Yes.

"Kindness" covers all my political beliefs. No need to spell them out. I believe that if, at the end, according to our abilities, we have done something to make others a little happier, and something to make ourselves a little happier, that is about the best we can do. To make others less happy is a crime. To make ourselves unhappy is where all crime starts. We must try to contribute joy the othe world. That is true no matter what our problems, our health, our circumstances. We must try.

--Roger Ebert, Life Itself

A day wasted, or a day enjoyed?

This morning, I went to yoga class. I have noticed that morning yoga is a little dangerous for me, especially when I walk home; the abundance of exercise makes me feel virtuous and allows me to laze about for the rest of the day without guilt.

This is probably the first time I've walked home in at least two months; spending the month of December sedentary and overeating (hello, extra five pounds!) combined with two weeks of illness in January (goodbye, extra five pounds!) has robbed me of much of my endurance. I'm a little ashamed to admit that I had to stop halfway up our driveway and catch my breath. And I wasn't even pushing my bike.

I found myself a little at loose ends this evening. I felt sociable, but none of my friends were online, and I don't really have the sort of close social group locally that I could just call on the spur of the moment to see if they want to go have a drink or come over and watch a film. So instead I contented myself with spending a few hours finishing Life Itself, Roger Ebert's fascinating if somewhat scattershot autobiography. Brian made stew with the hunk of locally-raised grass-fed beef we got at the farmer's market last week. Tasty stuff.

Still waiting on a decision from Berklee. According to their website (and the woman who did my interview), they normally send out mailings "before January 31". Needless to say, I was starting to approach the post office with increasing trepidation. Then today, I got an email from the admissions office, stating that the mailings would be going out on the 31st, but that you would be able to view your admissions decision (but not any scholarship information) online on that day. Sigh. The woman at the post office (whom I had asked to keep an eye out for an envelope from Berklee for me) was pleasingly annoyed on my behalf.

I got one of the nicest compliments on my hair today after yoga class. One woman was asking me how I do my hair, and I was explaining, and another woman came up and said "You know, more than once when we were practicing, your hair caught the light and it just lifted my spirits." I honestly think that's one of the nicest things anyone's ever said about it.

That said, I think I'll be ready for a change from the blue-purple soon. I might dye it Virgin Rose again (the color in the icon). It's nice and bright and cheerful.

And that was more or less the extent of my day. Maybe tomorrow will be a little more productive. But then again, maybe not.