It’s rushing up on me, this lack of time. I’ve resisted disassembling the house, trying to sift through the stuff, to find the proper box for this and the right packing material for that. For the first time in a long time, I’m considering the wooden trunk. Full of old journals (when I was super-tragic) and unused notebooks, I am contemplating whether or not I should bring all of those memories and events with me. I’ve felt it all before — that pinching pain of rejection, the elation that comes with success. I don’t need my words to remind me. And it feels like I’ve outgrown the need for those reminders. My memory, although flawed and eroding, holds what I need to remember, and nothing more. Perhaps I should destory or give away those old papers that mean less to me. I don’t know that Erica anymore. She doesn’t belong in Portland.

Then again.. I’ll probably chicken out and bring all of that crap with me.

Speaking of things we are getting rid of. I’ve got a few things to give away. I promised Julie our bookshelves, but I don’t know if they will all fit in her house. The biggest thing we need to get rid of now is that futon. We don’t need it anymore. If you want it - let me know. Part of one of the armrests is scratched up from where the dogs stood on it, but it’s in perfect shape. Also, the mattress is better than most and we splurged on the cover. Let me know if you want it — otherwise, I have to find a way to get it to the Salvation Army or something. As I relinquish more stuff, I’ll let you know. I would rather give things to my friends than to strangers. Also, we have a shitload of alcholol that will have to stay in Orlando. Except the vodka — i need it to make my vodka cream sauce. I’ll give all that stuff away on our last week.

As for gatherings and such. My weekends are open right now. D and I are going to see Pirates this weekend… I can’t wait. I am going to be in PA from the 18th to the 26th of June. And we are leaving on Saturday June 30th - which doesn’t leave a lot of time for goodbyes. But we will manage. Let me know when and if you want to get together — I’m flexible.

I finished my story for Seton Hill. I kind of intended it to be a first chapter or story for a composite novel. It’s not as strong as I would like it to be, but I’m in love with one particular character. I will post the story later today when I get home. I reread it and found tense shifts and some point of view issues, but I can get away with it being slightly crap because it’s a “work in progress.”