How Much Does a Gas Can Cost?

Today while I was stopped at a light in O'Bryonville (with my windows down), a woman approached me and asked for help. She told me her story—aunt in hospital, car out of gas, "Do you have a gas can?", "Can you take me to the gas station?"—which I'm sure is just a story. Before you blast me for being cynical, realize that I am 95% certain that I have picked up this exact same woman before—it's virtually the same story, and both times she flashed a Tennesee driver's license. Story or not, I picked her up. I only have two criteria (I think) for giving a stranger a ride: 1. Must be female. 2. Must be polite. So it doesn't matter to me whether her story is true or not. I'm willing to give her a ride regardless.

It turns out once she's in the car that she no longer wants to go to the gas station directly; she'd like to go to whatever family member's house is surprisingly close by. I think it was her uncle this time. On the way, she details the various family members who aren't answering their phones. Once we're to the drop of point, she asks if I have just $3-4 because she has $3 already and then she could buy a gas can. I look and tell her I don't have any cash, because I only have a $20 and I'm not willing to give it to her. Then she says, "Are you sure? I just need $7.99. I can get a gas can for $7.99." I say no and offer to give her my gas can, which she's not interested in. So she gets out and thanks me. She walks away and I drive on.

What fascinated me was that she knew the exact price of a gas can. If I'm stranded and in need of help, I'm absolutely certain that I'd have no idea how much a gas can costs. I did a quick search and it turns out she's right: You can get a gas can for $7.99 here. Good to know.

All in all, it was a reminder at the end of a hectic Monday that my life is not such a mess; and even when I'm tired and frustrating and sweaty and my car is making a ever-loudening, mysterious clunking noise, there's a bigger picture and I'm part of it.

Two Observations

1. Eating with friends is more fun than eating alone. Since eating is one of my favorite things, I should do it more often with my favorite people. Sometimes it's nice to eat lunch at my desk or have popcorn for dinner in bed, but sometimes it's not.

2. Three year olds are a wild, diverse species. Within 8 hours yesterday, I had one such youngster spontaneously ask about my day and tell me she loved me; then later another called me a f-cker. Both adorable, blond, funny, zany kids that I love, but two ends of a broad spectrum.

Why I Haven't Been Blogging

… which is basically the same as why I haven't been working out too.

• busy babysitting, doing Stop Traffick Fashion stuff, etc.
• busy having summer fun
• reading
• thinking about things I can't talk about on my blog (not as scandalous as it sounds)
• too tired
• sometimes doesn't seem worth the effort
• apathy

Since I know you've all been sitting in silence waiting for me to write (and go to the stinking gym), I'll try to be better. Maybe I should set a goal or something. Ehhh, maybe not.

Good News for M&M Lovers

I saw this on CNN today. The dye in blue M&Ms can help heal spinal injuries. So in preparation for any future spinal injuries, I'm going to start eating lots of blue M&Ms. Plus high doses of it can make you turn blue, so that will keep me entertained as I wait for any impending spinal injuries.

Also (and I hate to say this about a rodent) but, oh my goodness, that blue mouse is stinking adorable.

The Most Expensive Book I've Ever Bought

A few weeks ago I finished Girls Like Us by Sheila Weller. It's a combined biography of Carole King, Joni Mitchell, and Carly Simon and talks about their lives and how they characterized a generation. It's part People magazine, part history book—and I loved the balance between the two. Weller does a great job weaving story and journalistic fact into a compelling and informative read.

So why was it so expensive? Well, it's a big fat book, so it cost $17. Then every stinking chapter they're talking about this or that amazing album, so I spent like $40 on iTunes augmenting my collection (including some James Taylor, since he was involved with Joni and Carly). Then I showed the book to my mom and she got really excited, so I bought it for her for her birthday. It adds up, but it was worth it.

I know more about recent cultural historical events than I ever did before. (I say historical not because the events are old, but because they had a great impact. No, Mom, of course you're not old.) I have one of the best playlists I've ever made, and I appreciate the personal significance behind many of the songs in a way that goes deeper than just their lyrics.

Joni, Carole, and Carly lived interesting, inspiring, flawed, tragic, fun- and struggle-filled lives. Weller portrays them honestly but with respect and reverence.

My new 70's-heavy playlist combined with my recent Mary Tyler Moore watching spree makes me think I may have been born at the wrong time.

Jacksonville for the 4th

There was much reading and much relaxing.

I got to hang out with Megan!

My feet in the sand.

My sunglasses are cheap and my hair is yucky, but I am happy.

The late afternoon sky.

The beach at dusk.

Fireworks off the pier.

Fire over the waves in the dark.

V-a-c-a-t-i-o-n

Tomorrow morning I'm heading to Jacksonville, FL for a quick vacation. Not a trip, a vacation. Plenty of rest and mental quiet. I feel like I've been running myself ragged lately. My to do list won't stop and my mind wants to give up. So I'm giddy-excited for the the beach. I'm not even really a beach person, so my excitement is a testament to just how much I need a switch to a restful pace. I'm planning to start (and finish?) Jhumpa Lahiri's Unaccustomed Earth on my trip, and perhaps do some writing. Plus, I get to see my dear friend Megan, which will definitely be an asset to my long-term sanity.

There may be pictures; there may be updates. I make no guarantees.

Hopefully I'll find a way to bring my new-found calm, cool demeanor back with me.