Good Bye for Now



THURSDAY, March 9, 1995.

Here it is. The much advertised "good-bye for now." Yesterday was the "big day at UBILAB." The paperwork went smoothly. Now I just have to pray that the Swiss Government likes me. As I'd expected, it was fun to visit the lab and see all the guys I'd met in November. They were all treated to some Panforte which I brought from Siena. They seemed to think this was a good idea.

Last night we went for dinner and I enjoyed another Swiss specialty involving potatoes, cheese, and onions. Afterward, we went back to Walter's place to drink some coffee, eat more Panforte, sip some schnapps, and play some cards.

Not really much new to say, but I have a few things I've been meaning to mention:

* I'm currently wandering the surface of the earth with a crew-cut and a goatee. Sorry, Dev and Miles - didn't quite have the nerve to actually shave the head... yet. This may come as quite a shock to some - especially my mother (sorry, mom) who I know hates short hair. But I'd been wanting to do it - and actually, I like it - and other people seem to like it too.

* One afternoon, I was sitting with some of the American girls and Natalie (English) in the Campo, and somehow we got started talking about Hostess Cakes. I think Natalie asked us what a Twinkie is. Well, then we started describing all the varieties of Hostess Cakes. Next on the agenda: Ding Dongs. Now, if you stop to think about it for a second, these names are quite funny. Next was the Yodel, which is like a Ding Dong, but it's long and skinny instead of short and round. Finally, I was describing Funny Bones - which are like Yodels (remember, a Yodel is a long-skinny shaped Ding Dong) except that they have peanut butter instead of cream inside. I think this captures at least something of the ridiculousness of the conversation. It was funny. Maybe you had to be there.

* Don't bother sending me any e-mail. Not only can't I read it now, but I won't be able to read it later. I think that AOL has a time-out (2 weeks? 4 weeks?) after which even unread mail is erased from the server. I can't remember the details of their mail storage policy, but I remember that it is unfriendly.

When I leave Walter's house later today, I'll finally be travelling light. What a relief. Also, it's really been a psychological burden to have to worry about the safety of my Duo - I'll be glad to be rid of this burden, and the extra weight. Although I love it while I'm using it, it sucks otherwise. This feeling frequently brought me to thinking about Janis Joplin singing, "Freedom's just another word for nothing left to lose," and John Lennon singing, "Imagine no possessions." My mother used to talk about ideas like this to me sometimes, but I didn't understand. Got it, mom. Or at least a glimpse.

I'm off.



Copyright 1997 by Bradley Edelman
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E-mail: Brad Edelman