Chewing Gum & Graphite.

Going to the Berkshires for the weekend was exactly the kind of thing that I needed, but I wish we could have stayed for a few more days. For the first time, I’m not thrilled to be back in New York.

The other night I found myself thinking: If that terrorism threat turns out to be real, if there really is a van full of explosives heading for New York and we are all blown to bits of meat and shards of bone that coat the asphalt and mingle with the dirt, these are the people I would want to die with, these people who I have only known for a year. I am absolutely terrified of dying, but if it were to happen today or tomorrow or some day soon, I hope we could be as we were last night: eating bread and cheese as the clock crept towards midnight, making jokes and easy conversation as we sat around the circular table in room 609. Suspended in too much joy and love to worry, if only for a little while.

My dad and I stopped at Trader Joe’s this morning to gather provisions before driving to New York. Because of the impending hurricane, there was no traffic, even going through the Holland Tunnel, which was absolutely unprecedented. My room is so large (especially compared to the one I had last year), with so much floor space for dancing and games and all such fun things. Also we have lots of windows with a sweet view. Everything is great; we just need a couple of floor lamps.

Earlier, a bunch of us walked to China Town and went to this place where you can get four dumplings for ONE DOLLAR. It was absurd. And delicious.

Now it is starting to rain harder. I think we’re going to have some kind of group dinner soon and then wait for the hurricane to really pick up.

1. I’m doing this new thing where I don’t go on the internet very much. It’s kind of awesome.

2. I went to New York last Sunday night until Monday night. When I got out of the West 4th subway station, it was raining pretty hard, but I couldn’t help but smile like an idiot. Honda and I walked through the torrential downpour to 2 Bros. and Insomnia and it was hilarious. The next day I met my pen pal, Yannick, in real life, which was cool. Among other things, we walked the entire length of the High Line and I got to see the newly-opened part and it was beautiful. Also, Honda bought a desk for no reason and Thomas, Daniel, and I went to midtown to help him lug it back to Goddard. (I didn’t help; I just watched and laughed.) Then we met Alyssa at Veselka and walked to Broome afterwards, where we saw Barb completely by chance. It was an awesome couple of days. I am going to be back in a week. I am so goddamn excited.

3. We sold out The Comedy of Errors tonight! And tomorrow is our last show, which is crazy.

4. Next week is my last week at Buffalo Exchange, which is also crazy, but probably a good thing if I want to have any money left for food at school. Working there is kind of dangerous for me.

I love the cast of The Comedy of Errors more and more every day. I especially love talking about musicals with Brent, how Rose is always willing to do my eye makeup because I suck at it, making faces at Daniel, and all of the silly things Robin and I do constantly. It’s going to be depressing as hell when the show is over. But then I go back to New York a week later, so I’ll only be in mourning for a few days, hopefully.

Yesterday I saw Seamus for the first time in a while and today I saw Thomas for the first time all summer, which doesn’t make any sense to me considering he really doesn’t live very far away. He, Amanda, and I walked all the way to the Franklin Fountain to get ice cream, among other things. The past two days have been so lovely, filled with friends and Shakespeare and not having to go to work.

Tomorrow after the show I’m going to New York until Monday night because I miss it too much and can’t wait all the way until the 27th to see it again. Also, I’m going to meet my pen pal, which I am very, very excited about.

So, everything’s pretty awesome and now I should really go to sleep because I need to wake up and clean my room tomorrow before my dad gets back from the beach. It’ll be a shame not having the house to myself anymore; being devoid of parents for a week has been the best.

Sometimes all you need is cheap falafel at one in the morning and a solitary walk through the West Village.