I got up from the dingy motel to a coffee shop with a $6 minimum on everything, even the pour-over. But my latte had a butterfly on it so that must be where all my money went.

The coffee must've been laced or something because I had the urge to walk around and enjoy Spaden. It is way too artsy for its own good but I can see why people want to live here. Yeah, the housing prices for any apartment here are bound to be higher than life but the scenery could keep me alive. There's so much colour and weirdness that I could tell directions by saying "Go to the Jack Skellington-like water feature and take a right where the mural of a cowboy pumpkin is." (This is where the Arson Museum place is.)

There's a long stretch of stores, some sort of commercial district within an already commercialized city, and, despite everything I stand for and my bank account, I spree. A hat, some art, keychains again, knickknacks. 115 dollars more spent and it's barely within the first days of my vacation. At least they're small businesses.

I pick up a CD at a street stall on my way to lunch, something folky sounding by a band called Provisions. There were also more abstract art figurines that vaguely looked like frogs. I don't even have a CD player on me and it cost 15 dollars more.

Mama told me to stop valuing stuff at their price but I can't help it, even on vacation. How could I not? I know I think this stuff is cool and it makes me happy. I wouldn't buy it otherwise. "Enjoy your vacation," she said and then tried to pay for my travel costs. She means so well but I don't want to depend on her for something as small as this.

But Mama might be on to something: I'm not enjoying this vacation. No use dwelling on the negatives when I can stand up and make a new plan.

I just won't spend as much tomorrow. That way it feels like tomorrow's purchases are part of today's if that makes any sort of sense. Honestly, first things first is to get out of Spaden. This place is draining.

I haven't decided where. I scrolled through suggested places while eating some fast food but nothing caught my eye. Maybe I'll just drive and see where the road takes me. I used to do that when I had a lot more time.

Update on the book: the building skimped out of actual fire extinguishers. All of the ones in the hallways were fake which made the fire even worse. I hope the end of this book is these landlords getting sued dry.