Just spent two weeks with my girlfriend лена in New Jersey and New York. It was wonderful. I met her family and friends, and she met my friends, most of whom still live in New York state. We are still trying to workout the whole future thing, although I'm confident that we can work things out. The shitty economy stateside is decidedly not helpful.

This is what a jerk I am. When I was in the Hudson Valley we went on a hike where the fall colour was in full force and my friend Brad said something like “This beautiful colour is our reward for having to live through the cold hard winter”, to which I responded reflexively “Speak for yourself, I'm going to the beach!”. Yay for Australia being awesome. Only, wait for it, then I started repeating this story over and over for people who were actually going to have to live through the winter in New York this year (which in my defense I had to do six times). The awesome thing about my friends is they still like me anyway.

It's weird now though because just a week ago the trees were all red and yellow and some of them were on the ground and walking to work today they were green again and fastened tightly to the trees. And to be honest, it isn't warm enough yet to go to the beach (karma). How can two places so far apart seem like home.

Just came back from Sideways directed by Alexander Payne (Citizen Ruth and Election). Best Nebraskan director ever. Observations:

(warning, spoilers...)

I wish I had seen the film with Tyler and could get his take on the film. I do miss going to the Gallagher and paying to see a movie so that we could see the free movie afterward.

Interesting to note that Payne's next film listed on IMDB is titled Nebraska coming out next year.

Now I really want to see A Very Long Engagement. I have to say, looking at the poster, and given the name I was turned off, but the preview I saw before Sideways totally made me want to see it.

The final coup de grâce-the apple, if you will-was when a girl he'd met in Nantucket (very blond, long legs, small nose, no noticeable imperfections, annoyingly nice) came for a visit on a weekend a big, formal party was planned. "She's just a friend of mine," he said. He explained that we-meaning Matthew, his friend Richard, the girl and I-would all go to the party together, double date. Unfortunately, he neglected to mention that I would not be his date that evening but rather Richard's. And he kissed the pretty girl from Nantucket right in front of my eyes.

Shutterbabe Debora Copaken Kogan