"Good Morning Lethargy..."

Sunday, November 21, 2004

I'm up late and it's pouring rain outside. I haven't had the pleasure of enjoying that for quite some time.

I had my wisdom teeth removed on Thursday because I could take the pain no longer. I'm recovering well, but still taking some Vicodin here and there for the soreness. It sure does the trick...

Listening to Blur's self-titled album reminds me (and will always remind me) of the first time I felt the joy of being out on my own. It was the fall of 1999 during my freshman year of college. I spent fall break in Washington D.C. visiting the city as an adult and staying with my aunt and uncle. I took Amtrak down from Philadelphia and realized just how enjoyable a train ride can be. My aunt and uncle were great about letting me go as I pleased, taking subways and surface trains all day long throughout the city, visiting friends at Georgetown and at the Smithsonian. It was rainy enough to set a satisfactory mood, but cleared up now and then for a few grand sunsets and puddle jumps. During that week I saw Fight Club for the first time and paid my first visit to the National Holocaust Museum. Everywhere I went I was listening to either Blur's self-titled album or Radiohead's "OK Computer" (an album which would continue to serve as my travel music throughout college). I felt incredibly alone in the most wonderful way possible. I'd never taken so many unchecked steps. I was alone, but far from lonely. It was then that I first realized how great of a companion we can and must be to ourselves. Throw in some books and a good soundtrack and you're golden.

I finished Cannery Row yesterday morning. I was just in Monterey a month ago and of course now I want to go back again.