Writer's slump.

This is the third attempt of the morning at writing.

The first two were drastic failures.

2009 is supposed to be the year of writing, but it's turning into the year of writer's slumping.

I think that means it's time for an adventure.

Another reason I know it's time for an adventure is that I verifiably got excited this morning when I realized the perfect number of Sugar in the Raw packets that it takes to sweeten a 16 oz. coffee from the cafeteria downstairs.

If that's not pathetic beyond all belief, I don't know what is.

So I'm turning 2009 into the year of getting out of writers slump via adventure.

There have, of course, been a few mini-ventures lately -- the trip last night to Taqueria Distrito Federal (or as NF calls it, 'TDF') up in Columbia Heights for the best green chile salsa I've had since leaving Paloma Blanca and a great conversation with the owner, Mike. Mike liked me, I think, because he said he would start looking around Crystal City for a franchise location when I promised to come back pronto.

There was also the too-short trip to Tryst a couple of nights ago -- sadly, I've been going so seldom, that a Tryst outing can actually be classified in the realm of mini-ventures. New friends and a new waitress (her name is Secret -- ask for her every time) made my reunion with the old favorite especially good, not to mention the delicious decaf version of my favorite hippielatte. I always have to employ a slight restraining order on myself after hanging out with these friends -- people from DTJ -- otherwise, my hand's on the mouse ready to buy a ticket to Timbuktu, and my suits are in a bag on their way to Goodwill. The order is working, but being with them is still totally fresh air for the soul.

So, yeah -- I'm working on getting out of my slump. And whether my embarrassingly small joys will get published regularly? Stay tuned.