i met up with a group of old colleagues and i was shocked to see how un-vain I'd become. I mean, one friend's house was just so gorgeous & airy & arty, & another friend is dating a lawyer who's parents own a house on the potomac.

'nother friend's marrying a surgeon... I don't know! These folks were all initially doing civil work for near-pittance, & here they are. Granted, some people get tired of the gov't.

My peers in the writing program, however... god, I love some of 'em. One was wearing lime-green shorts with a brown shirt. Another built a makeshift 'fire pit' on the lawn outside (even though it was humid as hell outside). Everyone's poor I guess my entertainment threshold is quirky. As is my sense of style.

Wonder when I'll have to grow up.