Back.

February is always an odd month – cold and claustrophobic. Regimented. It is the time of year where I survive on lists: what to do at work, what to do at home. There was room for one day of rest during the week and on that day I would try to cram it full with wine and good food and friends. And then throughout the week I’d try to squeeze in some other kind of luxury like, I don’t know, reading books. Mostly I would end up sleeping early and watching American Idol. There were good parts to February, like driving to Quebec City with Andrew on a Friday night, the narrow two-lane highway, listening to R.E.M. Or skating on the best rink ever at the Parc Lafontaine, just down the street from our place. But mostly I am so glad February is over and that now it’s March, and while there may be ice clinging to the asphalt, spring is in the air. It didn’t get dark until 7 today. More than anything I am ready to start the year over again, to get things up and running, and I think that yes, now is the time.

February/March – transition months. I quit my job, got a new one. I’ve been planning vacations to warm places. I’ve been looking for a typewriter. And I guess I’ve been listening to songs that calm me down a little.

I BELIEVE IN LOCOMOTION

Hatchet – Low

Migrations – Christine Fellows

It’s Gonna Take An Airplane – Destroyer

You Are My Face – Wilco

Swan Pond – Julie Doiron

Goodnight Irene – Tom Waits