today was a glorious, rare day off. i started the day with a list of things i had to accomplish: clean room. clean car. read my gender in the workplace chapters and submit an assignment.

i did none of these things.

instead, after being disappointed by the lack of sea sponge goodness at the mustard seed market, i hopped on 77 in the wrong direction and found the 271 n to erie pa signs just too damn enticing to pass up.

on a whim, i drove all the way to erie pa. i think this is my favorite thing i do, just picking up and leaving. every so often, i think i need to remind myself it is possible to just pick up and leave.

it wasn't the adventure i would have liked it to be. i was looking for small, independent bookstores, health food co-ops, and coffee shops filled with interesting people. i found none of these things. maybe i was looking in the wrong places; i should have looked things up beforehand. but such is spontaneity.

once i reached erie proper, though, i don't think i can tell you how hard it was to resist the 109 miles to buffalo signs. oh how i love to drive and explore. another day off, with planning and an earlier start time, i am so there.

i wish this day had evinced some memorable stories or groundbreaking insights. i love to drive, but i was tired of it by the time i set out for home again. i was looking for something i still can't name. needless, i didn't find it.

so i suppose one keeps looking.

losing light fast, there's just enough to let you know that i'm still alive. losing light fast, there's just enough to let you know that l still try.

and i can't see the page to read or write the words anymore.
peter searcy