I still miss Holland, even after eight years. I miss the human scale of the cities. I miss the way the modern world coexisits with ghosts of The Roman Empire. I think about the things I should have done there, but didn't: visit Gouda, visit Rotterdam, rent a bicycle, ride a tram. I wonder, if I had been born in Utrecht and had spent 18 days in Seattle, what I'd miss about the USA.

I started reading East Of Eden last night. I have no explanation for why I am so hesitant to start this book. I keep getting this feeling that I'm getting into more than I can handle. That makes absolutely no sense. I've handled epic novels before, and, besides, Steinbeck is easy to read. This feeling must be coming from somewhere else.

I woke up this morning with a strong urge to rewrite Waking Up In Ashland. I want to tighten it up - focus it more. I want to fictionalize it more. I want to get rid of the baby - he was there, but didn't contribute much to the story.

Day one of a five-day weekend: The zoo trip with Vacation Bible School that never materialized for us. Two and a half hours of early morning instant messaging with Kelly. Totally blowing my budget at the best grocery store we've yet discovered. An afternoon of watching E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial on DVD. Not doing much of anything else.

For the record, I should clarify something: Kelly's email in no way called me a jerk. The presence of it merely reminded that I've been a jerk. (Hi, Kelly!)

Kelly, the driver of big 4X4s, my best girl at my wedding, the only person in the world who regularly calls me by a nickname, the only person in the world who wears a tattoo designed by me, my soulmate, who sticks by me no matter what, emailed me from Arizona this afternoon to remind me what a jerk I am for not keeping in closer touch with her.

The revolution, it seems, is quietly taking shape. Sound Transit (Puget Sound), Metro Transit (King County, Washington), and Tri-Met (Hillsboro / Beaverton / Portland / Gresham, Oregon) are all making plans toward the use of hybrid electric-diesel busses. I think this is very exciting.

Like I said, Boy Meets Boy is rigged. Scripted. I mean, it has to be. Last night, the show got down to the last three contestants, and James was informed that "one of the mates is straight." Next week is the final episode. I was thinking about what a perfect ending that is. Then I realized that it's the only way it could have ended. If all the straight guys had been eliminated before now, there wouldn't be much thrill is finding out who gets chosen, would there? If all three of the contestants were straight, the show would be over early. The producers wouldn't risk that.

I realized today that I went through the entire weekend without playing my djembe even once. I must not lose the habit. What I've found works best for me is playing in front of the computer while Microsoft Train Simulator is playing in autodrive mode - drumming while virtual scenery passes by. I don't know why that works, but it does.

The loaf of bread I timer-baked for communion fell flat sometime during the night, so we stopped at QFC on the way to church this morning. I went to the check-out with just a loaf of bread, which was in a paper bag, and I had to stop the checker from putting it into a plastic bag. What is it with this country and our love of over-packaging? Why do we think that everything we buy has to be bagged - even a thing already bagged?

We went to The Cinerama after church to see Pirates Of The Caribbean, and redeemed our free movie passes, as well as the coupons for free soft drinks and popcorn, sent to us after my first attempt to see The Matrix Reloaded. (Which was not their fault, of course - see June 2 & June 18.) It was the first showing of the day, and it was delayed by their computer system not booting up correctly. The tickets had to be sold by hand (I'll bet the ticket seller was glad for my passes), as well as the refreshments. The movie started about ten minutes later than scheduled. As we exited the theater, we were handed coupons for free popcorn, and an apology for "any inconvenience." I love The Cinerama.

One disadvantage of being members of a toothbrush recycling program is there are no old toothbrushes lying around to clean shower grout with.