After getting over the absence of constant stress, the complete lack of overbearing authority, and my plenitude of freedom and happiness, I have come to the conclusion that my life is really great right now. If you see me around and I look "angsty," rest assured that I am only keeping up appearances. Yesterday I stood on top of a huge mountain, overlooking the ocean and the Golden Gate and this wonderful town. The sight was so magnanimous that the few minutes before and after my standing there were lost in my memory. Overwhelmed senses and a fulfilled imagination are more potent than any drug (of which I have not done any...I promise). That parenthetical expression was tautological and vague.

I am not working full-time for a dot-com or whatever. Big surprise. This city is a techie graveyard right now. However, unlike the rest of the scrambling digerati, I am employed and living in the nicest neighborhood of one of the nicest cities in the world. So it's cool, baby. It is so easy to forget, but every day that I am here makes me remember. You know, what's important...

Ahh, yes. The family. Happy birthday to my wonderful mother! My lovely and talented sister Meg graduated high school today and will be attending Georgia State in the fall. I will not be back in New Orleans to see her go, and I deeply regret that. Meg you are the best, and I will miss you. Another lovely sister (yet slightly less talented) sister o' mine, Kay, also graduated after I left. And let us not forget Sarah...

I'm just getting my internet connection set up, so please forgive me if I haven't responded to your email. However, I am still fond of getting long, in-depth letters, so feel free to write me.