Break

I go to Austin this weekend and, even though vacation was just a few months ago, I totally need a break. Austin is a total foil to Washington, D.C. Fun there is cheap and lazy. D.C. is fast-paced and full of 'tude. I wish I had friends in Austin. I would totally move there and live large. I want a little craftsman house with a back yard. A unique place that I can fix up, host BBQ's, have my friends stay in a proper guest room. Maybe I'll do it. My mom and Basil will be there and it really has everything that I need, save for friends. The big problem is as we get older, I dread having to make new friends. And finding a place with a critical mass of single people; where this is normal. This is why I will eventually move back to the Bay Area; methinks after the Presidential election. (As of late, I have been feeling strangely apolitical.)

Steph, an old friend, started working with me. I have been without aid at work for going on three months. Accordingly, my head has been spinning. It is so nice to have an ally. With this much-needed partnership, I feel reenergized and confident that my program can move forward. I am even motivated to take some classes, though the specific classes change all the time. I think I want to take a class on Africa and a voice class.

The person who I originally was going to hire -- who was ultimately vetoed -- got another job, which made me feel so relieved. I carried around a lot of guilt for a long time; you would think I was Catholic.

I think about my dad a whole lot. He gave me his watch and I wear it all the time and feel so much pride when people compliment it. I wish I were staying in better touch with my family on that side. The woman who was first lady of Mac when I was there -- Marge McPherson -- passed away at 60. It affected me more than I thought it would, perhaps because of my dad.

Ahmed, my old roommate, is around (from Dubai) and stayed with me the other night. It was as if he never left. He was an outstanding roommate. My current roommate is truly rarely here. He is too busy at the Oscars, or chasing Brittney Spears at Sky Bar in LA.

I don't like arrogance and moodiness, or any combination thereof. I just have to share this.

I finally have some D.C. restaurants that I love -- Super Pollo, Hee Been, Neyla's, El Khartoum, Amsterdam falafelshop, Bombay Palace weekend lunch buffet, New Fortune dim sum, thai Tanic and Singapore Bistro for delivery. This constitutes a critical mass.

Anyway, after the debacle that was law school Spring Break in Florida, I have slight pangs of anxiety about a 7-person trip to TX. Remarkably, vacations are much more snippety in the adult world. I am planning on Europe in October.