Finally it feels like a day off as I sleep through the early morning hours. Both my alarm clocks stay silent. I wake up around 9am but stay in bed until noon or so, checking and returning emails and researching apartment rentals in Orange County.
With a bowl of cereal for lunch, I turn on the television. To my amazement, Jerry Springer still has his talk show. I soon lose interest in television and start leafing through the past week's TIME magazine before I start to get ready. I take some serious time in the shower, just standing in that rain of hot water with a million thoughts running through my head.
By the time I'm done primping myself, I had already missed the show time for "Lust, Caution". Instead, I go and watch "Wristcutters: A Love Story". I walk into an already darkened theater and soon realize that I am the only person there. I take my usual spot in the theater--the middle left, second seat from the end--to watch the unfolding story of Zia, the protagonist who "offs" himself by slitting his wrists and lands in a purgatory. To summarize, the subject of life-after-death was dealt with much more creativity, pleasantry and sophistication in "After Life", a movie I highly recommend. The only thing I got out of "Wristcutters" is a reminder that I do still love the arid desert landscape of California, a reminder I needed since my trip to Michigan.
After the movie, I head out to the valley for a friend's housewarming. It is a small gathering, and I am late as usual. A glass and a half of cabernet almost knocks me out, and as we gather around to watch two episodes of "Nip/tuck", I take a short nap. I leave shortly after midnight. With winter drawing near, the air feels cold and piercing.
When I get home, I pause in front of my gate and look up at the sky. Even in the middle of the city notorious for light pollution, the winter stars shine through. First I spot Orion and his belt. Just below him is Canis Major with the sparkling eye of Sirius. Then I find the twins, Castor and Pollux, before my eyes stop on the Taurus. The bull has a bright red star Aldebaran for an eye in the heart of its distinctive "V" formation. The seven Pleiades sisters are still weepy, but somehow, they appear cheerful, as if hope is on the horizon.
Another day ends. Tomorrow is a sleep away.
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