My familiar has returned. I thought I could loose it in the bustle of school and work, but it found its way back to me. It prompts me to think cynically that when all others fail me, when they go off and leave me standing wondering where everyone has gone, it will still be here, tenderly caressing my already sore heart with thorny and bitter thoughts.

I am sitting here in my computer haunt with my tea cup Barker before me, staring
at the opening of a three day week-end with nothing in sight but a paper. The tea burn on my arm throbs, but the angry red streak is slowly subsiding. The public radio station, coming in over my little radio placed on the desk across the room, is having their fall pledge drive. Someday I will be in a finantial position to support public radio, but now I can only listen and be greatfull. I owe much to public radio, it was my introduction to music of all sorts - classical, jazz, blues - as well as a host of random programs and old radio shows.

I have decided to admit that I am not, or rather have not been, feeling well, and have actually been fighting off a cold or flu or something unpleasant all week. This convieniently explains the
aches in my back and legs and arms that make walking across campus with a bookbag full of Aristotle and Augustine and Ptolemy such a tiring chore. I don't think being in denial about more than one thing is healthy for mind, body, or soul. Of course this leaves the question, "What am I in denial about now?" but if I told, then I wouldn't really be in denial, now would I?