Quiz Kid Donnie Smith: “I really do have love to give; I just don’t know where to put it.”

That’s how I feel so much of the time: so much love, so few people to share it with.

Just an hour to go before I can head home for the evening. This part-time job is great, although the hours can drag if I don’t have anything to do…or, if I don’t really feel like doing anything. I forget, though, how bored I was when my check arrives every Tuesday.

I spent four hours last night with my editor at that sobriety test for police officers. While the volunteers got drunk on various types of beer and alcohol, I sipped a lukewarm 7UP and munched on salty potato chips and popcorn. I feel pretty good about how the article will turn out. I started writing it in my head last night. We’ll know more when I put words on the page come Monday.

That’s all for now. Sorry this post is so boring.

Another question from “The Book of Questions”

No. 4: If you could spend one year in perfect happiness but afterward would remember nothing of the experience, would you do so?

Today my sister Katie turns 20! Send her a birthday greeting: katie@katietownley.com.

It’s nearing 7 a.m. I really should be in the shower by now, but I just can’t get myself to get up and get ready for work. Today is one of those days I want to stay in my robe and read all day. It’s chilly outside. I just ate some oatmeal. And a cookie.

Tonight should be fun, though. I’m writing a column for my newspaper on the impact of alcohol. My editor and a handful of Bellevue police officers are taking a sobriety screening. They’re going to get totally shit-faced for four hours tonight by way of the Bellevue Police Department. It’s a type of training the department offers to teach their new officers how to spot someone who is drunk. My editor is tagging along for the ride and I’m going to write about it. Should be fun to see my editor drunk; I only hope they’ll pass the bottle my way :-)

No. 226 from “Life’s Little Instruction Book”

When someone hugs you, let them be the first to let go.

Got my hair cut yesterday. It’s shorter than what I’m used to. The girl who cuts my hair styled it very cute, something akin to a Meg Ryan style. I’ll be damned if I could recreate that adorable look today. We’ll see what happens tomorrow morning.

I can’t believe I just spent those last few seconds typing up an entry about my hair. Shit. I wish I had something more deep to write about, but I don’t tonight. Left work early, did some shopping at a local mall, came home, had dinner, gave myself a pedicure and here I am. Poof. Just like that. There went my evening.

I need a hug. I miss that. A lot. Being close enough to another person so you can feel their heart, feel their body move up and down as they breath. Just hanging on because it’s familiar and I can’t let go, don’t want to let go.

Ohh, I just heard thunder. A late summer storm is approaching. I love storms. Love how the rain washes away everything clean again, how safe I feel tucked in my bed with the windows open, the smell of rain filling my bedroom.

I still need a hug.

Going back to my earlier posting about the hopeful/hopeless debate: I’ve also found how jarring some words in the English language can be. Words you hear when your heart thinks one thing, but your head (and ears) pull your emotions in the opposite direction. It’s sometimes scary.

Before I jumped the gun and spent $350 to fix the muffler on my car, I had my cousin and uncle take a look at it. After about three hours and a massive bowl of peanut butter ice cream (with chocolate sauce), my car is fixed! They tell me my muffler is good for another six months, at which time I’ll need to buy a new one. So, I’m happy to say the very least.

Today’s weather was something I’ve craved all sumer: chilly, rainy, breezy and cloudy. A perfect change from the sweltering days we’ve had. The rain always puts me a ease, giving me a peaceful, tranquil feeling. It was wonderful. The best is driving around the streets of Omaha with the car window cracked, hearing the traffic and feeling the occasional drop of rain kiss my cheek. I love fall. I’m so ready for fall’s arrival. The cooler days, chilly nights and a better chance to see the stars, assuming you can get far enough away from the city lights. Fall always reminds me of back to school, new possibilities and experiences on the horizon.

Let’s hope this year’s fall will prove the same. I’m ready…I think.

This artistic image was made by my newspaper’s photographer. I’m doing a story on a high school football player with a prosthetic leg. I’m sitting on this hill, watching practice, as our photographer takes photos of this kid. It looks artsy and dramatic, but I’m really just blocking the late-day sun from my eyes. He took this photo with out me knowing. Sneaky, huh?