I was looking for a particular alley off of U Street today, with a particular mural, but I got lost and ended up at 9 1/2 Street NW. Why not? I thought. I liked the contrasts of 9 1/2 Street–one side mini gentrified row-houses and the other side crumbling brick buildings. A rainbow pride banner that someone had strung over the street hung a little tatteredly under the rainy skies.

It was a workaday morning here on 9 1/2 Street NW, garbage day, and the garbage guys mugged for my camera. The brown row house, second to the end, sported a “For Rent” sign, and I thought about how it would be to live here. 
I like the days I get lost. At first I am a little disappointed I didn’t get to the New Place I intended, but then the alternate New Place is always interesting–usually something I never even knew existed. I was talking to a friend about this: Wouldn’t it be great if I could foster that kind of flexibility in my life. I didn’t end up where I thought I would end up, but here I am, wherever this is. . .might as well look around here.