here and there

Here: Ravioli with handmade pasta stuffed with cheese and peppers.
There: Frozen stir-fry from a plastic bag.

Here: Chilled Chardonnay.
There: Pints of Surly.

Here: Dog-walkers walking 8-10 dogs at a time down a crowded city street; pit bulls, mutts and little rat-dogs straining at their leashes.
There: All-American families out for Sunday strolls around the lakes with their well-behaved Golden Retrievers and Labs.

Here: A doorman who calls the elevator for you and compliments you while you wait for it to arrive.
There: Waiting for what can seem like hours for the slowest, most aggravating elevator in the world.

Here: Writing journal entries about personal growth.
There: Writing press releases about propane.

Here: Drop-off laundry service with one-day turnaround.
There: Watching the hamper overflow, avoiding the inevitable.

Here: Clubs that offer an early-bird cover-charge until 2am.
There: Bars that close at 2am.

Here: Buses spewing exhaust.
There: Hybrid buses.

Here: An hour minimum to sit and enjoy a cup of coffee with friends.
There: Rushing to throw down a double-shot latte on the way to work.

Here: A few small parks surrounded by cement.
There: Lakes, rivers, trees, gardens, and yards, with a few cement patches inbetween.

Here: Ice cream delivered right to your door.
There: Eating ice cream straight out of a carton from my freezer.