I, on the other hand, don't think my brain should be the thing to decide how much sleep I get any more, and it looks overcast here.

Fun day planned though, so that's good.

I think a lot of people don't do art because they don't think they're "any good" at it. The perception in this culture is that if you can't be really great (in others' opinions) at something, you shouldn't bother.

Good morning! I had a REALLY hard time sleeping last night. It's for a good reason, though. Last night we decided to take a week's vacation in Mexico for my 50th birthday. We love it there and used to go all the time but haven't had the money in a while. We haven't had a vacation that was just us in 6 years, so I am very excited. We used to go to Isla Mujeres, a little island off of Cancun, which was much less touristy and more relaxed than Cancun (I don't think that's true anymore). It had been a fishing village for many years and there was a small downtown and gorgeous beaches. Like most vacationing Buffistas, we mainly like to slounge by the ocean and read, snorkel, and amble around the streets looking for interesting shops or cafes. We don't really "party" so clubs are not a big interest. I don't know anything about the Pacific Ocean side of Mexico--anyone have any recommendations?

Robin, that sounds great!

Are you thinking of something in the Mexican Riveria area? I think Ixtapa isn't as built up as Puerto Vallarta or Mazatlan, and there should smaller towns/destinations that would be more secluded/less touristy.

Ooh, Robin reminds me of the little kid in one of my favorite commercials: "We're too excited to sleep!"

I am jealous, but am trying to use this as inspiration for my goal of becoming the kind of person who takes great vacations. This is the first job I've ever had where I've gotten enough time off to do it and there's actually a culture of taking vacations.

Yes indeed, Perkins, the Mexican Riviera. We've ruled out Puerto Vallarta and Acapulco. Ixtapa looks good, and we are considering Mazatlan, because they have some interesting historical stuff there--also my dad had his first heart attack there and they literally saved his life at the hospital and treated my mother wondefully while he was recovering, so I have a sentimental attachment to the place.

Both of those sound fabulous, Robin.

Shelley argued that poets are the unacknowledged legislators of the world.

I would be much more willing to agree with the Hec/Suela axis of this discussion if that didn't put me on Shelley's side. Shelley aws kind of a melodramatic twerp, and I prefer not to be on the side of twerps.

For extremely broad values of art -- which, really, should be called "culture" if we're getting into things like singing rounds -- yeah, sure, it's useful, as the currency of social and emotional exchange. (Although, culture and $3.25 will get you a box of Oreos.) We're in a weird situation where culture is considered a vocation, and you can get paid for it, and if you don't get paid for it people wonder whether you're doing it wrong. But I think even now, and certainly for a lot of human history, making culture is something that comes during or after making food and shelter, not before. Historically speaking, it's a rare situation of concentrated/excess wealth where you really can sing for your supper.

I am already way more productive today than I was all day yesterday. I have showered, gotten a pedicure, grocery shopped, AND figured out what was smelly in my fridge. I think I'll even get laundry done today.

I am having a total rainy Sunday laze.