Thursday, November 26, 2009

colum mccann

I miss Bob.

Whenever I read a book like Let the Great World Spin I think of Bob and I miss him more than ever.

Bob owned a bookstore. He could be a curmudgeon but he knew his books and he knew his customers. I used to have this kind of funny Sunday ritual (this was in the days before the internets and powell's books online and amazon dot com). I used to read every single review in the NY Times Review of Books and then in a notebook I would record the books I wanted to buy, trying to wait until they came out in paperback. I would date the entry and that way I knew to look for a particular book about a year later.

Bob got to know me and my lists. He was the kind of bookstore owner who would take a customer around the store and say "Here, read this first sentence" or he would just add a book to my stack without much in the way of commentary because he knew I rarely said no, like a sex addict.

That's how I came to read my first Colum McCann - This Side of Brightness - one of the most brilliant books I have ever read and subsequently I have read everything Colum McCann has written. I tried to hold off buying Let the Great World Spin until it came out in paperback but I couldn't wait. Only three pages in and I know it's a book I will not want to end.

At readings at Bob's bookstore we met so many authors I can't remember them all. Nuala O'faolain, Ian Rankin, Robert Crais, James Elroy, Frank McCourt. One night a friend and I joined Bob and Patrick McCabe for drinks as Mr. McCabe regaled us with story after story.

Now I'm in a town with one crappy bookstore. When I go back to that fishing village in Mexico there will no bookstore at all. I will have return to my Sunday ritual - making note of the books I want to buy a year from now.

I miss Bob and I miss independent bookstores.

Wednesday, November 18, 2009

airstreamin'


My trailer and van before desert sun and sea air took their tolls.

Today (or maybe yesterday) is my fifth year anniversary. I have been living in an 8 by 25 foot tin can for five years. I hate using the cliche "how time flies" but lordy how time has flown. When I left the Pacific NW that sunny November day I had no idea where I would be five years down the road. I didn't know if I'd still be living in my Airstream or if I would've grown tired of it and that lifestyle.

I am beginning to feel a little cramped. Staying at the Landlord's house I realize that it is nice to have rooms to expand into. A living room! A kitchen! A bed room! What I couldn't do with all these rooms.

Even though I'm feeling that way - and for some reason I can't quite pin down I'm dragging my feet about getting back to Mexico and my Airstream - I am happy that Airstreaming is my lifestyle for now. I don't currently have the income to move into an apartment or a house and even if I did, I still don't know where I would choose to do that. So living in a moveable house is the perfect solution for me.

I never trust people who say they have no regrets. I have tons of regrets. But moving into my Airstream five years ago isn't one of them.

Sunday, November 15, 2009

Dear Pete Dexter

You probably don't remember me but I had you sign a copy of Spooner at Portland, Oregon's, Wordstock. You were pretty tired as this was the last stop on your book tour before you headed up to Puget Sound. BTW, in spite of that I really enjoyed your talk. Sorry you couldn't take more questions what with that long-winded announcement over the speaker system. You handled that interruption quite well.

Your wife asked me about the organic farm and I'm the one who worked at your local post office. Maybe those two things will jog your memory. In my book you wrote "Wave as you go by in Arizona."

I wasn't bullshitting when I said that I had read everything you'd written. I have yet to start Spooner. I'm saving it for my return to Mexico. What a treat that will be! There is a library in the trailer park office where the snowbirds leave their used paperbacks - mostly Tom Clancy and Nora Roberts. No thank you.

Meeting you rekindled my desire to get back to Arizona ASAP and to get back to my book which had been sitting on the back burner while I tried to work and earn enough gas money to return to Arizona. I didn't tell you about my book or the fact that I mention you in it. I didn't want to appear overly gushy or take up too much of your time. Anyway, since meeting you I've had all these fantasies about running into you at my favorite saloon or maybe seeing you at the post office or the local bookstore (which keeps its books shrink-wrapped. What the hell is up with that? How can someone buy a book without opening it?). I figured we'd strike up a conversation and you would moan about how you needed a research/personal assistant and I'd say, "Well hell, I can do that" and then you'd say, "Why don't you move your trailer up to our place? There's plenty of room." You would politely offer to read my book and you'd say it was pretty good but that it needed work and why don't you do this and that and then we'd send it to your agent. Then I'd have my own (smaller) home in southern Arizona and I'd have to get a personal assistant. But we would still be friends.

