Back in the Old House
Tuesday morning, I woke up at 7:30 and spent the next eleven hours shuttling through cars, airports, and airplanes. A bit of Salinger, some Neil Gaiman, and a few bands I hadn’t heard in a while helped pass the time. By evening, I was back at my old house, feeling more displaced than relieved.
Things look different. The walls that used to hold family photos now sport only empty hooks—the plan is to repaint most of the interior, so the decoration is sparse. The back door, which never quite closed right, has been replaced. Even the doorknobs feel smaller than I remember.
Where Home Is
Writing that title makes me wonder what “home” really means now. I don’t have a fixed address, just a probabilistic likelihood of being found at any given spot. I live a quantum existence, shifted by small but predictable uncertainties.
I swung by my old school to catch up with friends and teachers. The meetings were brief but pleasant—security, contrary to official policy, waved me right in, and I didn’t argue. Afterwards, Mark and I grabbed some sushi, which was excellent.
Catching Up on Music and Books
A quick visit to my favorite local music store—a side effect of my digital piracy habits—led me to pick up Kaki King’s Legs to Make Us Longer. It’s a change from what I’ve been listening to lately: no obvious melody or strong emotional hook, but it compels attention through sheer skill, complexity, and character. I can’t quite describe her style, but there’s a guitar, and once it starts, you can’t look away.
The best part of the past two days has been reading again—not technical manuals or news pieces or essays, but actual books with plots and characters and description. I was never big on Salinger’s short stories, but Catcher in the Rye hit me in a strange, poignant way. I’m currently working through American Gods, which is enjoyable for entirely different reasons.
I’m waiting to hear back about work, though it’s looking like I won’t be back on the clock until Monday. If you’re around, feel free to stop by and say hello.
