Month: October 2007

Listen up, Pounds,I knew you would show up – it was inevitable. Throughout my life, you have come and gone as you have pleased, but The Big Trip in particular has been made of conditions favorable to you: travel, friends, 4,000 miles of sitting, delicious food, celebratory drink, and a complete and utter lack of…

Last night, I flew from Seattle back to Nashville. If there is one thing that I love about Southwest Airlines, it is the little travel snack box that they pass out to passengers. It is here, and only here, that I allow myself to indulge my secret shame. Ritz. Cracker. Cheese. Sandwiches. Oh yes, you…

This weekend, I talked to a 7-year old girl who had recently lost her first tooth. A gap in her grin, Claire told me that no, it didn’t hurt when the tooth fell out. Something about the momentous occasion that losing your first tooth ever is took me back to my own experience of the…

“Can I have your pickles?”“Dream car? Buick LeSabre.”“Please! Tell me more about your foot fungus!”“This would look better in Comic Sans.”“Wanna watch golf?”“This dress? Oh – Chadwicks of Boston.”“Please don’t rub my feet.”“Let’s start a Dungeons & Dragons club.”“Penetrate.” I can barely type it, let alone say it. [shudder]“Man, I wish Savage Garden would cover…

Stage 1: SHOCKWhaaaaa…???? Stage 2: DENIALThat did not just happen. No. It did not. [plugs ears] La la la la la – I can’t hear you. This is not real. Stage 3: ANGER[furrows brow] Stupid man. Stupid man in his house. He should clean up this sidewalk – yeah, that’s right, get out his LEAF…

Last night, I experienced two very wonderful things. The first was tapas, which is Spanish for “order at least four.” The second was open mic night at the Bluebird Café, which reminded me why I am extraordinarily excited to live in Nashville. The songwriting that happens here is astonishing. I sat there all alone, wrapped…

Okay, let’s level. I have been on The Big Trip for 6-weeks now, and in the midst of having a blast, today is the first day that I have had to remind myself, “You are having fun. No really, this is a GOOD thing. You are happy and doing well. Believe it.” I am having…

Hearken back to May, when I wrote about just a few of the dreams and goals I have for my life. Scroll down, down, down, and you will read, “I want to run in a race.” I am proud to announce that today, that dream became a reality. Guess who just ran a 5K? [thumbs]…

Tonight, I ate a Ritz cracker topped with cheddar cheese, yellow mustard, and red onion. And then, I ate another one, and another one, and another one. And I liked it.

1) Be born with a melancholy spirit. 2) Go out and get your heart broken. Love deeply and without reservation, and do not brace yourself for the inevitable pummeling to follow. Do this as many times as it takes to completely crush your spirit. 3) Withdraw from society. Solitude is best; however, a few companions…