Assorted thoughts and news

Tonight I finished an entire crossword puzzle almost by myself...in ink. My dad helped with a few words. I've been practicing with online crosswords lately, which is helping, I think.

Lately I've been realizing that when it comes down to it, seriously, other people can't help me figure out the big things in my life. Driving around the country gave me a lot of time to think, and now that I'm back I've been thinking about that thinking. And thinking some more. I'm thankful to have this time for thought and rest.

One thing I've discovered is that it's easy to create my own future in my mind, and then get there to find out that the future doesn't look much like I expected. Often it's a lot better, in all the unexpected ways. I'm speaking of someone in particular right now. He knows who he is.

Thinking of moving soon, I'm not even considering leaving here without a lot of books. I could use even more than I have, in fact. I could always use more books. I like books. Maybe one day I'll write one of my own. Maybe when I'm 50. Or is that when I publish my volume of poetry? I can't remember. Either way, it's a great (and possibly abstruse) cliche.

Speaking of moving, I guess this is as good a time as any to mention the destination: Santa Fe, New Mexico. A place with lots of food, interesting people, weather, dancing and music. I hope there's lots of music. If not, I have plenty of my own.

I've been going through a lot of my stuff that's been boxed or shelved for months, even years. Having always lived with my parents—or at least kept most of my stuff here—I have things all over the place. I've been able to get rid of some stuff, like clothes I never wear anymore, and even make a little money on ebay. Some days it's hard to put things in the "give away" pile, because sometimes there are too many memories or too many options for use. When something has so much life left in it, it doesn't seem right to throw it out or give it away. I should have been born just in time for the Great Depression. I would have done really well back then.

My dad's birthday was this week. We had our family's traditional cake: German chocolate: homemade, of course. So whenever I'm bored or want a snack, all I need to do is eat some cake and ice cream. And that makes most things better.

I already had my two bites of cake tonight. Really, it was only two bites. So I think I'll crawl into bed early and read for a while. I started the day off reading in bed, and it seems like a nice way to end the day. I'm still working my way through The Chronicles of Narnia. I'm on the sixth book now, of seven books. They're easy to read, but I haven't been doing much reading lately.

Even though I don't have a job right now, there's a different mood in the air—even my air, here in the attic—on a Friday, especially when the weather is leaning so insistently toward spring. Don't you feel it?

I've found my mood music for now. Tom Waits and I bid you good night.

Comments

[Josh]

April. Santa Fe. Jealous. That is one of my favorite cities. The monastery in Abiquiu is going to be a repeated spiritual retreat destination for me in years to come. It's worth checking out!

Excited to hear more news about this Santa Fe thing!

[S E E Quine]

` Awesome blog - looks like I found another winner! I have a couple of my own, actually. Just thought I'd pop in and introduce myself....

` I've always wanted to drive around the country - even other countries! I'm stuck in Everett, WA for the time being, though I like it better than Ohio.
` I know what you mean about planning the future and its not being the same as it is in your head....
` I moved here to have a future of some sort. Though the weather's nice in Western Washington, there are no guys around who want anything to to with me - actually, there's very few at all! ...Which is annoying, because I'm almost 24 and I still haven't found anyone who will even kiss me!
` Grrraaaah!
` At least I have my tons of books (mostly science) - in fact, I'm even writing one! I've read the Chronicles of Narnia - the last book is so... well, it ties everything together! Looking forward to the rest of the movie series!
` Well, gotta move (like, to another apartment?). I'll be back, though....