Today I visited the Farmer’s Market while on a lunch break. I got a couple of large peaches and a basket of raspberries. The place was crowded as always, even along the indoor promenade, where specialty stalls offer fresh, locally made breads, or cheeses, or chocolate. Man, we San Franciscans are spoiled. I guess that’s what has made it hard for me to imagine myself living in a town where the only cheddar cheese is dyed bright orange.

Which is kind of how I grew up. Anyway. Yeah. Food snob!

Maybe the night will cool off this evening. Last night I lay on my sheets, reading, my small fan drying my eyeballs, listening to KFRC on the radio. Simon was under the bed, dreaming. I got down there to visit him and he started awake, looking around wide-eyed. Then he chattered and purred at me, emerging from under the bed and hopping up to the mattress to lay down in front of the fake breeze and cuddle beside me. Maybe he had a nightmare. He’s turning into an old man cat.

This week I’ve been practicing a few things from training. Being aware of distances between myself and other people. Maintaining balance at all times, when walking or standing on the train. Awareness of all movement around me, people coming inside my personal space. The response to these things should not be a “reaction,” it should just be a natural response done in a relaxed way. I found it interesting when we talked about how to maintain composure and relaxation even when faced with imminent danger. And it’s so true that if you are relaxed during those moments, you will stay balanced and in control. If you freeze and tense up, you are easily knocked down and controlled.

One of the best feelings I’ve had had lately was my boyfriend telling me how proud he is of me, and seeing the joy on his face when I was describing everything I learned in the seminar. It makes me happy to make him happy. And so on. Yes, it is cheesy, oh well. I’m lucky.