Thursday, Jan. 30, 2003 - 9:02 a.m.
Last night felt like therapy, in a good way. After driving home, I took a nap, walked over to the Patican to meet some folks (including a surprise appearance from the ravishing Randy) to grab dinner at Qdoba, walked back home, made a cup of hot chocolate, and read a book. When I used to think about "grown-up" life as a kid, I always imagined I'd have evenings like that. It wasn't anything spectacular, but a great balance of a loud time on the town and a relaxing evening at home.
I urge each and every one of you to read Stephen Chbosky's The Perks of Being a Wallflower. I spent three hours last night reading the entire book, as I simply could not put it down. The only word I can use to describe the story is "powerful," as it is the first book I've read in a long time that actually made me feel. If you have ever felt at any point in your life that you were an "outsider," you have much to gain from this story... I just can't say enough about it.
After I finished reading around one in the morning, I just laid in bed for about an hour taking it all in, watching the light from the flighering lamp post outside reflect on the wall. In just two hundred thirteen pages, my concepts of friendship, self esteem, love (both romantic and platonic), confidence, honesty, and just life in general seemed to be turned upside down and shaken a bit, albeit in a good way. I can honestly say that I am a different person than I was yesterday having experienced this story.
Wow, a personal epiphany from reading a story about a fifteen year old. I'm not quite sure what to think of that.
