got home from party at f's house last night at 2 am.
it's so astounding to me how i used to be able to stay up late and get up late with no problems-- even 6 years ago, just out of college. now, good lord, my old bones are creaking and if i go to bed too late i never really sleep properly, ya know?
met with e. and c. for dinner at an italian restaurant. food was good and cheap and e. broke her wine glass all over the floor. she was so embarrassed but i love it when that sort of thing happens-- it's just so classic how the noisy restaurant suddenly becomes silent and everyone cranes their necks looking for the culprit. it's as if no one has ever heard anything loud and unusual before. i just had to laugh.
s. and fi. met up with us at the restaurant as we were finishing and the 5 of us went to a local brewery for beers/dessert. i got this rad waffle smothered in ice cream and chocolate sauce. it was oktoberfest last night at the restaurant so all the waitstaff was dressed in lederhosen. they sat us near the back... right in front of this 6- piece polka band playing ooompa ooompa music really, really loudly. it was the most hilarious thing. all conversation at our table ceased and we all cracked up. there were a lot of germans in the restaurant who sang and danced along and there was even a drinking contest but none of the guys could finish even half their steins...
at 10 i put out some euros to leave and they all wondered where i was going. they'd all heard about this party but also knew that 5 of us shouldn't show up all at once; it's rude and who knows how many people were already at the party? so it was rather awkward for me to leave.
of course, when i got to the party there were only about 10 people there and f. told me to call my friends, which i did, but no one answered their phones, most likely because the polka band was so loud.
so, the party.
L. from school was there, as was h's pal tibo and f. and his girlfriend were hosting. f. gave me a mini tour-- their apt. has a sleeping loft and is wicked cool. there were 5 or 6 other french people there and i spoke to a few of them for a while until h. arrived with her sister. for a while i felt a little like the party favor-- the "oh, isn't she cute, the american who's trying to speak french, let's tease her and laugh when she doesn't get our jokes"-- so i ended up talking in english most of the night with L and h. and h's sister. it was super cool and today i am not hungover because i didn't really drink much last night. it's bad enough to feel this tired without being hung.
what's so strange: i have so much fun with friends but then get home and feel really quite lonely and it's so quiet. dad tells me i need just put a positive spin on it, like ah, no more people around, finally i am alone and it's quiet and i can think. this thought is still on simmer in my brain...
i've beent thinking and feeling so much. am looking forward to getting out of town and a change of scene.