Adventures in Writing

I'm getting geared up for a few writing projects I have in mind. It looks like Sergio will be going to Virginia to do the Endstation Theatre Festival again May through July so I figure I'll have pleanty of time to knock out a few pages of my latest attempt at a novel. The project I'm most excited about is one that will involve a month long roadtrip up the Eastern Seaboard. Needless to say, that one won't be happening for a while.

This will be the summer of writing. Well, writing and applying to grad school! And eating well! How about the summer of getting my life in order? The summer of doing those things which will make me a more successful and proactive person! All of the above!

Perhaps it's the sunshine outside or the gift of warm weather dangling just out of reach, but I'm feeling pretty gung-ho about things. In a month I'll look back and rejoice at the fact that I'm done moving. In a week I'll be an hours flight outside of New Orleans. Everything will work out because it always works out. I'm always alive at the end of the day and if I'm not, well, I guess I won't care at that point.

I've made the decision that while I'll be lonely without Sergio, I'm going to have a positive summer. It'll only be a tiny two and a half months. Plus I have Fay. It'll be fine.

Moving

In theory, moving a 300 square foot apartment into a much larger house is a thing of simplicity. Through a few dishes and books in a box, tuck your cat under your arm, and boom. Done. After almost two years of feeling settled, I've forgotten this back breaking, mind numbing, nerve bending task and have formed an even greater collection of stuff. From my easel and painting supplies, to my small record collection. From my desk to my bed, this won't be fun. I can rejoice in the fact that I have a few weeks to move out. I dread the day I have to do it all at once. Most of my books are already at home in their new bookshelf and the majority of my kitchen supplies are getting cozy in new cabinets. But there are pots and pans, DVDs, an entire walk-in closet, my bathroom, and all of my furniture left. I need to set goals. This weekend, the rest of my kitchen, the rest of my books, all of my DVDs, video games, records and CD's will be moved. That's the minimum. The following weekend I'll be out of town and then I have one more weekend to get all my small stuff out before I call in the movers to take the big stuff and then clean. It's all very daunting. I need to focus on the future right now. I need to see myself with my little attic painting/writing studio and doing laundry on a weekly basis, and having barbeque's in the backyard, and drinking brandy out of my new little snifters I bought online. Forward, that's where I'm going. Forward, forward, forward. To here, to grad school, to a place I can put down my bags and not move for at least five years. To warmth and happiness, and a tiny slice of contentment (but not enough to stagnate of course). One day soon this move will be complete and I'll bask in the sun of my low rent and ample room.

NOLA

In a few precious weeks I'll be back in the city which will forever have a firm hold on my tiny passionate heart. New Orleans. Just the thought shoots sharp tingles through my arms and legs.

New Orleans, New Orleans, New Orleans.

What can I say about New Orleans that hasn't been said. Oh to live in a city with so vibrant a heart beat, who greets each day with loud, unforgiving music, who can't be beat by any danger sent her way. Her face is weathered and worn but she smiles and welcomes and parties like each day will be her last.

I can't help but think that our fates are intertwined. I fell in love at a young age and through my happy affairs with London and Chicago, I've never felt a diminished pull towards her. The people with endurance I can hardly fathom show such loyalty to her. She locks hands with you and never lets you go.

Now I'm just writing silly, cliched, poetics, but isn't that what we do when we fall and fall hard? I'll be there soon and then I'll be back. Back to Chicago. Chicago's wonderful but I've begun to see we are an ill fit. I'll be here for a while yet, but not forever. I'm an unwitting nomad, perhaps. We'll have to see.