Summertime. I'm now convinced that our body/mind/spirit is tethered to the changing of seasons and the small, 30-day-or-so monthly cycles that govern our thoroughly modern lives. Here's the pattern I see emerging:

January - March: The most beige time of year (not to be confused with stagnation, which happpens later in the year). Work, sleep, play - but nothing too exciting, too challenging, or controversial.

April - May: Predictably work-focused. Like a timed falling hammer. Work work work.

June - July: HOLY SHIT DO I WANT THIS LIFE, or, HOLY SHIT THIS COULD BE MY LIFE. I spend the entire summer contemplating quitting my job, living abroad, and making other ridiculously unscripted life changes.

August: Stagnation, coupled with a vague sense of dissatisfaction

September - October: Gorgeous explosion of movement, precision and determination

November: Dread

December: Mild depression, combined with intense moments of nostalgia

Knowing this, I'm able to plan vacations better. Best to flee during periods of stasis, and recharge my batteries in the warm sun or in the Italian countryside. When it's busy, I don't really want to leave anyway.

1. Wild Rice - Summer Cats
2. Gotta Cheer Up - Cotton Jones
3. Lagunita - Trio Los Avilenos
4. Sisters of Mercy (Cover) - Beth Orton
5. Just in Time (Live) - Nina Simone
6. It's Gonna Rain - Violent Femmes

August is just days away, and I've finally taken the plunge and asked for a significant block of time off work. My plans? To bum around the east coast (mostly Maine, but also Vermont and Massachusetts) visiting friends and sleeping in late. Oh, and updating this long-neglected music blog.