rolling with it

The utterly busy relaxation, the mindless plans, and the class excitement of safari are so awesome. More stars in Botswana than even Namibia, and lots of big cats eating their kills. My camera has decided it only wants to work intermittently with a lot of fussing, so I won't get as many great shots, but the theme of this trip, what with its last minute genesis, Boyfriend's passport issues, and my camera, seems to be "roll with it," and it seems to be something I'm getting better at with time. Simple pleasures like a cozy bed on a cold desert night, hot porridge with honey before the sun comes up, a lazy afternoon nap in between game drives, and the unexpected click of the shutter when my camera decides it's willing to take a photo, all of these are delightful bits of each day.

journeys and destinations

Spent the last week frantically seeing friends, running errands, and getting everything ready for our big trip. It was productive in a ton of small but satisfying ways (I made my first shirt and dyed another! Organized my bathroom! Pranked a friend with birthday donuts! Got dog care lined up for the trip! Bought tickets to go see Jesus Christ Superstar!)

We embarked on our journey: a ten hour redeye to London, an eleven hour layover, an eleven hour redeye to Johannesburg (and an initial sigh of relief that Boyfriend's self-inflicted passport emergency didn't blow up yet, fingers crossed that it works out for the rest of the trip). We have a day in Johannesburg -- visited the consulate a couple times, then I fell asleep getting a massage, and expect to make friends with the bathtub tonight.

Tomorrow, Botswana!

fam

There's the family you're born with and the family you choose, and if you're lucky, the two overlap.

Tuesday, grabbed lunch with a college friend (after already getting properly soused with her and another friend over wine and cheese on Sunday).

Spent Wednesday afternoon in the city with the friend visiting from Switzerland, and I'd forgotten how he's just sunshine for the soul. It was good to catch up and just bask in that for a bit.

Thursday late night hang with work friends, talking and eating bad pizza over wine.

Friday afternoon hot tubbing with my sister turned into Friday night dinner with her family, complete with YouTube gems, BIL guitar jams, and just general reminders that when your blood family overlaps with your chosen family, there is nothing safer or more secure.

spaaaah

Spent five hours at the spa today, part of it with a friend who had found out it was my birthday and surprised me with flowers and a gift. Had lunch with two other friends earlier, during which time flowers from my office got delivered to my house. Altogether a relaxing birthday and a great cure for the hangover I had after drinking three bottles of wine with two girlfriends last night over copious quantities of cheese and bread, while sitting on one of our decks and watching the changing light on the hills.

rich

How did I get so lucky, to love and be loved by wonderful friends?

pop

One week into rebooting yoga, and I just had the most satisfying lower back crack where it has been jammed up for a while.

lady of leisure

It's busy, not working!! I've mended sweaters, bought materials to try making a shirt, prepared to mend jeans, made bread, done yoga, practiced guitar, read books, gotten my car serviced, taken Henry on another swim date, and gone up to the city to visit with friends in town from Switzerland (I haven't seen them outside of a group in years, and it reminded me why I like them so much). Boyfriend is visiting family for a few days, but he left coffee and food for me, the house is a wreck, and I've got so much more to do, it's a good thing I have two more weeks to keep doing so much nothing.