Red Wine in My Veins

I am surrounded by the remnants of me. My day planner rests in its little spot, suddenly full of friends, work and fun. Mad little scribblings adorn the various scraps strewn across this desk, names of random papers and magazines grace each little line.

I am sitting in the office of a home that once left my life and now has returned. The owner, one of the nicest, most amazing people that I know. I am again on Oak Street, a mere block from downtown.

I have spent the day immersed in work. I met a man passionate about the planet and his trade. I met another passionate about humankind. I will write stories about these people and their work and I will write about many other things in the hours and days to come.

Life continues to be good to me. My full of work day planner is evidence of that.

I have just returned from a perfect evening.

The evening began with the donning of a coat, hat and shoes. I walked out of the door onto streets so very familiar, feeling as though I was lost in a dream. The lamplight’s glow wrapped me in warmth and ushered me to the next light, the next step, the next memory. I wandered past Northpeak, where oh so many memories have been made. I found my pace slowing as I entered downtown, the lights of the shops and the treasures within drawing my gaze and giving me pause. The comfort of a plethora of scenes played out on these very sidewalks, in this very place, brought a feeling of contentment to the forefront of my being.

Filled with this new, unrequited love, I entered a place I knew all too well at the side of a dear friend I had missed so very much. Mandy bought us tea and we relaxed in the window of the café. We spoke of writing, life and lifetimes past. We spoke of things to come and things yet unknown. The State Theater’s pulsating lights gave her eyes a life of their own and her smile only added to the brilliance of the new moment being shared in the old room. We laughed, we drank and we became a bit more energetic thanks to her Jasmine tea.

We exited and wandered across the road to the State, mistook a screen for a paper sign and discussed how the French had royally screwed up Made-Line. (insider right there!) We said our goodbyes in front of Horizon. As she walked away I slowly turned to enter the welcoming Mecca of books. That’s when it hit me. The glow of downtown, the company, the perfection of it all. Another moment, a moment in which I realized that I am truly living, a moment in which I knew that I was alive. Downtown sparkled, our laughter still echoed in my mind and one of my favorite destinations smiled down upon me, bidding me enter and continue my high! And thus, I did.

I wandered again through downtown on my return to this home. I stopped and scoped out menus, I listened to music, I smiled and felt fulfilled.

I now sit here, Diana Krall sings about me being a bit of red wine in her veins. That is perfection; for this night, the sights, the company, the strangers have all been a bit of red wine in my veins and I am pleasantly buzzed, yet again, on this wonderful thing called life!