crème brûlée...

       back in columbia, and back to work. the break went far too quickly, but it was good to go home and be with family and see one or two friends that i haven't seen in a while. this christmas was pretty crazy. it really didn't feel it was supposed to until about the day of, then suddenly it was over. my parents surprised me with a new fender acoustic electric, though. i've been thinking for a while about picking my guitar up again, but hadn't. my parents didn't know anything about it, except that i had requested guitar hero 3 (haha). so i took it as a sign and have been practicing faithfully. it's given me something to do, too. it's been painfully quiet around here.

       i'm being inspired by a new friend, i think. well, a new friend and the need for it. but i've been hiding behind my introspective nature for too long. all of the changes this year have left me searching for some sort of identity, and i'm coming up far short. so, as a shot in the dark, i think it's time i tried reaching out again through my writing and music, since it will probably be a while before i'll be able to open up in any other way. not sure what to say there. i don't know why it's taking me so long to get through this. i feel like all my strength is exhausted, then a little more is required. i want it to stop. i need it to. maybe breaking out of my creative shell will help.

       my little brother's fiance bought me a crème brûlée kit for christmas, complete with ramekins, mix, and culinary torch. it's good stuff. there's a little pyro in me, so the torch alone could keep me occupied while the fuel lasts. i'm kinda excited for the mix to run out, too, so i can experiment with my own custard recipes. i love crème brûlée. my favorite part is cracking the shell with the spoon.