dissonance

Back from Bristol (two wks ago)

There seems to be an inverse relationship between how much I blog vs. how much I'm enjoying my work.

Needless to say I think y'all have noticed I love my job lately.

About a month ago Craig and I went to Bristol with a couple of our friends, Dave and Jude.  We went there to see the Banksy exhibition at the Bristol museum. For those of you who haven't heard of Banksy, he's this amazing artist who is most notorious for his "street" art. He started as a graffiti artist but I think he's just really elevated himself to what I call "Cool Shit".

I didn't really know what he was about but now I really like him.  I guess you can call his stuff modern art, but it's spelled out enough for me to "get it".  His bluntness might turn off some people but I think it's fun, funny, and thought-provoking stuff.

In addition to pieces he had in the areas dedicated to displaying his work, he also did some subversive art throughout the museum and it was fun trying to spot the stuff he planted.

I've put up about a million more pictures on my Flickr album.

Bristol the city was very cool... the little we saw of it. We stood in line for 4 hours!!! But I'd definitely like to go back to check out the city.  Two notable notes:

1) We ate at a buffet that served Indian, Chinese, Italian, AND Mexican. This is the result.

2) I found my wedding bouquet!

You say you're busy but you're probably just lazy.

Whew it seems like it's been ages since I've posted... 3 weeks, which isn't to bad, I've been worse before.  But lately I've been struggling with managing all my interests and activities and it's making me a bit sad.  I think something's gotta give.

• Blogs - Yes multiple. I'm a nutter.  So I've got this one, the personal wedding one, posting over at WC Brides, and the knitting one (more on that in a mo).  Right now, I think my posts are all mediocre and that's lame for me and for you.
• Actual knitting - I have a tiny bit left on my current sweater, just the neckline! It's pink, and 80's and fabulous! But I can't seem to find the quiet time to finish it.
• Other crafts - I have fabric to make some cute projects. I want to refinish some old mirrors we have. I want to reupholster a chair. I want to paint the dining chairs. I want to practice using Photoshop and Illustrator (currently on hold until I get a new computer).  I want to MAKE THINGS.
• Wedding planning - Ok so I kinda freaked out (mainly for your amusement) the other day but seriously need to get cracking on some big decisions.
• Reading - I really admire how Craig churns through books.  In fact, he read the last book I bought for myself. I keep going back to my friendly familiar favorites when there is a large stack just waiting for my attention. But come on, HP6 just came out, of course I had to read the entire series again!
• Cooking - It's kind of been a while since I road-tested a new recipe but new recipes inevitably take longer and time in the evenings seems to be a rare commodity lately.
• Work - This is a new one. Normally I would not list work as something I want to make time for, but I seriously love my new job and I haven't even officially started! But it's something I could easily spend a lot of my time on and be happy about it as well. Tough life eh?

And when I do try and hunker down on one project, I freeze up and then just end up watching reruns of Friends and SATC. And then before I know it, it's time for bed and I walk past the computer, wedding magazines and unfinished sweater to see that Craig's finished another book while waiting for me.

Will work for macbook

There's no getting around it: My powerbook is dying.  It starts to wheeze after about an hour of use and then it starts freezing up and I have to tilt it to make it keep going.  Yes, that's right. There's been instances where I've actually had to orient it with the keyboard on my chest and the screen on my lap.

Trouble is, I don't really have money for a new laptop. Correction, I don't really have money for a new Apple laptop and fine you can call me brainwashed or whatever but I want a mac.  5+ years of not a single bit of trouble (well til now, in its death throes) has convinced me of that.

Anyway, even if I had two grand jingling in my pocket I would feel guilty that it wasn't going in the wedding fund.  Do you know how many bouquets that would buy?  Ok, I wouldn't need that many but it would be sooo faaaaaaaabulous with like rainbows and unicorns jumping out of it blessing people with 100% Pure Sparkle as I walked down the cashmere aisle.

But then I think ok now it's the wedding but then afterwards I would feel guilty if extra money wasn't going towards saving for a down payment.  And then I'd feel guilty it wasn't going towards furniture.  And maybe eventually I'd feel guilty it wasn't going towards diapers.

And oh man, is that what you want?  Do you really want me to resent my hypothetical kid's diapers because I don't have a mac?  Please, think of my (hypothetical) children!

Which is why I seriously contemplated using a credit card to spread out the risk. Unfortunately I've only been approved for a few hundred pounds because I'm a foreigner who has been paying cash for everything since she moved here so I don't have a credit history.

Damn you cautious fiscal habits! You owe me a laptop!

This is a blog post!

You know what I hate?  When you go to buy a card and they don't even try.  I mean sometimes you could shell out over $5 and it's just insulting that they don't even make an effort.

Like birthday cards.  As cliche as "Happy Birthday" is, I don't mind that. I don't mind that because it is far better than the cards that say, "It's your birthday!"

I mean, way to state the obvious.  Unless the sender is trying to say, "Oh wow, I totally remembered it's your birthday and I just wanted to let you know." In which case it leaves the recipient in the awkward position of looking for a card that says, "Congratulations on remembering my birthday," which by the way, Hallmark does not make.

This sentiment extends to other types of cards like:

"You're engaged!" - well I wish my boyfriend told me that but I guess it's just as good to hear that from you.

"You're having a baby!" - OH that explains the missed periods and weight gain!  Trust me, that poor woman knew she was having a baby long before you did.

