An islander visits the center right, by which it is to be assumed that he leaves the island and travels far far away.

I have a headache and I am restless.

Money, christmas, new years, school, work, taxation, man's role in changing the face of the earth, and some deep primal desire to go on road trips haunt me.

Thanksgiving, instead of slaking my wanderlust, only made me realize how parched for travel I am. I don't want to get there, just enjoy the ride.

Northeast of Poughkeepsie, a small grocery store, with a minivan in the parking lot full of stuffed animals, had a woman in the checkout in front of me who spent thirty dollars, of which fourteen was spent on rub off a sordid assortment of instant win rub-off lottery tickets, the process of choosing which was, interestingly enough, mind you, a collaborative process between seller and sellee. "Why don't you get this one too?" went the conversation.

The subway stop smelled like olding clam chowder on Thursday. Now imagine the internalized requisite "smile & nod".

The station this evening had an a capella gospel group singing. Less Xmas schlocky, more Hallelujahish.

The trip up north was nice. A cabin in the catskills. Good food. Good wine. Satellite Television with the same collection of shitty channels everywhere else. A record player and tons of LPs to go through. The record player was a delight to play with. Antonia & I were in early twenties indie rocker bliss in finding icelandic disco/late seventies rock. And an excellent selection of country albums, including a collaborative effort with Kris Kristoferson and Kenny Rogers. Oh to have had the cables to record it onto a computer.

The only use of a computer the entire weekend was to search out a Hardees location in order to find the elusive 1400 calorie burger, yes, a passing fancy of mine. The closest Hardees, alas, turned out to be in either DC or western Pennsylvania. No deathburger for me today.

Sunday Dinner is at Jeanne's today. Cornish Hens cooked wrapped in bacon. No Meatards here.

mmm.

AND, Avigail's copious spice rack, an early purchase for our place, is getting much love.

Or is it the other way around?

"Over"