1st Day

A completely wasted day—marvelous! Up at 9:30, went for a 2.5 mile run (hadn’t run in 3 weeks, and that was the third day in a row after not having run for two weeks). Felt rather strong the first mile and half, and was surprised at how warm it was today. Got to the hill going east on Cross Campus and some sort of monstrous demon started jumping on my chest—I haven’t been this out of condition since the severe ankle sprain four years back. Got through it, determined to go every day of the break—except the three we’ll be in NYC. I’ll walk plenty in the MOMA and Met to make up for the missed days.

Oh, yeah, we’re going to NYC during the break. We’re planning to leave Sunday and return Tuesday night. Kwa’ali and Klezma are joining us so it should be a treat.

The Jetta, which we just got back after five weeks in the shop, won’t start. In fact, it won’t anything. I’m hoping it’s a dead battery but I have my doubts. Some weird stuff started happening with the electronics last week, and I fear there might be some awful, billion-dollar repair lurking in our future; replacing a mudflap on one of these cars costs more than I typically spend flying to Europe, after all. Plus, I tend to get bad fiscal news in droves, and so far this month we’ve had a biannual insurance bill, a property tax bill, a costly repair to the Accord, Cha’s accident in the Jetta resulting in a deductable and then another insurance bill (the “here’s your increase for adding a new car, and here’s another increase because your wife was in an accident� sort), and then the State of MD figured out that I never became a certified teacher, so I have to pay back the student loans I took out pursuing this French degree. I’m expecting the worst but hoping for the best.

I’m listening to Hedwig—I finally broke down and bought the soundtrack, and the new longer Return of the King set, which we watched tonight whilst gorging ourselves on Indian food. A joint called Yeti—just north of the Senator—opened up about 8 months ago, and they deliver to us. Weeee! We’ve been gluttons lately: the totally unexcelled Kumari buffet Saturday, the Los Amigos lunch buffet Sunday…mmm!

Oh, but yeah—really good chana masala, and HOT when you ask for it!—but back to the movie, it’s fucking great. I love all the new footage! Yes, we’re nerds, but when the box came from Amazon today I wrapped it as a Xmas gift and gave it to Cha and made her open it. She kept refusing but I forced her and she did a goofy little happy dance and insisted we watch it immediately. A good time.

And only five phonecalls during the movie! Her sister, my sister, her Mom, etc, etc.

Not much going on tomorrow, but I’m going to run 3 miles and then do some final shopping—Borders definitely, and perhaps Hecht’s, but the idea of going to a Mall simply disgusts me anytime, let alone on the Thursday before Xmas. I also should go to the market, as we’re out of everything.