Do you ever want to run away? I do. Right now. I want to pack up and head out. As usual, I'm overwhelmed and desperately trying to find some semblance of balance. I'm not so good at that. As it stands, I'm really thrilled that I managed to wash the dishes tonight *and*rearrange the stacks of papers I need to grade that were scattered across the table. That's the highlight of my day...until I wash my hair. Where would you go? My dream escape takes me to just about anywhere I don't know the language. I think it's comical that someone who loves communicating in any form would want to run away to a place where there would be no communicating. Then again, the only reason I ever want to run away is to find some solace in my solitude. I know that I recharge best when I'm alone. One of the things I've discovered about the "people" in the book I'm (will be when I get a free moment) working on is that they are all running from something. They've ...

I think I finally have a story ready to come out. Loss seems to be the big theme for me lately. Who am I kiddng? Loss is the theme of my life. And if you're honest, it's probably a major theme for yours. Isn't that why we fear change as much as we do? The story I'm working on is centered around 6 people (or pairs of people) whose lives intersect in a completely benign way. In my head it's sort of like Pulp Fiction meets Exile and the Kingdom. So far, I've met 4 of the people and heard about their losses: dreams, hopes, plans, identity. The funny part of writing is the way you see the characters and listen to their stories. That's where I am right now...walking around the place where these people are connected and listening to what they have to say. (For some reason, I think they're in Mexico.) I hope I do them justice. I enjoy listening to stories, especially when I don't feel the need to react and respond. Soaking up another person's words is a...