"It's your wedding!" - I KNOW, I INVITED YOU.

These aren't really worth buying a card. They're just declaritive statements. But the worst of the bunch don't even bother to be statements.

Today I was as the shop looking for a card for a wedding we're going to tonight and I swear half of them just said, "Wedding".

That's it.

Just "Wedding".  There might be a cake or a picture of a bride and groom, but to just say "Wedding"... what does that even mean??  At least they are equal opportunity, I also saw a card (I freaking kid you not) that was as plain as plain could be and on the front it just said, "Civil Ceremony".  (?!?)

These types of cards definitely hit the bottom of the pile.  It would be far better to get a blank card with a picture of a kitten playing a banjo.  For any occasion.

High five!

Guildford Adult Learning Centre's fall program is out!!  I can't decide!!!

Scottish Country Dancing (only if Craig joins too)
Round the World Cookery
Traditional Upholstery Skills
Enjoying the wines of Chile & Argentina
Enjoying the wines of France
Enjoying the wines of Italy
Understand, Choose, & Enjoy Champagne and other Sparkling wines
Understanding, Choosing & Enjoying wine

I am pretty sure I will do pretty well in any of those last 5 classes.  It'll be like when I was in college I took Introductory Chemistry and I totally aced it because I took AP Chem in high school but didn't take the exam.

It'll be like that except this time there will be a lot more high-fiving going on.

Pride cometh before pimples and a pulled muscle

You know what's funny?  When you are finally ok with being thirty and then the next morning you wake up with a pimple on your chin.

Oh wait, that's not funny. That is a MEAN JOKE.  Why am I still getting pimples? And if I'm still getting pimples it would only be fair if it came with a size 4 waist and the ability to do a toe touch.  I mean, come on!

And then yesterday I went to the gym being all smug that I'm trying to stay in shape and then I hurt myself stretching.  From what I understand, stretching is what you do to NOT hurt yourself.

Sigh, chin up.

(see what I did there?)

30: Not so bad

On Saturday Craig and I had an impromptu date and at the end of the night we were having a last drink at our local pub and I thought to myself, "I don't mind being 30."

I know I made a little bit of an issue out of it. I even left the country for it because I almost thought that if it happened in secrecy it might not have actually happened.  I just felt so old and it seemed like just another reminder of how my life at 30 isn't the way I thought it would be at 30.

But then on Saturday when Craig went to the bathroom and I was on my own I couldn't help but think,

"Ooh I really like my outfit tonight. I couldn't have afforded this when I was 18.  This merlot is nice. I wouldn't have known what "nice merlot" meant when I was 21.  This is a cool pub.  I wouldn't have had the guts to move here when I was 23. I'm so excited about my new job which I didn't know was what I wanted when I was 25.  Craig is so the best.  I wouldn't have appreciated him when I was 27. This merlot is NIIICE... yes, I'll havanotherglass..."

I won't say something so stupid or trite like, "Life begins at 30".  But it sure isn't the end of it.

I suppose now that I have found this peace in my life you think it's time for me to think about taking down the birthday cards. Yes, my birthday was in May, and?  No, the cards are staying.  See, now that I have finally found peace with my age, I need to be THIRTY 4EVER.

Maybe it can go on the registry

"So, do you want to go to Ryder cup next year? It's right after the wedding!"

"Well if it's free, why not?"

"It's not free! What made you think that?"

"I thought you said you just apply for tickets?"

"Yeah, you apply to get in the lottery to be able to buy tickets."

"So you're just applying for the privilege to buy tickets? How much are tickets?"

"£100. Each."

"Whaa??"

"For a day."

"WHAT?! For just the golf. It's not like there's any bands playing."

"Yeah, but it's a whole day! From 7am to..."

"FROM. SEVEN. AM?!  So I have to pay £100 to get up at 7 in the mor..."

"No, no, no... we'd have to wake up much earlier than that! It's a 3 hour drive to Wales."

"... you're not a very good salesman."

The best Wednesday

I am not sure what kept me up more last night:

1) Kinda sorta starting a new job... IN LONDON!  I haven't officially started but since it's an internal transfer I went to the new office to join in on a meeting and oh-em-gee I was so excited and it sounds so fun and exactly what I want to be doing!  I have all these ideas that are bursting that are actually related to WORK and that is just so refreshing.  And did I mention it's actually IN LONDON? YAY!

Edit: For those who assumed I've been working in London this whole time, I don't. I work 45 minutes southeast of London.  It's just easier for people to assume I work in London already the way people who work in Burlingame say they work in San Francisco. I'm not proud of it but soon I'll be working in London proper. Yay!

2) Saw Harry Potter 6!  I won't and can't say much about it for fear of spoiling it for others.  As a side note: People in Hollywood have really lost the creative spirit.  Aside from UP, all the other previews were for a movie that was a remake or a sequel or a toy from the 80s.  For fuck's sake did you know they are making another Alvin & the Chipmunks and how shitty does G.I. Joe look?

2 combined with 1 made for some really weird dreams.

Ryanair always good for a laugh

First there was the thing about paying to use the toilet.
And now I seriously can't tell if this is a joke.

Anson sums it up nicely: 
"I dont want to feel like I'm on an amusement park ride when I'm thousands of feet in the air!"

I shouldn't laugh though. This could really be the way of the future.  I also feel like this is how they transported criminals in Con Air?