So sundays have sort of turned into the best time to think about the week that has passed, think about the week that will soon be upon us, and reflect on what it is we're doing here, why we're here, etc. With the June session of Project M over, we're starting to settle into more of a working routine. We're trying our best to focus on the big picture while simultaneously remaining attentive to the smaller, everyday tasks required to keep the M Lab functioning. There isn't a shortage of project ideas by any means, but the challenge has been (and will continue to be) properly managing our time so that each of these exciting project gets enough attention.

I really hate blogging.

So an outline of our not-so-distant-future might look like this: We really need to continue building-out the lab so its a functional/working studio; we need to prepare the space and ourselves for a soon-to-be-visiting group from Auburn University; we need to keep considering funding models for ourselves and for the future of M; we need to wrap up a few lingering M projects; I need to calm down; we need to work closely w/ HERO to redevelop their identity and their presence on Main Street; and we need to play more basketball...for basketball does wonders to the mind.

We, Woke up at 4-oh-clock am on friday morning; threw our crap in a white 1999 Pontiac Grand AM; got pulled over by the Greensboro police 3 minutes into the trip; stopped at Mustang oil for egg/cheese/tomato biscuits, dirt coffee, and 2 cans of Sparks; made our first pit stop in Thomasville, AL for iced coffees, McGriddles, and N.O.S.; continued on Route 43 south listening to a rotating mix of Empire of the Sun, Cut Copy, and Michael Jackson; stopped at Walmart in Mobile, AL to purchase 4 gallons of drinking water, 2 bags of trail mix, 1 box of graham crackers, 1 bag of marshmallows, 1 package of Hershey bars, 1 can of Starbucks energy/latte/vanilla/soy/toxin, 2 bags of Chex Mix, 1 bag of ice, and 1 biodegradable tarp; hopped on I-90 west toward Ocean Springs, MS; arrived at Davis Bayou Park; decided staying at Davis Bayou Park would be an awful decision; headed back 12 miles east on I-90 towards Shepard State Park; met Stacy, the park ranger with pig-tails; payed $11 for our primitive camping lot; successfully set up camp, all the while burning our hands on fiery tent poles; drove to Pascagoula to find lunch and a beach; found Margaret's, a small cafe serving fried-meat-buffet and sweet tea; drank some sweat tea; declined buffet lunch; drove back to Ocean Springs; found restaurant Chandre Lure; ordered 4 waters, 3 salads, and 1 platter of Slammers; received 4 waters, 2 salads without hair, 1 salad with hair, and 1 meager plate of miniature hamburgers; attempted to take a nap in restaurant booth; drove west towards Biloxi, MS; pulled over at a beach; walked/slept/smoldered on the beach; continued west towards Gulfport, MS; stopped at the world's greatest McDonalds for McFlurries, sundaes, and cones; continued through Long Beach, MS towards Pass Christian, MS; viewed the lingering damage of Hurricane Katrina; enjoyed a philosophical conversation or two on Biloxi pier; drove back east to camp site, photographing lone beach-front Waffle House on the way; built a massive fire; drank some Shock Top and Bud Light Limes; ate some s'mores; went to bed in the hottest tent known to all mankind; lived through a could-be-inclement thunderstorm at 5:30 am.

Awoke early Saturday morning drenched in sweat and covered in biting yellow horseflies; lingered in an air conditioned shower; packed up camp and headed towards New Orleans (from this point onward to be referred to as NOLA); parked on Julia street; walked along the riverfront; decided it was best to not walk along the riverfront; roamed the French Quarter; stopped for water, iced coffees, and lemonade at secluded coffee shop; had falafel and hummus at Mona's; toured around Decatur street; danced in abandoned parking lot; then jumped; got Cokes at 'Quick Mart;' got semi-turned around trying to find the interstate; was forced to pay $1 for 23 seconds of toll-road use; headed northwest towards De Soto National Forest; stopped in Lumberton, MS for bathrooms, sodas, gasoline, sour gummy worms, toilet paper, and fireworks; headed into the woods; arrived in Brooklyn, MS; crossed the Brooklyn Bridge; got pulled over by the Brooklyn police for taking pictures; continued into the National Forest towards primitive camp site; after long, empty, and foreboding road arrived at primitive camp site to find a lot full of RV's; decided RV's are lame; set up tent in record time; saw a real, live armadillo; built a fire out of wet wood; drank some more BL Limes; ate some trail mix; had some good conversation; lit two bottle rockets; slept in a hot, albeit not quite as sweltering tent.

Awoke Sunday morning and darted towards the closet IHOP in Hattiesburg, MS; awkwardly ordered breakfast; continued north on I-59 towards Meridian for final pit stop; picked up route 14 in Alabama and headed home....Slept; went grocery shopping in Tuscaloosa; saw new Johnny Depp (or Christian Bale, depending on who you ask) flick; slept.