The first day of school is always such a mixed bag. I remember when I was a kid, my favorite part about going back-to-school was the school supplies. Elmer’s glue, a new box of Crayolas, and some snazzy no. 2 pencils – I mean, it’s enough to lull anyone into the mindset of homeroom and recess.

I’m sitting here today, halfway through my last first day of school. I didn’t even bother to buy a new notebook, let alone some smelly markers or graph paper. I resignedly went to Wal-mart last night with a friend to get a package of socks because I realized I left them all in Naples. Whoohoo, school supplies. The most I’ve worried about is needing a plunger and a shower curtain for my apartment and a case of PBR to wash down some of the misery. That’s a far cry from a protractor and a compass, believe you me.

The apartment where I live is the same place I was before I moved to Naples. I have new roommates now, but I left a lot of my stuff behind so I didn’t really have to do a lot of moving in. My one roommate is a stranger to me, but she seems pretty cool – my other roommate is one of my best friends, and she tends to get a little sloppy sometimes.

To be more specific, she’s the reason we had to get a new shower curtain, after having totally barfed on it after a night of boozing.

Ah, well. Such is life. A little puke never ruined a good friendship. But when you’ve reached a point in your life where your school supplies consist of a six-pack and a shower curtain, I think maybe it’s time to call it quits.