For all of the nothing I’ve been doing lately (see previous Patrick picture post), I should have been doing a lot more writing of every variety.  Instead, I’ve been spending my hours exactly how I’d like to and it’s done a helluva lot for my demeanor.  I’m calmer, more laid back.  Maybe it’s just the combination of hot, perfect-size-for-laying-out rocks and the crazy cold rush of Lake Superior water, but I’m feeling soothed and energized. 

And I’ve got a brand new bed that (thankfully!) Tony helped me put together or I would be sleeping on a bundle of wooden slats that more closely resembles a death trap than a bed.  It’s nice to see my room from a new, less spidery vantage point, even if it’s just a few feet off of the ground.

Now, forgive my ramblings for a minute, I’m in the mood to…expound.  I’ve been thinking a lot (what with the time off and such) about how I spend the majority of my time.  When I’m in school, obviously, a certain portion of my week is spoken for.  Then comes sleep, though that seriously gets short-changed more often than it should.  Then comes eating, though that time is minimal and usually on the go.  Then comes spending time with friends.  This, I have no complaints about.  I’ve spent more time in the company of people this last semester/summer than I have in a long time.  It’s definitely, I’m sad to say, a little out of my normal realm.  I like to think of myself as a social person, but the more I’m surrounded by very social people, I realize I may not be.  That being said, I’m glad that more and more of my hours are filled with the company of others.  It’s prevented me from slipping into homesickness over this first semester away and has exposed me to a lot of different types of people, people that I’ve learned a lot from.  (I’m getting to a point, I swear).  With all of these new people and work and aspirations that form lists I can barely even imagine finishing, it’s been difficult for me to find time for myself.  These past 10 days have been wonderful for that very reason.  I was a bit selfish.  I saw who I wanted and did what I wanted.  I didn’t see everyone I should have, but I needed to take this time to be a little self-serving.  Even so, getting back into the routine of work and school is a welcome challenge.  I want to read books and paint pictures and sweep the cobwebs out from under my dresser, and I believe that I can and will find the time to do it.

I guess what this all boils down to is that, in my life, I’ve never been this busy.  And I don’t mean right now because goodness knows I haven’t done jack for the last week and a half.  I just mean that it’s been a long time since my days have been so full of things and people that I want to devote time to.  It’s an exhilarating type of chaos.  A win win situation.  I suppose all there’s left to do now is to keep crossing things off of lists and adding new items.  And maybe sleep.  But not before putting aloe on my just-too-much-sun-tanned arms.

Also, can I get a resounding WTF for this still shot from Katy Perry’s “California Girls music video”?  I could look beyond the gummy bear army, but this is just too ridiculous for even me.

[Warning:  This is actually fairly hilarious, but fairly overtly sexually suggestive in nature.  Any and all twelve year olds that may be reading this, click out of the window now.  In fact, why don’t you go outside and capitalize on your youth?  Go…play roofball or Gameboy or something.  But anyway, here’s Katy Perry doing something slightly unsettling.]

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…Welp, ‘bout time for me to be hitting the ole dusty trail…