I haven't ridden my bike to work since...Monday or Tuesday? And now I feel guilty about it. When I woke up this morning I found that my coffee maker had malfunctioned, sending coffee and grounds all over the kitchen, very little of it landing in the pot. So I haven't had any coffee. Also, this:




Plus, I like to listen to my podcasts.

So now I'm going to starbucks and taking the el to work.

I shook hands with Senator Obama. It was extremely cool.

I just applied for two jobs. One is in my neighborhood, for a development company, and one is very far away but is a research position, and the ad specifically said a recent BA in american studies is what they're looking for. So, what are the odds of that?

Right as I was in the middle of the previous sentence, the development co. guy emailed me back and told me to call if I was still interested (after saying such things as he is crazy and I'd have to teach myself quickbooks) and I mulled it over for a bit and called him and we had a quick little phone interview right there. So, crazy. I think it went ok. Given that I didn't have time to be too nervous since it happened so quickly I was very blunt with him about what I wanted and why I was interested, and I think he was cool with that. So. Crazy. I'm so flummoxed I wrote "so, crazy" twice and I'm not even going to delete it.

Date:	2007-09-08 10:28
Subject:
Security:	Public
Mood:	content

1. Did I tell you guys I moved? I moved. I live in a sweet, adorable, semi-tiny apartment in literally the coolest imaginable neighborhood. Come visit me, we'll window shop and drink PBR with the hipsters at the corner bar.

2. I haven't been in Chicago in September in 4 years and I was really missing out! It is unbelievably gorgeous.

3. My boyfriend came and stayed for a week. He's a delightful fella.

4. I'm going to go back to Oak Park now and do laundry and try to make my mother buy me a Springsteen ticket.

Date:	2007-08-06 19:31
Subject:
Security:	Public
Mood:	perfect

Got back this morning from 4.5 days in the VT with the CG. It was perfect, simply and completely perfect. I'll spare you my gushing, but I'm walking on air despite spending last night sleeping in a chair next to a fat dutchman.

Date:	2007-07-16 21:35
Subject:
Security:	Public
Mood:	content

I set out this summer after graduation with three goals.
1. Stay with/see/be awesome with Gabe.
2. Find awesome job that would enable number 3
3. Move out of the OP by September first.

Well, I have officially achieved my last remaining goal and am moving to Bucktown September 1st to commence a life of contented poverty in a fabulous neighborhood. I feel very happy and very grown up and am bursting with plans. Everyone come visit! It'll be cozy and wonderful and we can walk to all kinds of amazingness.

This isn't really news to anyone, but I lead a charmed life. There are things that could be better, but not many and not by much.

I wish the same for all of you.

After my first day, I'm ready to rate my new job as tolerable-to-good. I think once I get more comfortable and people get to know me, it'll be more like good-to-great. The work itself is very boring, and I probably wouldn't want to do it for any less money. But the atmosphere is very laid back, friendly, and young, I work within view of windows, and I didn't have to sweep, mop, wipe, carry bags of coffee up and down stairs, burn myself, stand on my feet for 8 hours, or deal with idiot customers unclear on the concept of hazelnut syrup, was never once sticky, sweaty, or spilled-upon, and I didn't have to lie, cheat, or undermine the beauty of the earth and human society. I have an hour for lunch and two 15-minute breaks, and I got more done today than they had for me. Overall, not a bad way to get a buck.

Date:	2007-06-14 12:48
Subject:
Security:	Public
Mood:	effing weird

I think I just saw the virgin mary in my shower, but she's melting.

I miss my boyfriend to the max today. I am blaming this on finishing the Wire season three last night, because it broke my heart and brain and Gabe is good at fixing that stuff.

I have a meeting with the former head of the Chicago Planning Commission in an hour. It's sort of like my version of having a meeting with...I don't know, the dali lama or something. I'm nervous.

I'd better love the job I start Monday because I'm afraid I sold out my youth for $11/hr. It's making me kind of miserable.

I'm seeing Chana tomorrow though, and that shit is hot.

Got a job, woo hoo.
Can't visit Gabe for a week as planned, boo boo boo.
Adulthood sucks oh yes indeedy.

I was just walking my dog past my old elementary school and a tiny, tiny, tiny like the size of a mouse little baby bunny comes hopping across the sidewalk! Luckily behind Sloopy because she would have regarded it as a lovely little amuse bouche. I can't believe Sloopy didn't notice the tasty morsel hopping around her hindquarters. I wish I hadn't had the dog though because there was clearly something wrong with this bunny as it was all alone and seemingly oblivious to the imminent danger posed by myself and the beast of a canine that lives in my house. If I hadn't been trying to ensure Sloopy didn't notice it I probably would have tried to nurse it back to health or something like that. After all, I am still unemployed and have nothing better to do.

