So now that I have time, I decided I might start writing. I don't know what I'm going to be writing here, and I'm sure no one will read whatever it is that I do decide to write, but that doesn't bother me. Last night, I decided to read back over my old livejournal posts. I'm absolutely not ready to jump back on livejournal, but I do realize that it's a useful tool to have an online archive of thoughts, ideas, and other kinds of things that happen in your head that you put into words. No matter how seemingly meaningless those words may seem at the time, it's amazing to be able to go back and look at them later. It's helpful to have a concrete shape to your experiences, your thoughts about your experiences, and anything else that you might think is important.

I can't believe how serious I'm being in this initial post. Don't take it as a sign of what's to come. I'm rarely this introspective.

Which, I suppose, isn't necessarily a good thing. I hope to become a little more introspective these days. I am trying to learn what I want from myself. I am in desperate need of a little bit of self-love and a lot bit of not ignoring what it is that I want and need.

The most important need I have now is to be creative. I've been doing a pretty good job of it, I think, but I need more of it. I need to remind myself that the apartment has no decor, and that I'm fully capable of changing that.

I've recently been working on Christmas presents for my family members. I've nearly finished my sister's present, which is a set of twelve wine tags (so people know whose wine is whose). She likes vegetables and she loves wine (possibly an inherited trait?), so I figured it would probably be a good present for her. I made the little veggies out of Shrinky Dinks. I designed them myself. I think it's fair to say that I'm a proud person, so I have of course been showing them off to everyone I know who has eyes. Which is all of about three people these days.

I'm also making my brother the game of Liar's Dice. Which isn't remotely finished. I'm sure I'll figure out some way of putting a picture of that up before long. That is, if I keep doing this whole blog thing.

Tomorrow, Nathan is coming to Asheville to visit. I am extraordinarily excited about this. He has perfect timing. I've never needed him here more than I do right now. I just want to wrap myself up in the people I've neglected for the past long while. They make a great blanket.

Before we pick up Nathan, Laura and I are going to meet Alex in Charlotte for an Urban Outfitters excursion. I am so happy that we'll be hanging out with her. Alex is one of the most important people I've let slip through the cracks of my life, and I'm anxious to start spending time with her again. I'm especially looking forward to it now that I know (and enjoy) other Alex, who for all intensive purposes, I will continue calling Sheila, especially since I know that she will become a more important figure in my life in the near and distant futures.

But for now, I think I should try to go to sleep. I've been waiting for the laundry to be done. I think it's close. If not, the most important parts will be (the mattress pad and pillow cases), and that's really all that matters.