Where do you want to be today?

[ksmith]

The best word I can think of to describe the Mood du Jour is 'unsettled'. I've an upset stomach. Feel personally and professionally *and* physically restless. I've heard bad news concerning people I don't know well--the sort of thing that bothers you even though it doesn't affect the pattern of your life in any way.



Me being me, I want to be somewhere else, and have been pondering what sort of place that might be.

Maybe it's because I have Wiscon/Madison on the brain, but the place I envision features a walking street lined with shops and cafes. It's warmer, though, and water is more of a presence--think coastal town/seashore/island rather than northern inland lake. I have no appointments during the time I'm there. Nowhere I *have* to be. I'm staying in my own place--flat, boutique hotel. No matter where I go, I run into people I know--we wind up at this or that restaurant, pushing tables together and taking three-hour lunches.

It is an asshole-free zone.

I am working on a book and a couple of short works. No one ever asks me if I wish I was JK Rowling. I'm Kristine Smith, and that's enough.

There are no written goals, performance evaluations, or growth plans. I am one of life's individual contributors.

There are islands, with ponies. You can rent sailboats and spend the day. The ponies can't be ridden, but they will take treats from your hand.

That's all for now. Consider this my contribution to Meme Culture. Think about a place you'd like to be right now, either real or imagined. Post about it here, or in your own journal, or just ponder it for a while.

Comments

[juliabk.livejournal.com]

I can do that. I've been in much the same situation of late.

[pbray.livejournal.com]

If I had just an afternoon, I'd drive up to Ithaca and sit on the outdoor deck atone of my favorite restaurants, which is right on Lake Cayuga. I'll have a fabulous lunch, then spend the afternoon sipping wine as I watch the boaters.

If I have a week, I want to be at the Outer Banks. There's a house in Duck that I've stayed at, with fabulous views from almost every window, and wraparound decks.

I want to wake up and write in the morning while it's cool. Then it's time to get dressed and explore, find a funky cafe or a place on the water to have lunch. Later in the afternoon I'll sit on the beach to read a book and listen to the waves. Returning to the house, I may write some more or simply sit on the deck and watch the sun set over the sound.

At night there would be DVD marathons, or endless games, or sitting around with friends critiquing what we'd written today.

And we could drive up past Corolla to pet the wild ponies :-)

If I win the lottery this weekend, that's where I'll be next week. I'll leave the light on.

[topayz4.livejournal.com]

I like your place, but I'd want to ride those ponies :)

Today I'd settle for anywhere that isn't here. It's been a cruddy day.

I'd love to be back in California. I'd spend a day with my friends, hitting all my old haunts like the seal rookery and tidal pools between Ventura and Santa Barbara. We'd brunch in Solvang at Paula's Pancake House and get the delicious danish pancakes. Then later in the afternoon fancy schmancy tea at somewhere nice.

[kristine-smith.livejournal.com]

If I win the lottery this weekend, that's where I'll be next week. I'll leave the light on.

I'll bring wine and some DVDs...but someone is going to have to show me how to play the games.

[leahbobet.livejournal.com]

I think I like your place. :)

I would like to be...there is a beach I have been dreaming about, with large airy big-windowed hotels along it where the rooms are half-outdoors, and restaurant buffets for breakfast piled with fresh fruit that are mostly outdoors.

If you hike uphill, inland on the island, there is also an old, old city with narrow cobble streets and alleys with 2,000-year-old Roman columns in them. It is mostly uphill. There are little rivers that run through the city to the ocean, and little old stone bridges to walk over. There is shade, and bright blue skies, and tiny restaurants with patios in buildings older than the city I live in, and museums.

There is no security or customs in the airport.

I dreamed we had a convention there last week sometime. scalzi was wearing his Campbell suit, and we razzed him about how many suits he'd packed for the beach. There were leisurely showers, leisurely breakfasts, ocean, and sunshine, and an architectural sightseeing trip being planned between panels that afternoon.

That is where I'd like to be. Very much.

[pbray.livejournal.com]

Sounds like a plan.

Every time I go there, I try to figure out how I can afford to stay for weeks at a time, and not just a mere 7 days. But sadly reality intrudes and it's back to the day job, and the daily grind.