So that's about it. Thanks for being such a wonderful writer. Hope to see you soon.

Antonia

Saturday, November 14, 2009

lone some

Lonesome. A word I can't shake.

I am lone some.
Somewhat alone.

Doesn't lonesome just conjure up images of cowboys and the desert? Lonesome Dove. High Lonesome Cafe.

Or how about this from Hank Williams Sr:

The silence of a falling star
lights up a purple sky
and as I wonder where you are
I'm so lonesome I could cry.

Wednesday, November 11, 2009

the creature behind my bed

I keep this blog anonymous - who I am, where I am - so I can write things like "The Landlord's house is a pigsty." Has he ever cleaned it? Granted, it's a work in progress. Floors need to be laid (or is that lain?), walls painted, window panes replaced but good grief. And even though I'm not much of a housekeeper, I do keep things dusted and wiped down. Not so here. At least the neighbor cleaned the bathroom and changed the bed linens before I arrived.

So the other night I went to change the sheets and I saw a big black bug-type leg sicking out from behind the headboard. As I jumped back, it seemed to withdraw. I ran out of the room, grabbed a fly swatter and a giant stick. The black leg reappeared when I waved the fly swatter between the wall and the headboard.

In an "Annie Hall" move I went looking for someone to get the creature. My neighbor's lights were out so I called the Italian. He is total type A and I knew he'd be up and wouldn't mind an excursion to save a damsel in distress. He came down to the Landlord's house, moved the bed out from the wall. There on the floor was a white postcard with black lines on it. Was that my creature? Had it fallen from a perch somewhere when I jostled the bed? Just to make sure, we lifted the mattress. All we saw were a shitload of spiders scurrying about but none of them big enough to be my creature.

Before going to bed I went into the bathroom where I found two ticks lolly-gagging, one on the floor and another on the side of the tub. I picked them up and deposited them in the toilet. I must've brought them in from the Landlord's truck when we went to lunch. Out at the ranch where he is staying they have - wait, let me count them - six, I think, big dogs and his dog always rides in the truck with him. Last week, when we went to the emergency room so the Landlord could get rehydrated, I had to laugh as he picked ticks off his body, squeezed them, and dropped them onto the ER floor. Well, it was funny because I was not going to be the next person to use that emergency room bed.

Spiders, ticks...I did not sleep at all that night. I felt like a meth addict - my skin crawling with imaginary bugs. Scratch, scratch, arms, legs, scalp. I guess it's time to get down to the nitty-gritty of cleaning. But first I need lots of music, a hazmat suit, and a thermos-full of martinis. Cheers.

Tuesday, November 10, 2009

twenty beds

It took a lot to run me off the beach: the unrelenting heat, the humidity, electricity going out every day. Then some ants moved in with their tour guide - a mouse. Finally two earthquakes struck in the Sea of Cortez and I cried "uncle." I threw some clothes in my truck, locked up the trailer, and headed for Estates Unidos for, oh I don't know, I figured a couple weeks. That was on August 3.

Ninety days, 4000 miles and about twenty beds later I'm back in that little blue dot town in southern Arizona. I was sure I'd be back in Mexico by the first of November but then The Landlord got sick - seriously sick - and so I'm hangin' here till he has surgery and a prognosis. It was just a few days after I crossed the border in August that the Yoga Teacher died, suddenly, in his sleep. There went the core of my 11:11 club.

It was the day I reached Portland, around September 1st, that a Portland barfly friend of mine died.

I felt as though this impromptu road trip - from AZ to OR - was a death tour. As I roamed the streets of Portland I saw dead friends. Isn't that the bookstore owner? Isn't that the writer? My friend the recycler and beer brewer? My favorite waiter? No, it couldn't be. They're all dead.

When I got back to this little AZ town I thought The Landlord was a goner. Damn, I'd never seen someone look so bad so fast. But with a new doctor, a new surgeon, and a little bit of pot to enhance his appetite, he's looking pretty good and we're all feeling quite optimistic.

Tomorrow is 11/11/2009 (2009 which adds up to 11). The club continues. The Yoga Teacher is here in spirit and I will drink a shot of tequila in his honor at 11:11 . Hell, maybe at both 11:11's.

Monday, November 9, 2009

CPR for bloggie

I heard Keith Olbermann say that Facebook was for people too lazy to blog. No kidding. I joined FB and there went Blogger.

