Too much fun?

I hope not. But I am taking my pursuit of fun seriously this semester, and it's off to a good start. I've been out more nights than I've stayed home this week. Last night, I went to a friend's concert. The beer soaked floor and my orthopedic boot didn't stop me from getting my groove on. Like I said, I'm out for serious fun and taking my cues from Cyndi Lauper.

Note to my parents: Fun has not kept me from getting my thesis underway.

Vouvray, dinner and dancing

I am kicking off what I expect to be the best semester yet. I felt hesitant driving into Missouri with my friend Kevin. Anxiety about restarting school set in, even though I'm not enrolled in any formal classes.

But, no sooner had I unloaded my bags than my friends Hilary and Rick called to invite me to dinner at Abigail's — a small, locally sourced restaurant — in Rocheport. Five of us had a long, delicious dinner. We caught up on the news of the break, discussed the body art in the bathroom (Rick noted that painted body parts had produced the interesting blotches on the wall) and sipped wine.

Afterward, we wandered over to the General Store where a folk/blues band called the The Thin Dimes was playing music that got me dancing even with my broken foot. I felt happy, a little floaty from the glass of Vouvray, and warm. I'm taking it as an omen of the semester that lies ahead.

Final week of rest

On the 22nd, school resumes. That means I have one more week of sloth.

I woke up this morning to find Tina curled into the crook of my knees. We've shared many hours of bed rest over the past month. So many hours, in fact, that my brother Vinnie suggested I might have a future working for Lebeda — the mattress company.

Something to keep in mind if journalism doesn't pan out.

The celebration continues

While the holidays are over, the break is not. I'm still in Iowa, and my family still has reason to celebrate. My brother Vinnie turned 20 this week. We found that cause to travel to Iowa City for a late lunch with Catarina and J.J.

The following day, and his actual birthday, we celebrated with Claire and other friends in Cedar Falls.

All the Stigliani children have passed through their teenaged years and I'm excited to see what comes next.

Past and future

With less than 48 hours left in 2012, I'm thinking back on all that has happened this year.

I committed myself to blogging regularly. This will be my 45th post.

I wanted to do more creative writing. I started a writing group in the spring and we continued to meet throughout the fall semester.

I hoped to work more with my hands. I knit six pairs of socks and participated in a weaving class where I made a table runner.

I wanted to publish some of my writing from fall semester. The St. Louis Beacon picked up an investigative story I wrote and asked for a followup.

Of course there have been less successful moments, but I am content.

In the coming year, I want to become a typewriter aficionado. (My mother gave me a vintage Smith Corona for Christmas.) And I hope to find a place that will be home for a while.

Best wishes for 2013 to all those who follow my blog as well as those who don't.

Christmas on crutches

I've finished a six-day editing stint at the newspaper, driven home to Iowa in slippery post-snowstorm conditions, undergone foot surgery and celebrated Christmas—all in the past week. 

The fact that I'm on crutches has forced me to slow down, and I'm learning to embrace it. 

I've left family photographer duties to Marisa.
She captured me in my new state of stasis.

On editing

I've finished day two of a six-day editing stint at the newspaper. I don't feel much like writing, or doing anything other than lying in bed and watching a movie. It's been a strange two days with lots of sad news—the Connecticut school shooting, car accidents and assaults—coming across my desk.

I am longing for simpler times and songs from my childhood.