Yeah, it’s a bummer. Chews_Pencils has been quite the basket case since I’ve known her though (she had a tough year last year with her mom’s death and other emotionally trying stuff). IMHO, I was supportive above and beyond the call of duty – fielding hysterical, weeping phone calls at all hours day or night, calming her down. Always trying to be there, letting her yell at me and not say “boo” if she needed to vent, rant and rave, which she did – a LOT – couldn’t get a word in edge-wise. She called me once in tears because she was exhausted and couldn’t figure out how to get the gas cap off her rental car to refuel (when you’re that emotionally precarious and you’re tired, it’s always the little things that finally set you off). Actually, she called me crying hysterically late at night a lot.
I got the ticket to NY to see her birthday show because… well, it was for her birthday. And I just spent a significant chunk of cabbage on her Xmas present (something that should really help her out since she can’t go to physiotherapy anymore). The timing wasn’t her fault really. And the break-up was amicable. Friendly supportive, all warm and fuzzy, good-will all around. We even talked about making plans to go to the MoMA while I was there.
Then earlier today she said “I think it would be best if you found some other place to stay.”
Uh, okay. Just like that. I don’t have any friends or family in NYC (marvelous Dopers aside of course) and I’m financially strapped now and can’t afford to stay anyplace – NY has a 30% “hotel tax”? WTF? Even the cheap, scary hotels are outta my price range.
So I was seriously looking at either eating the cost of my non-refunable airfare and taking what for me is a damn significant financial hit – or saying “f@@k it, it’s already paid for” and going to NYC and then hanging out in 24 hour coffeeshops all night if I had to.
Yay! Stranded in a city of 8 million strangers! In the winter! With no place to stay at night! Terrific!
The holiday adventure I always wanted.
Like “Home Alone 2” – but starring me.
Brings a tear to my eye… No, really, I brought a tear to my eye when I saw my bank balance. More tears are forthcoming too.
But I still plan on doing all the things I set out to do. The MoMA, the Met. There seem to be photo galleries along 57th Street. I get to meet more Dopers 
, and get a chance to be alone in a city of 8 million which is pretty cool. I’m a photog, so I can take the time to sort out my next project.
In the end all is good! And I thank, Og and Cecil that there are kind folks in NY who would help out a wayward Canadian.
Cheers all – I toast all the magnificent New Yorkers!
But lunch with Eve and the NYDopers at the Algonquin could take the sting off of any breakup. You’re in good hands.