Om

[B]So I got back tonight from Lawrence, having spent the last two nights there. I really had a great time; I stayed with Robert, a friend from school in Stillwater, at his house. He has 5 roommates, four guys and a girl, and I really liked them all. I probably met 10-15 people Friday night, walking around to parties. All of my friends there smoked, so I smoked with them. We'll see now if I can withstand the addiction- temptation- of smoking again tomorrow: I vow not to.

Anyway Friday night I started off with a home-brewed beer from Robert. Then Robert and Lucas went to get more beer, which took a little longer than usual, and then we started drinking. At some point I got to meet Lydia, one of Robert's roommate. I really like her, and spent a lot of Friday night walking and talking with her, and listening to music on her ipod. She hugged me at the end of the night when we parted; I have no way of knowing if she likes me, but I admire her a lot.

Interestingly enough, Saturday morning I was in no pain. I'd gone to sleep at 4:00 a.m. and woken up at 9:20. Apparently the walking around and drinking had cured my neck and back pain...so simple. When I woke up at 9:20, I waited around until 11:40, when other people were up.

Among other things I was finally introduced to Devendra Banhart. From the first song I heard, "Long-Haired Child," I really loved him. My friend Lucas told me how he had met Devendra randomly on the road, and talked with him. He didn't talk with him long, since other people were there, but then Devendra's manager gave my friend free admission to a concert that weekend, and for a friend; he put them on the guest list and gave my friend his number to call him if he couldn't get in. Anyway as for me I can say I really like the band. Robert gave me a burned CD of his stuff, and it's so good...

Devendra...his voice and music are haunting good. His voice kind of takes its place next to your soul, and it grips you; he gives you love and non-love. The non-love comes in the form of a gripping responsibility, a guilt and sadness, even those without sins to grieve are still moved by this responsibility. Of course then his love is the goodness and innocence in his music and voice; but then, maybe I am imagining all these things. Sometimes his notes fill me with sadness, and I wonder if I will ever be innocent again...[/B]