Day1: intro

05.05.04


At last, my internet diary is going to run smoothly. I certainly feel the awkwardness of the first-time blogger; not because I hesitate to publicise things regarding my daily routine but because I wonder who would be interested in my thoughts and in the situations I experience. I hope that those of you who are to read what’s written here will help me abolish all such kinds of insecurity.

I am at work at the moment. I am a municipal employee at the Municipal Development Enterprise of Vrilissia. Part of my job is to pick up phonecalls in order to help the citizens of the municipality. Every two minutes, the damned machine rings and I must say: ‘Municipal Enterprise, how can I help you?’. I find the whole procedure unbelievably boring and, unfortunately, I never felt that I could offer something to those who need our services, just by recording the queries of citizens. I am constantly looking at the clock right across the room, waiting for the time to go back to my favourite things: my music, my books, walks with my friends.

I wish I were at some place in New York, where I could also be devoted to writing my first novel, listening to jazz music and gaping idly at the gigantic glass buildings extending beyond the horizon. Instead of jazz music, I am listening to the printer of the accountant, who is printing balance sheets the whole morning. I know that many of you will think that I am ungrateful, because, as obvious, the problem of unemployment is tremendous and, given the fact that I have a disability, I should be more than pleased with everything that I have. So I rush to answer that I am pleased indeed; I just like being ambitious and expecting a more exciting life. I do have that right, don’t I?

I am well aware of the fact that life in USA is hard for everyone, even harder when you move with a wheelchair and need help in order to do some things. Yes, you are right, I am a bit of a lunatic but I believe a lot in myself and in finding the solutions, which are always there when you seek for them.

Yesterday, for example, I had a great time with my friends at a rebetiko-music place (I listen to that kind of music when I am a bit drunk) but, if the problems were all I could see, I would just sit at home, refusing to come up against the obstacles of mobility or access to that rebetiko nightclub. Of course, I reckon that I am very lucky to have friends who help me and take my views under consideration but I will always be waiting for the day when our city will become friendlier to all those of us who have problems of mobility or of other kind. I long for the day when I won’t need anybody’s help. As for the friends, I hope that I will acquire a few more through this internet communication.