lets you know you're alive

Whoa. It’s been a while. I haven’t been writing much, but I should. The inversion has sealed the valley in an icy bubble of stagnant air. It slowly drives people mad as the air fills with hanging smoke, unable to rise and the air quality gets poorer by the day. We are trapped until another front moves through to free us, however briefly. I don’t mind being driven indoors by the subzero temperatures and the particulate laden air. I have been strangely productive lately, fixing some things and purging others. I don’t attribute it to the new year, because while I have resolutions these actions don’t pertain to them. I think it is due to the inability to do things outdoors. Since I cannot do anything outside, I am freed to lock myself away in my house and do things. I should be writing, though – snuggled up by the fire with tea. 

I went to philosophy discussion a few nights ago. We talked about how American society has fragmented due to endless entertainment choices. We used to all watch the same shows on the same nights and could have a conversation about them. Now, there are so many options no one watches the same shows, and even when you do you can’t talk about them because everyone is on a different season depending on what medium they are using to view them. We no longer have a common experience. 

A friend of mine had a potluck over at his house. This was a huge step for him, as he is a bit anti-social. But, he did a good job of being a polite host and not freaking out about all of the people milling around. We also all left promptly at 9:45, which probably helped. I could tell he was trying to figure out how to tell us he’d had enough and wanted us all to leave. It is a testament to just how far he’s come in the last year or so.

On Friday, my friend broke up with another boyfriend. We all saw it coming but were surprised at how friendly it was. She must be learning something because her breakups are usually quite dramatic. Because of the breakup, we had to all meet at the tap room for the obligatory beer and support session. It wasn’t a chore, though. We’re accustomed to drinking and talking, whatever the reason.

Somebody left their car parked outside of the shop for three days – no one knew who or why. We started to make up stories about it and decided there must be a dead body in the trunk. Everyone in town probably had a piece of the puzzle, saw something, but everyone also had a secret that prevented them from going to the police with what they knew. Our story grew and encompassed all of our town regulars. It made a boring Sunday afternoon in the shop go much quicker. I wish I’d written it all down.

So, my husband left for Sedona this morning. Many people here just close up and head down there this time of year, to escape the inversion and continue their mountain biking lifestyle. I have been invited down as well and plan to go as soon as I get my 90,000 mile servicing on my car. I wish I could have gone with him, though. I found a cute place to stay down there and plan to have a great couple of days, hanging with a friend, riding my bike and writing. I always write better on a trip.