It's time to revive it. Breathe some new life into the thing. But how to revamp it? Make it more interesting? I can't really think about that now. I'm off to Safeway for orange juice. Oh, yeah, I'm temporarily not in Mexico but I should be returning soon-ish.

Tuesday, April 28, 2009

la jefa

It's not like I don't have enough to do....working, writing, cocktailing, walking the beach. Now my Mexican boss, Rosa, is on my ass to make earrings that she can sell at her flea market stall on Sundays.

Rosa is a very industrious woman. She walks the beach very early each morning picking up cans to recycle. She collects all sorts of things to sell and give away. She's involved with a group here I can never remember the name of but it's a sort of Habitat for Humanity kind of place. And now she's my boss - la jefa.

Rosa is very particular about the earrings she wants. Primary colors with lots of beads; not too long but they have to be sort of dangly.

It's amazing how far we've gotten in our business relationship given the language barrier.

The biggest problem now is how much does she want to sell them for and how much is her commission? Given what people will pay, she's out of luck with earrings made of crystals, pearls and gem stones. I figure I'll be lucky to cover the cost of materials but, you know what? That's okay. Beings as I'm kind of broke right now, this is a good way for me to make a donation to a local charity.

Andale, antonia, andale!

Thursday, April 23, 2009

can a man and a woman be friends? most people think not i think

Living in a small trailer park in Mexico forces me to interact with people I don't particularly care for. Interpersonal dynamics and individual biases cannot be avoided. This brings me to my latest conversation with Lesbian Couple #2.

I should dig up the original post so I can link to that but I'm too lazy so bear with me. They are the "liberal" couple I initially got along with but who I came to not like very much. They live in my old space which is right across the lane.

This was our conversation the other day after the Big One saw my newly installed ceiling fan.

She: Where did you get that fan?
Me: From Bobito and the Skeeper installed it.
She: How do you get men to do all these things for you?
Me: Well, that's kind of a new phenomenon. I used to be terrible about asking for help and now the universe just gives it to me.
She: Can I ask you a question? Do you pay them back?

In other words, am I a mooch or a whore?

I answered her question but afterward I was really pissed. I thought of all kinds of things I should've said.

Then last night as the Skeeper was fixing me dinner, wouldn't you know that her partner just had to come by and ask for a fish recipe. Uh-huh. Sure.

The Skeeper and I are getting a kick out of people--not just Lesbian Couple #2--wondering why we spend so much time together. After all he is married and this is just SCANDALOUS! It's hard for people to imagine that we have a friendship based on the fact that he likes to cook, doesn't like eating alone, and I can be charming company. Plus I helped him with his computer and I did the dishes. It's pretty simple.

If I had to choose between being thought of as a mooch or a whore, I'd take the latter any day. Especially at this age. It's kind of a compliment, actually.

Saturday, April 11, 2009

semana santa

I have not always spoken kindly of the snowbirds in Mexico. You know, the ones who don't like Mexico or Mexicans but like cheap food and the beach and the sun. Fortunately, those people skedaddled around mid March. The remaining group is of a tolerable size and are here because they like Mexico and they like Mexicans (and the food is cheap and the weather is great and there's that beach).

Last night we walked around enjoying the sights, sounds, food and people during this crazy time, Semana Santa. I loved it that we were the only gringos. We went to the carnival. We ate fish tacos and shrimp cocktails. We couldn't help but dance under the strobe lights to music blaring from one of the carnival rides. We sampled the pineapple marinated pork from a new taco stand.

When we returned to the park, music blasted from the various family gatherings -- a group with a bonfire outside bungalow six, car stereos from campsites under the palapas. A band at the "party house" across the road behind my trailer serenaded me as I fell asleep.

Today we have plans to walk the beach to where the college kids are camped. I need to work. I've done very little transcription what with all the distractions: cocktail hours, dinners out, cocktail hours. But, hell, all this socializing is about to come to a crashing halt. Three couples leave this week and the rest will be gone by May 1st. Lesbian Couple #1 will leave in July for a few months, and Lesbian Couple #2 will head north in June. Just seven of us will stay throughout the summer. I'll have plenty of time to work then.

Thursday, April 2, 2009

cruz roja mexicana

The Mexican Red Cross has been fundraising for the past two weeks. People dressed as red crosses have been standing on corners with cans with slits in the lids. We've tossed in a peso or two but no more. No; we're not doing that any more. Now we're throwing in hundreds of pesos.

