I am but don't know I am

It's chilly, and damp, very cloudy... they say that later in the week the temperature will increase back to 80 or so, but for now I have turned off the air conditioner. Save money.
Although I will have to have a chat with Danny. He came home after midnight, with Shaggy. They were in the kitchen for a while before they went up to his room. When I woke up around three because Ralph was barking, and came downstairs to let him out (stupid dog), I saw lights on in the kitchen and the living room. And the air conditioner was on, running full blast at under seventy. Despite the fact that there is a sign there saying Do Not Touch taped to the wall, by me and Adam. Despite the fact that outside it was sixty. The house was freezing. I understand that upstairs is warmer, and Dan's window doesn't open, but we all have fans in our rooms. I wasn't pleased. I turned it off after letting the dog in, and moved the sign so it covered the thermostat. I hope people get the hint. Dan has this habit of leaving lights on when he leaves. His room and the bathrooms in particular. I don't know why; it makes no sense. He also leaves his computer monitor on constantly. Those things use up a lot of power. I keep turning it off when he's not home. I'd rather not pay the electric bill with my soul, thank you. I love him dearly as a brother, but it's my house.
We need a new water heater by next week. It's leaking. I have to put towels on the floor. Can't do anything until at least Friday, when Adam and I both get paid. Adam comes home on Saturday. We will probably go shopping for a new heater on Sunday. Luckily, Billy says that he and his father have the ability to install it for us, since his father does this work.
I'm incredibly stressed, but I don't know I am. It's like sensing something wrong from a distance, about someone else. I have no real reason to be. Nothing is wrong that cannot be fixed. And yet, I cannot remember the last time I was truly, honestly relaxed. No fatigue, no muscle or nerve pain, no headaches, no tension. I'm starting to think I haven't relaxed since my wedding night.
Huh.

I wish

I had a powerful dream last night.
I was in New York City with Adam, visiting Beca and James. Their phone rang and someone told us to come to Ground Zero, there was a surprise. And in the manner of dreams, we were there very quickly, or the walk was very fast. And there was a stage set up with a sound crew getting things ready. The sky was bright and clear.
We stood there in the front, since we were the first ones there and people were slowly coming in. And then, a group of men walked up on the stage. And Beca and I gasped and grabbed each other, because we knew those men.
The tall, thin man with the guitar came up to the microphone and smiled his Irish goblin smile at us. "Hello, New York," he said. "This is just for you. We only just got here this morning. We left straight from Dublin last night. I hope you like it. We love you."
And he held his guitar like an infant, and then he took out a harmonica, and he began to play, and the band began to play.
And the fire lit up in his eyes, and I held my sister as she began to cry.
New Model Army played "You Weren't There" nice and slow and heartbreaking. Nobody moved. Everyone was crying. There wasn't even applause at the end. And the band members were almost crying.
And then they played "The Ballad of Bodman Pill" a little faster. And then they played "Vagabonds" which got the small crowd cheering and dancing and sobbing and hollering and clapping. And then, they played "The Green And The Grey" and as the first chorus began, the sky opened up. There were no clouds and there was no warning, but it began to rain.
The city was weeping.
And we stood there in the rain; it was a warm soft rain. And Justin Sullivan sang with tears in his voice, sang for us, sang for Manhattan, sang for US.
He concluded with a sweet and somber rendition of "Orange Tree Roads" and a fast and happy "Eleven Years" and then came back a heartbeat later with the most powerful rendition of "Ocean Rising" I've ever heard.
And if you have never seen New Model Army live in concert, if you've never seen Justin Sullivan sing his heart out, there really is a fire in his eyes.

home for a kitty?

One of the attorneys in my office, Linda, has become very allergic to her cat and wants to find a good home for him. It's a large, male, neutered four year old white tabby named Cashmere, very loveable (Linda posted a photo in her email around the firm, but I can't get it to copy here). Does anyone here live in or near Washington DC, and would you like a cat? Linda doesn't want him in a shelter. If you can take him, I will give you Linda's contact information.

Tell me your fable

*yawn*
I'm sleepy.
Someone tell me a story?
A good story.