What a crazy yet underwhelming summer it has been. Being back in Champaign was ever helpful and helped me get back to my roots, so to say. The connections I had lost in the Paign didn't seem evident or relevant until I came back and realized they were gone, ones I hadn't even considered until I got there. So many people I had known but never knew again, making me realize that I once had a life there, one filled with many friends and a whole expanse randoms. I miss that, being one in a sea of people making a rich and complex social circle that will last for years.

I digress.

I realized how much I missed it and how good it is to be home, sometimes. A few botched relationships and blown paychecks later, I had enough to move into my new 5-bedroom in the Chas, from which I am writing now. The summer closed so abruptly, it came out of nowhere. One minute I'm just getting settled back in and getting comfortable at home when once again I had to fly away with the autumn wind fast approaching. I am now trying to get re acclimated to college life, and discover a whole new way of living with roommates in a house with monthly bills. I accept the new challenge, especially if it means I don't have to shower with 7 other people in a public restroom in the dorms.

I write to you in my new room. It's roomy with two windows, letting in lots of great sunlight. I smoke freely in here and burn incense to my hearts content and life is right where I want it to be. I learned a lot about self-confidence this summer and how important it is. Without, you doom to under-estimate yourself, taking away opportunities that you would have never known existed. I'm ready to take this newly found self-confidence and apply it wherever I can. Thanks to all those that helped me find that self-confidence. I may try to play them off, but the compliments on how much healthier I'm looking really bring a smile to my face.

Wasting this Monday in a chemically enhanced stupor, watching "Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas" which I just pulled out of storage. Found a new bike after mine was stolen, paid off my landlord till September and avoiding the radio station to get out of work for just one more week of glorious, non-committed and worry-free summer.

One last round, to us, and our procrastination and refusal to become true adults!

with love and missing you all already,
Hix