Things happen fast around here. One day I’m living alone in a studio apartment and the next week I’m in a beautiful, very large house, with three other people. I need to get camera, because this house is just lovely. You should see the kitchen! Also, there is a huge backyard and front yard. I face when I sleep now, Orion above my head. I know there is a poem in there somewhere.

Yesterday I caught a matinée of Into the Wild, near my house. I was very low energy and just feeling kind of blah, so the film really affected me. To be honest, it’s a little long. But just when I felt the tension dissipate, the ending came along and knocked me out, it was so intense. Even though I’ve read the book several times, so I know the ending, it still packed a wallop.

What I recall most is the cinematography, which was stunning, Emile Hirsch’s lovely performance; when he sees the caribou? running and his eyes well up with tears. Just perfect. Hal Holbrook. Hal Holbrook. Hal Holbrook. He broke my heart. The music fit perfectly and the story, which I’m sure everybody knows by now is really a quest and I certainly could and can identify with it. Some people are searchers, while others don’t feel that need to question and look. Christopher McCandless was definitely a searcher.

So I guess I feel sad after the film but hopeful and full of the fire that comes from seeing a piece of art.

I’ve been feeling more than a little blue lately, maybe it’s the time of year. But the promising news is that Friday I have an appointment to finally try hormone replacement therapy, or at least to find out more about it. I’m hoping that taking this step will help my state of mind and my insomnia.

You see, I didn’t know that loneliness had levels.

It’s going to be a long winter.

Sf Gate has a nifty article on the brassière entitled, Bras - a century of suspension.

okay, that looks really uncomfortable…

I’ve been hearing bits and pieces from the Robert Plant and Allison Krausse collaboration, called Raising Sand. I’ve liked it. Tonight I heard the song, “Please, read the letter” and now I’m hooked. An awesome song, written by Page and Plant.

And another thing, check out St. Vincent. She’s one of Sufjan Stevens backup singers.

Oh, and then there is bon iver
I knew there was something good about myspace. It’s the unsigned bands!

I almost forgot Peter, Bjorn and John ……

The fabulous Missoula radio station, “The Trail”, is now streaming live. Check it out!

1. caring is creepy - the shins
2. why should I cry for you - sting
3. stolen car - patti griffin
4. fly me to the moon -frank sinatra
5. parkin’ in the moonlight - the fabulous dorsey brothers orchestra
6. sister morphine - the stones
7. you are the light - the innocence mission
8. as - stevie wonder
9. devuelveme el corazon - julio jaramillo
10. suite no. 1 d minor - the french suites/glenn gould

I played hooky from my classes this week and I feel quite guilty. The primary reason was because the new job that I have taken on is very intense and time consuming. I have taken over the cooking, ordering and menu planning for the catering company that I work for. Essentially I am splitting the job with another person, because I am in school and the other person is also employed somewhere else. So far it’s been great. We get on well together and we both share a passion for making great food, which is important.

I had a dream about my French class last night, perhaps out of guilt that on Friday there was a quiz that I missed.

I made a promise to my new cooking partner that I would miss no more classes. A promise I intend to keep.

I hope this year (40th) will be better than the last. I feel more at peace, and not so lonely as when I first got here. I’ve made some friends at school and at work, which helps.

More later….