Vacations always feel good. I don't know if I feel rested and at peace with the universe, a new man, or anything like that, but not being at work for a whole week does something good to anybody. It was good to see the family, Julia, Austin again.

I ended up working Tuesday--the saucier called in sick--but as part of the deal I get Saturday all to myself.

I'm becoming more and more obsessed with the idea of finding my new apartment for this summer. It's still a little too early to get something for late June, but there's something I really enjoy about moving all my stuff into a new place. And this time, I've actually got stuff--I won't be sleeping on the floor for the first few days in what was, last time, essentially a very well-equipped kitchen with a big empty room attached to it.

So there's not much to write about, except that things are getting better financially. I'm extending the repayment period on my loans and consolidating them, which means I won't doling out my rent's equivalent in monthly payments for the next few years. The idea is, of course, that I will eventually make enough money to pay the loans back faster. In theory. Aside from that, I'm hoping to get a cheaper apartment, so this all means I might be able to put some money in the bank in case I want to, say, take another vacation in my lifetime, actually buy a bike, etc.

Yeah! I fixed the bike! Everything's much smoother now, the derailleur, the sprockets, everything. That old chain was worn the fuck out.

I spoke too soon about the bike. My chain broke as I was on my way home down East Carson today, rendering my day ruined. I've got to buy a new one Thursday and go back down there to fix it, as the crippled bike is chained to a telephone pole off 29th street right now.

So, I haven't written much lately, but it's because I've been running around the city on a bicycle I bought. I'll take a picture later, but it's an old Concord Pacer roadbike.

It's amazing the level of convenience this has brought to my life. I left my girlfriend's house this morning at 10:30 to go into Oakland, where my bike was chained up, and get some coffee. Then, I went all the way through South Oakland and across the Hot Metal Bridge into the Southside--I've always wanted to fucking go over the bridges on a bicycle. Pittsburgh is a beautiful city.

Now, I'm at my old hangout, the Beehive Coffeehouse on Carson and 13th, and it's not even one. This is just too fucking cool. Once I get back into really good shape for cycling, I'll be able to go anywhere. The other night I went to Squirrel Hill, which is, well, a bike trip up a giant hill, but going home later was a serious fucking rush. 35mph on a bicycle with traffic feels fast. And don't worry, I've got a helmet. And even a little light, and a pump.

i gots mad thread count

So the apartment I saw today isn't bad. The appliances, shower, sink, windows are new, and it's been painted recently; the landlord does all the maintenance himself. The gas stove is, however, not even next to the counter. It's like, on the other side of the room. The place is also a little smaller, more like a studio than what I'm living in now. I met my potential neighbor, and he was a little creepy--a guy named Martin who'd been living in an identical tiny studio apartment for sixteen years ("Oh, he was late when he showed me my apartment sixteen years ago!"), whose hobby is collecting incense holders. Inconveniences like that aside, it is cheap. 335 a month with all utilities included and close to work, Whole Foods, the co-op... I would be saving a shit lot of money.

I don't think I'm going to take it though. The guy wants a full month's rent out of whoever gets the place, which means if I do take it, I'll have to move in very soon, most likely Tuesday. No deposit, but I'd have to pay first and last month's rent, meaning 670 bucks in the hole. I just paid 373 for my student loan payment, so if I did this, my budget would work out to... well, being broke until payday again, almost. I'm tired of that--last week I went out with my girlfriend to get breakfast and I was short a few dollars on the check. Breakfast. It was pretty embarrassing. I know I'm 19 and all, but I feel like I ought to have my shit together anyway. Right now I'm so caught up from this slump I've been in that I can actually afford groceries like a normal person. I have a high enough balance in my account that if I got shot in the chest on the way home tonight, I would be able to pay for my hospital bill.

Also, I bought new sheets today, something that has needed to happen for a long time. They were the first sheets I ever bought. I feel like a grown-up.

On an unrelated note, my cellular telephone machine is broken for the time being, so if you must reach me, use the interwebnet or the information superhighways.

"Giving back to your country is Army Strong."

Fuck you! I worked my ass off to support myself through school, and gave my country 2700 dollars last year! I don't need to get shot in the desert for my country too!

I just had a surreal moment. A girl I work with just walked right past the window of this coffeehouse.

I... just thought you guys would be fascinated by that. It was a great story.

Anyway, I've got some seriously excellent time off this week--Friday and Saturday, then Monday and Tuesday. I don't even know what I'm going to do. Today, so far, I went to Friendship to look at a new apartment, bought groceries (I'm not pathetically broke anymore!!), lazed around the apartment, and now I'm at Crazy Mocha in Oakland. And I've only been awake for about four hours! Imagine that.

I really have to get a bike. It's warming up and so people are starting to sell more; I saw a '92 shaft-driven Vulcan the other day that was just beautiful. I'm going to (if I wake up before noon) go and get my permit tomorrow so I can finally get my license--if not tomorrow, I'll do it Monday or Tuesday. I'm trying to move out of this place a little early so I can start saving a little money... I'm just paying too much for where I'm living now, and the rent plus the crippling debt from student loans doesn't leave me with a lot at the end of the month. This apartment I'm thinking about is only 335 a month with all utilities included; the only downside is I'd have to do my laundry at the laundromat half a block away.

On an unrelated note, I need to dye my hair tonight. I've got some pretty bad roots going on.