the world has turned and left me here

a descent into the maelstrom

"Suddenly--very suddenly--this assumed a distinct and definite existence, in a circle of more than half a mile in diameter. The edge of the whirl was represented by a broad belt of gleaming spray; but no particle of this slipped into the mouth of the terrific funnel, whose interior, as far as the eye could fathom it, was a smooth, shining, and jet-black wall of water, inclined to the horizon at an angle of some forty-five degrees, speeding dizzily round and round with a swaying and sweltering motion, and sending forth to the winds an appalling voice, half shriek, half roar, such as not even the mighty cataract of Niagara ever lifts up in its agony to Heaven."

Got absolutely soaked this morning. Through some sort of misunderstanding (there are many such misunderstandings) I didn't convey to my roommates that I wanted to ride with them to work, and heard them leave ten seconds before I made it upstairs. It was a cold and wet ride. My pants didn't dry out until noon, and my shoes never did. But in some grim way the whole thing was kind of funny. Ten seconds--tying my shoes maybe--determined my soggy fate.

Being out of touch with reality, and even out of touch with myself, has caused a lot of problems lately. Despite that realization I'm proud to announce that I will probably be in self-imposed exile from reality for a while to come. If you happen to see me away from my computer, please point me in the direction of the nearest one, and don't mind the glazed dead fish look on my face or the fact that I do not return your very real human emotions.

Down I go.