i have been definitively spoiled by the luxury of space in our house in philly; the room here feels small, and is filled with stuff that is Not Mine. also, for the first time i'm noticing how many cars go by on the expressway, day and night -- and what a silly thing to "notice" for someone who's been a city kid all his life! -- but it was quiet in the mews, except for the ambulance sirens at night (not kidding). i suppose it will become background before long, but for now the traffic is a constant symphony, motorcycle crescendoes on top of a recurring motif of growls from the trucks and public buses. i slept with the window open last night and woke in some confusion at 6:45 to its already-furious pace, not entirely sure where i was; the sky was just turning light, i was desperately hungry, and home -- whatever that is -- was never further away.