Feel history here, in this coffee spot which is anything but excessively polished. A bit cold, no heater that I can. Lucky to have sense earlier to dress self with this Dutcher Crossing jacket. Semester ending today, in my history book. Part of my history. Thinking today of nothing and everything, getting closer to year’s end and the year I turn 40. Went for run earlier, and to stop at 1.5 to pee then back to belt to continue speed work, only to do 3.5 miles more. Walked away from belt disturbed and upset, shot some hoops, then home for water, a couple bowls of dry cereal, shower then out. Meeting students in about 3 hours and 40 minutes.
One Up, One Down. Coltrane. Would put into quotes but I want it part of my language. Not stealing but borrowing. Thoughts today, all for the day. Thoughts today and right now what I’m doing in this new writing spot, this new café, in its webbed visual enigma, developing character and story. Nothing but the in-the-moment-ness of the day. Railroad Square, Santa Rosa. Came here as I’m never here and needed something new, but what happens when this gets old. I need more New, more Newness. New experiences and new sights, new character if I’m to grow as a thinker. Or not so much “grow”, but appreciate and do something my children can look to, I guess be proud of or brag about to their friends. Is that selfish to want that, absolutely. I’m a dad, who writes, isn’t where he wants to be necessarily or fully, yet, with ‘career”, but getting closer. Have to credit Sonic and the owner with his embrace of whim and creative lawlessness.
One idea up, then another up. Trying not to think, trying to be as in the moment as I’m able but then my head goes to synonyms and the inherent insecurity of me as a writer, wondering if I should be implementing new words or some synonyms, or something… some young man in front of me getting attention, just standing at my end of hall way, think he’s waiting for the bathroom but I can’t be— Yes he was. Now I can’t see him. Lady in corner I think writing, not sure what… I’m too aware of where I am, thinking too much, and that’s much of my problem. Why did I drive around as I did. Why did I cruise all the way up 12 only to turn left on Mission, then right on Montecito I think it’s called, then right on Middle Rincon then right on 12 back toward downtown. I couldn’t make up my mind. That has to stop. Look how old I am, look what I’ve put self through with the wine industry and all those fucking tasting rooms. Just ramble and rile, storm from a journal but this is my, the thought recipe, now.
Mom gifted me last night a new journal, one bought in Germany I believe. Just the right timing, as my mothers seems to have a perfect record of actuating. Another idea up, another, now a swarm in flight. Feel like I need a scroll like Mr. Kerouac. Just sit here and in one sitting, multiple by 20 or 21 have my thoughts book in fruition form. Done. Able to read wherever. Music in ears from Mr. Davis telling me to slow my intentions and follow jazz in the flavorful and various clouds it puts before my story— pages blank then full, then stuffing a drawer or some plastic tub then into the garage no more. I can’t do that to self. The latte agrees. All the writing I lost in, on, that goddamn external hard drive, heart just cracked in half and knowing I have to let it go, so publish everything you write, everything you put to page. A new writer, today, with a new journal, a new coffee type, or drink, a new chair and back room, in the city I’ve lived in for far too long. Need a new spot, go for walks with family on paths not yet set. New, newness…. Less than 3.5 hours till I collect final submissions. My students even do it, write something then edit (sometimes) then print and publish, submit. They do what I belabor over, time and time and…….. Woman sitting at the table I was only for a minute maybe two with her business planner, some coffee drink, same size of mine. Then another planner it looks like. Me planning my days remaining till 40. Don’t want to look at counter I have in this word doc, just below this paragraph. Keep going… characters and characters captured for books or blog, and this blog taking new shape with studying the Now, knowing it more than intimately but its circuitry and all the compiled voices from room to room. I re-situate the laptop so the writer behind me can’t see, if she’s even looking which I highly doubt she is. All the driving I did to get here… just be free I tell myself, just write and play with the chords and notes of your own Now and, then, the current track, still Mr. Davis from his Flamenco Sketches. I’m not sketching self, a new self, into a new year, new age and thought peregrination. Newness, the most warming and assuring, re-assuring of spirits. Writing everything in my new Now, with all its Newness and accumulated notes, song. My own mood, once, only an hour ago vitiating penning intentions, now muted. A mummy. Decaying, and eclipsed by latte waves.