Words don't flow as easily as they once did. I don't know why this is. But I don't want this to go unrecorded.

Today I went to Boulder. Arrived at the Boulder Bandshell at 15:30. Time for Food Not Bombs, allegedly. The last time I had attempted to attend a few months ago, nobody had been around. Would today be the same?

A lone figure, sitting at the very back of the covered stage, greeted me. I recognized him from many a prior gathering -- ASR2004, FnB preparation sessions last fall, and a bunch of other occasions at the Circle A Ranch. Well, at least here was someone I could talk to.

I went over and sat next to him, and did a little catching up on the goings-on. The Ranch had been through some tumultuous times during the past several months, and yes, Food Not Bombs had suffered because of it. As of a few weeks ago, the Circle A Ranch no longer exists. Apparently, problems with the landlord had come to a head (as I understand it, that particular tenant/owner relationship had never been smooth), and they had finally been booted off the property.

The former members now occupy roughly 3 houses scattered around the Boulder area. Food Not Bombs is resumed, with each house serving 1 (of the 3) days each week.

As we waited for the scheduled group to arrive, we hung out and he offered me a couple hits of his weed, which I accepted. I inquired about the typical process for joining a community housing venture. He said that it varies widely, but usually, in a house where there are openings, one visits for a week or two, during which time both the members and the person wishing to join can evaluate whether they think it would be a good fit. At the end of the trial period, they'll go through the consensus process to determine the applicant's future membership status. With some places, the process is more involved and/or difficult than others. It all depends...

He suggested one nearby housing co-op that he knew of where he knows several people, and they might be accepting prospective members. I made a mental note of the location and his description of the place for possible future reference.

We hung out and talked about various other subjects -- organic farming, buying land in the wilderness, the mythical "crash" of civilization (he thinks that's mostly bunk) -- until we both started wondering whether the rumored Food brigade would ever arrive. A couple of other people looking for Food Not Bombs showed up and introduced themselves, but still, no food.

Eventually, we decided to give up on it and everyone split. So much for that. Well, at least it wasn't a total waste of time. I got to talk to a friendly ally, and found out what's been happening.

I went to the Boulder Public Library and checked out one of the Philip K Dick books I haven't read yet. (Ever since I finished the Mercedes Lackey trilogy I borrowed from Kiesa, I have felt a void in my fictional entertainment reading.)

On my walk back to the car, I looked for the housing co-op, and eventually spotted a house that matched the description. I didn't see any people visible, and didn't feel quite ready to go knocking on the door just yet. But there it was.

I don't know what I'm doing anymore. Sending resumes to California and New York one week, noodling around on x13 the next, vaguely flirting with the idea of joining a housing co-op another. Where am I going?

I've been reading about the exploits of Sarah-Katherine with a combination of bemusement and wonder. How she can one day just decide, "I want to move to New Orleans", ship all her stuff across the country, and arrive in town with no job, no apartment, but a firm intention of living there... Well, it's crazy, but hilarious. And she's already found work. (Granted, she is in a line of work with enough constant demand that employment through such a transition might be more assured, but it's still pretty damn impressive.)

It's snowing like a mad monkey outside right now. I think I'll wander off and read.