I'm back (sort of)

It's been a while since I've posted much of anything on here, huh? It's not because I lack material to write about, that's for sure. I guess I lack focus because I'm not sure how to write about everything at once. I also lack time, but that's pretty normal. Sometimes I wonder how my version of "busy" compares to everyone else's. I tend to think that "normal" for me would qualify as "busy" for a fair amount of people. If I say I have "no time," for example, it means that I literally have maybe 30 minutes free to change clothes/eat dinner between 8am and 10pm--for a few days in a row. I just like to be out and about and I can usually relax and have fun once I get to my intended destination. Still, it doesn't leave room for home activities.

I keep myself especially entertained in the summer, so recently, I have had to practically force myself to stay home and work on some freelance. Luckily, it's fun stuff. I'm creating some posters for "The Producers" because a co-worker is in charge of a production of it. "Springtime for Hitler" is coming right along (but I can't get the song out of my head!). Next up is a "Funny Boy" poster, a musical of Hamlet.

Tuesday is my last day at my current job and then I start the new job on Monday. That means I have 3 days off and I'll be in town! Imagine the possibilities: the drive-in, Muny free seats, lunch with old Momentum people, and Third Friday at Third Degree Glass Factory top the list so far...and taiko? Uh, we'll see. I'm already bummed that the Aug. 6 performance botches my plans for Back to the Future at Union Station and the Star Party at the Science Center! Those things only happen once a month and only through Sept., I think.

So much to do, so little time. I'm still trying to squeeze a Blues Cruise, Grizzlies game, Boathouse night paddle, Live on the Levee, Jungle Boogie at the zoo, Joel's band thing, another MoBot Wed. concert, more Muny shows, a bike "amazing race" style competition, horse races, and Parties in the (old post office) Plaza into the next month! I'm pretty sure I'll get to most of it, too, because that's how I roll. :) That's why I was "busy" even when I didn't have a job, by the way, in case you were wondering.

Oh, and Italy was amazing! It's an entire country of art, history, food, wine, and ambiance. I'm really glad I got that new camera, too, because I think I got some nice pictures. I've been wanting to go there for a long time and I was not disappointed by anything...well, except the bathrooms. Most of the public ones didn't even have toilet seats and only about half of them flushed! Plus, some of them expected tips or an actual set amount of euros! I definitely appreciate even gas station bathrooms in America now. I also appreciate ice. No one goes to Italy for those things, though.

The Maryville group was a diverse mix of people, ranging from 24 to 80 years old, but we got along well. They want to continue the tradition every year, and next year they are going to France. I'm not sold yet, but I haven't ruled it out, either. I've found that it's really hard for me to turn down an opportunity to travel, though, because I think now is the perfect time to do it. I'm looking forward to San Francisco in November with taiko, at least! Then I'll just have to go to Boston, Austin, and possibly Maine and Alaska for my personal tour of America to be complete. I think I've been to 42 states so far. Maybe I'll go to the rest of them, too, at some point.

Well, it seems I have run out of time, but that should get you relatively up to speed. There's more to my story, of course, but who has time for that?