2008 Days
The first 3 years will go by swiftly. The last 2 you’ll remember.
The beginning has its milestones as well, but the 1st year calls for celebration. Eyes are wide, bright and welcoming to this small human. How could one birth another perfect version of themselves? It’s powerfully unique, and the child will never understand just how special they were from the start. She or he will be gifted a name, followed by clothing, followed by attention. Showering them from head to toe. Caring for them day and night. The 1st year has begun, and it will occupy the parent. Entertain the guests.
The 2nd year has started. Congratulations! Life has truly been granted for this toddler. The teething days are soon to come to a close, and the best part of all? A step or even a walk might be captured in digital memory. Talking leads the legs, maybe calling out the parents’ names while trudging towards them. Cheer relentlessly. Every clap is support for growth. “Good job’s” and “yay’s” shall be tossed around. Don’t bother with their gross behavior or their ridiculous laughter. This self-discovery is just as important to them as keeping them surviving is to you.
The 3rd year is arriving. Memories. They have no recollection of the ones they’ve previously formed. Now it’s only faces. There have been glimpses of them throughout the past. These people must be friendly. As a parent, their new and improved job is as simple as can be: bottle exhaustion, because the child won’t. Finishing tantrums that seem endless. A haunting feeling that the toddler has rooted themselves in trouble, like a witness failing to corroborate the suspect’s whereabouts. It’s much more grueling now, however, it is much more rewarding than the last year. Full conversations with the mini-version of the parent. How exciting raising a kid can get!
And with that introduction, here comes the 4th year. Approach with a considerate mind. Imagination is peaking in this era, and the child constantly craves what they can’t have.
Finally… the 5th year—no, not finally. You don’t want the years to fly away.
2008 Ways to Get Sick
She drops the box on the pristine floor, narrowly missing her big toe. “You want… what?”
“I want you to carry out the design,” says the boss, a man not well known for the growth of his stubble. “You’re working hard everyday. I trust you know what you’re doing.”
Heather squats. She scrambles for her items. She hasn’t even been at this company for more than a couple of years. How could she do this all by her lonesome? Only a year ago was she upgraded to “Architectural Model Maker,” so they call it, and she still hasn’t managed to connect a lamp to the ground. Now she’s in charge of forming large-scale infrastructure with a potential 10-foot master diorama?! Worst of all, she has no idea what she’s going to have to craft.
“Err, what specifically would I have to make?” asks Heather timidly. These questions are such tedious tasks. How much time is there? If there’s only a month, talking is not worth it!
“Well,” starts the boss, “I can assure you it won’t be too difficult. There’s a meeting later this evening to discuss this, and you’ll be in charge of the project from there.”
“Don’t you think it’s a bit silly? I-I’ve barely had any practice—”
“This is perfect practice!” interjects the boss. A buzz shoots through the walkie-talkie strapped to his waist: ‘Adam, you’re needed on floor 2, please.’ Crestfallen, as if he had another way to phrase this situation in an exciting light, Adam heads for the door. Before exiting, he grips the doorframe and says, “Meeting is at 5:30. If you think you can’t do this, and I mean really think you can’t do this… just say the words.”
Heather is frozen in place. Worst Best Day Ever.
6:30. “Anyway, there’s really no other way for us to move it over here, because over here it would…” The drawling of an urban planner Heather’s never seen before clouds her brain. At least this is distracting her temporarily. How long has it been since this meeting started?
“Ms. Cavanaugh?” inquires the urban planner. Heather snaps back to reality. “Yes?”
“What do you think about our layout? Is it sublime, sufficient, or sufficiently terrible?”
Heather blinks slowly, one eye at a time. “It’s great.” “?” “It’s… sublime, sir. I’d like to get behind this immediately.”
The urban planner grins and rubs his hands together. “Delightful,” he exclaims, “Well? Dismissed! Let’s allow Ms. Cavanaugh to get to work.” The majority of people sit up out of their seats and leave single file. Heather wishes they would crowd the door, but she doubts that would get them to leave her sight quickly. Rotting in this room is desirable. Much more of a craving than work. It’s just like her high-school days. In a way.
One person trails behind. Riley. The coworker watches everyone else on their way. Once the two are alone, she sits beside Heather, who is leaning far back in her chair. Riley shifts in her seat. “Are you feeling nervous?”
“Understatement. I’m searching for ways to get sick, but I’m simply too gorgeous and healthy to contract anything.”
Riley snickers. “I think you’re already sick in the head,” she elbows Heather, “Don’t worry. If you need any help at all, I’ll be here for you, alright?”
Heather holds the comforting hand resting on her shoulder. One friend oughta get her through this funk. Everything will be fine. Abruptly, Heather’s nose twitches. She raises her elbow, her body ready for action.
“Ah…ah…AH-CHOO!” the sneeze emanates from her. “Bless you,” responds Riley, giggling once more. “Why don’t we get you a coat? Wouldn’t it be a shame if you caught a cold?”
The next day, Heather felt an extreme tickle in her throat. No amount of water can cure a sore throat, and standing is not an option for this morning. If this coincidence can happen every day… that… that would be lovely. She leans back in her bed and relaxes her muscles. Work is just an option.
2008 Gaze
A list of the top things from 2008 (in my opinion):
- iPods: Primarily an aesthetic preferable to an actual working MP3 device, but intrinsic to some form of listening and the 2000’s theme. I only wish the battery life didn’t last for 2 minutes.
- Apple Bottom Jeans: Oh, how I wish I could pull these off whatsoever. Plus the boots with the fur. What a combo.
- Lady Gaga: Can’t read her face, but I can listen to her music all day, every day. Hit album The Fame formed at least a quarter of my childhood. And teenagehood.
- Twilight: Not even that good of a movie, but its hilariously terrible dialogue makes it all the more entertaining. Now I know that vampires sparkle.
- Nikon Camera: COOLPIX S560 to be precise. Extremely fun to use with friends, though maybe not the most reliable.