| Thursday June 5, 2003 -- 9:35pm I feel like I completely missed yesterday. I was stunned when some kid told me today was the 5th. So, belated happy anniversary to my beloved parents - who weren't even in the same country to celebrate! This is kind of long and offers no explanations, but is very interesting. Click, click. I keep thinking that my job is boring, but I think, actually, I'm just not used to having a reasonable amount of work to do in 40 hours a week. It's confusing to actually be able to get things done. Tuesday June 3, 2003 -- 7:50pm Website. Right. Website Protective Services is going to come after me for neglect. Whoops. But here's the thing, see... I went looking for my car on Saturday, and it had mysteriously vanished. Well, maybe not so mysteriously. One short meltown, $81, and a silly drive in the rain with Todd singing along to guitar solos on the radio later, I had my car back. It was towed in honor of the aforementioed Run Against or For Something or Other, which turned out to be The Run for Women. So I went around all day yelling things like, "Those damn women!" which was quite fun - although maybe not worth $81. And then Martin Sexton... dare I even say anything about it? The guy is ridiculously talented and we were seated in the 2nd row of this little teensy theatre. It felt like we were hanging in his living room. I have no excuse for Sunday or Monday's lack of updates, other than to say, I was busy! Mind your own business! But that would not be nice. I went to the museum today after work. Almost no one was there, which was lame but expected. It was weird to go there, and I kind of didn't like it - but mainly because I don't have a key anymore, and I feel like I'm locked out of my own castle. It feels like I've been away a long time, but it's only been a week and a half. Someday I will write about my new job. I'm waiting for it to get interesting. Saturday May 31, 2003 -- 9:45am There is another road race this morning. The Run Against or For Something or Other. It means my neighborhood is essentially sealed off from the rest of the automotive world. This seems like good enough reason not to run any of the errands I'd intended to. Also, I have no idea where, exactly, my car is parked, which presents a whole other set of problems. I'll wait until after the race to solve that one too. Tonight is the Martin Sexton concert! We've got seats so close to the stage that we'll probably be sweated upon! Friday May 30, 2003 -- 7:20pm Well, my office is beginning to resemble something similar to "organized." I have all of these random things that I can't explain. A box full of big plastic letters, for example. I've spent most of the past two days going through files to see what I can get rid of and what I need, and writing up "A Plan." I am mostly doing this (the Plan) because I have no idea what else to do until I have the chance to find out some basic things like where our service area is and what has already been done. I think it's turning out to be a good thing though, because I have a very solid idea of how I want things to look once I get started. Thursday May 29, 2003 -- 9:30pm Last night I dreamed that I was late for the first day of my new job because I decided to swing by the museum before I went, just to say hi. Once there, they had millions of questions for me and somehow got me involved in an experiment involving batteries. I kept saying I had to go; I was going to be late. I finally woke myself up shouting, "It's my first day!!!" In reality, they haven't needed me at all since I left, which is good, but leaves me feeling somewhat less important than I had hoped. Don't ask me if I like my new job yet. It was only the first day. Ask me next week. I like my office, and the color printer and the stockpiles of paper (even color paper!) and the upcoming two-day weekend. And all of the other upcoming two-day weekends. The commute has potential to get old fast, but I'm listening to The Tao of Physics on tape, and I figure it will take me about 461 trips with that playing for me to understand it, so that should help. Plus I get to look at all the people driving the other way and laugh at them because they are stuck in interminable traffic and I am not. Wednesday May 28, 2003 -- 3:30pm I had hoped that retiring the overalls I've been wearing pretty much non-stop since Friday, and putting on something workish, might make me feel a little more excited about returning to the working world tomorrow. Nope. Didn't work. Ah! The sun just came out! I must go put my head in it! -- 11:15am My brain continues to astound and amaze me... mainly with its routine malfunctions. I