Twice this week ambulances have been called to RVs here on my row (which houses only five occupied rigs). Both times people have been taken to the hospital in the next biggest city which is 60 miles away FOR FREE. Yep. Ambulance rides do not cost one centavo. A third world country with affordable--and sometimes free--health care.

No wonder so many North American residents live here illegally.

Tuesday, March 31, 2009

the verdict is in

I've been back on the Sea of Cortez for two weeks and I am happy to report that I am happy to be back. The manana life suits me. I now have a place where I can sit outdoors and read, away from wind and prickly ground cover. The park is half full and I like the remaining group of snowbirds. Just enough but not too much socializing.

I like the challenge of living here. Not just the language thing but the fact that the town is so small that on shopping day we have to hit every Mini Super Market to fill up one small bag of groceries. Buy eggs there, meat there. OMG, fresh mushrooms from this little abarrotes and when did the meat market start carrying granola?! The simple things delight us.

But you do not want to be a Mexican dog in Mexico. The dog's life sucks here. As I sat on a chunk of cement waiting for nice young men to pull a nail out of my tire at the llantera, a skinny, mangy dog lay in the sun next to me. He had a newly broken foot and tumors hanging from his belly. The RV park dogs are so lucky to be living amidst gringos.

Gringo dogs, however, have been a big problem in the park. At the height of the season there were 33 dogs and most were ill-behaved snapping, biting, snarly little shits. And the owners were even more ill-behaved, not picking up after their little darlings. Because of this, many of the snowbirds who have been coming here for years may opt to winter over in Arizona at a park that has a separate area for pet owners.

This afternoon I will start painting my porche and then I will plant bougainvillea. I'll post pictures when finished. On Thursday The Landlord will be here for the night and I can't wait to see him.

Yes, I am very happy to be back on the Sea of Cortez.

Monday, March 16, 2009

back on the sea of cortez

People keep asking if I'm happy to be back and I honestly don't know what to say. Yeah, I guess. The thing is, I didn't want to stay where I was and I didn't know where to go. So I came back here. The first time I've ever gone back to a place once I left. Ever.

I am happy the towing is behind me. The drive wreaked havoc on my trailer. The pipe to the toilet sprung loose and now I have a leak. I have to find a plumber who is small enough to fit in my bathroom. A plumber with itty-bitty hands who can get to the errant pipe.

All in all I like my new space, the screened-in porch and locking bodega. I like having all my shit out of the van.

Sadly, I've been here since Saturday and still haven't gone to the beach. It took me two days to get settled and then I worked all day today. Plus, there have been numerous parties to attend. A bunch of snowbirds will fly north in a day or two so the park parties will die down a bit.

I don't know if I'm happy to be back in Mexico. I think so. Give me a few days and I'll let you know for sure.

Saturday, February 21, 2009

hemorrhoidectomy. what a hoot!

The life of a transcriptionist can be rather boring. Lately I've been transcribing the audios from microphones stuck in surgeons' pockets as they perform various surgeries. Like the above-mentioned hemorrhoidectomy, anal skin tag removal, hernia repair. Generally, these are a challenge to transcribe because the parts I'm supposed to be transcribing--surgeons' comments on the surgery--are mumbled into their pockets. However, the parts I'm to ignore--conversations, jokes and other OR talk--are shouted and the easiest to pick up.

Except for this last guy. It's like listening to Alan Alda in a Mash Unit. First off, he has great OR music. Music that is so loud that I can transcribe Taj Mahal's lyrics. So during all the lag times, like when the surgeons are cauterizing veins or sucking up stuff--I can rock out to Taj and various Delta Blues guys.

This surgeon is a riot. He doesn't mumble anything. And I've learned some new abbreviations, as did the resident surgeon he was working with. The surgeon said, "Watch out for the BFV. You don't want to hit the BFV." BFV? I hope I caught that right because it wasn't a medical abbreviation I was familiar with. Finally the resident asked, "BFV. Is that 'big fucking vein'?" "Hey, I didn't say that," said our surgeon, "but yeah. Like BFN. Big ___ needle." God, I love this guy. Or like when he said, "The more you play with it, the harder it gets." Pause. "I'm talking about the hernia." He also said shit and oops a lot because they were encountering some problems. Not sure I'd want him as my surgeon but I'll transcribe him any day.

