The last week of spring semester is always tres rough. My treat to myself today was eating the equivalent of my weight in pizza, and a shower.

This is Old

"I'd sew your buttons for you," he said as he fingered the empty space behind her ear. She couldn't tell if this tickled or annoyed her, but she must have made disgruntled look because he quickly retreated his hand. Smoke crept steadily up from her neglected Nat Sherman. "I know how to sew" she lied. The last two buttons hung pathetically off of her once five-button petticoat. You used to be so full. She was an acquaintance to minor wardrobe malfunctions: stilettos breaking, shoes mysteriously disappearing (but just one) and of course the sempiternal thread hanging from every article of clothing. When he wasn't looking she ripped the loose thread of her lost buttons from her petticoat.

Sharon caught a glimpse of herself in the mirror. Her face had not changed, but she felt re-(insert verb here). Why so fresh? She is a pampered girl, but far from indulgent. It is the little occurrences and lingering sartoris on which Sharon dwells. Memories to stash in her pocket to snack on later. A last drag on her cigarette and she looks not at him, but herself through his eyes. Nothing she didn't already know. When one is so vain it is only rises to the skin like helium, fills a balloon and eventually diffuses to those around them.

She took his hand and put his middle finger in her mouth. The pit of his stomach stirred. Secretly he was a little worried he forgot to wash his hands using the bathroom.

My goal for my summer travels is to pack as light as possible. Last year when my housemate, Jamie traveled to Thailand for three weeks she brought nothing but a duffel bag. I for one consider that to be badass. So far, I've got a few things figured out, but nothing set in stone. Not even travel dates. I still have to apply for a travel visa, but I'm considering extending my stay to a month, and taking time out to meet my friend Colleen in Singapore. All signs point to yes.

I'll fly out with my family (plenty of us are going) at the end of May/beginning of June. When I fly back near July, I'm hoping to conduct interviews in the bay area and hang out for maybe a week. Hoping some friends could meet me out there - it would be lovely to see familiar faces after staying so far in a foreign land. Any takers?

More on that later.

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Last night made me fall in love with Tallahassee all over again. Barefeet, a dancing baby, and mashed potatoes in a dive bar. Yes please. That and the simple fact that Gina could rap/sing all of the words to "Whatta Man". With ease. The song has been cemented into my daily life, by the way, since visiting the Shenandoah Valley last month, and taking one of the best fucking car rides of my life. Check it: