the urge to make dumb philosophical metaphors was strong, but I resisted
so way, way back before my brother got himself a car, he used the minivan to commute to work and had an EZpass on the dashboard. I assumed it had made the move to the new car with him, and didn't discover that it was still attached until after handing my money to the woman at the toll booth and starting to idle forward. I almost asked for the money back, but thought, fuck it. so the state of maryland just got a small donation from me. bummer on my behalf. I wouldn't care so much if I hadn't emptied nearly half a tank - thirty or more dollars' worth of gas - in the past two days. but, oh well. it's been such a good week or two since I've gotten home.
I spent my birthday picnicking at Goucher with Skippy, Melissa Tillery and A-Ron, then hanging out with M.Till (we bought candy cigarettes!) until it was time to meet my parents and drive down to the grandparents' place in Charlottesville (for the last time ever, since they're moving to Annapolis - really sad, because I have so many memories attached to Pop's and Grandma's house). I made the most of being with them and in their house, making sure to remember the stories they shared about my ancestors as we packed up heirlooms and antiques.
then it was back to Goucher to meet up with Nate, Jen, Dan, Skippy and Sarahhh for a wonderful, wonderful night and birthday celebration extravaganza. Nate, Skippy and I all turned 21 within five days of each other, and I've been looking forward to celebrating with them since the first murmurs were made about it way back in January. you know, I've explored and made friends in a fairly sizable chunk of the world, and I can say honestly that I have met no one, anywhere, who is like my family around these parts. and it's good. it's really good. I am thankful beyond expression for each of those folks and for the ones who couldn't be there.
today I took being in Baltimore already as an opportunity to catch up with a bunch of folks down in the Inner Harbor, so I spent the night on Molly's and Ben's (and Ray's) back porch with the former two plus Steve and Pat Videau. that was really enjoyable... I'm glad I'm getting a chance to know some of those folks who seemed so much older and wiser and cooler than me, and so much less simple to befriend, in my wee little doe-eyed-freshman year. but I'm also really sad that they're all either at or quickly approaching that place in their lives where they'll need to seek out bigger and better things - or disappear into the ether, from my perspective. alas!
but hey, I'm really grateful for what I have. as I drove into the arts district and then downtown at dusk today and again as I rose up on the ramp to exit the city from the harbor late at night tonight, I was struck by how gorgeous it really can be. I'm lucky, you know? for the ability to go really giddy inside just because I take a shine to some scene. for my amazing friends, now scattered in so many places around the world. for my family, which I feel I have and cherish in so many different ways. ein prosit der gemutlichkeit!
I spent my birthday picnicking at Goucher with Skippy, Melissa Tillery and A-Ron, then hanging out with M.Till (we bought candy cigarettes!) until it was time to meet my parents and drive down to the grandparents' place in Charlottesville (for the last time ever, since they're moving to Annapolis - really sad, because I have so many memories attached to Pop's and Grandma's house). I made the most of being with them and in their house, making sure to remember the stories they shared about my ancestors as we packed up heirlooms and antiques.
then it was back to Goucher to meet up with Nate, Jen, Dan, Skippy and Sarahhh for a wonderful, wonderful night and birthday celebration extravaganza. Nate, Skippy and I all turned 21 within five days of each other, and I've been looking forward to celebrating with them since the first murmurs were made about it way back in January. you know, I've explored and made friends in a fairly sizable chunk of the world, and I can say honestly that I have met no one, anywhere, who is like my family around these parts. and it's good. it's really good. I am thankful beyond expression for each of those folks and for the ones who couldn't be there.
today I took being in Baltimore already as an opportunity to catch up with a bunch of folks down in the Inner Harbor, so I spent the night on Molly's and Ben's (and Ray's) back porch with the former two plus Steve and Pat Videau. that was really enjoyable... I'm glad I'm getting a chance to know some of those folks who seemed so much older and wiser and cooler than me, and so much less simple to befriend, in my wee little doe-eyed-freshman year. but I'm also really sad that they're all either at or quickly approaching that place in their lives where they'll need to seek out bigger and better things - or disappear into the ether, from my perspective. alas!
but hey, I'm really grateful for what I have. as I drove into the arts district and then downtown at dusk today and again as I rose up on the ramp to exit the city from the harbor late at night tonight, I was struck by how gorgeous it really can be. I'm lucky, you know? for the ability to go really giddy inside just because I take a shine to some scene. for my amazing friends, now scattered in so many places around the world. for my family, which I feel I have and cherish in so many different ways. ein prosit der gemutlichkeit!