Day 26: Not exactly wasting away in Margaritaville

Two important things about me that convey why this new thing is a disappointing new thing. First, I don't like to waste money. Second, I really don't like to waste a good margarita. But tonite I couldn't finish my margarita at dinner, which I have definitely never done before. While I've had way more food before tonite and finished my drink, I'm just going to blame it on El Rodeo. Though it is still my most favorite Mexican restaurant ever, I think they put something in my tamale. That's the only legitimate reason I can think to let a perfectly lovely drink of lime perfection go to waste. Sorry, Jimmy B, I failed you.

*Yeah, kind of sucky new thing today. But it was a different kind of day and doing something new just wasn't a priority.

Day 25: These boots are made for walking

First things first, I have freakishly small feet. I'm 5'8.5" but wear a size 7/8 shoe. All my research indicates this is abnormal. (By research I mean asking my friends and family and doing a few searches on the Internet.) But I learned this summer it may just run in the family, as my Poppy had quite small feet too. Which is how I came to possess an authentic pair of Texas cowboy boots after his passing this year. Today I embraced the Texan blood in me and wore cowboy boots all day. And, I guess, I also walked a mile in someone else's shoes.

Nothing says cowboy like my frat-boy blue pants.



All in all, I'm kind of fond of them. I felt quite snazzy all day, actually. And I'm pretty sure I could have kicked someone's ass were a situation to arise. Actually, I'm quite certain of it. You just don't mess with someone in cowboy boots.

Day 24: I'm Lovin' It

I have a serious weakness for McDonald's. And I'm not ashamed of it. I don't care what "Fast Food Nation" says, or what happened to Morgan Spurlock, I love their fries, their hamburgers, and most of all, their Happy Meal toys. Luckily for my heart and cholesterol and waistline, I have no idea where the closest one to my apartment is. But there is one less than five minutes from my current job. Going to the place itself is not new, but going and getting lunch for my co-workers is. (I've never collected lunch for co-workers before.) Today I took orders, collected money, and then was that person in line with the little scratch sheet of paper repeating every thing fifteen times to make sure it was correct. I was then also the person who forgot sauces, napkins, and straws. Yep. Not sure they'll asking me to go on a lunch run again anytime soon.

Day 23: Best new thing of all (so far)

Today I got a job.

No more desperate searching, no more killer, literally, temp jobs. No more worrying about getting hit by cars and having no way to pay for it since I'll have health insurance.

It all happened very quickly, as I just interviewed yesterday, but starting Feb. 4 I begin my first job with benefits, first job where I don't know the end date in advance.

I'll be working at a place in old town Alexandria. My official title is "instructional designer." They design training materials for different clients, and I'll be writing, editing, and developing these materials. It is not what I thought I wanted, but after interviewing for it, I know it's something that would fit for me, and that I think I could be good at.

So that's that for now. More information as I know it. (And I'll update for the past few days later.) Right now, as I fell asleep during the UNC game - gasp! - it's time for bed.

Day 22: I swear I think book stores are sacred

I used to use dressing rooms in London to fix my hair and make-up before a job interview or going to the theatre. With free public restrooms seriously lacking in most of Europe, I had to get creative when needing to add a little blush or brush my hair while out and about for the day. Just head to Gap or Top Shop, grab a pair of jeans for cover, and spruce away.

Today, however, I took using public facilities to a different use while out and about, when I changed my clothes in the bathroom of a Books-a-Million.

It was not until I actually typed that last sentence that I realize how ludicrous/sketchy/pathetic this sounds. But, in my defense, it was in the 30s, I had on a suit, heels, and panty hose, and it was FREEZING. And my feet hurt. And I still feel like a child playing dress up in her mother's clothes whenever I wear my suit, so I wanted to get out of it and into jeans ASAP. (Jeans, which, by the way, I bought for $7 at Gap! Heck yes.)

Thanks to the BAM in Old Town Alexandria, and your bathroom key attached to a giant piece of plastic.

Day 21: Honoring the dream

In my un-codified list of heroes, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. is high up there. I admire his supreme dedication to his faith and social beliefs, his courage and fortitude, and for the effect he had on his country. I know the recent trend to diminish his importance by questioning his personal life, but, for me, it doesn't really matter at this point. I admire the work he has done too much.

