Back to Basics

It's been awhile since my blog has enjoyed my company, and, for that matter, since I have enjoyed the company of my blog.  I don't know how to explain this temporary separation except by saying that I haven't really been inspired to write.  I spent the past month and a half in Los Angeles, developing a normal routine and healthy habits, acclimating to my "old" life, observing what changed while I was away, and deciding what changes I need to make now.  I have been letting these adjustments happen calmly and organically.  However, in the midst of calming down, I made a pretty major decision.  I moved out of my lovely, cozy apartment in Venice, shipped all superfluous items to New Jersey, and moved into my car.  The freedom that this decision has afforded is intoxicating.  I can go anywhere I want to go, and I can make spontaneous decisions toward happiness and self-fulfillment without any logistical weight.  This move might seem extreme, but what seems big is actually small and simple.  The point is that I have less, and less is more.  Back to basics.  

My first move is to drive from LA to Manchester, TN for the Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival, which starts tomorrow.  I left very early on Monday morning.  It is amazing how quickly I wanted to begin writing again after hitting the road.  Automatic inspiration.  I have had a lot of time to spend with myself over the past few days, and that kind of self-companionship is what set me off on so many provocative roads while I was in South America.  Some things that have happened so far:

Drove 700 miles on day one after two hours of sleep on one large coffee and two cans of red bull.  And an Egg McMuffin.  My body hates me.  

Listened in play-by-play torture as Italy got beat by the Dutch in their first UEFA Euro Cup game.  However, had fun screaming expletives to myself, i.e. VAFANCULO.

Miscalculated the fact that Mother Earth has me losing hours here and there due to time zone changes, and still made it to Salt Lake City before rush hour thanks to one very heavy foot.

Got to crawl around my cousin Carolyn's basement (i.e. playhouse paradise) with her two adorable kids, Thomas and Emelia.  They are the most beautiful, happy, loving and polite child prodigies you might ever have the pleasure of meeting.  Emelia is my four-year-old goddaughter.  She will be an Olympic gold medalist in gymnastics in 2020, and she is already reading.  The DGs make it look easy.

  

Attended my cousin Steve's arena football game - he's the kicker for the Utah Blaze.  I was stunned by the zany dynamics of professional sports in the company of Mormons:  there is no BEER.  Weird.  

Took the road less traveled through the Utah mountains, and then along a rattlesnake speedway through the Utah desert.  Threw the windows down and belted Springsteen's "The Promised Land."  Proceeded to sing Springsteen songs for hours.  I got the radio on and I'm just killing time, baby.  It doesn't take much to make myself so damn happy.  

Decided to throw on the cowboy hat.  Just because.  Yeeeeehaw

Participated in on-air NPR talk.  My take on campaign finance and special interests:  make public financing required.  DUH.  We are spending 1 billion dollars on this damn election.  I know almost 1 billion people in this world who don't have enough to freaking eat.  

I have been playing this game with truck drivers where I drive up along their right side, flash a flirty smile, and then speed away.  Kinda dumb, kinda awesome.  

Getting to know Stephen Hawking, a la "The Universe in a Nutshell," on CD.  I still don't understand string theory, but I am making some progress.  Every time I start feeling lost, I back up a chapter.  Understanding theoretical physics is becoming central to my spirituality.

An observation before bed:  I am starting to understand how to feel peace in solace, and to reject the need for validation, while also feeling an intense longing to connect with others and to love.  This topic will receive further reflection.  

One final note.  Dinner at Applebees:  $12.  One room at the Columbia, Missouri Motel 6:  $40.  Falling asleep while watching Cristiano Ronaldo score goals:  so damn priceless.

As always, much love.  I'll be right back.  ~Katie