Random update

Sadly, having internet at home doesn’t really translate to me using internet at home unless absolutely required. So, in the goal of trying to keep the post updated with the random day to day goings on, I revert back to the wonderful simplicity of lists.





1. New car, almost. I wasn’t going to post about this until the keys were in hand and the car was in the driveway, but technically I own a new car. It’s basically the one I posted previously, a used Infiniti G35. They’re finishing up a few things and I get to pick it up Tuesday, except I have plans Tuesday, so it will be Wednesday. Gotta love delayed gratification.



2. Test driving new car. When I was in signing off on all the paper work last week, I asked to test drive the car once more before I left. ‘ Of course’, they said, considering I own it now. I drove it around town briefly, giddy with my new set of wheels, but still guarding against possible heart break of it not working out in the end. Hopping back into my old reliable Saturn I was amazed at the stark contrast. Granted, the poor thing is run down and in need of some TLC and repairs, but it was night and day driving the two vehicles. Power steering really does make a difference, even with my amazing guns.



3. Saying good-bye to old car. This weekend I had earmarked for cleaning out the old Saturn, taking some final pictures for the family album and saying good-bye to a car that has treated me so well over the past decade and a half. This guy (gal? still unsure, it’s a bit of an androgynous vehicle) has traveled with me through so many chapters of my life, criss-crossed the country as my traveling partner, and was a low-key buddy not demanding a lot of attention (or money) over the years. I’ve probably spent more time with this car than with any other human (besides immediate family), if you think about all the hours we’ve spent together. Although I love how the new car handles, I can’t do the things I can do with my Saturn. I know exactly where the car ends and the rest of the world begins. I can squeeze through tight spaces, round corners with ease, accelerate knowingly. There is a familiarity with the car that is only developed with years behind the wheel and thousands of hours racked up. And yet, this weekend, I ignored the car. I was in denial and didn’t go near it. I ran my errands by foot (the car is truly in need of repairs, the muffler almost feel off, I think it has one trip left), cleaned the house, but did not clean the car and spend some special time in our remaining hours together. Guilt with a capital ‘G’ now.



4. Mafia. In other news, my most recent read is “Black Mass” by Dick Lehr and Gerard O’Neil about the relationship between Whitey and the FBI. For those of you not familiar with Whitey he was a local mob boss who owned South Boston. I guess I shouldn’t list this under the heading “mafia” as, it is the irish mob he governed. It’s been making my commute fly by recently.



5. More books. While running errands this weekend I stopped by my local used bookstore to find “Nine Stories” by Salinger. They had nothing by him but I still managed to walk away with a pile of books. Can’t wait to dig into “Radio On” by Sarah Vowell. I’ve been wanting to read her works. Thought I’d start with “Assassination Vacation” but this fell into my lap first.



6. Veggies. Still woefully behind in eating up my veggies from my CSA farm share (thank goodness I didn’t get the seafood share). But stumbled upon a good dish. Chopped cucumbers, feta, garbanzo beans and balsamic vinaigrette. I opened the can for dinner last night thinking they were white beans to mix with my black beans so had to figure out something to do with them. Happy accident.



7. Showers. Sunny days here but I feel like I’m up to my ears in baby’s again. I’m helping plan three showers and have 5 babies popping out in and around December. For that exact reason, I’ve now ripped out the sleeves to my current sunflower sweater yet again so that I can justifiably procrastinate. I really need to start knitting me some baby stuff. It will be crunch time in no time at all.



8. Organization. I took a page from my mom’s playbook and just attacked my clothes closet. I have shirts and stuff in drawers I keep forgetting about. I’ve gone through several rounds of thinning out the closet this year so I decided to hang everything I would wear outside the house (i.e. I have a lot of t-shirts used as pajamas and work out that don’t count). They are all nicely organized in the closet, with hangers facing backwards so I can start tracking the usage. It officially starts tomorrow – first day of fall. Still need to figure out what to do with the sweaters. Half of them I don’t really wear but they are home-made (by me) and I really can’t figure out how to part with them. But what to do. I’m trying to look at them with new eyes to figure out a solution, otherwise I’m just storing more yarn (in a different form).



9. Celebration Fridays. The last two Fridays I had a wonderful time hanging out with friends. Putting aside that Friday evenings are catching me at my most exhausted (long week), I had a wonderful time. Two weeks ago, the party was birthday in theme, but really a guise to meet the new guy in a friends life (I approve of the new match). The evening surprised me with wonderful live music and new friends (and a little crush, but someone younger, I’m starting to feel a little cougarish, but I guess that doesn’t count if there is only a year or two age difference). The party last week had a wonderful meal, great conversation, and catching up with friends I hadn’t seen in awhile. All in all, as I drove home that night (in a car that was about to fall apart), I appreciated the good life I have developed. The dating has been wearing me down, so needed to put life in perspective. Just the reminder I was needing.



10. Dating. And finally, the dating world is exhausting. I’ve been dating a bit via match.com. I actually have a nice network of friends who have advise from their days on match or who are currently enrolled. There is a whole other world of etiquette you have to consider. Lots of nice guys, but as one guy I met (via IM) early in the process said, it’s hard to find someone you share chemistry with. That’s for sure. It was wearing me down so I took a break, but need to get back into it all again. It’s all about the numbers (that’s my new mantra).

Travel and Knitting

I was booking some upcoming travel for work just now and was pleasently suprised so figured I'd share it with you. I'm traveling down to Atlanta for a new contract we got that I am heading up. There is a team kick-off meeting at the end of the month with a hotel picked out already. I figured it would be your normal decour of the stuffy Hilton type but found the interiors very different. Here's a picture of the lobby - nice and fresh and airy.




At first I didn't see the pictures for the rooms but than came across this one that made me have to post here. This is for a room that I'll most likely be getting. Do you see that behind the headboard? Yup, that's a full, wall size photo of knitting. Rather a knitted object. A bit strange if you ask me but hopefully I'll get used to it. it is just one night. I'm curious what larger than life photo I'll have in my room. I think I saw one of irises too.