1. I have had three interviews since I have been home. I also have ones scheduled for tomorrow and Friday, and next Tuesday but I think I'll cancel that because it's for a job in finance and I almost wanted to cry on the phone with the woman when she was describing it to me because it sounds wretched. I hate finance. I also hate marketing, pr, and legal, but that's where all the jobs are. It shouldn't be so hard to find a job with a company that builds things. I just want to build things! I did just leave a voicemail with the former head of the Chicago Planning Commission, who happens to know my father. I'm so excited to meet her that I might faint. I'm sure she can't get me a job, but at least it will be nice to meet someone who was a real live urban planner and can tell me something about it.

2. I bought a ticket to visit Gabe last week even though I can't say for certain what I'll be doing the first week of August. If I get a job, I might have to rearrange some things. But for now I'm very happy to be taking the lakeshore limited to Albany and then spending five nights sleeping in a tent in Northern Vermont. In fact, nothing makes me happier.

3. Including the fact that I'll be in Ireland in 24 days. I feel pretty guilty about that.

4. Looks like I probably won't be moving out for a while. That seems way more ok today than it did last week.

5. Continuation of #1: I am now the proud owner of a suit, a skirt suit. It is adorable and I really like what it does for my butt. It says: here is my butt, it is large and in charge! Now hire me! Having my butt empowered this way really boosts my confidence.

6. In conclusion, I am pretty happy.

I cried a few times during graduation, cried quite dramatically when Gabe left. Now I'm just focused on getting out of here. I have Jake to help me.

Date:	2007-05-01 10:33
Subject:
Security:	Public
Mood:	accomplished

I mailed. I still have my independent to do, and I am at peace with my papers' imperfections. I met with my outside examiner yesterday, he seems charming and knowledgeable and very kind and courious.

I would not have survived yesterday without Gabe. Period. End of story.

I love my wife, she gave me a plant in celebration. I intend to love this plant forever and ever. It's a zebra plant and it has a lot of personality. I should name it.

Becky, thanks for your call yesterday! I can't wait to see you this weekend.

It's all happening, etc.

1. After crit seminar today I went in the bathroom and there was black stuff all over my face. I don't know what it was, how it got there, or how long it had been there. It could have been there for hours.

2. My office is flooded to the max. I made a newspaper boat to float around the office. it's a pretty decent boat, but there's not actually enough water to sail on. If I kick water at it it floats a little. I think I'll make another one, it's a very satisfying activity.

3. Speaking of... activities, here is where I am with my plan: 9 days until mailing, 1 finished draft of supporting paper, 10 pages away from finished draft of major paper, 13 images. I feel good about this, and frankly if I shouldn't, I don't really want to hear about it, so....yes. Let's just all go on assuming that I'm fine. I'll probably put in a few all nighters in the next few days, but frankly I do my best work at 3 am anyway, so I'm not in the least bit bothered by that.

4. My boat is getting a little bit sad and waterlogged.

5. I drank a beer in class today. I love Marlboro.

6. Water needs to stop coming out of the sky. Just STOP.

Date:	2007-04-13 10:13
Subject:
Security:	Public
Mood:	delighted!

Ok! All drama cleared up and I have an examiner and an orals date!! Wooty woo. I'd better get to work, that shit is right around the corner.

Memo to the small creatures of New England:

Stop running out in front of my car. Someone could get hurt.

Here's what I've been doing:
1. I went home and celebrated St. Patrick's day and saw the florida branch of the family, and it was great. We marched in the parade with the plumbers union.
2. I went to Milwaukee on the train and saw Rachel, Jenny, and Lydia, and went to the best bar in the world and the art museum.
3. I went to New York City with Evan and Helena and saw the city, a musical (Spring Awakening) and Moby (in line for Spring Awakening), and MoMA (I take back my Jeff Wall-bashing, the show was wonderful). Oh and part of the Robert Moses exhibit. AND a woman with a cat in a backpack trying to pick a fight with a dog owner in central park. AND Italian people talking about Super Mario Bros.
4. Oh! I forgot about the part where I saw Lily in Chicago and we went to a lecture by Vik Muniz and it was AMAZING!
5. E & H and I went back to Boston and went to another of the world's great bars, and rocked out to live music played by people I know. We rocked OUT.
6. Now I'm back at school trying to work but being more interested in the cloudless sky.

If I continue at my current rate of one sentence every 20 minutes, it will take me 8 days to finish this paper. That is not allowing for time off to eat and sleep. Hence, I really need to pick up the pace. Facebook is just soooo much more interesting than whether or not the location of the Dan Ryan was influenced by racism and the desire to further isolate Chicago's Black Belt in the 1950's. Hm, now that I think about it, Facebook is actually way, way less interesting than that.

YAY I'll work now.

Neon Bible is the perfect soundtrack to this weird, weird wonderful week.