left the house this morning on a very simple mission: Go to the ATM. Deposit checks, buy stamps, make withdrawal. Go to coffee shop. Purchase coffee. I got all the way to the bank before I realized I hadn't brought my ATM card. I ended up, however, having a very pleasant in-bank experience with a lovely woman named Sheila that will possibly entirley eradicate my bank-phobia. No stamps though. In other news, I am soooooo not ready to return to the real world tomorrow. I am having too much fun being a bum. Tuesday May 27, 2003 -- 7:15pm I think I won't actually start my new job on Thursday. I have far too much laundry to do, really. And I like going to the coffee shop in the middle of the day and eavesdropping on the conversations of the other slackers. "Workin' is for idiots, and you love the smell of bars." - Black 47. Only I prefer the smell of coffee shops. Speaking of bars, I must embarrass my mother for a moment, because she tried to IM me while I was away from my computer. My "Away" message replied, "Out partying," and her ever-supportive response was, "Way to go! I hope you are drinking TOO much." She later corrected herself, explaining that she'd left the very important word "not" out, but for a while I was very perplexed. I ran away yesterday. I don't think anyone noticed. How sad is that?!? Regardless, I had a nice time of it. I have concluded several things as a result: I do not want to live in Bennington Vermont. I am not very interested in history. It is worth driving 90 minutes just to go to lunch at Alldays and Onions. I spent some money. Luckily, I didn't pay my bills until after I returned, or I might have thought better of the entire trip. I stayed at a highly overpriced, but very sweet little motor lodge. I really liked it. There was something very unique about it that had something to do with the wallpaper and the quilt on the bed. It was like somebody's grandmother - specifically mine, on my mother's side - had suddenly learned she was having guests and had thrown together a cozy little room for them, so they'd be comfortable. I can picture Nan running around in that frantic way she had, digging out the extra quilts and moving a chair into the spare room. Aside from food, I made several purchases in quaint little oh-so-Vermont shops. Some cards for upcoming birthdays and weddings and some newly born humans. Some lovely paper that I'll turn into a gift for someone, inscribing the perfect quote. One book from the regular bookshop for myself: The Writer's Idea Book, which feels vaguely like being lazy or cheating, but I need to practice and this seemed like a good tool. Two books for myself from the used bookstore. (I love used bookstores for all the reasons you would think I would hate them.) A thesaurus and a "Dictionary of Obsolete English," mainly for its explanations of word-derivations, which is an obsession of mine. And one awesome present for my father, which I won't tell you about, in case he reads this. I am especially pleased because, when I went to pay for it, the guy said, "Ah! I'm sure I'll never see another one of these!" Now I am back home, in my beloved Albany, amazed as always at how much I enjoy this city and my awesome apartment and - dare I say it? - my life. At some point, I suppose, I should start thinking about the new job and how I'd like to see my first couple of days go. Because I was only kidding about that not starting it stuff. My kids at the museum would be really pissed at me if they found out I'd left them to sit around in a coffee shop all day! Sunday May 25, 2003 -- 11:45am I am a slave to The Bean. The Bean is my Master. Yea, though I worship The Bean and giveth unto The Bean a tithe of my meagre pay, The Bean punisheth without mercy and rageth with fury when I fail to give my humble penance. Yet The Bean doth giveth life and joy to the faithful, and The Bean, in Its most righteous grace, doth forgiveth mortal sinners and welcometh them back to the flock. All praises be to The Glorious Bean! Saturday May 24, 2003 -- 5:10pm Ick. I just spent some time gutting giant Aloe fronds. I have way more Aloe juice than it is really necessary for one person to have now, so if you'd like some... -- 9:20am Welcome to Day One of my mini-vacation! It's getting off to a rip-roaring start, as I sit here in my jammies seriously considering going back to bed. :) I brought home the Aloe plant yesterday and this morning it had already been violated by the cats. Argh. So now it's out on the fire escape until I can bring it to my new job. And if anyone knows anything about extracting the juices from broken off Aloe fronds, I'd be interested in hearing