mlerules

Tonight I sleep in the 12th different bed I'll have slept in over the past 12 nights. It's been really nice reconnecting, realizing how many good friends I have down here, blah blah blah. I feel a true proper MLE-style ramble abrewing...but I'm tired and have a(nother) long day ahead of me. O'morrow's a return to the MouseHouse w/AJ &

delerium3. On Tuesday I'll visit w/another cuz in the afternoon but'm otherwise free. Then I fly back home on Wednesday.

Security and comfort come from knowing my way around, from getting off the fwy and being confronted with massive nasty-@ss traffic (I forgot 'bout tonight's H-wood Bowl thingiemabob despite just having been there the previous night) and recovering well, avoiding the serious snarl, wending my way through the Hollywood Hills and arriving at the (great!) restaurant early enough to find street parking (I avoid valet'ing when I can); from having multiple offers of places to sleep/stay/use as home base for my SoCal travels; from realizing that not only some men but also some women find me attractive; from spending time w/folks who've known me for years 'n' years (30 years in one instance, 23 in another, just a couple, &c.)

And yet, even with all this - perhaps because I still have all this - I look forward to getting back HOME to the PacificNW, to exploring more (people, places, things, experiences), to diving in deeper, to putting down roots, to weaving webs, to getting (further) caught up, to broadening horizons, to expanding circles, to forging further connections, to doing whatever one does to/with mysteries...becoming one with...perhaps...this needs further pondering.

What's worked out quite well this trip has been making no plans earlier than 11am, thus allowing recovery time - and some quiet alone time w/just one or a few people in the morning before moving onward w/the day. I've also been pleased w/the balance 'tween busyness and relaxation.

Yesterday (Sat) after a slow getting go (the morning's post had I been capable of posting would have been simply this: In the Immortal Words of Ren: "I hurt."),

hiddentass and I headed to Huntington Gardens for tea, took a brief stroll through the Children's Garden, then sank happily onto the grass in some shade, enjoying the breeze, the blue sky, a few birdies flying by, butterflies, silence and chatting and cuddling and quiet happiness. After that we shuttled to the Hollywood Bowl for Pink Martini and the H-wood Bowl Orchestra (and Carol Channing) and fireworks to Ravel's Bolero...Brazil still haunts my brain delightfully...great people, great music, great food, great night.

Today's meals (good food and laughter) (e.g., brunch w/a couple Dear Friends and din-din w/my bro and his g-friend) bracketed mellow relaxing time w/a couple more Dear Friends for the bulk of the afternoon.

I don't exactly know where my life's headed (other than Northward), but I like how it's headed.