Blood Mountain is the reason I smell like old people today. Last time I counted I had three icy/hot patches attached to various muscles, that before yesterday, I didn't know I had. My ankles and knees are bruised and swollen. I feel as if I aged 20 years over the weekend.

Okay, I had to get the complaining out of the way. Other than wanting to stay in the bathtub for the rest of my natural born life, I feel great. Saturday night we went camping. So, I strapped a forty odd pound pack to my back, and commenced the steady uphill climb. About 5:30, and quite winded we finally made camp. Kelly is a wonderful firewood cutter. Maybe he needs a new nickname like "lumberjack" or "Paul Bunyan." We ate black beans, rice, and chicken for dinner. Built a lovely campfire, pitched a cozy tent. We made smores with strawberries instead of chocolate, made cider and hot cocoa. We played cards, looked at the stars, and poked the fire. It was perfect, until the rain. I woke up in the wee hours of the morning to a cold drip hitting me on the face. Then the ache of the previous day's hike began to settle into my muscle and bones. Overall, it was a wonderful trip, with just a couple "sore spots;" however, I believe my hiking/camping expeditions will need to be limited to once a year. Hiking alone...fine. Camping near car...fine. Hiking 3 miles, then camping, with rain and cold...not so fine.

Friday night we took Athens by storm. I learned several things 1. Cara should not begin drinking at 6:30. 2. Fantasy rap is hilarious. 3. City bar has the best deal on large, cheap drinks. 4. My parents are party poopers. 5. Kabobs are from Turkey. 6. Other people's drunk text messages especially do not make sense when you are drunk. Good times!

I am looking forward to a busy week. I have a meeting everyday after school. Swim practice begins this week, so here comes super busy, super organized Cara. If you want me...book me in advance.

Going to the beach (St. Simon's) for GA/FLA this weekend. That island feels like home to me. I can't wait to be there, and to take the day off Friday. I can't wait to show it, and the craziness of the weekend, to Kelly. I think he will get a kick out of it.

I got sconed in bangkok

So, if you missed the Yeah Yeah Yeahs in Atlanta this past weekend, then you have every reason to throw yourself a pity party. It was an amazing show! The entire purpose for this blog is simply to proclaim Karen O as my hero. The energy that woman brings to the stage is amazing! Words escape me.

Also, I have been spending a lot of time at Inman Perk lately. I like that coffee shop. Yesterday, we tried to have a study session. My friends are all looking for jobs, applying to grad schools, studying for GRE or LSAT. So we met to be productive. Needless to say, I wasn't. I do not; however, recommend a mixture of miso soup, avocado roll, a double shot of espresso and hot cider.

I like it when people can make me laugh. I really like laughing. It would be horrible to be one of those people who don't see humor everywhere they turn. I hope they don't ban me from the coffee shop for laughing too much at Kevin's poop stories, but if they did at least I would have a good reason.

Sorry for the random post, but that is how my mind is working today.

Here is a quotation by Eudora Welty that I have been working over in my mind. If is from her essay on "A Worn Path," "Is Phoenix Jackson's Grandson really dead?"

"The habit of love cuts through confusion and stumbles or contrives its way out of difficulty, it remembers the way even when it forgets, for a dumbfounded moment, its reason for being. The path is the thing that matters."

Lost

I have been very lax in posting lately. This procrastination may be for a few reasons. First of all, work has been very time consuming. Then I have been pretty indecisive about what to blog about. Other than the fact that I am incapable of making a decision, life has been amazing. I feel, for the first time in a long time, that I am actually living again. No longer do I feel like I am simply just trying to make it to the next day, or content to rise, eat, work, party and sleep. But I am sure that my life is moving in a new direction, and I couldn't be more excited or nervous. It is all so new that there aren't words to really discuss it now, but soon. These emotions and experiences will work themselves out of me, as they always do, in some written expression before all is said and done.

I have become addicted to Lost. Quite addicted. Kelly and I decided to start watching it from the beginning, and last night we finished season one. We have been discussing character's names. Specifically Locke. Its been a while since I studied up on my Lockean philosophy, or my Rousseau, but it has made me start to think about how we end up the complicated creatures that we are.

I haven't taken a psych class since graduation, but being a teacher keeps me enthralled by the possibilities of human nature. What makes us kill? What makes us cry? Why do we love? How do we learn to love. On some greater level, I'm not sure that we need to know the answers to the nature v. nurture question.

Poetry soon, even if its not my own. I feel it. I have been reading a lot of it in quiet moments (they are rare), and old favorites have new meanings these days.