in my cd player Garbage beautifulgarbage "Don't let a soul mate pass you by."   I always think of an airport parking garage's down escalator. Coffee and maple walnut cream cheese on my breath. And those words in my ear.   on the page... Dave Eggers A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius   on my walk... a lucky penny; two vibrant red maple leaves; "Love Me Do" pouring from the speakers of the tiny book and music shop across the street; girls in sleeveless dresses; welcomed rain   on my list of obsessions... biting the inside of my left cheek; oddtodd's Laid Off: A Day in the Life; Cashion's; Ivy's Long Distance; tiny white daisies in my windowsill; turkey pot pie; Dwell magazine; the new baby ell-EE-phant at the National Zoo; architects   on my toes... cobalt blue polish   surprised by... the liberal Victoria's Secret dressing room policies   leaseless... Today marks the one year anniversary of renting this apartment and therefore the expiration of my lease. I like the idea of month-to-month. It gives me ideas. When I brought this up with Laine, she said, "Why, Kristen, where in the world would you be thinking of moving to?" I volleyed back a sly smile.   words... When Kanani read that I would be attempting NaNoWriMo! she sent me a list of her favorite words. We shouldn't let them go to waste.   palimpsest - n. A story that has layer upon layer, like the papyrus the Egyptians wrote on.   micromovements... I found an interesting essay-writing class offered by Georgetown's Continuing Ed program... so I ordered a catalog for Spring semester. It's a start.   missing... the weather   acknowledgements... Kristin-- the casual bowler-- wrote while I was away: "We miss you . . . we had to be extra silly to make up for the humor that only you can bring to the table." I completely appreciate all the welcome back messages and doses of encouragement while I was away. It means a lot. It makes things clear. But special thanks to Todd, for walking a month in my shoes-- a task that will teach him to never say, "Dude, are you EVER going to update whirlygirl?" again. I told him it was like a dream come true to log onto whirlygirl and find it magically updated with something clever and witty. Sincerest thanks for taking on a task and raising the bar. I owe you.