slow and sleepy

Today, like yesterday, has been gray and drizzly. I usually love days like this, especially when it's the weekend. It's a good excuse to stay in your underwear and drink tea and read in bed all day long.

But today was my second day of work, and I am exhausted. I'm getting used to the flow of the office (at the chiropractic clinic I work at), and still learning how everything is working. I wanted to nap this afternoon, but decided my time would be better spent re-connecting with the world and going out in it. So I sit in a cozy corner at my new favorite cafe in downtown Decatur, people-watching, enjoying the crowd and the coffee, and looking up Albert Camus quotes. I've collected some of my favorites for you. So kick back with a pot o' tea, put on some Sigur Ros or Iron and Wine, and enjoy your afternoon.

- Freedom is nothing but a chance to be better.
- Don't walk behind me; I may not lead. Don't walk in front of me; I may not follow. Just walk beside me and be my friend.
- In the depth of winter I finally learned that there was in me an invincible summer.
- Men must live and create. Live to the point of tears.
- Nobody realizes that some people expend tremendous energy merely to be normal.
- To be happy we must not be too concerned with others.
- Truth, like light, blinds. Falsehood, on the contrary, is a beautiful twilight that enhances every object.
- You will never be happy if you continue to search for what happiness consists of. You will never live if you are looking for the meaning of life.
- Blessed are the hearts that can bend; they shall never be broken.
- But what is happiness except the simple harmony between a man and the life he leads?

springtime and the livin' is easy

This month has truly been a vacation. There was a time last weekend in Austin, amidst my mid-afternoon porch-sitting and wine-drinking, where I actually thought to myself, 'I'm having so much fun, I'm pretty much jealous of my own life right now.' It was about 2pm, and it's when I knew I was drunk.

I spent another few days in Houston visiting with family, playing the part of personal chiropractor for my parents, and then I played and totally won at car tetris: I packed up my lil '96 Camry to the brim and rolled my way to Hot-lanta. Which, thankfully, is not hot yet. I made it here during the few weeks of spring, before the humidity descends and I begin traveling everywhere in a bathing suit. The first 8 hours of the drive, I thought to myself that I could make a career of driving across the country. (The last four hours, after I'd exhausted the new music on my ipod and was squinting to see the lines on the road, I reconsidered.)

Once at my destination, I made about six trips up to the third-floor apartment (54 steps in all), with my bike, one of two of my enormous suitcases, and various other personal effects. I took great care in manually locking the passenger side door of my car, since lately it's been acting all busted with the automatic lock. Then this morning, when I went to my car to run by Target for a shower liner so I could bathe myself, I wiped the grime from my face, jaw dropping, to realize I'D LEFT THE GODDAMN REAR DOOR OPEN. Meaning: ipod! suitcase! car stereo! bike rack! shit, TOYOTA! all exposed to the residents of the complex, begging someone to steal it all. Luckily, it was all still there. I want to believe that this is because I am a good person, and not because I am really, really fucking lucky. Maybe both?

So anyway, the weather here is amazing (70 degrees, sun shining), and there are little tree buds blooming like crazy everywhere in green, pink, and white. Today I am enjoying this glorious weather during my last two days of vacation. I am errand-running at places like Ikea, Whole Foods, and the kitchen supply store in downtown Decatur. And I am super excited about settling in and living in a(nother) new city for a bit. Weee!

the golden weekend

Yesterday, I spent approximately 8 hours playing Peggle. I took a nap. I changed out of my pajama pants only to go to the liquor store. I had a dinner of waffles, bacon, oranges, and whiskey, then went to two parties.

Today, after an extraordinary Tex-Mex breakfast, what remains on the schedule is more napping, more Peggle, and afterwards, ice cream. It's very likely I may explode from vacation ecstasy.

I gotta go. The pj's are waiting.

best hosts ever

I'm in Austin now, finally able to fulfill my promise to myself for daily breakfast tacos, and I'm enjoying the town despite the gray, drizzly briskness. I'm staying with my friends Geoff and Griffon, and their adorable 3 1/2-year-old, Millie.

There is Peggle here - an xbox game I was previously ignorant to, which is the best, most time-sucking game ever. There is a constant stream of whiskey. And there are play parties between dad and daughter, involving dinosaurs with personal space issues, animal couples who go to therapy, and sugar-cookie afficionado kitties with rival blogs.

I never want to leave this place.

only temporary

I knew I was not a fan of the 'burbs, but ... ugh.

There are Hummers! And strip malls! So many churches, and Republicans! Plus, way more concrete than just a year ago.

I love Texas, and I grew up in this place, but it still gives me the shakes.