Sleeper town--well, for now. I'll take it!

It's pretty quiet in this town right now.

I think I might have a back-and-forth opinion of this throughout the summer.

Last week I had hardly been back in town for more than a week and I was sooo ready to go to the lake for Cor's wedding. Today I walked through a strip mall parking lot--to be fair, it was pretty far from campus, but I still think it would have been more crowded during the school year--and it's possible my walking speed slowed so as to enjoy the relative peacefulness of the suburban environment.

I have to travel again in less than two weeks, which should be super fun (and emotional--big emotional wedding #2, here we go, then y'all need to give me a break for a while), but I imagine when I get back I'll be exhausted and thus enjoy the quiet college town again upon my return.

As for this time next week, when it's not quite time to leave town for wedding #2, but I'll have had some more days without class or a shift at the paper? Who knows.

The trick is to 1)not lose my mind (seriously; that's one of my biggest fears during summer, if I have too much free time to think) and 2)control the spending.

Control the spending, Bailey. Are you listening to yourself type this?

Today I went for a run--ahem, after buying some running shoes and a pair of cutesy shoes--which is a hobby I hope to get back into. First, because I want to; I've missed it, and I'm a freak who likes running in the humid heat (most of the time). And second, better health, etc. etc. But third, because when I run there is the prep stage:

i.e., eat to up the caloric energy level, let some of the chow digest so Ms. Bails doesn't vomit during her run, and remain seated in front of daytime television to give the legs a little break.

Okay that leg break thing applied a whole lot more when I was working a job that had me standing for several hours, but I'm allowing it to remain in effect.

What, do you want me to stand in my apartment just because? Please.

Then there's the running stage itself, followed by the everything-else stage:

shower, eat, and then eventually get really tired, and

Ta dah! We made it to bedtime without spending money!

Except for today, when I bought shoes...and a newspaper...and coffee and a scone.

Better luck tomorrow? We'll see...I want to take my new cutesy red shoes out for a spin. Maybe we'll go to the federally-funded, free library and show ourselves off there.

Midnight competition

You know how some nights you're really hungry and really tired, and one wins out over the other?

Sometimes when I reach that point, I pause for a little moment of thought, and ask myself if I'd rather ignore the hunger and crash, or if I'm too hungry to successfully hit the pillow just yet.

Little tip: opening the fridge door can help to expedite your decision, I've found.

Well, tonight's score?

Ice cream, 1. Sleep, well, not exactly a zero (I hope!), it's just pending. I've had a good serving of Cherry Garcia, so I think I'm good to move to the sleep department now.

Public Speaking

I cried while I was writing that toast. So of course I hardly got any of the words out when it was time to read it.

Love you so much, newlywed bestie Corie. Congrats to you and Cyle, and thanks for having such a fun, FUN wedding!

P.S. Guess who caught the bouquet. I'll give you a hint: she has a blog with a rhyming title. ;) You know what that means...!

P.P.S. At the rehearsal dinner, I sandwiched a hamburger patty and pulled pork together (I think this was Riley's idea, although he might have been joking, but I went with it) and then I dipped it in ranch salad dressing before each bite (Riley did not support this action). It was AWEsome.

Hollerrr

I missed yesterday's post, I know.

Found an Internet connection briefly.

At the lake celebrating Corie's big day!

Smooches!

Bossypants says read this book!!!

I finished it.

Just prior to 3 a.m., I believe.

A book that made it to my top ten list.

That's a big deal, people.

Mark Obmascik, thank you so so so much for such a great read: The Big Year.

It had been a long while since I'd just lapped up a book. I've been exposed to a lot of acclaimed writing in the past year, but I picked this up from a public library display and was more blown away by it than any of the Esquire clips I've been shown here at school.

This book is soooo good. I'm not sure that I'm going to get any of you to read it yourselves--even though you should--but I'm not going to tell you how the book ends. Because I was wondering up until the final chapter.

I just talked to Riley on the phone and he made a sarcastic response to my plug for a book about birdwatching: "Sounds great..."

But I'm telling you, Riley Francis, and the rest of you out there: Give this book a chance! You might get hooked!

Oh, and the movie release date is October 14. Later than the July 4 I was hoping for, but worth the wait I say. But guys, don't rely on the movie.

READ. THE. BOOK.

Do it!!!