One of the nice things about Columbia are its "village centers". I live in the "village" of Harper’s Choice, one of nine villages in the town, er, city — I mean, Columbia is a large town or a small city, depending on your perspective. I think of it as a town. It has a town feel. But it’s the sixth largest city in Maryland, so I guess either label is applicable. Anyway, the nice thing about the village centers, assuming you live relatively close to one (it would be hard not to) is each one has it’s own supermarket. So even if I’m housebound, say, my car’s in the shop, won’t start, gets, um, (cough) stolen … or just today when I don’t feel like wiping the snow off, I can still walk to the store and get my dinner or whatever. A bonus about Harper’s Choice is that my gym is in the same complex, so I can walk there also.

So that is what I did this evening, as a "massive snowstorm pummeled the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic regions" — which in other words means that while the Northeast will get much more snow, they’ll deal with it without blinking an eye, while the Mid-Atlantic "weather wimps" of DC, Baltimore et al. will crawl into the fetal position, albeit with much bellyaching and attitude. It makes me want to recite the famous John F. Kennedy quote about Washington — " a city of Southern efficiency and Northern charm." Indeed!

But I digress. The silver lining to this cloud is — I was off today! So no Beltway, no 95, no stalled trains or belching, crowded buses. Just me, walking through my tiny village to the gym and the market, tracking through freshly fallen snow. So let it come down. I’ll deal with it tomorrow. Just realized that this is the first snowstorm I’ve actually enjoyed here in Columbia. For now, at least. Talk to me in the morning when I’m scraping my car ;-)

Yessir. Who’s the richest cat in the condo-plex these days? ME! My loan funded right after I got back from Jacksonville. After a buttload of time and aggravation spent filling out paperwork, I could finally get cracking on the most enjoyable part of financial management — spendin’ mah money beeiiitch! (Sorry Chappelle show is on the TV in the background).

No, it’s not quite like that. Responsible purchases only, falling comfortably under the umbrella of "home improvement." First off, a sectional sofa and chair, comfy as hell (or at least it was in the showroom — 3 weeks wait on delivery, hmmmph!).  A laptop with wireless router (typing into it now — sweet), a bedroom set (still researching that investment), a TV stand, a coffee table. Assorted odds and ends.

And possibly the best money I’ve spent so far — hiring my brother Rob to come down this weekend and get this place painted once and for all. Left to my own devices, it just wasn’t happening. Too many stops and starts. But he did a fantastic job. The living room is finished in blue, and the bedroom looks stunning in a "plum raisin." And thrown in at no extra charge — a coffee table carved to look like a whale, with an ashtray for the whale’s eye. Classic. That will go on the patio with the old sofa.

So it’s all coming together in the condo. And there are people coming with whom I can share this renewed space. Stacey is talking about an April move to Virginia for her and Eli, sounding very definite at this point. She’s laid out a pretty firm agenda. Sounds good S. Sounds "best" in fact. I’d be down for the Widespread Panic show in DC, just need to double-check the details, as I may have another visitor that weekend. That being Maricela, my good friend and next-door neighbor from Tucson, who will also be coming out for a weekend in April. Just not sure which one.

Hopefully I can update this thing more frequently now that I have computing mobility, so to speak. Gotta love wireless! Send!

It seems like an eternity has passed since my Florida trip. I hit the ground running when I got back to work so haven’t had time to reflect. Now, after a week back in the trenches,  I can look back fondly on the time spent in pre-Super Bowl Jacksonville as the privileged guest of the Dew and Imrie clans.

So first off, a HUGE thanks to Shannon and Kevin, Gordon and Francine for their hospitality. I wish I could have stayed longer. You guys rock to the nth degree and that aint no sausage lips speaking!

Highlights:

1. The beach! So nice to rummage through the sand, looking for shark’s teeth, conchs and assorted shells. Just what the doctor ordered.

2. The Jacksonville public libraries’ tour. Saw Shannon’s and Gordon’s workplaces …

3. Learning the finer points of MegaMan and Ratchet and Clank from Sam …

4. Being treated to a rare performance from DJs Shannon D. and "Bue"…

5. A trip to St. Augustine, site of very old houses, forts, toolsheds and whatnot … more stamped pennies!

6. Puffing on double green apple tobacco from a hookah upon arrival. Yum.

7. More Food! Great middle eastern at the hookah joint, mexican combo platter and Coronas downtown, key lime pie and banana splits at A1A in St. Augustine.

What else. I think that covers it. Thanks again guys. Will have to do that again. Just gotta wait for another Southwest cheapie to come along.

So tonight I drove home, was stopped in traffic on 295 with taillights as far as the eye can see. This morning I saw an 18-wheeler smashed into the median with what used to be a car pulverized underneath. Very jarring. Very DC.

Would love to walk on the beach right about now. Yes. The beach. The ocean, the waves, the waves …. waves … mmmmmmmm ….