Thursday, February 19, 2009

...in the meantime

I am not doing that well with people. The other night at the 11:11 club I went off on a rather bizarre riff. I attacked The Yoga Teacher for kicking The Landlord's dog (that really pisses me off--and everyone else, too--but when I brought it up the dog's owner backed down). Then I mentioned to the Other Tenant that it was interesting that she finally came out of her trailer to smoke pot when her boyfriend was gone. I was just stating a fact. No...I was being an asshole. The hypocrisy makes me nuts.

I figured that if The Landlord brought up my behavior today I would quote William Hurt in "The Big Chill": I was just trying to keep the conversation lively. Or something like that.

It's that old "familiarity breeds contempt." Or at least I think that's what it is. People make me nuts. I'm tired of the same old stories. I'm tired of the drama. I'm tired of the bravado. I'm just tired of people.

And I want to be in a relationship? I guess I need an attitude adjustment. You can't expect someone to love you if you don't love others, blah blah blah. Puh-lease. (I think I need a cynical bastard to match my cynical bitch.)

Wednesday, February 18, 2009

stowing and towing

Not only have I been ignoring my blog, but I haven't been tracking other people's blogs either. Mea culpa! I do want to know what ya'll been doing but, damn, I've been busy. I've been working, writing, and even managed to spend ten days in Mexico for a music festival. But mostly I've been thinking/worrying about all the chores I have to do to get ready for the move back to Mexico.

The Landlord, God bless him (and you know when people say that they mean "I love him in spite of the fact that he can be an asshole"), just rolls his eyes when I whine about all the chores facing me. So in an effort to garner some sympathy, here's my list of all the things I have to do to get these wheels on their way to Mexico.

I have to go to Tucson and hit World Market, Trader Joe's, an eyeglass joint (in spite of my cataract surgery I still need driving glasses), Old Navy, Dillard's...God, the list is endless. (Thank the goddesses for credit cards!)

Concurrently I have to take care of business. Like Mexican insurance, switching cell phone plans, getting a Skype-In number, putting in a change of address, getting a new debit card (my strip went belly-up)...

Then there's the trailer/van. Get tires inflated, deal with rust, stow all the knickknacks, replace window latches, clean out the shitter...

Fuck.

Losing weight was on the list but that will have to wait till I'm back on the beach and walking with my short blond friends, both of whom I saw on my way home from the music festival. Here is one of them:

Isn't she pretty? She recognized me immediately even though it had been ten months or more since I last saw her. As though no time had passed, she and the other blond dog walked with us on the beach, followed us into town. I may not do well with people but dogs love me.

I promise to check your blogs, my dear friends, and to post more frequently. Especially once I'm back in Mexico. In the meantime...

Thursday, January 15, 2009

police beat from a small town

(Note: To protect the anonymity of this town, I left some identifying information blank. All typos belong to the newspaper. Maybe I should apply for a job.)

Jan. 2

1:34 a.m. — A disturbance was reported in the 600 block of Campbell with people yelling and screaming. They were found outside a residence and advised by officers to go inside.

12:50 p.m. — Someone stole a female mannikin dressed in a brown coat from a residence in the 400 block of Mason Hill.


Jan. 3

Midnight — Someone stole a woman’s purse while she was visiting an acquaintance at Hillcrest Apartments on Hillcrest Drive.

2:43 p.m. — Officers responded to a report of shoplifting at ALCO on ___ Highway. Upin their arrival a female suspect fled the area. The property was recovered.

3:57 p.m. — A ____ man, 53, was arrested for DUI on ____ Hill after driving poorly and failing all field sobriety tests. He was booked into County Jail.

7:45 p.m. — A ____ man reported that while he was walking with the ____ Tour behind the radio station on ____ Avenue another man had threatening them by yelling and screaming.

Jan. 4

12:04 a.m. — A ____ woman in the 300 block of Teran Street reported someone had tried to open her back door. She requested an extra patrol.

1:48 a.m. — An officer was dispatched to assist the County Sheriff’s Office with a domestic disturbance in progress at the ____ CafĂ© bar on ___ Highway. A man, 31, had pinned a woman, 24, against the wall at the end of the bar and was screaming at her, refusing to let her leave. The man became combative with the officer and was advised he would be tased if he did not comply. After he attempted to pull away, he was tased and handcuffed. He was arrested and booked into ____ County Jail.

10:14 a.m. — A man just released from County Jail committed domestic violence/disorderly conduct and interfered with a judicial proceeding while at a residence in the 100 block of Campbell Avenue. The man left the residence prior to the officer arriving.

