I saw my big ole St. Bernard girl today. I can't stand how cute she is. The slobber is pretty damn gross, but her cuteness and gentless help make up for it. She drooled on my jeans a tiny bit and a LOT on the Border Collie's head. Poor dog! I couldn't leave him like that!

As I was cleaning the drool off my pants, it dawned on me that I had worn my fairly nice clothes instead of my "animal clothes" aka "the clothes that are okay to get all disgusting because I don't care about them." So I didn't spend as much time with them today as I usually might. I will dress down when I see them next week!

Today, though, I had plans. Plans for a night on the town! Or an afternoon... in Berkeley. Oh, whatever. So yeah, I drove my little self all the way into Berkeley. Look at me, actually making plans and following through with them! I rock!

I cannot believe how much of a wuss I am, though. I mean, really. Something thumped on my car window as I sat at a red light and my heart leapt into my nostrils as I feared for my life. But no one was trying to kill me. Goofy college students yelled, "Sorry!" as they retrieved their hacky sack off the street. I smiled feebly at them as my heart rate crawled back to normal.

I am such a freak. College students were everywhere, all of them carrying these cool backpacks, and I felt so misplaced. I am not a Cal student. I felt like I didn't belong in "their" town. I also felt really creeped out by the scary homeless man who threw his beer can angrily into the pavement, the loud clanking sound startling me while I waited to cross the street. There was another homeless man sitting right on the sidewalk with his small collection of possessions. I felt so bad for him, and then I felt even worse for feeling so bad. I mean, does he want to be pitied? Does anyone? He's just a regular, real guy, and shouldn't I just treat him that way? Then again, he is in a sad situation, so it makes sense to feel bad for him. Anyway...

I went inside a bookstore and searched around for a while. First I actually thought they didn't have their earth-religion section anymore, which freaked me out. Then I realized it had just gotten moved. I haven't been there in over a year, so I guess I shouldn't be too surprised! I purchased a new book of short stories from that section and headed out to my actual destination -- the piercing shop! The piercing shop doubles as a (horrendously expensive) clothes shop. Or should I say triples as a clothes/smoking/piercing shop. They do tattoos, too. And they sell shoes! So they're sextupling as... oh, nevermind.

The piercer wasn't in, so I had to wait for a while. I was looking over some really cute shoes. And eyeballing the 30% off! sign. (Later, I asked about them, but they didn't have my size! Damn them!)

Then I browsed their tattoo pictures, some of which seemed crazy to me. I guess people want all kinds of styles, though. I was bummed that the insect tattoos weren't more artistic, just sort of cartooney and/or uninspired. I like dragonflies, personally. I saw some super cool star/swirly tattoos that looked appealing. Not that I'm getting a tatto anytime soon, mind you, if ever. Body art just fascinates me.

Eventually the piercer man returned from lunch and I was able to ask him about my nose piercing. He took me to a booth and fixed it for me. It took hardly any time at all. The problem had been that it just kept slipping forward, which annoyed me. And now it is staying back where it's supposed to! Hooray for correct jewelry placement!

My nose is a little tender, but I think it'll be okay in another day or two. I really like my piercing, by the way. It makes me happy!

On the way back to my car, I passed the homeless guy on the sidewalk and said, "Hey man, here you go," as I handed him the 50 cents I had in my pocket.

He looked up and smiled at me and said, "God bless you, babe. Thank you very much."

His smile was so pleasant and sincere. I said, "You're welcome," and smiled back. It was a nice exchange, and left me feeling good. Not because I think 50 cents will do all that much for him, but just because something I did seemed to make him happy, at least for a little while. Like I've said before, it's those tiny (often fleeting, but still meaningful) moments of joy that mean a lot in life.

I found my way back to the freeway fairly painlessly, and got home safe and sound. I ate some lunch and browsed the Weight Watchers message boards, like I do every day, and am overall feeling great about the day. The weather was really beautiful and I did what I set out to do, simple as it was. And I even got a new book out of the whole experience!

However, I forgot to buy cat food and pretty soon, my cats will be out of the food already in their bowls. Next they might be coming after me! So I'll be heading out again pretty soon. The excitement never ends, huh?

Have a beautiful day!

~~Meg