Ben's Chili Bowl.

I am adding my voice to the growing number of people who are of the opinion that the Franciscos are trying to subtly tell us something... Now to get around to practicalities of the situation: will we change the blog name to 'Thirty-One Travelers?' Baby Francisco must be accounted for.

A few things you should know about my life:

-I am repentant. I previously judged Jamie for her love of Sonic chili dogs. I found them to be repulsive and referred to people who ate them as "fart-faces." Since moving to DC, I have grown as a person and in my understanding of the beauty that is a well-made chili dog. In an effort to apologize for my ignorance and judgmental nature, I invite you all up for a midnight run to Ben's Chili Bowl. (respects must be paid to Pat and Will who encouraged me to come to the other side.)

-To go along with the previous point: people in DC know me. It's becoming rather uncomfortable. I go to Ben's Chili Bowl and a girl I've never seen before starts talking to me in Amharic. I go to Whole Foods and a fellow shopper calls me by my Finote Selam nickname- how does he know this? I ride the S4 bus in the morning and a guy sits next to me and tells me that his relative told him to look for me. But how did he know that I was me? I go to Staples in suburban Maryland and the cashier knows me by name. I've never seen these people before. I've never even been to a Staples before. It's becoming increasingly disconcerting. And startling. I'm always on guard.

-I've started a new job. I am now considered adjunct faculty at the Baltimore City Community College. When I turned in my documents to the human resources person, she asked me how I went from being unemployed for 3 years to faculty at a college. I had never considered my life from that perspective. It was eye-opening. But regardless, I am now the Refugee Assistance Coordinator for Prince George's County. To clarify, I now control the English language for an entire county. It kind of sounds fun and royal (Prince George and all), but in reality I just do a lot of paperwork.

-I've started school. To do this in the same week as starting a new job turned out to be rather disastrous. So much reading. On top of all the paperwork. And figuring out a new bus route. And I had forgotten how to read... maybe I never knew how. And so many new people. They are interesting and I am happy to be among them, but it's all been a bit much. But I have hope that this week will be better than last week and soon I will even come out of survival-mode and actually be able to take it all in. This is the hope, at least.

-I have decided to attempt to return to the 'ham at least once a semester. My rational:

1. The Remingtons are there.

2. The community there is so great- why would i stay away?

3. I miss you all.

With that being said, let me know if there is something going on in Oct/early nov and i will come... camping trip? trip to see wardo? middle of the night beach run? just some suggestions...

That's all. Your turn.