2:59 p.m. — Juveniles at the Ballpark were reported throwing garbage around and interfering with the scoreboard. They were gone when officers arrived.

4:13 p.m. — A friend of the owner of a vacant house on ___ Street reported that someone unknown could be living in the vacant home. The kitchen door lock was broken, the house is messy and someone is defecating into a bucket

there. He requested an extra patrol and a check of the premise.

4:32 p.m. — Someone stole a generator valued at $800 from the front yard of a residence in the 800 block of Pittsburgh Avenue. It had been chained to a tree and the chain had been cut.

5:17 p.m. — Someone smeared a red substance all over a vehicle parked in the 100 block of San Jose Drive.

9 p.m. — Someone stole a 1997 Pontiac from the 600 block of P Street. The vehicle was later recovered by the Arizona Department of Public Service.

11:24 p.m. — A ____ woman reported hearing sneezing and footsteps in the roof of her house in the 500 block of ___ Place. Officers were unable to locate anyone in the area.

Jan. 5

10 a.m. — A security officer at Superior Court reported that a jury member at the court had a possible outstanding warrant. The ____ man, 35, was arrested on a warrant for failure to appear/child support with a bond of $2,000 and booked into ____ County Jail.

Jan. 6

9:06 a.m. — A security officer at Superior Court reported that a 20-year-old man at the courthouse could possibly have outstanding warrants. He was arrested on three warrants including aggravated assault with a weapon, a traffic violation and suspended license charges.

10:29 a.m. — A resident in the 600 block of ____ reported that she had been out of town and when she returned found that the lock on her storage shed had been removed and she could hear noises in the shed. The officer found that the lock had been broken and two javelinas were inside the shed.

3:58 p.m. — A suspicious white male with long hair was observed running across a yard in the 100 block of Second Street and jumping a fence in the alley way between Park Avenue and Pittsburgh Avenue. Officers were unable to locate anyone in the area of that description.

Jan. 7

1:53 p.m. — A ____ man, 34, was arrested for selling alcohol without a license in the Safeway parking lot. He was cited and released.

6:43 p.m. — An irate man was reported causing a disturbance at the ____ Hospital, speaking loudly on his cell phone, upset about how long he had been waiting to see hospital staff.

8:16 p.m. — Three juveniles were observed throwing rocks on D Street. They had left the area when the officer arrived.

Jan. 8

10:30 a.m. — A woman, approximately 60 years old with white hair, stole several items from the Family Dollar store. Some items were recovered but the employee reporting the shoplifting believes more items were in the woman’s purse. She ran out of the store and went on foot to the bus stop. She was no longer there when the officer arrived.

2:59 p.m. — A man, 22, was reported panhandling in City Park.

3:07 p.m. — Three men were observed with open containers loitering in the Broadway Steps.

3:45 p.m. — An extra patrol was requested after a broken window was observed in the former Rose’s Flowers building, now closed at ____.

6:13 p.m. — A man, 52, was arrested and booked into County Jail on criminal damage and disorderly conduct charges after yelling at the ____ Hospital staff and breaking a lock on a cabinet.

Friday, January 9, 2009

back to the beach

Well ain't that just how things go?

It sort of hit me out of nowhere that maybe I would like to move back to Mexico. So a couple weeks ago I emailed some friends and asked them if they would be keeping their spot at our little trailer park on the Sea of Cortez. I like their space because it has a big screened-in room and a bodega (storage room). I also knew that there was a phone line to this particular site.

I figured that if my friends were keeping their space, I would make a commitment to this here town, stop thinking of it as temporary.

I left it up to the universe. Whatever.

My friends skyped me and said they wouldn't be renewing their lease. I talked with the park owner and no one else has dibbs on this space so it's mine. The only glitch could be DSL but I actually think that will be worked out. I told the owner I would be there the first of March.

So there you go.

I really don't look forward to getting the trailer road ready. And I really don't look forward to traveling through Mexico by myself with my home in tow. But those are all mental/lazy barriers I put up and I know that once the wheels are rolling, I'll be okay.

This town was temporary. I felt that from the beginning. Being here enabled me to get a job, gather new friends, join a writing group, and have new eyes installed.

So it's back to Mexico. Back to the beach. Back to my two short blond friends (the dogs). Back to fresh shrimp and fish tacos. Back to no butter or lemons. Back to bobitos (gnats) and Man 'o Wars. Back to muffler-less cars and vegetable vendors with loud speakers. Back to margaritas under blood red skies. It feels right.