I turned twenty in early June, so this is my twenty-first summer coming to a close.

And what a ride.

I spent one month in reclusive angst and unproductiveness, emerging from my room only to drag my sorry corpse up the hill to a summer class which I quickly decided was a bad idea. I spent most of the month living alone. I moved out early from the Honey & Clover-esque room I’d shared with my ex for a year, and, when my father kicked me out of his apartment for telling him that I walked on a daily basis, I found myself moving into my new place ahead of all my new housemates.

So I settled in alone.

July was a very different story. I finished my class on the third of the month and went on to spend the remaining twenty-eight days on my writing. But I still didn’t emerge much from my room. I did social things maybe four or five times. I was more productive—and I started this blog—but it wasn’t exactly the best of times.

And now August. Mostly more of the same.

But this summer has been weird. I’m facing forward and I’m seeing my first semester of college as a single man. I’m seeing my first semester of college with none of my old friends. The last of them left my town early this month, headed for grad school.

Time to make new buddies!

It would be nice if I found my HTT, but I’ll hold back on holding my breath ;)

A new academic year and a new set of challenges.

Moving up but not forward.

Maybe I can change that?