You know a phrase I just can't stand?

"A new lease/leash on life."

I don't know why it bothers me so much, but it really does. What? Your old lease ran out? Shouldn't you be moving on, then? Elsewhere? And what of new "leash"? You had an old one? Please--you're free to enjoy whatever kink you please, but please leave me out of it. Leave the leash--both the old one and the new one--on the bedpost.

I'm about half-done with one of the units in the GED-thing. It's easy so far. I bet that'll change once I hit the last one--math. Yech! I hope it's nothing really complicated--like, beyond eighth-grade pre-algebra. That was as far as I ever sort-of comprehended in that subject. I could do area, perimeter, and volume, but I was rather terrible at adding letters together. Letters don't make numbers. Letters make sentences.

My brother's coming to visit on the 20th. Maybe I can swindle him into draggin' me back to Trade (his tiny new hometown in Tennessee--or, as he affectionately refers to it, "Bumblefuck"). It's kind of like Mirror and Image--he's moved to Hippie Central, Tennessee, and he couldn't be more miserable. He was popular and well-liked here. He had all sorts of friends and amusements. But there in Trade, he's only got Jill (his girlfriend) and I think they've got a cat, too. Meanwhile, back at home, I'm highly unpopular and the Local Eccentric for the people of Davis Bridge (or, as I affectionately refer to it, "Bumblefuck"). Josh says that I would love it there in Trade--hippies and stoners and all-natural folks wandering around at all hours of the day listening to Bob Marley and trading veggie recipes in the streets. I'd do a lot to trade places with him this time!

I might ask him if he'll give me a ride up to Ohio come December. I need SOMEONE to take me, at any rate. Even if I have to stand on the side of the road in the cold mountain winter with my thumb out, I'm going to see those crinkly old men singin' their hearts out in Columbus!