Brian D Mains

My legs are a bit sore. I moved a majority of my sister’s and nephew’s things out of my house yesterday and into their new apartment. I then spent the last five hours of my Sunday rearranging my house.

This morning was nice waking up without having to wait for the bathroom.  I do like having my stuff more equally distributed throughout the house and more pantry and refrigerator space. The quiet isn’t all together too bad either.

As I went to bed last night though I thought I’ll miss having the regular company. I missed having my nephew, now 16 months, following me through the house in the morning, giving his signature little laugh as I spoke to him. I’ll miss holding him or feeding him or taking small naps with him or watching television with him. I’ll even miss just talking with my sister, a little anyway (even though I wouldn’t tell her that).

All-in-all I knew the year of my nephew and sister would have to end. She’s accomplished what she needed to with the cheap rent and a little help. And I do like my space. It’s just I didn’t expect there to be so much of it. Guess I need to buy that ottoman I’ve been wanting and maybe get another dog.

Slept in a bit this morning. Ate buffet for lunch. Going to get a haircut after work and then off to the gym. This constitutes a good day.

Today is better than Monday, though I am tired.

My sister, whose lived with me for the past year with her son, left my nephew with me this morning as she left for work early. The nephew is a cuddler. At 16 months he’ll nuzzle up to you and stroke your arm as he goes to sleep. Unfortunately this morning at 6 a.m. he did not sleep. He just cuddled, and cooed for almost an hour. I laid blurry eyed rubbing his back as he smiled at me and occasionally giggled as well.

We finally got up at seven and he followed me around as I showered and got ready for work. When I wasn’t looking he pulled himself up by the bathtub and gripped whatever he could to walk around and get to me. Little guy still isn’t much of a walker. He’s afraid, but I’m sure he’ll be moving on his own soon.My dad, retired from his job nearly a year and a half now, came by and picked him up around 8 a.m. I left for work.

My sister is moving to her own apartment, probably, within the next month. She’s saved up enough money to pay bills and support herself and her son with a little help from mom and dad I’m sure. I will get the living room back in my smallish house that my sister used for her and my nephew’s bedroom for the past year. I’ll miss these morning though.

Played Texas Hold ‘Em with friends Saturday night.

Continuing to read “The Book Thief.”

Watching the Showtime version of “This American Life” on my PS3 streaming Netflix tonight, Sunday, as I also think about picking back up my novel for revision.

I find it interesting, reading a book narrated by Death. I cannot figure out why publishers classified it as YA fiction though. The Book Thief is of admirable thickness at 550 pages. I heard in author Markus Zusak’s native home of Australia publishers listed the book as adult fiction. If American publisher’s listed it as YA in the US because it  involves a young protagonist, then they are stupid. Equally so if they did it just because the author’s past fiction was geared toward “youths.”  If it is to get young people to read an excellent piece of fiction, genius.

I also began watching the documentary, “Joe Strummer: The Future is Unwritten.” I thought I might be able to sit down and watch it all the way through. I didn’t realize it is 3 hours and 40 minutes long. I watched an hour before growing tired last night. I will probably watch more tonight.

I think I’ve entered a phase where I am  finding new and tasteful ways to keep myself entertained until this abysmal winter passes.

Woke up this morning in a better mood despite some vaguely awful dreams.

Agreed to host a friendly game of cards at my house Saturday. Not sure I feel like it now. Potential for too much smoke and too many strangers. I’ll probably still do it anyway.

I plan to go to the Chinese buffet for lunch and then to the bookstore after work.

Oh, I also forgot my cell at home. I now almost feel panicky without it.