Busy Idleness

10 Bears asks: Warcraft, crosswords, books, movies. Which is the most acceptable “busy idleness” in one’s life?

I reply.

I set my alarm for 07:15. As usual, just to pretend like I will actually get up. I think I’ve become immune to that alarm.

I think I sleep for something like 12 hours. I wake up and I’m fresh, feel good, nothing really to sleep off from the day or night before.

I set 13:00 as my departure time. In the meantime, I begin the Procedure.

Coffee gets made along with cleaning my gun. Honey Nut Cheerios in my bowl in the breakfast room at 1130. Nice now, with my Trees framing the street. I have a chair in there now too, for sitting. The coffee is terrible so I pour most of it out. Collecting all important things if I am never to return. My hunting gear is in its place in the Duluth Pack.

Roseville 13:41, Duluth sign by 13:46 and again up ahead. Near Exit 30. More leaves down now on this trip. Oaks are red and brown before the Lino Lakes water tower. I reach the split at 13:56. Southbound traffick is way backed up.

It’s cloudier up North. I had my Raybans on in the City. Now, they just make me more mysterious looking.

I decide that after BC that I am going to Alaska. I say this out loud in the car: “I will do whatever it takes to make enough money to survive.” (“Less performing sexual acts”) A mental reminder goes off in my head- 19:00 hours and I must play scrabble with Nikita.

The oak trees are beautiful here. Finally. Duluth 115. The leaves have been a peppy green for too long now…time for them to change. Oaks seem to be the last to go as the maples in the driveway and around town are almost all down now.

That kid from Two Harbors who said he knew the Editor at the Party I went to on Saturday was so obviously poorly dressed. A result of trying to be humorous I hope. His American Eagle cargo jeans were paired with a plaid dinner jacket and I don’t know how old this guy was.

A multi-tool was declared upon entering BC last summer. I wonder if they will search me on the VIA.

Ten Bears asks: How far is Duluth from Banning Juntion? 60 miles. The Volvo just consumed $21.75 in petrol and an unknown amount of 5W-30 engine oil, which from now on I tell myself will be a priority to maintain Volvo. Volvo cannot die on my watch.

Joseph would cry upon hearing this news. But he would approve of taking the Scenic Route. Always. It all flies by much slower now, 90 kilometers/hour. “The Kettle River is stoic in the October cold.”

“Not really,” It says back.

Up a big hill. The steering wheel shakes. Oaks!

Askov, population 368. Pine County. “Vilkommen til Askov”

A Christmas idea goes through my head as the Norwegian gets echoed back in my brain. All I need is clay to make pottery for my Trees. Note this.

The last time I was on this road it was fucking cold. Many degrees below zero, and listening to Click and Clack on the Radio. The scenic route back to University Commons. We feared the engine would freeze after seeing many cars pulled over on the side of the freeway. So, we opt for the scenic route amid my protests but soon time loses relevance on the Road.

Thoughts// stories// work

1. Budcap trees

2. Any other winterization plans

3. Talk to the Norwegian

I can imagine a high speed train flying by me on the tracks to my right. An ultimate dream come true for many.

4. Have a good chat with a. Dave

b. Forrest

c.

My phone blinks. Spam leftist email. "Why do I even get them anymore?" Because I have an internship now.

Small, odd jobs. Make a note to record Paul Chen’s license plate number next time. That guy.

Bruno, population 50. Duluth, 48. Mile 303. My mind ramps back a few thoughts to the pottery. Feasibility of getting the potters’ wheel upstairs into the garage through the hole. Maybe.

Back to the Party on Saturday. “Who invited the Retard?” a guy, trying to be funny, moves to the group. Nice fucking shirt. Not. Annie calls the guy out. "Not nice. I don't approve." We’re in the midst of playing cards, I’m bad, intentionally bad.

Fucking guy is a law student. Impressing people is hard, impressing law students is even harder. He doesn’t play cards very ethically, nor his friend. Cheating? Now? I’m simply trying to flirt with the women here I know. Cards is an auxillary. My time for drinking and cards is not now.

A sign for Alpha Phi Omega Service Fraternity now cleaning this section of roads. Good for them. I know a few of their members. Georgia and Richardson and Native Nate.

I hate MW.

5. Make an album for Uncle.

6. Finish microperspective story.

Ten Bears ask: Where does the Big Willow River run wild and free? I reply: Through Duquette, Minn as we enter the Lake Superior Basin. Allegedly, according to that sign we just pass.

Nice stonework on the Upper Nemadji Bridge cutting through the railroad grade. Not long after we enter Carlton County. Curves!

Decline by simply saying, [No, I’m good, thanks].

7. Shooting lanes 8. Wind-proof the stands

New pavement on 23 after Mont Du Lac and the big hill heading east. This will be a great ride next spring. Inspiration on Commonwealth Ave. I call Joseph, he doesn’t answer, I leave him a voicemail.

Though for other projects: A [ ] never wants to grow up. Or, when they find out what maturity is like, they renege on their contract to become adults and slink back to adolescence. A fairly well-developed throught, courtesy of Beethoven’s #5 symphony on the radio. They begin their member drive. Already stepped up.

A detour on a Street. I run into Duffy, and make plans to meet later this week. The tamaracks on the Zimmerman road are nice right now. All slowly losing colors but all with needles.

Does rural America know about [ ] ? Claim: [ ] hate puppies.

Ten Bears ask: Warcraft, crosswords, books, movies. Which is the most acceptable “busy idleness” in one’s life.

Let’s ask rural America.