As I sit here next to my open window, the slightly humid breeze blows through the room gently preparing me for a wonderful night's sleep. Today, a stark contrast to the blahs of yesterday was not quite but just nearly perfect. I met up with my friends Jessica and Chris as Jessica was getting out of work, took us all down to a local market to buy food and then enjoyed her wonderful eggplant and pasta dish whilst watching Rushmore.

Afterwards we walked the streets of historic downtown and then around Lake Eola, feeding the local wildlife the stolen loafs of bread that will be discussed in the upcoming story, An Evening of Firsts. Walking around the lake feeding ducks under the then-clear sky and among the shadows of the few tall buildings Orlando does have was something I had been missing; perhaps not that activity specifically, but just the pure act of existing in an environment of relaxed joy.

We sipped our beer from car coffee mugs and watched some guys do tricks on bicycles. Some ducks and swans were rather apathetic to our attempts to feed them while others gladly awoke for a midnight snack. Even now that the humidity had risen slightly to 90% (though it does not feel that high) the moderate temperature of 68°F (20°C) feels wonderful. As much as I really hate to admit it, I think I may have finally acclimated to the temperatures of this region. Sure it may have taken me just over fourteen years to get to that point, but I suppose that it better than never at all. I still yearn for something, someplace different. As I walked downtown I realised how I wished I had been walking the streets of the city by the bay rather than the city beautiful. But at least until that time comes when I am walking in the shadow of Sutro Tower and the Golden Gate, I have found an appreciation for something that is right here outside my door.

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