three days? that means nine pictures

It's been a few days, and I'm not sure what to say. It's always been hard for me to follow through – and I guess I am, in a way, but I am also just doing what I can...

I walked all over town. It was nice. I think it's a very intimate way to experience your city. I took this picture because I love Kater. Some street artists resonate more than others.

I took this shot outside of Mortimer's – page and I had pizza there for lunch – I love the place; it's a dive with a certain class, a certain understanding of its clientele and place. Refreshing in a world of brass and polished concrete reinvention.

I ended the night at Ropey's Tavern - it was beautiful – lots of fun with old friends. Woke up and headed home...

before I begin a new day

I'm not sure which pictures I will share for this post; I haven't looked at them. I do want to do this before I begin my day – a new day – with new pictures. Yesterday was okay. I miss so many people. Leslie, I miss you.

In this first photo a student hangs a wreath. His family – his grandfather? – owns a Christmas tree farm. Is "farm" the right word to use? I'm not sure. 

There are three notable things about this photo – the community and spirit, of course, but also that we had to take the wreath down just a few hours later. We move out of these cabins almost every weekend, and cannot keep anything on the walls or at our desks. The desks are collapsible too and find themselves placed in storage for the weekend. It's minimalist to a fault; I do not feel like I have a classroom. I cannot keep a plant, for example, but we make it work. 

The last thing worth noting is that Paige and I had been discussing whether or not to buy a Christmas tree – a real, dead tree – to put in our home. I've never really been a Christmas tree person, and the next day I talked with someone who isn't just a Christmas tree person, but has real Christmas tree ties. I suppose it could be a sign. A pine fresh sign.

The wreath was hung in celebration. We weren't just celebrating the holidays, we were celebrating Presentation Day. When presentations happen, there is a festive feeling in the air. Cookies are bought and lemonade is served and students beam with confidence. One student shared his love for artist John Kenn Mortensen. Aping Mortensen's style, he drew his own sticky monsters and sold them for a quarter apiece. He made a few dollars too. I loved to watch him navigate the attention. He's pretty good! 

Tibet Kitchen isn't where my night ended, but it might be sometime. It's my new favorite spot in the city. It's close to me, they have great food, and one of the best drink deals in town. It's 2-4-1's seven days a week from four till eight. It's the kind of place that doesn't seem to judge or care. Part dive bar, part neglected room at a house party where the anxious and outcast gather to mumble awkwardly and shift their eyes. I love it.

After Tibet, we sat in the hot tub at the YMCA and headed home to bed. It was all very relaxing.

eleven days // three

So my thought is that I will post three photos of the day, talking about each, for the next 11 days. It's been a while since I've used this blog, and it will be nice to try again.

It was a great day, but I didn't start taking photos until the evening. This first photo is of a lobster tank at Stella's. We had white wine and oysters, like they did in Giovanni's Room. James Baldwin wrote an amazing story about the walls we build around ourselves, and I was happy to ask for everything – including the Cognac. They didn't have it. However, the white wine flowed.

The second photo I've chosen is a photo of Paige taken through the white wine glass. I decided to squeeze a lemon wedge into the wine, and I like to think that I'm the first person who's ever done this. I doubt it, but it's nice to pretend.

My last photo for the evening is of a Chex box. Joan delivered the homemade mix to our show at the Hexagon, and it's helping me make it through cleaning the kitchen. I'm listing to music – Fuck Buttons' Slow Focus – and, the truth is, I love everything right now. Including Paige – she's kissing me on the cheek!