I think it was a bad idea to put this desk next to the big window that faces the street. All I have to do is lift my gaze an inch and I can watch the cars pass by, or watch the sky change, or watch all the people walking home. I’d much rather look outside than do what I sat down to do (a long list of things that help maintain the fragile appearance that I have it all under control… like paying my rent and emailing so-and-so about that thing I said I’d do).

Just now, I saw the guy from Brazil walk by. I gave him a ride a few weeks ago and he reminds me a little of James Dean. Especially today with that black leather jacket.

And just just now, I decided to buy the new Augustana album, “Can’t Love, Can’t Hurt”. Every time I listen to Augustana, I pretend I’m in California. I pretend I’m driving along the coast in San Francisco. And I pretend that I’m still a kid without responsibilities, that all loves are first loves and that I’m about to dip my toes in the Pacific for the first time.

I really need to pay my rent.

Jeff has done it again. In his rare free time, he’s managed to dream up and make happen a music video for his song “Almost Flew”. And why not tackle the old art of claymation on the first go?

The little clay bird in this video reminds me of the very first Christmas present I ever gave him: a blue parakeet we named Buddy. I write fondly about our little pet in this early post.

At a train station in Australia…

We didn’t talk about much of anything. Donuts. Photography. The old couple walking past us. Whether or not we’d missed the 10:16am train to the Blue Mountains. Being here has made the world seem much smaller, much more accessible.

And since being here, I’ve also noticed that most people from most continents like cinnamon donuts for breakfast.