Kia Ora-

Fairly tired in that sort of Neil-Finn-drowsy sort of way. When I get to this point I start dreaming that a perfect place is somewhere in an open all night shop somewhere in Wellington, New Zealand. The buzzing neon lights and multicoloured soda bottles bring such familiar relief.

I can't believe that there were 65,000+ at the stadium to welcome back the Bucs and then over 100,000 at a parade this afternoon. Wow. This town is still on a high. As long as the news in the area really is about people revelling in a good way and not about people shooting each other on Dale Mabry, then it can't be bad. Carry on, Bucs!

Right now I am closing my eyes and seeing the Environmental Nature Center back home in California where I would go for what was basically summer camp. It was this amazing tract of land in the middle of downtown and it replicated all the environments found in the Southern California area--basically from coastal sage to creosote bush scrub to closed cone pine forest, even having a stream running through it (rare for the area I grew up in). It was a beautiful place to grow up. I don't know why I was thinking about it.

While Mr. Eric and V were at their culinary arts class tonight, I got to spend some time with Phil. We watched Vulgar, a View Askew (Kevin Smith--Silent Bob, for those of you not in the know) production. Quite a disturbing film, but entertaining. Phil also made some potstickers and his own dipping sauce, and then showed me his photos and shark jaws from his time in Mexico (he is a chef/marine biologist specializing in sharks). It was a great time this evening.

Well kids, that's it for me for now. Sleep time.

Heart,

-N.