In honor of today, I donated a few dollars to Build the Dream, the fund to build a memorial to him in Washington, DC. I am always intrigued by memorials, their design and function, and would like to see his come to fruition.

"Darkness can not drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate can not drive out hate, only love can do that."

Day 20: "Together let us explore the stars, conquer the deserts, eradicate disease, tap the ocean depths, and encourage the arts and commerce." -JFK

It did not get out of the 30s here today. Or so weather.com has shown, as I have not left my apartment all day. Oops. But I have a new heater, a steaming cup of tea and football is on in the background, so really, why would I need to leave?

According to my page-a-day History Channel calendar, on this day in 1961 was the inauguration of John F. Kennedy. And as the calendar explained, Robert Frost recited a poem at the ceremony entitled "The Gift Outright." Frost is one of about only five poets I enjoy, and Mom's favorite, but as I had not read this one, I googled the poem and was taken to the JFK Presidential Library, where I read it for the first time.

The Gift Outright by Robert Frost
The land was ours before we were the land’s
She was our land more than a hundred years
Before we were her people. She was ours
In Massachusetts, in Virginia,
But we were England’s, still colonials,
Possessing what we still were unpossessed by,
Possessed by what we now no more possessed.
Something we were withholding made us weak
Until we found out that it was ourselves
We were withholding from our land of living,
And forthwith found salvation in surrender.
Such as we were we gave ourselves outright
(The deed of gift was many deeds of war)
To the land vaguely realizing westward,
But still unstoried, artless, unenhanced,
Such as she was, such as she will become.

Not that it matters, but I approve. :-)

Day 19: Burning down the house (not a cooking entry)

I didn't actually burn down the house. I did stink it up a little though by lighting some incense I got from my holiday in Lanzarote. I had never owned incense before, but bought it on impulse at the airport (and a few for my friends too) expressly because it was different.
I'm not entirely sure what the scent was, as I bought it primarily for the pretty color, but after about 10 minutes of it, it was no longer pleasant. So were I to use in religious ceremony, which per Wikipedia is one of its uses, I think it could clear a house of worship. However, if I were using it to cover my illicit drug use, I think it would definitely do the job.

Day 18: "I guess if it's going to happen it's going to happen to you." (Aunt Amee)

I do believe the comment left by my Aunt Amee in reference to my filing cabinet incident, does pretty much sum up about...83% of what happens in my life. The 83% representing the percentage of my life experiences that fall into the embarrassing, unbelievable, and just plain absurd category.

Like today. When I unwittingly dressed like Santa Claus. I hesitated to mark this as a new thing, but when you realize about two hours into your day that you do in fact resemble the big man in red, I think it's fair to count it as a new thing. And one that most certainly will NOT be repeated.

How does this happen, and how does one not realize it until almost at the entrance to her work?
Step 1: Find black velvet pants in closet, wear them.
Step 2: Wear black snow boots expressly to avoid anything embarrassing. (I.e. falling in slush.)
Step 3: As a finishing touch, throw on new red pea coat as running out the door.
Step 4: Look down as walking, an hour after leaving home, and reach in pocket to see if I have a naughty/nice list and elves following me, because I look like SANTA.

This is my life. But at least I always have something to smile about.

Day 17: Hey oh

I am very sad to report that cityish-life has turned me against SNOW. Snow used to fill me with such joy. Exuberance at not having to go to school, the thrill of playing in the yard and then coming into the cozy house.

But those days are gone. Replaced with slush and dirty snow and having to walk in ankle-deep muck to avoid the sidewalks, as walking on them guarantees taking a bath in streetwater thanks to drivers NOT driving for the conditions.

In order to try and get some of my enchantment with snow back, I looked up "snow" on YouTube. I spent awhile watching some college kids slide down hills and then have a massive snowball fight. Listened to the Red Hot Chili Peppers song "Snow (Hey oh)" which doesn't really have anything to do with snow, but put me in a good mood. Watched a few people make snow angels and build snowpeople.

But the video that made my heart melt a little, and made me think I'm not quite ready to write off snow completely, was a tiger eating snow and making snow angels.


I swear I will respond to comments this weekend, I'm just too exhausted tonite and can't focus. But I appreciate them all. :-)