Philadelphia, Pennsylvania -- night

There has been so much going on that I'm not necessarily sure where to begin. I'll start with what is probably most significant, especially in terms of who I am today.

Yesterday afternoon, while hanging out on Walnut Street with Paul and Corey, Paul spotted someone who he thought he recognized across the street. It was Heather, my ex-girlfriend. I'm sure I hesitated because of the initial shock of a moment that I could never prepare for. Then, I jogged across the street to catch up with her at the southeast corner of 17th and Walnut. I called her name and she turned around, with a look of surprise on her face. I immediately kissed her on the cheek and gave her a hug. And then I asked here where she was and what she was doing. She told me that she had just started classes at UPenn in their social work program; she said she was living on-campus in University City.

I had already said hello to her aunt Donna and younger cousin Rebecca, and Corey and Paul had come up to us too. Heather asked me what I was up to these days. I told her that I was still working at PLA, and that I was once again beginning the application process for law schools. Then, fortunately for me, Corey intervened to ask Heather about the program at Penn. It got me off the hook because I really had nothing else to ask nor anything else to offer.

After a couple minutes of that, Donna and Rebecca pulled slightly away, as did Paul and Corey. I guess that was their way of giving us a moment of private conversation. Heather seemed dumbfounded, or else just allowing me the initiative. I simply said with sincerity that it was really nice to see her. Then, I said I would see her around. And finally, I hesitatingly took a step backward while giving a short, quick wave. I turned around and walked away to catch up with Paul and Corey. I didn't ask for her phone number or address, so that was that.

Despite the to-be-expected surprise and bit of awkwardness, it went just as I would have hoped it would. I've gotta be thankful that I was with two of my boys to support me through that. On the flipside, I've gotta be thankful that she was with the only two family members who actually seemed to like me. And lastly, I've gotta be thankful that I was in a good psychological frame of mind. My social life, specifically with regard to women, has been on an upswing for about two months. But this weekend was especially solid. I couldn't have asked for a higher confidence level to see Heather. That may seem either selfish or shallow, but it really is important.

But I'll re-cap my other activities in my next entry, which I hope to make later this week. I'm just feeling beat right now. I've gotta get ready for bed to rest up and feel better tomorrow. But it was all worth it. No doubt about it.

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania -- night

These past couple of days there have been the vaguest hints of the onset of autumn. The slightest chill in the air, especially of course at nighttime, brings with it the next set of aggregated memories, which for me consist of my keenest nostalgia.

There's just something about fall that brings me back to feelings of my childhood and adolescence. Furthermore, this year specifically, this cooler weather signals for me the official end of my latest chapter, which was embodied in my trip to Costa Rica and Nicaragua. The return to cooler weather signifies my return to North American weather. The sentient feeling on my skin impels my mind to the constant memory that I am far away from the Equator. And so it goes.

I must set my sights on new horizons, be they domestic or foreign, literal or figurative. For now all continues to seem stagnant, which is not necessarily a bad thing at present: I have been desiring some stability for the time being. But life always seems stagnant when looking outward with a short-sighted vision.

Extending my vision, my considerations primarily include law school, but I'm still reluctant to voluntarily enter a form of economic enslavement. It's diametric counterpart is the consideration of travelling extensively through Europe. But that idea always carries with it the fear of an unstable life that is not moving toward any productive end. Nevertheless, the allure of travel and adventure calls out to me seductively enough.

At this point in time, I am content to accept that this decision, as with all others, will be made at its appropriate time, when the context and circumstances surrounding it may be totally difficult. That is partly the nature of existentialism, to which I faithfully adhere. Essentially, I am not presently in the position to have to make a decision, and so I am free to ponder, either dreamily or stressfully, all of the possibilities. What the future may hold I am eager to find out. When it comes to action, I will advance confidently in the direction of my dreams, to paraphrase Thoreau. The rest will naturally fall into place.

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania -- afternoon

I'm sitting here in a coffee shop, writing, because I'm too exhausted to continue my reading. I've read a few pages, but it's been difficult to concentrate. The reason for my sleepiness is my extended weekend, which is now coming to a close.

Today is Labor Day. Only two hours ago, I returned here to Philadelphia from a trip south to Baltimore and Washington, D.C. This weekend was a good one.

