Notes On the Week

Get ready for a monster post! Even though I haven’t blogged in over a week, I have been photographing and documenting. Because my life is full of interesting things, most of them edible. I’d like these on here for posterity.

Thursday

My roommates and I went to a debate between Karl Rove and Howard Dean. I’ll save my political opinion for my soap box, but the “r” in “Rove” is for ridiculous. Oops — have I said too much? My liberal leanings aside, the debate felt like a once-in-a-lifetime experience. How often do you get The audience on both sides of the political fence was fair and interested (with the exception of one obnoxious Rove naysayer who didn’t make it five minutes into the debate before being escorted out by the police). The debate was part of the University at Albany’s World Within Reach Speaker Series.

It’s an admirable series and I sincerely hope we see more debates in its future

Friday

I woke Friday morning with the intent to do errands and instead found my little car had a flat tire — its third of the year, mind you. I got frustrated and bailed on the situation in favor of Target therapy with The Roommate. I bought myself a consolatory Bolthouse Farms beverage to sample.

Green. Satisfying. And the fact that I was drinking broccoli and spinach made me forget my flat tire. The Boyfriend won Boyfriend of the Year for surprising me by changing it and was rewarded with a box of Wild Berry Poptarts. Obviously.

Saturday and Sunday

Many phone calls about a new apartments. Many people telling me sternly that they do NOT take dogs. Many hugs for Jack, since he is the best puppy ever and any landlord who wouldn’t want him to live in their apartment is undeserving of his doggy love.

Monday

A handful of unsuccessful apartment viewings that led me to feel like Goldilocks (“This one’s too small! Too expensive! Too smelly!”). Subsequent consolatory egg sandwich on cute new plates from Mom.

Tuesday

Homemade strawberry rhubarb pie from The Roommate. Oh, my.

Wednesday

Third Eye Blind came to town! And we took some lame pictures.

Thursday

I read blogs and ate ham and pea risotto. And that was the most exciting thing I did that day. For real.

Friday

Twas my last day at my part-time jobs. I said goodbye to being a part-time secretary and goodbye to the kids at the after-school program where I worked for the past few years. They threw me a little pizza and cupcake party and we had movie day. So fun! I got so many homemade cards and letters from the kids and the counselors chipped in for a lovely card and going away present. I’ll be back for a visit!

My going away party was followed up by girls’ night with some loverly ladies:

Former college roommates, we are now all grown-up. Between the four of us we have a Masters student, a journalist, and two hard-working ladies in the non-profit sector.

Saturday

The Boyfriend and I signed the lease on a new, grown-up apartment and pondered the fact that our new landlord may be a little nutzo. But she owns a pretty place and loves Jack, so I’ll take the crazy.

Sunday

Since our new apartment has a washer and dryer, The Boyfriend and I made what will hopefully be one of our last trips to the laundromat. Admittedly I will miss the days when I have the hour-long wait for the dryer as an excuse to go across the street and get a sandwich from Scratch.

Ooh, mama!

Sandwiches make smiles.

You’ve been around for this week, which has mainly involved me being really excited about my work at the new job and then going to bed at an outrageously early hour. This is the place for me, I’ve decided. Yes, the people are friendly and dedicated; yes, the agency has an awesome mission and extensive programming; yes, I will learn so much here and can turn this into a career that I love. But most importantly, today I discovered that each employee’s birthday is celebrated with a custom homemade cake. Today’s was a lemon chiffon cake with lemon curd and marscapone whipped cream frosting. And when I discovered that my birthday is the day before the woman’s in HR, everyone declared we should celebrate them on different weeks, since “you can’t combine birthdays and cakes.” I agree completely. Let’s all be best friends immediately.

I’m currently listening to Madonna — you are, too, if you watched Glee last night. I’m also tuned in to Food, Inc. on PBS but it is bummin’ me out a little, so I think I’ll opt for doing some work-related paperwork in bed instead.