It’s hot and there’s a lot going on. And I’m sorry for the lack of updates as of late. We’ve been running around, doing things, taking care of business. Plus, there was the vacation and all. Plus, I’ve been Interneted out as of late. I think I’m going through a phase. It’s either that, or coming out of one. We’ll see.

We got the car back from our mechanic right before we left for vacation. The news was not good. We got it back in the same state we dropped it off in. I posted a picture taken from the garage. My mechanic said he’s willing to do the work but he has no time to look for parts. We were told we need two upper ball joints and two lower ball joints. On top of that, we need an engine pipe, which he’s pointing to here. I immediately thought we were screwed. I began to mentally divorce myself from the lovely car. And then the Internet came to the rescue. Someone shy who goes by the name “nervous and small” posted a link. 163 bucks later, four ball joints are making their way to me.

Let’s see, I signed up for a soccer league that begins in September. I’m looking forward to that. Let’s hope it cools down by then.

What else. On Sunday, after weeks of going back and forth, I finally resolved to train for the NYC Marathon that takes place on November 5th, 2006. I even did some research and came up with a training schedule. I was quite pleased with myself. In the state of a daydream, I imagined one friend or family member standing at each of the 26 miles along the route. (First, I daydreamed about actually having 26 friends.) And, duh, of course I’m way, way past the deadline to sign up legitimately. What was I thinking? I wasn’t thinking. I thought I might be able to raise 2500 bucks to train with Fred’s Team. They were sold out, too. DC is sold out as well. Maybe I can do that next year. (A kind man contacted me about a few other opportunities with local charaties in NYC. I may have given up too easily. I’m waiting to hear back again but there’s a good chance we can still run.)

Nico and George got married while we were away. Soung and David had their wedding party. We stayed at The Tabbard Inn. DC was wonderful. I got to see a lot of people who I miss greatly. We had brunch with Michael and Inger and their most beautiful baby girl. I fell in love with this child. I can’t tell you how much this baby touched my heart.

Rhode Island was cool as well, although not having a car was a little rough. We didn’t nearly get to see as much as we would have liked. But it was relaxing and we got to share Nico and George’s big day.

Lastly, it’s about the blog. Truth be told, I have a love/hate relationship with this Web site. Sometimes, when I branch out a bit and read other blogs, I begin to feel shameful that I’m a part of this community. There is an uncomfortable amount of hatred out there. There is an uncomfortable amount of cattiness and vindictiveness. There always has been. (Lord knows, I’ve been involved in a few meaningless spats over the years.) It seems that people thrive from it. There is a lot of laziness and finger-pointing that takes place as well. I’m often embarrassed for other people. I’m embarrassed for myself.

The first step to recovery is accepting that you have a problem.

My name is Michele and I’m a self-hating blogger. Am I the only self-hating blogger out there? Do others struggle with this?

I’m not a proud blogger. Running (and completing) a marathon, petting the cats at the Barc animal shelter, snuggling with Tobyjoe every night, sharing brunch with an old friend, cooking corn on the cob to perfection, baking scones, finding the parts to repair my perfectly wonderful car, writing my brother a letter about his baby’s hands, these are things that I am proud of. I wish I could be proud of blogging too.

In other news, we’re talking about a trip to India next year. We’ll see if my reproductive schedule allows for as much. Who knows what a year from now will bring but I have wanted to see India for over a decade. It simply must take place especially now that I have 30 lovely Xanax pills for flying. If India doesn’t work out, London is in order. I want to see Dan. I want crisps. I want British football. I want to visit Manchester and have a pint at the pub I worked at.

That’s all for now. It’s nice to be back in New York even if it’s blazing hot. I miss her when she’s not around.