Long Time Coming

It's exactly freezing outside. I needed to pick up my cell phone from the Royal Post Office on Oxpens Road. I was going to go yesterday but the sidewalks were really slick and everything was shutting down. I didn't want a 20 minute walk to turn into a much longer, potentially dangerous excursion so instead I went to the library and started reading.

I was incredibly determined to get it this morning. More determined than I should have been because I have a lot of work to do in a very short amount of time. I'd printed off directions because I didn't quite know where it was or how to get there. I put on my hoody, bomber jacket, and blue stocking cap and bolted. I wanted to save time and walk very fast even though it was still quite icy outside. I turned right onto Holywell street at the bakery. I walked down Broad street past the Bodleian, past the Sheldonian, turned right at Sainsbury's on St. Giles street and walked past the Eagle and Child, past the Theology Faculty Library and reached for the map to see where I should turn next.
I didn't have it with me. I walked into a little sandwich shop and asked where the post office on Oxpens Road was. Oh, it's on the other end of town, pretty far from here. About a 25 minute walk or more.


This Post was started 2 weeks ago or more. It's time to finish it, even though it's been nearly 50 degrees the last few days and I've been communicating semi-regularly with my cell phone.


I couldn't believe it. I'd walked 15 minutes in the wrong direction. It would have taken me another 15 just to get back to college and I'd still be cell phone-less and I'd have lost half an hour for nothing. I thought about just wasting it. I got back to Sainsbury's and decided to go all the way. I'd already dedicated this much time and I'd feel cheated, robbed, and weak if I just went back to college. Besides, I had my ipod.

Past Sainsbury's on Cornmarket is the way I take to get to my major tutorial. It's not a far walk, but it's the farthest I go down that street with a real purpose. Once I passed Pembroke (which is the name of the college my tutorial is at) I was in new territory. I noticed that the street and sidewalks weren't that icy and in most places they were only a bit damp. I must say, I had a lot of frustration in my feet and hands and face so I started walking fast. I already have a pretty quick pace with unusually long strides (this I blame on 2 older brothers and a number of tall friends) so it was a borderline run. It was easy and I moved even more quickly because the street is on a slight decline.


This is my third and final go at this post. Period.


I started to trot a little. I started to jog a little. I started extending my legs to their full length and ran. I probably looked a little mad (as in slightly crazed) with the intensity of my run coupled with my bomber jacket open and bouncing up then slamming back down heavy on my shoulders and back. Usually when you see someone running they're in their sleek running outfits with proper trainers, not skate shoes and bomber jackets.

I had to stop every once in a while and ask someone if I was still heading in the right direction to the post office. It was completely unfamiliar territory. I couldn't reference myself to any points around me so I just kept going. It was a little nerve racking, but I made it.

I got my cell phone and and when I stepped out of the post office to make my journey back, I picked the perfect song to listen to: Semi-Charmed Life.

I was triumphant.

Now, sometimes when I google map something, I look for the route I took to Oxpens Road and that strange day comes back to me.