Not much going on recently. I've been spending most of my time either painting or practicing with my bass. I actually started lessons... well, a lesson anyway. Luckily living with J gives me access to a musically knowledgeable person so I've learned a lot from him as well. The mural is coming along nicely. I have the background done and started the main outlines today. It's got a double challenge of being both the largest and most precisely geometric thing I've ever done. Very different from my usual style but I think it will be good. I'm definitely been enjoying challenges lately, both in my creative life and at work. I think it's mainly because I am very secure right now, more than I have been in a very long time. Actually, this is probably the least stressed and happiest I have ever been. Even in college, which was one of my favorite times, I was dealing with hellish family drama that was so bad I don't even remember huge chunks of time. It's a great feeling to be this much at peace with myself and my surroundings. Moving to Vermont was one of the best decisions we ever made.

We're going back to DC/Baltimore next week. I'm sure that will cement this feeling even more. I'm really looking forward to going back and seeing all of our friends there. We were actually able to schedule time with just about everybody. I'm looking forward to seeing Shirleyne and Pat and meeting their new baby, eating banana spring rolls with Shirley and Will, and hanging out with Heidi and Craig like old times. I'm hoping we get down to DC at some point too, there is an exhibit at the Hirshhorn I would love to see while we're there. I'm not sure if we'll make it to Orpheus this time. I'd like to try though, Burlington has a lot of things but unfortunately no S+M goth clubs. I think we're doing the Fell's Point ghost tour one night as well, that should be fun.

I guess I should get back to reading now. I'm re-reading HP and the Order of the Phoenix since Jeff has already started HP and the Half-Blood Prince.