Shrimping at Dupont

Slow day. Today's crawled along, not that the day seemed to last forever, because, in fact, it went by very quickly. No, the day was not rushed. No one attempted to impose "hurry" on the mandala. Today was easy, relaxed. It will be brushed away effortlessly, a few memorable moments, but the rest of was just easy living. Two high points were the bike ride in to work (my inaugural bike commute) and swinging up to Dupont at noon to get fresh Gulf shrimp from Louisiana shrimpers attempting to remind "us" that they exist down there. It was somewhat moving to watch them scooping out the graywhite shrimp into plastic bags, just giving it away. There was a sense of plenty, a sense of easy natural wealth, as though one of my childhood neighbors back home had just come in from a day throwing a castnet and had plenty of shrimp to share. And I have to admit, I love that fecund, brackish, bayou shrimp smell. It's just this side of stink. Right before it happens. But still sweet. I asked if anyone was from Mississippi. Nope, all Louisianians. One woman I chatted with lost everything, home of 57 years, fleet of boats, and her husband. He committed suicide after Katrina. Beautiful sunny day, weather's perfect, and she could enjoy it. Very pleasant, hardy. That's pain: to suffer such loss and then confront a gorgeous day and live it as beautifully as it presents itself to you. There's nothing numbing about that pain. It seems like that would be the type of pain that you grin and bear, pushing your way through to some sort of joy.

Very pretty weekend. And I have to admit that ole atmosphere lite v5.5 played quite a role. On Sunday the weather was bright, sunny, clear, and breezy. Nonetheless, hearing the sounds of the waves crashing on shore, with seagulls, and the occasional far off boat horn, really made for a romantic afternoon. Add some other flourishes, the fresh smell of eucalyptus and a tart cranberry spritzer...oh yes, and your wife...and it makes for a serious afternoon. The coup de grace was really the soft thumps of "Ooh Baby, I did it again..." playing on the CD player. Without it, we would have just been on the beach. But with Britney, we were on the beach in Thailand. A serious boost in the romance factor.

Today's rule: To feel the "dude" within, and abide.