You don't think you can do it?
Me: Oh, no I can ...
Saul: Can you type?
Me: Yes.
Saul: Can you use a computer?
Me: Yes.
Saul: Can you address envelopes?
Me: I can!
Saul: So that is something you could do!

Day 2: Remorse

In effort to have final hurrah before entering life of poverty and low self-esteem, spend $24 on beer. Use ladies restroom at Qdoba without buying food or drink; sucumb to subsequent civic guilt.

Day 1: Gluttony

Friend cooks dinner feast. Proceed to eat four servings. End up in kitchen ladeling large helpings of pie into mouth with wooden cooking spoon while others are on the balcony, smoking.