I have been spending the past few days in Athens, GA with my friend Josh. I left town on Saturday, at which points the roads were still clear. Those who left on Sunday, however, ended up sitting in gridlock for hours. It’s been a bit disconcerting having to do this the 2nd week of classes, but considering how bad things could have been, we were all very lucky this time around. Tulane did not sustain any major damage and classes are slated to resume next Monday. I find this a bit strange to say, but I am actually looking forward to getting back to school! Law school is a strange beast, and finding some sort of rhythm regarding work/study habits is key. So, let’s hope for no more drama, at least for a while!

I’m still alive - in fact, I’ve been feeling very alive these past few weeks, so excuse the lack of postings. A brief update: I have secured housing in New Orleans; I will be sharing a small house about a mile from campus with two other guys. The process was not easy but it seems to have worked out well. I have met a wonderful guy, someone with whom I can be myself. I got to see a bunch of my very good friends in a special place. Not all is well in the world, but Fortuna’s wheel (too often down,) is now up. Any suggestions?

The Kancamagus highway is one of the nicest roads in the Northeast. Running from Lincoln to Conway New Hampshire, it traverses Mt. Kancamagus, headwater of both the Saco and Swift River. It is sometimes difficult to maintain in the winter, but the summer months are a breeze. The area is within a national forest, so the area is managed Federally. The roads, thus, are in very good condition.

Along the highway, you’ll pass many scenic areas. From Lincoln, the first and more hidden openings are trailheads for longer forays. Further along you enter a scenic vista area as the road winds it way up the mountain. The pavement for this serpentine and sometimes hairpin stretch is flat and solid, perfect for a cruise. Coming down is much of the same. Entering the foothills the terrain moderates somewhat as you follow the Swift River. Lucky for the early summer passerby, the river offers many recreational venues. In addition to hike accessible waterfalls and large mountain lakes, the river provides fishing, swimming and limited boating potential.

I first learned about the place as a summer camp student at Waziyatah. Lower falls is an area of the river which offers some thrilling play; here the flow of the river has created some natural waterslides. The experience varies based on how high the river is running, but there is a predictable pattern of water which has, over the centuries, worn some very smooth crevices into the rock. But this ain’t no cheesy kids park. In fact, the area is quite dangerous. Visitors could, theoretically, slip and be seriously injured (but rest assured dear reader, the Feds certainly have a few good lawyers in their arsenal.) These chutes have formed within the larger context of jagged boulders, little swirling pools, and a myriad of river creatures; here nature has allowed mankind to play. On a sunny day, you can swim, scamper between outcroppings, sun, or, if you are brave, ride a little.

But don’t go right in the middle of the day, after all, I’m not the only one to know about this. The region is just south of Franconia via I-93 and is dotted with ski slopes, mostly tasteful amenities and ample other outdoor opportunities from tame to eXtreme.

I returned from New Orleans early this morning not having accomplished my goal. The main reason I went down there was to find housing with three other guys. Although we spent an enjoyable evening eating and listening to great music, and found some very nice places the following day, I decided to withdraw from the group. I did not make this decision lightly. The three other guys (one of which I had met during the admitted students weekend) are all great people. My decision was based on a largely gut level reaction which told me that I would not be a good fit within the group. I discussed this feeling with some family and friends, and received reinforcement to trust my instincts.

This has been very difficult, but I am at the stage in my life (25 going on 26,) where I need to be entirely comfortable and at home in my surroundings. Although I am still trying to define just what that is, exactly, I feel like I do have a better understanding of what it is not; this, my working definition, is something I may not have been able to articulate a few years ago. I can only hope that those guys understood and were not offended.

Although it is a bit crushing to be nowhere further along tangibly on the housing front, I did get a better idea of what to expect housing-wise when I make my next trip down there to try again. Though I’m not yet sure what form my next housing attempt will embody, I’m willing to try again. I can only hope I “have right.”

I just spent a few hours at the local roller skating rink. I was trying to think about the last time I actually went roller skating, and if my memory serves me correctly, it was at Wal-Lex. Wal-Lex was this great 50’s style entertainment venue. There were two buildings, one housed the roller skating rink and the other was a bowling/pool hall place. It was a perennial favorite among friends and many a birthday party was held there.

To keep things in check there was an old Chinese man, Wing, who would wear a referee uniform and skate around, whistle in mouth, ready to call you out if you pushed the limits a bit too far. Another great thing about Wal-Lex was that every time you went, at some point they would stop the regular music and play the “chicken dance.” Wing would lead the crowd, and en masse, everyone would stoop down and flap their arms at their side… it was corny but we all loved it.

I remember after I had been away at college for a while I came back home for a break and happened to be out by Wal-Lex. Sadly, the times had moved beyond such simple pleasures, and in its place was a generic Petco/Staples shopping plaza. It was sad to see the place gone, it was as if a certain part of my childhood had been erased. So tonight’s pleasures were a bit nostalgic, and yeah, I didn’t fall.