There Is Always Time

Dear Reader:

Narinda — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 05:49:54 +0000

I began this blog in May 2008, when I first joined The Undeniables. I was new to Los Angeles. Okay, coming from Irvine may not be very far at all technically speaking, but I moved from an over-priced apartment complex adjacent to the UCI campus to what some might say was an overpriced studio apartment on the outskirts of Downtown LA– from over-manicured lawns and sticky new asphalt to weeds in cracked sidewalks and plentiful potholes. It was a big difference.

Fresh from college and with fresh heartache in my chest, I dove into Los Angeles with abandon. Upon seeing an ad on (a much lower-tech version of) Blacklava ”seeking writers for a writer’s workshop,” I threw myself into that, too, and created this blog in order to participate.

I called it “There Is Always Time” because I wanted a reminder every time I logged in that I must always make time in my life for writing. That it is always there, no matter how wild and busy and crazy things are. A few months later, I began a new WordPress blog called Long Cool Hallway and moved most of my online writing and drafting there. I eventually imported all of the posts from this address over there, too, so that it is a complete collection of my online drafting as an Undeniable from 2008-2011. My WordPress username is still “thereisalwaystime.” Though the intended effect may have dulled, I still like the sentiment.

I like coming back here once in a while and seeing these posts on the URL from whence they came. I read them here and ruminate on how I wrote so openly, so freely, without worrying about adding more junk to the ether or who would read them or whether it would matter to anyone but myself.

I think some people call it naïveté. I do. I mean it in the best way. I just wanted to write. To put things out there. And I did. And it felt good. This space is a keepsake of that.

This is a rather long way of saying that I no longer write at this particular address, and that those who stumble upon this page looking for my work ought to head over to Long Cool Hallway to find more recent writing and to Narindaism to find out (a little) more about me.

Dear Vicky Luu:

Narinda — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 06:06:17 +0000

You are my partner in crime in The Undeniables. If we are the New Kids on the Block, then you, my dear, are certainly Joey McIntire (but much cooler, more attractive, and maybe a better singer–I’m not sure about that last one because you’ve never really sung in front of me). I have no idea which New Kid I’d be because I honestly don’t know all that much about them. The only reason I had a New Kids T-shirt when I was in elementary school might’ve been because they were available at the 5 for $10 store, probably a poorly-screened one from the store around the corner from where I grew up.

You were the first other person I told about this project, and you jumped into it right away. I’ve known you for almost exactly three months now, and in that short time, I’ve come to sincerely trust you. Maybe it’s because we’re kind of in the same place, working at jobs that are only vaguely related to what we’d rather be doing or should be doing. Maybe it’s because we spent HOURS AND HOURS together with Claire the first time we hung out. Maybe it’s because you listened to my poetry and cheesy essays and didn’t laugh, and you seemed genuinely interested.

Or maybe, just maybe, you’re just AWESOME.

Even though you told me that my new WordPress address foranovel.wordpress.com was “BORING.”

MEAN.

Seriously though, when we read out your script together, I was impressed. Your talent motivates me. And you’re encouraging and nurturing. And you’re witty. You’re good.

The one thing that bothers me, though, is that you won’t punch me in the face. I’ll keep working on that one.

I’m glad that you’re in this. I’m glad that you’re jumping into the novel. I just hope I can keep up with you.

Love,
N

Dear Skin:

Narinda — Sun, 29 Jun 2008 21:40:40 +0000

You are, apparently, revolting against me. This is a problem. Then again, it’s probably a reflection of how poorly I’ve been treating my body for the last few years, and it’s come to a head. Time for a change. Please, stop inviting insect bites and strange aberrations. I’m too old for this.

Dear FAMSA:

Narinda — Sat, 28 Jun 2008 18:06:24 +0000

It’s fun living next to such a furniture store. At the moment there is Latin music blaring from your parking lot, the sound of laughter and fun floating through my window at 10AM. I smell charcoal burning, there must be a barbecue going on or something. One of these mornings I’m going to have to wander down there and see what’s going on.

Dear Insects/Spiders:

Narinda — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 22:04:18 +0000

Please. Stop stinging/biting me.

I have no real idea where you’re coming from, whether it’s from eating lunch outside at work or maybe you’re lurking somewhere in my apartment– I don’t care. I just want you to stop. I don’t understand why I’m the only one of my coworkers being bitten. Is it all the caffeine and sugar and nicotine I consume? Maybe you are addicted to my blood because of all the different chemicals running through it.

I scheduled an appointment to see a doctor about these, but the soonest one I could get is for next Thursday, and it’s not even with the person who is supposed to be my Primary Care Physician (sigh, hooray for HMOs). I’m hoping these giant, alarming swellings will be gone long before then. Insurance is a funny thing. I’ve already paid over six hundred dollars to the insurance company and this will be my first appointment. I feel like this might be something worth going to urgent care about, but my co-pay for emergency care is $250 and I feel silly going in for insect stings, even giant, scary, tingling ones like these.

It seems like healthcare shouldn’t be such a complicated thing. The government is so concerned about people using health insurance to pay for healthcare that they don’t seem to actually think about actually providing access to people. Shouldn’t it be as easy as walking up to a clinic, needing help, and getting it? It’s upsetting that it isn’t that simple, that health care is not at all affordable unless you have insurance, and even then, it still isn’t.

Big questions not meant for little creatures. Just stop biting me.

Thanks,
N