At last I am free, I can barely see in front of me

It's about four in the afternoon and I've only had an orange to eat today. Granted, it was a big one, but I've been active all day and am just now starting to get hungry. This is almost the direct result of having eaten too much since Thanksgiving. Too much, but not of the caliber of many, many gluttons that thrive during the holidays. Still, I over did it and the food I was eating wasn't as light and healthy as I've been used to. I barely got any sleep Friday night; I was, you see, in the grips of crummy tummy and got very friendly with Jana's bathroom.

Jana is the name of the woman whose dogs I took care of over the last several days. Two bulldogs, Lance and Lola. Not a bad gig at all, especially considering how much I got paid, but I'm glad to be home. The dogs are very nice and friendly. They also:

1.Lick each other all over pretty much every second they're awake. The sounds that emit are slick and wet and gurgly. Jana's place is pretty small; I wore headphones a lot.

2.Snore loudly.

3. Drool everywhere.

4 Sit and stare off into the distance when they're not licking each other.

5. Don't like going for walks. Anyway, they don't really walk as much as shuffle.

Basically, I was living with aliens for several days.


Thanksgiving was okay. It was spent at my mom's and, while not being a bad experience, it wasn't spectacular. Kind of lukewarm. It happens.

Last week I decided I wanted to get my mom a new TV for Christmas. I probed my sister about going in one together, but she wasn't sure she could contribute much. That was fine; I pretty much wanted to do it on my own. After some research with Spira, I decided I was going to order one online but things changed after a sushi dinner at Ebi's last night. Spira wanted to stop at Target. I said fine and because I've aligned myself with the universal laws of intention, I found pretty much the same TV for my mom that was cheaper and wouldn't have to be shipped. Like a boss, son.

I am thrilled I'm able to do this for my mom. Her TV is pretty old and on its way out. She needs a new one.

Alright, I need to get some food, probably sushi again. Talk to ya later, children.

She was just jumping out of her flesh and I said "Cash in!"

Today wasn't so bad but it was stacked with a lot of little annoyances. I rode the waves and made it to shore a little worn but with my dignity, and all the stuff one can lose when one forgets to be mindful, intact. My new boots arrived today. I wasn't too thrilled to see the box on the front stairs, nor was I thrilled that one of lace hooks had snapped off. One of those days. I like the boots and, you know, today wasn't so bad.

My former coworker, Therese, lost her son a couple of months ago. He allegedly shot himself in the head but it seems likely he was murdered, whether accidentally or with intent. He was living in Florida and his career as a meteorologist was starting to blossom. His family and friends claim he was not suicidal. The story has gone national. I just watched Therese on Good Morning America. Kind of surreal and entirely sad.

I listen to the Big Three Podcast pretty much every day, which means I'm laughing pretty much every day. For that reason alone, I can say with all sincerity that it's one of the most essential aspects of my life. I wish I knew someone who was into it. Maybe I do - who knows. There is the FB fan club if I need to consort with other enthusiasts.


Friday is upon us. That is good. I hope it is sexy and transcendent.

You say you're lonesome just getting by, but you turn your eyes from me

Earlier, I was listening to some takes from the last Ignore Emporium practice. It's still early on, but we're dialed in with each other (I'm talking about me, Michelle, and Janelle, if you don't know). I knew I was going to enjoy singing with them, but what's been happening is beyond my expectations. The chemistry is there; it was evident during our first practice. When we start playing live - and we will - I think we're going to turn some heads. Mine's been spinning.

Beginning the day before Thanksgiving, I'll be dog sitting for one of Spira's neighbors. I'll be staying with the dogs (two bulldogs) at her place (the neighbor's, not Spira's) through the weekend. Because I'll be watching two dogs, I'll be making twice as much. I could use some extra scratch; this could be lucrative. Not bad getting paid to hang out with dogs. I like doing that for free!

Still been listening to Genesis's The Lamb Lies Down On Broadway. I didn't see it coming, not really, but it's one of the best pieces of music I've ever heard. When I listen to the song "The Lammia", I tear up just about every time. Not because of the lyrical content, but because it's a fucking brilliant, beautiful song. It moves me on visceral level. The whole album does; it contains just about everything I adore in music.

I'm listening to Van Halen's Diver Down as I type. It serves as a counterweight to all the Genesis I've been devouring. It's a fun album.

Slowly but surely I've been updating my wardrobe. I've been in desperate need of new clothes for a while.Especially shoes.I visited the New Balance outlet in Lawrence after work last week and picked up a nice pair of sneakers at a good discount. Last week, I bought a pair of boots online (I've been eying this pair for a long time; glad I found them again; I'd lost touch) and then a couple of days later got a cool pair of dress shoes from the same site. For quality shoes, I paid less than the flimsy, shoddily constructed ones I used to buy at PayLess. I bargained hunted like a boss, son!

In addition to the shoes, I've also picked up a ton of socks (I was down to about three pairs), a new coat, and a couple of pairs of pants. And I'm not done. Hey, it's good to update your wardrobe every so often. Know what I'm sayin'?

Ok, off to do other things like meditate and write lyrics. Maybe a cold shower at some point (still going strong!) and possibly, but most definitely, will have a few puffs of some sweet, sweet, cannabis!

Cheers, lovers.

You've got to get in to get out

The weekend is almost over. I feel like I could have used a couple of more days. I've been feeling restless lately, agitated. Not present, not mindful. My yoga practice has felt it; sessions have been shorter and rushed. Still, I've done what I can to get through it, keeping in mind the arising and passing of all phenomena. It will pass. Everything does.

So there's been restlessness and agitation but not across the board. I just completed a few songs I created on Garage Band I'd been poking at for months. With these, I've shown more patience than I usually do. The songs aren't perfect, but I like them quite a bit, particularly because I've spent so much time with them and also because I pushed the envelope a bit, at least regarding the way I typically write.

Listening to Genesis's The Lamb Lies Down On Broadway as I write. I took me a long time to finally get around to exploring it and I'm glad I finally did. So far, it's my favorite album of theirs. The whole band shines, but it's Peter Gabriel that sticks out for me. You can tell he really put everything he had into it. I wonder if he knew while making it that it would be his last album with the band.

Evangeline is having people over for game night. I'm not in the mood to partake or, rather, I am, but there are other things I'd rather do to wrap up the weekend. Think I need to decompress a bit. I am, after all, a card carrying introvert.

Spira and I went out for Vietnamese food last night. It's quite possible my favorite food, especially the Bun vermicelli dishes. As we ate, Spira spoke again about moving to Hawaii. She would like me to join her, but I don't think it's feasible for me, at least not in the next several months. I'm not against the idea of moving, but that's a MOVE and I've never even been there. Anyway, it bummed me out a bit knowing that eventually she'll move there and I'll hardly ever see her. Ah, but who knows what the future will bring?

I wrapped up Boardwalk Empire today. I wasn't entirely satisfied with how the show ended, but it consistently impressed me. I will miss it.

Alright, pumpkins, I'll smell you later.