Thunder!

The past two days brought with them two of the best storms of the summer so far. Last night's roared and shook and blanketed everything for hours. Tonight's was more removed, but the dusk clouds and distant lightning were a wonder.

I watched the clouds and lightning and fading sunlight from Chipotle's patio, where I was eating dinner with a friend from high school. Side note: I realized earlier that every one of my in-progress books is marked by a Chipotle receipt. I'm considering counseling.

While we ate, my friend--we'll call her Allison, since that's her name--commented on something I wrote on here a few weeks ago. Then she said I should write something new. I said I didn't know what to write, so could I write about her?

"No, that'd be weird."

"Why?"

"I don't know. Okay. What would you say?"

I wiped some sour cream off my chin. Chipotle, by the way, has the most ridiculously wonderful sour cream. Ever. "I'm not sure. I could write about how you're a world famous actress or something."

"But I'm not."

"No. That'd be interesting, though, wouldn't it?"

We weren't getting anywhere, and an especially striking bolt of lightning changed the subject for us, so I think I'll leave it at that.

A short story publication that I like has an open submission ending this week. I've spent the last couple days working on a story to send in. Since moving home from California I've barely done any non-work writing, and I had forgotten how much I enjoy it, the process of forming characters and letting them interact and trying to figure out the best possible way to say it all. I had also forgotten how terrifying the actual submission is, waiting for someone to accept it or reject it, love it or forget it. I'm sweating right now thinking about it, so let's move on again.

I found out recently that the magazine office closes for furlough the week after the 4th. This means that a much-prolonged trip to Jacksonville will finally happen, which is terribly exciting. I miss my friends there so much.

And I also miss my non-local siblings, who are all coming home for our mom's wedding Friday. !!! It still feels strange saying that, "mom's wedding," but I'm so excited for her, and so excited about having everyone together next week. Mike is a welcome bit of calmness for our family.

On that note I will say goodnight, and thank you to my famous actress friend Allison for a wonderful dinner, and congratulations to my not-so-famous teacher friend Grant, who got married tonight. I asked the road monster to eat away the distance between here and Arizona so I could go, but I guess he was busy. Seriously, I'm thrilled for you, and I wish I could've been there. Remember to ask Lauren to tell me when her long-lost twin shows up so I can go out there and propose to her.

Remember love.