about it. So yesterday was The Last Day. It passed quickly and without much fanfare. I said goodbye, but don't really feel like I was saying goodbye really. People felt sad, but I didn't. I'm glad to not have to worry about everything there anymore, to not have my heart wrenched from me every third day or so. I'm grateful for the people I have met and become friends with, and I hope that I haven't actually said goodbye to those people. I know I haven't, actually, because I wrote down everyone's address before I left, so stalking anyone who doesn't stay in contact will be quite easy. Bwah-hah-haaaa! Thursday May 22, 2003 -- 8:00pm One of my favorite things about Albany is its penchant for closing off major roads at rush hour. I admire the obnoxiousness of it. Tomorrow is my last day at the museum... and just in time, I might add. Moron has (I fear) his heart (if he has one) set on hiring the woman we, the staff, interviewed this afternoon. I wasn't going to go, because I don't believe this interview was anything more than throwing us a bone so we wouldn't gripe about not being given a chance to give our opinions, but I suspected there might be humor value in it. My instinct was right on. Ok. So the position title is "Director of Programs/Physical Science Curator," for an educational museum for children. The candidate, who was also interviewed by the Board, which probably means she's THE candidate... (a) has no background in education. (b) has no background in physical science. (c) has never been to a children's museum. Oh, I am sooooo happy I'm outta there! Wednesay May 21, 2003 -- 6:20am Huh. When did it get to be Wednesday? Well it's 3 days and counting for me at the museum. It does feel pretty weird to be leaving, but I'm looking forward to it. I had to call a public relations person for one of the local media whatnots the other day to arrange something, and I told her I was leaving. She laughed, because I'm the third person she's been dealing with in the past year. Then she said, "Well, I'm not surprised. No offense, but that place is totally screwy." She doesn't know the half of it. I write, by the way, from the bliss of my lovely new computer desk! Between this and the new bookshelves, I think I am almost finally completely unpacked. *dances* Sunday May 18, 2003 -- 12:30pm I have posted my (few) photos from the Tulip Festival. They aren't actually all that great, but if you want to see them anyway, they are here. The last one is my favorite. May 17, 2003 -- 6:30pm It is not, in fact, true that I have no Woman Skills. It's just that they tend to misfire most of the time. Tonight is a good example. I have just spent an hour getting myself ready to go out to dinner with 3 women (all taken, even) and a gay man. This could be contributing to my Loneliness Problem. It's just that women and gay men appreciate it so much more when you doll yourself up for them! Hehe. The pathetic thing is that I don't even look very good after all of it. Hahaha! I have the opportunity to adopt another cat from the same foster parents Bennett came from. That would bring me up to three cats, which, I think, is still 7 shy of Crazy Cat Lady minimum requirements. I'm not sure about having a third though. It's strange, but sometimes seeing two cats at once creeps me out a little. I have no idea why - especially given how much I love my cats. Regardless, 3 might put me over the edge. -- 8:30am And, lo, there was cake and coffee for breakfast, and there was much rejoicing in the land! May 16, 2003 -- 9:00am Here's a tough one: What attire (that I own) is appropriate for all of the following: therapy, work, hanging out eating pizza with teenagers, and going to the pub with my friends from work? May 15, 2003 -- 4:40pm Excuse me, but what year is it? Yeah, ok. Just checking. Because I keep seeing these men that look like they just walked off the set of WKRP in Cinncinatti. Strange. So my street has been closed on one end for a month or so, making it a one-way dead-end. You could drive in to park, but that was about it. It re-opened today, which I discovered as I nearly had a collision driving into it the wrong way. It is May 15th, and I still don't completely trust that Spring is here and it won't snow again. I think I have PTSD from this winter. And, finally, I am feeling really excited for my new job! It's a little scary, in that way that starting a new job always is. What are the office politics? Will they hate the way I make coffee? Are they going to be mad if I have to leave early to get my bridesmaid's dress fitted? Will I know what I am doing? At all? |
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