Hiding out

I've been hiding out for the past 2 days. Laying low. My eyes are heavy - that's always a sign I'm feeling down. Another sign is that I want to do nothing and I'm mad for doing nothing. I wish I was one of those people who could just work out to get rid of the blues. Thich Nhat Hanh says to cradle your sorrow. I don't think it counts, but I decided to feed it chocolate peanut butter ice cream with graham crackers crushed in it...it helped...

Random noteworthies:

*I'm obsessed with Annie Lennox's new video "Dark Road". It pulls me in. Moving lyrics, powerful voice. But mostly, I just like watching her sing. Especially when she's singing a sad song in a superhero costume. New album drops Oct. 2. Oh, the anticipation.

*While I wait on Annie, I have plenty of other great new music. Rilo Kiley, New Pornographers, Junior Senior, M.I.A., Tegan & Sara. I made a new playlist with Rilo Kiley, Junior Senior, Tegan & Sara and The B-52's. I got inspired because Kate & Cindy (from B-52's) do guests vocals on the new Junior Senior. Good fun.

*I almost got beat up by a 40-something neighborhood drunk on Monday. When I walked past him and his friends, his friend asked if I had a cigarette. I said "sorry man, I don't smoke". He said "you're gonna smoke in about 5 seconds" and started following me. For 6 blocks. I just kept walking. He was drunk. I felt stupid for not confronting him. Now, I feel stupid for feeling stupid.

*Some friends drunk-dialed me from another HOB going away party last night. It's nice to know that no matter how old you think you are, you're never too old to get drunk-dialed. Ron, I miss you too. Congrats on the new gig.

Hang on, little tomato

Portland’s pretty cool for a lot of reasons. One of which is that people grow produce in their yards. Apricot trees, walnut trees, pear trees. There are several other unidentified fruit trees in the neighborhood which are cause for great speculation for Cahen and I on our walks.

But that’s just the start. There’s berry vines, squash, cucumber, spices – even corn.

The neighborhood is on the honor system. With the fruit trees and berries, it seems ok to take a little, as long as you’re leaving plenty. The veggies seem off-limits (unless there’s a sign encouraging it). Even the ones growing in front of our apartment complex.

One of our neighbors has a pretty healthy tomato vine in front of the building. It’s got 7 or 8 fruit on it right now. Most of them are still green, one of them is almost overripe.

I want to pick it. So bad. I know it’s wrong, so I fight the urge. But, the damn thing’s been hanging out there, glimmering in the sunshine, it’s juicy goodness on display, for almost a week now.

Should I post a sign in the common area: “Please pick your tomato, it’s taunting me”?

Should I pick it?

They better not let it go bad.

Or the rest of them are fair game.

DQ, I need you

I’m not the type to be lead into temptation. I’ll normally find my own way. And, like usual, I found it: Dairy Queen. Or, more specifically: Dairy Queen’s Blizzards. There’s a DQ way too close to our place. It teases me. It calls to me when I drive nearby.

Then it gets in my head.

The vacuum whirrs “Butterfinger Blizzard” like a ghostly howl. I’m reading a book and lose concentration. Reese’s Blizzard. I wonder if they let you create your own like at Coldstone Creamery. The obsession comes in handy sometimes…when I’m programming it’s fun to plan which flavor I’ll have later. Maybe I’ll have Cahen’s favorite, Caramel Cheesequake. Mmmmm.

But I can’t have one. They’re bad for me. And, I’m trying to live cleaner, healthier, more socially responsible.

Ah, but today…they were hosting a charity for a children’s fund…