My weekend has been both pleasant and productive.
Friday, I taught at the prison and I think it went well. I really enjoyed it and am excited to go back next week. The men want to really work shop their work and not be talk at so much, so tat is what we're going to do. I think it will be good for all involved.
Friday night, I was able to see my friend Michele. She is one of my dearest and I haven't seen her in a couple of years. We meet up at Barleycorns and watched a pretty amazing set by the Gunshy before heading across the street to the Vagabond to catch up and have some hummus and wine. Whenever we're together it seems like no time has past and I have always felt that feeling is a true measure of friendship. We caught up, I filled her in on my recent adventures to both Iowa and Madison, and she reminded me that the things you usually need the most come when you least expect them (I had more to say about that but that seems to pretty much sum it up). We talked about Sid and Hank and babies in general, and of course gossiped about the sixth floor and touched on my issues with all that goes on up there. She is always so sweet and supportive and I miss her all the time.
We talked a lot about Sid and Hank, and of course, poetry. She really enjoys Wichita and it was nice to be reminded just how nice things can be around here at times. I forget and her view has made it a bit easier to think about the next year I have to spend here. (Oh, and I did slip of the wagon and smoke. I coughed most of yesterday and that made me not crave them at all since)
Last night we had a late dinner with Brian and Emily some cafe that I can never remember where it is or what it's name is. We had a bottle of wine and some really nice sandwiches. Emily and I, afterwards headed over the Alibi Room, where we had a couple of drinks and caught up a bit. It's been a while since I have really since Emily and while our conversations tend to be a bit more awkward I have always enjoyed her company too. We joked about renting one of those party buses for my birthday which would be funny, but I don't think I could afford it. I think I will just put out an open invite to some bar for the Friday before my birthday this year. No mess no fuss sort of deal.
Today, I have been cleaning closets and drawers and mopping floors. I have a touch of spring fever and I want to get everything back in some sort of order. I have a lot of things I'm not using and it's time to decided what is worth keeping and what is not. I got a new shoe tree today as the one I have doesn't seem to really work and hopefully that will help to relieve some of my shoes. I have an issue getting rid of anything I deem as 'vintage.' I just love all that stuff. My goal was to get all my clothes into just the front closet. I got close. I had to put my dresses, coats, and jackets in the closet in my room. I still have all these summer clothes in the basement, but if they don't fit in May I will be tossing them. No reason to hang on to things that don't fit. I have also decided that there are some things that if I don't wear them within the next year they'll be tossed too. I have a love/hate relationship with my love for fashion. But, in the last year I have not bought any 'new' clothes except for a couple pair of jeans and three pair of slacks for work. I think this year the rule should be I can't pay more than five dollars for anything. We'll see how that goes.
