Monday, February 28, 2005
Back by popular demand!
So, apparently there's some catching up to do here! Thanks to everybody who checked in while I was away - I can totally count on you guys to crack me up every time. I'm back from a fabulous tropical vacation. It was glorious to get away from the rain and hail and just soak up some sun & relax. My idea of a great getaway is when there's nothing you have to do and I completely succeeded on that account.
Since getting back, I've tried to stay really busy in an attempt to (unsuccessfully) fight the post-vacation blues. Yes, I know it's ridiculous to talk about a vacation when I'm still not working, let alone expect any sympathy for 'having to' come home, but the fact is, it's proving difficult to get myself back into the daily grind.
Here's a few things that have kept me busy since returning home: Got to spend some time with the always fabulous Space Kitten. Just like me, she's looking for work, so we've been able to spend some additional time together and it's always fun. She had a photo shoot over the weekend, and I can't wait to see how it turned out. I've attended yet another Monkeyfilter meetup, and of course, there's video. We really are very silly people.
I read the latest George Carlin book. He's becoming increasingly more bitter, which is kind of hard to take, but then he'll go off on a riff about the way politicians talk - and it's so painfully funny and accurate - that I forgive him and keep going back for more. I also finished You Shall Know Our Velocity which I found sad in ways I can't easily express. I don't know what I expected, but it was haunting.
I had Sunday brunch with friends from my Dean Campaign days. This is so not going to be a political blog, don't worry - I'm still following my ostrich political strategy - but it was really great to catch up with them. I'm pretty sure I'll never go back to the 18-hour days and hideous in-fighting of campaigning, but it's good to know there are still some people out there who are willing and able to fight the good fight. More power to them.
Last but not least, the Oscars. I (along with most of the gay, lesbian, and gay-friendly community in downtown LA) attended an Oscar-viewing party at the Selah Artistic Giving Center last night. If there's a greater way to watch the show than with a group of clever, drunken gay men, I can't imagine what it is. A few choice quotes: "Why does the singer from Counting Crows look like Sideshow Bob?" "Beyonce's makeup, courtesy Sherwin Williams" "Why is Prince wearing Michael Jackson's wig?" Afterwards, we danced and danced, yet still managed to call it a night by 11 pm. Go us.
Looking at the calendar just now, I realized two things: 1) Yesterday, had I remained married, would have been my sixth wedding anniversary. I don't think there are words that can express how grateful I am that I'm no longer that person, and that is no longer my life. What a relief. What a rush! Wow. 2) I have a project due for a potential employer - today. I haven't even started it yet. EEEK!
With that - I'm off to grab some lunch, and some caffeine. Wish me luck!
Wednesday, February 16, 2005
Watch this space....
I'm out of town til Tuesday night. Have fun! Don't do anything I wouldn't do!
Tuesday, February 15, 2005
whoa....
In an utterly astounding, unprecidented turn of events, we had our annual Homeowner's Association Meeting where there was served a very good white wine - the ladies in the group got rather drunk, and committed to meeting again next Tuesday at the Vice President's house for more wine and drinking. Hee. 7pm. I write this as a reminder to myself. 'Wine and drinking'. This is what happens when Space Kitty drinks & posts. Hee.
I guess I picked the wrong week to give up smoking.
No, really. I actually, genuinely quit. Haven't had one since 2/5/05 - go me. I was on my way to Happy Hour, and made up my mind that when the current pack ran out, I just wouldn't buy any more. (No, I haven't been smoking other people's cigarettes - I'm a princess with very specific tastes)
Well, as we all know, the universe has a very literal sense of humor - so I managed to lose the entire fucking pack of cigarettes at Happy Hour. Those of you who know me are looking for the Four Horseman right about now, because that just doesn't happen. Except it did. And I kept my word, and just.... didn't buy any more. Ultimately it's a good thing - while I'm still getting the remainder of the pollution out of my lungs, my teeth already feel whiter, and it's amazing how easy it's been.
Except for the anxiety. Oh, the anxiety. I don't know if it's nicotine withdrawal, or facing the cold stark reality of my self-inflicted financial drama, but boy howdy. It's all I can do not to invest my last $40 in a carton of calming smoke.
So while I'm applying to every feasible job opening on Monster.com, I'll just keep repeating to myself: The urge to smoke will pass whether I smoke or not. And hope it works. SOON!
Friday, February 11, 2005
Thinking...
I often think I don't have anything to say, but when it gets down too it, I think I have too much to say, and it's hard narrowing it all down into a little blog space. Instead of a real reflection of what's going on in my life, I end up with a laundry list of What Space Kitty Did This Week.
Which is fine, I suppose - anything I can do to help develop a chronology of my life is great. My memory is for shit, and by leaving a written record I get both the actual details and visceral recall of what my life is like at any given point. I wish I'd done this, even on paper, a long time ago - there are years and years that are just missing, and I don't think I'll ever be able to get that back.
The problem is... it feels like writing home from camp. No - it's more than that. This level of self-conscious, public analysis - who am I reporting my good behavior too? "Yay! I cleaned the garage! Boo! I still don't have a job!" This just feeds into the feeling that I only exist when I'm accomplishing tangible things. That there is a specific way to be, and expectations I'm supposed to live up to. What would happen if I let go of the need to worry about what the neighbors think? Let go of having to do and say The Right Thing? Or even in the belief that there IS a specific, one right thing. What if I only worried about my own approval?
So - yeah. There's a lot more to be developed along that train of thought, but the ideas aren't yet fully formed. And after all, there's still laundry to do.
These are the sort of things I think about when I can't sleep and end up listening to NPR & the falling rain until 2:30 in the morning. Here's hoping for some real sleep tonight.
Tuesday, February 08, 2005
Achoo II: Revenge of the Sneeze
Ok, I'm done with this cold. It can officially go away & pester someone else, preferably someone who isn't trying to get a damn job!
*sniff, cough, hork* - Oh, no - an interview at 3 would be fine! I'm sure I'm not contagious or anything! I only sound like I've got galloping malaria...
Oh, and Dayquil? Anytime right about now would be good to start working. Anytime....
Sunday, February 06, 2005
Achoo!
Dammit! Don't you hate when you're not sick enough for full 'pity me & bring me soup' privileges, but not well enough to do all the random crap that's been building up, and would really, truly improve your life in the next week to have finished?
Yeah, me too.
Anyway, happy hour was lots of fun Friday night - Yay: two for one drinks! Boo: Tequila. You're still not my friend, and someone who works in the kitchen needs a cockpunch. Dim Sum Saturday was a huge success, and we proved, yet again, that no matter how much we eat it *still* only costs $10 per person.
I actually stayed in and got to sleep at a reasonable hour last night, and since it's cold & rainy today I think it was a good call. May meet Space Kitten at work later this afternoon, we'll see how it goes.
I think I'd rather stay put with a movie & hot toddy. *Goes Googling for a good recipe*
Thursday, February 03, 2005
Spendy!
I think most folks who read this site are familiar with the joy that is Tomato Nation, but in case any of you have missed it -
Girls Bike Club T-shirts now on sale!
Here's six reasons why this is the greatest thing ever: 1 2 3 4 5 6
Enjoy!
Wednesday, February 02, 2005
Happy Birthday, Kimberly!
Go on over to Squoogy & wish her well. You know you want to. All the cool kids are doing it.
Have fun storming the castle! Smooch!
