friday august 3 2001    |    4:47 p.m.

august.

tropical storm barry is brushing past the coast of louisiana, and south florida is feeling some peripheral effects.

still my mom is braving the rain and rush-hour traffic to come pick me up at home and take me back to the hospital with her.

my dad has been out of the i.c.u. (otherwise known as "the woods") for a couple of days now, and is recovering from weeks of complications, and starting up his physical therapy finally. my mom has been staying there nights this week, now that visiting hours aren't as stringent, and i've been sleeping at home. monday she goes back to work after a two-week absence, so sunday night = hospital sleepovers for me.

patrick came over last night at around one in the morning. we sat outside and talked for a long time, and then felt adventurous enough to figure out how to turn on the building's hot tub. we stewed in the chlorine and bubbles and smoked cigarettes until the rain put them out. went back in with the first flashes of lightning, he went home, i went to bed.

i feel like i'm coming slowly out of hibernation. music begins to sound good to me again. i've been listening to juan luis guerra and for most of the day & at the moment, jorge ben, who could have singlehandedly made me fall in love with brasil -- although that honor was already claimed by vinicius & toquinho & jobim.

also lately have been reacquainting myself with dreamy local boy nil lara. sigh of sighs. i was blown away at the hospital the other day: was watching univisión and saw a surprisingly pretty car commercial using nil's "vida más simple" in the background, and very effectively i might add.

so yes. i think i might be falling in love with things again. this is a good feeling.