Will left a few weeks ago and in his absence I have filled the void with a full week of nefarious activity and another one full of travel book reading, aimless wandering of the streets, and itune store shopping. On a side note, any Ben Gibbard fans that dont have the All Time Quarterbacks CD are missing out (the cd entitled Home as well is excellent that he made with Andrew Kenny). Not gonna lie, had a little knot in my stomach watching Will pass through the turnstile. First time a guy gave me that feeling that normally only girls are capable of, the my stomach kinda hurts and I don't like this feeling thing. But that feeling faded fast when I remembered that he was a jerk. He has settled into a nice big apartment in boulder with Barcelona as a mere afterthought and I continue to live in what will prove to be one of the more memorable times of my life. As this chapter has been closed, I wonder which one will now unfold. I know that it is what I make it, but also that I don't necessarily have control over what lies (lays, laid, isn't there a lain as well or something? If any of you reading this have used lain in a sentence you are probably having a crumpet right now or attending a non-alcoholic geek convention) ahead.
As is always the case, things change, then we adjust, then more things change and more adjustment is necessary. I'm just going with the flow for now. Sometimes it is hard for me to separate going with the flow and being taken by the stream. I think I'm figuring it all out, if not, I'm having a great time along the way.

So what does lay ahead? Well, nothing is set in stone at this point, but I plan on heading back home in the middle of March for a few weeks. March is a tough time for myself and my family and we will be coming up on three years since my dad passed away on the 11th. Fuck, three years. People always say that time heals all wounds. I can't say that I buy that one completely, maybe it is something we tell ourselves as a form of reassurance and comfort. For me, I have learned to appreciate and love life, but it is something that will never be healed. Some things you learn how to live with, find a way to cope but otherwise won't resolve or wrap up into a nice little package and put away for some other time. So I am coming home to be with the family and my mom for her birthday. I guess I'm looking forward to St. Patty's Day (this is the first time its entered my mind), maybe I'll head to the city. Nah, prolly not. Really not a big fan of St. Patty's day food. I think its just the cabbage mainly, that I will skip. Otherwise, through a dead carcass on the table and in this case some bread and potatoes and open a bottle of wine and life is good. My return also coincides with.....what.....wait, what......yeah, March Madness. My favorite sporting event (second only to the Lakers when they are competing for a title). So, its safe to say I am looking forward to coming home for a little while. At this point I am extending an open invitation to any of you to come up to a little place called the Napa Valley.

As much as I look forward to having a good time in the states, the thought of returning is sickening. When Will left, I was reminded that at some point that will be me and that nothing should be taken for granted. I don't see myself working in a hostel for my whole life, but I am not in a hurry to come back home and hop on the ferris wheel either. So the tentative game plan is to come home, leave on the 3rd or 4th (the Finals is on the 2nd I believe) and then head back. I am hopeful that I will still have about two weeks left of vacation time. With this time, I would love to see Eastern Europe. There is still a lot to see and do on the Western front, but I feel like I need something completely different, a culture shock that makes me uncomfortable. Still some research to be done and brains to pick, but right now, I want to go to Istanbul for a few days, hit sofiya in bulgaria, bucharest in romania and finish with a few days in prague. If anybody has been anywhere over here, please let me know so that I can get some first hand knowlege.

So, the next question is, how are you going to afford this? I thought the same and have decided that I need to make some extra cash. I just picked up another 12 hours at work, so I'm up to 42 per week, which kinda sucks, but I need the money and the job is easy. The worst part is the 9 am start time. And yes, I am a lazy piece of shit and yes that is early for me. In addition to the extra work hours, I am going to start giving english conversation lessons. For now, I am charging a more than reasonable 10 euro/hour and have already had some interest. Now, it is just a matter of coordinating everything. As I get more comfortable, I might increase the price. In addition to the money, it will be a good way to meet more locals, something that I would really like to do. So, I am hoping that between the extra work hours and the sidework, that I will be able to afford my exhibition. Plus, it will be considerably cheaper than Western Europe.

Well, I think thats all I got. Feel free to leave a comment or two on my board. I don't care if it's "that sucked" or "you're short." Anything will do. Actually, maybe if you just wrote what you were doing prior to reading this, what the last thing you ate was, and what music you are currently listening to or that will be playing in your car/ your ipod when you turn it on. It would make for quite an interesting board. Mine would say:
-reading about Romania
-cereal
-All Star Quarterbacks

Happy 2007