On Friday evening, I left shortly after work with Paul and Corey for a car ride to Baltimore. On the way down, we had good conversation, listened to some hype music, and smoke cigars. We got to Bmore at about 8:30 p.m., at Evan's house. I took a shower, and we started pre-gaming. Evan showed up about an hour later, and from there we went to the bars in Federal Hill. I got a chance to see my friend, Mike, but I spent much of the night in brief conversations with strangers (girls) or just chilling solo. At one point, I grabbed a seat by the entrance of a lounge/bar and actually carded a couple people. For better or for worse, that was my highlight for that night. But it was a pretty funny thing, so it was good. I got a slice of pizza at Maria D's before sauntering back to Evan's place to sleep on the floor for the night. Before I made it back, though, I met two girls on the sidewalk near the Cross Street Market. Somewhat insistent, I convinced a girl to kiss me. It was kind of terrible, but I just felt like kissing a girl. After that, I just walked away.

The next morning, Paul, Evan, Corey, and I walked to a bagel shop for breakfast, then walked to the Inner Harbor to pass the early afternoon. It was a nice day, so I enjoyed my time. I drank a big lemonade to re-hydrate. The four of us got a photo sitting on a bench at the Inner Harbor. Most of the time I spent there was walking and talking with Evan. It was a really good conversation; looking back, its amazing how Evan and I have become good friends, not that's its shocking, but it's just interesting to reflect on the development of a relationship. We eventually walked back to Evan's hosue to pack up for the short trip south from Bmore to D.C.

We arrived at the hotel that Paul's dad hooked us up with at about 4:30 p.m. Paul, Corey, and I checked-in, then went out to find a restaurant for our lunch/dinner. Already half-starving, it was an agonizing mission to find a decent place that was open at that time. Eventually we found a place where I got a good burger.

After returning to the hotel to shower, prepare, and pre-game, we hit the town at Adams Morgan. I don't particular want to condense the events, but I'll do so in the interests of time and length. On our way to Tom-Tom, a couple of Swedish girls began talking with us. Immediately, the very good-looking one drew herself near me to begin a conversation. After getting in the bar, I continued the conversation to establish a good foundation. Through the course of the rest of the night, I would mingle and talk with other girls, but occasionally meeting up with the Swedish girls to continue our connection. Towards the end of the night, I found myself on a couch with the Swedish girl. Needless to say, we started kissing; she was a good kisser. I invited them back to our hotel room, but being good girls they declined. They only have three more weeks in the U.S. I got Annika's phone number, but I won't see her again unless I can see her in Europe. Oh well, it was a good experience, and perhaps she'll be a pen-pal.

Sunday morning, Paul, Corey, and I did the tourist thing. We saw the White House and Washington Monument, with less proximate views of the Lincoln Memorial and the Capitol Building. Then, we got on the Metro to ride to George Washington University, where we had to wait for a bus for Georgetown. Now, for me, Georgetown can hardly be put into words: there were so many good-looking girls that I nearly got whip-lash and did eventually have a mental overload, so that I couldn't really think any more. But before that happened, I engaged in a short sidewalk conversation with a Tunisian diplomat to Canada, who was in D.C. visiting his daughter. We spoke briefly about work in international politics. And I dropped the usual basic French phrases. From there, I went to American Eagle to get a couple of nice, collared, long-sleeve shirts for nightlife. After walking around for a while longer we got a little tired, so we decided to walk down to the river to sit down to smoke some cigars. After sitting there for a while, we walked back to the main strip to get coffee for a boost, then we rode to Metro back to downtown to go back to the hotel.

Sunday night was okay. Corey and I went to a bar off of Dupont Circle which was not that good. Corey had to meet a girl there. About an hour or so later, Paul met up with us with his English girl and I left with them immediately for Adams Morgan again. There were two highlights there. First, Corey, Mike, and I made our way to an Eritrean/African bar, where we were almost the only white people. We gravitated to a table of three black women, and chatted them up for a long while. We stayed until just about closing when Mike and I walked out to the opposite sidewalk. I began initiating conversations with as many women as possible. Eventually, the odds paid off and a tandem of Jamie and Amy talked with us. Corey later met us when I spotted him from across the street and called him over. I had everyone in stitches for most of the time, as I was apparently on point with humor. Again, I invited the girls back to the hotel, and again they declined. I did, however, get a weak sidewalk hook-up. A couple brief kisses. And so it goes.

We got up early this morning so that Paul could hit the road to get back to NYC at a decent hour. It was a smooth ride and I got to my apartment at 2pm. And now I am here at Cosi, happily re-capping my weekend. It was fun and it was good. That's what life is all about.