bad boys bad boys watcha gonna do?

So I'm on the computer, half watching a 48 hours Mystery when I hear sirens, lots and lots of sirens - getting louder and louder. I then notice all the flashing blue lights strobing through the room. I peep out the window and see what must be over 10 police cars and SUVs, a German Sheppard and a Policeman. One of them starts yelling at presumably whomever they have chased down. STEP BACK, STEP BACK...ETC. Not knowing what would happen during the stand off I crouch down so that I am not near the window or anything that might come through it. Added to the medley - a helicopter. Holy Jeebus. Thanks to my peeps for chatting during the ordeal to keep me relatively calm.

Now things have cleared out. I called campus police and they sent an officer out to check the perimeter. He assured me that I was safe and that they patrol regularly. Again I'm not in a bad area per se but near one...SIGH. Gonna have to take some benadryl tonight to get to sleep.

I think the cats and I are packing up and moving out tomorrow morning.

has it only been 4 days cause it feels like a life time

I miss my boy.

bring it on down for homelessville

While getting my morning coffee I heard loud knocking on the front door. I peep out the window and see some guy standing there - knocking - incessantly. Knocking so loud in fact that he could not hear me yell: "Can I help you?"

He finally walked off and I got ready for the day. As I left I saw a police car out front and a man in a UNCW t-shirt speaking with the officer. Apparently they are looking for the guy who knocked on my door. As the police left, the UNCW guy came over to speak to me about safety. I am warned not to walk less than a block to the jiffy mart after dark. I am told that the neighborhood is safe but not safe. Apparently the knocker is a homeless person who has been stealing things and is "a little crazy." Great.

At least I feel safe on campus...

I booked myself into the YWCA, I said I like it here can I stay, I like it here can I stay - Do you have a vacancy...

Wow, it has been awhile.

The upcoming month is going to be difficult. I have no place to live. I may turn into an academic hobo, living on an air mattress in my office, using the student gym as my bathroom.

On a brighter note, the first draft of my dissertation has been submitted to the editorial office for review. I'll be defending July 21st and graduating August 8th!

A dreaded sunny day so I meet you at the cemetery gates.

I heard a commercial advertising a Wound Care center on the radio this morning.  It's strange how under most circumstances the body can heal itself.  Broken bones and torn flesh can mend.  Once healed - the wound is gone - the pain is gone.  Why don't our minds work this way?  Instead the mind actually picks our scabs, pours salt on open wounds.   Sigh.  

Missing my mom, missing Benjamin.

I need to get out of this funk.

Clams

I love clams.  I think the best clams I've ever had were Phil's steamed clams with garlic bread.  I rarely cook seafood at home because it's expensive and I'm afraid of messing it up or permeating the house with a horrible smell. 

That being said, we went to the Farmer's Market yesterday and bought some clams.  I figured at 30 cents a piece why not.  They were fresh, didn't smell at all - so I decided to take the leap.

  

Today I attempted to recreate Phil's clams: butter, white wine, chopped tomatoes, green onions, lots of chopped garlic - the only thing I was missing was fresh thyme.  The clams were friggin amazing.  I can cook clams!!!!!!!  

Who knew?

One of our neighbors died yesterday.   Apparently he was sick, but in the end, he fell in the bathroom and hit his head on the tub.  His roommate came in and found him in the bathroom, his dog Watson by his side. Shocking.  Unreal. Unnecessary.  

I don't care how many times a person confronts death - there is no comprehending why one day someone is walking around and laughing and the next day they're gone.  You will never hear their voice again.  You will never see them walking by.  All you can do is recognize the void.  

CJs car and truck are still parked where he left them.  His friends and family are in the process of dealing with their loss and all the aftermath that death throws on the table.  I would say I cannot imagine what they are going through, but unfortunately I know all too well.

We would see CJ and Watson out walking together almost everyday.   

He had a nice laugh.  

I'll miss him.

Rest in peace CJ.