Yes, I know I'm late posting today's entry. Deal with it.

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After class, Daniel and I walked down to Borders and inhaled the heady perfume of ink and paper, then wandered down to Pike street market because Daniel was craving one of the apple and cinnamon pastries that the Piroshky shop sells down there. By the time we finished all of that walking around it was late afternoon, so we headed back to the dorm, dumped our class stuff, then walked down to Elliot Bay Bookstore early and read the stories for today's critique while we ate dinner.

We went on in to hear Gardner's reading, the highlight of which was hearing Gardner shout, "AND THEN THEY CUT MY BALLS OFF!"

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Only a week and a half left. We're a bit torn over whether there should be a "Thank God" at the end of that phrase. Don't get me wrong, this has been wonderful. I've learned more than I ever thought I could have learned, and made some of the closest friends I may ever have. I've pushed hard and explored my limitations, and seen how far I have still to go.

But I can't see doing this for longer than six weeks. Tensions and personal quirks that can be ignored or glossed over for six weeks would probably blow up if we were kept in this situation much longer. We've been a really terrific crowd--no goats or outcasts or cliques. And hopefully we'll remain that way. One of the parties we went to was held by a couple who are part of a co-op, sort of a quasi-commune situation with lots of group meals and interaction between condo owners. Some of the people in our group made comments about how it would be so terrific to do the same thing for all of us in the Clarion class. But I personally need a bit more space around me, especially if it's for an extended length of time (i.e. more than 6 weeks.)