Because the A/C in Carmichael is broken...

...I woke up this morning to one of my favorite sensory experiences: the smell and cool air and breezy comfort of fall. I know it doesn't start for a couple more days, but after the long, sapping humidity of August and the unseasonably-cold rainy crap of last week, I'm going to pretend it's my favorite season already.

Never mind the construction outside my window, or the people who smoke on the emergency-exit stairs (whose smell bothers me but whose conversation can be pretty entertaining -- "Man, he's just like such an alcoholic!" woke me up at 3 a.m. the other night). Being able to wake up with my windows open is the one thing I miss about being at home in the fall, and until they get around to fixing the A/C (which likely won't happen till the end of this week, I'm told), I get to enjoy it. It makes waking up early worth it.

In other news, I have something to tell you which will make you proud and perhaps fearful. I ate cheese. I know, I know, don't worry: I didn't do it because I thought it would be delicious (although, and don't tell a soul, it kind of was). I was at my friend's dinner party and everything he fixed was cheesy (right down the the kahlua cheesecake, which was fantastic!) and of course I couldn't be rude. So I ate some bruschetta with mozarella (mootzarella, a la dad) chunks, and they didn't really taste like anything; and I ate some lasagna (I know, of all the cheesy things to eat) with chicken and artichokes and I have to say -- it was good. The cheese was more of an alfredo-esque sauce than that gross ricotta business, and it really was good. But that's just because Kirk is an amazing cook.

But I can't tell Mom and Dad or they'll make me eat cheese at home now! My last bastion of non-cheesiness will turn against me and I'll be doomed to eat sticky masses of casserole for everrrrrrr! This is why I need to go to France -- if I eat other people's cheese, it won't be so bad. But Skiver cheese will just make me resentful. I think perhaps you understand what I mean, non?

Here's to hoping that this week will be relatively cheese-free, fun and full of good things, for both of us. (There's the Sufjan concert on Thursday, so I'm pumped about that!)

xxxAnnie