Inconsiderate Jerk

They're, once again, resurfacing the parking lot in my apartment complex. This time they blocked off right in front of my apartment for two days. Lovely.

Friday evening I got home really late, so I parked in such a way that I might have been blocking one garage space. From where I was it looked like it should be fine, the driver might have to take a little more care than they'd like, but I was pretty sure they could get into (or out of) their garage.

Apparently the owner didn't agree. When I got to my car Saturday morning (a mere 9 hours later—really, I got home at midnight and left around 9) I had a love note on my windshield. "Stop blocking my garage you inconsiderate f---" I was admonished. Lovely. I toyed with the idea of taping a note to his garage (for there is no way that was written by a chick) apologizing for the inconvenience and explaining that as a single female getting home at midnight it certainly was not safe for me to be walking around alone. Perhaps next time the parking situation requires that I park 2 or 3 blocks from my building I can call him up for an escort since, I would appear, he's a pretty intimidating guy. I opted, instead, to do nothing. I did keep his note, just in case he damaged my car. A check over later reviled no key scratches, so that's good.

All in all, with neighbors like, that I'm glad I blocked his spot instead of walking around alone at all hours of the morning/night. Who knows what might have jumped out of the bushes and maimed me.

Boy Feminist

InternBill sent me an email the other day. His university ran a rather offensive cartoon containing a a guy lookina at a callout for playboy on campus and exclaiming, "Attractive girls at <My School>? Now that's NEWS!"

He had penned a rather incensed letter to the editor outlining why girls were offended, but (more importantly) why men should be offended at the cartoon (I'm not going to go into it lest I give too much away). Needless to say, I was really impressed. I never realized how big of a feminist he is.

This could be problematic, especially since he's coming back to InternetCompany upon graduation.

Date Numbero Dos

Since I was going to be in town I asked Blue if he'd like to join me for dinner. He said sure and, well, it appeared things were going to go really well. Tuesday I talked to him and he mentioned having a list of 'vegan friendly' places in town that we could try. Wow!

So, last night I picked him up and we ended up at an Asian restaurant (originally, he was going to take me to Whole Foods, but since I shop (and have been known to eat there), we opted on this Asian place). It was good food and we had fun talking. This time the topic of my income came up just once (whew), and he was the one who brought it up.

After dinner we went back to his place where he told me I could just park in the drive way. I did that and we got out of the car and stood in his driveway talking for a bit. He gave me a hug and set me on my way. Didn't even invite me in. I guess I now know where things stand.

Oh well, there's always someone else. Too bad though, he's hilarious!

Also, Sine was right, he doesn't seem to have much ambition. Ugh.

Road Trip

Midge, her boyfriend, and I decided to go to Southwards for (essentially) the day on Thursday. Our plan: visit all three LDS Temples in the area. We narrowly accomplished that goal, due in large part to my amazing ability to "drive like a maniac." At one point I approximated that we were an hour away from Temple Number 2. However, the last morning session started in 45 minutes. We made it with plenty of time to change, etc. It was great!

We had a lot of fun getting to visit the temples, and Midge's boyfriend and I had a good time getting to know one another. I can see why (a) Midge digs him; and (2) Mumsy more than approves. Cute!

Piles of Shots

My father has never met an organizational system that he likes. Correction. He's met one. It's called 'the pile system." This is the most basic of organizational methods available. Essentially, everything goes in piles. What goes in what pile is specifically outlined by the phrase, "every pile, everything!" I just love hanging out in his spaces.

On Saturday I "got" to drive his car to run an errand. As he pointed me in the general direction he uttered the most accurate description I could possibly imagine, "It's that little rust-bucket over there." I silently agreed. The second I got in I started to laugh. The car is perfectly organized adhering strictly to the patented pile method, and entirely sticky. I'm not sure what he did to the steering wheel, but, seriously, I'm afraid if I touch it I'll get hepatitis. Thankfully my shots are current.

I couldn't stop laughing, and had to share my condition with my sister, Fox. So, I called her up and asked, "Have you seen Dad's car?"

"No," she replied, "the last car of his I saw had a broomstick holding the seat up!"

"Well, then," I responded, the memory fresh in my mind, "you know exactly what I'm talking about!" We laughed, and laughed, and laughed some more.

Ironically, despite the mess, stickiness, and overall dilapidated condition of the vehicle, Mumsy informs me that, he babies that car.

I would too, for fear it would disintegrate around me.

Right Back Where I Started From

Well, I've been home hanging out with the fam for 3 days now. Doesn't get much better than this. No, wait, that's not true, it does.

You see, some plumbing in the apartment my parents live in has been leaking for a while. My parents complained, but the management told them it was all in their heads. So, they waited until the floor in my little sister's bedroom was soaked through (I guess that's when they noticed evidence of what they thought was happening) and reported it again. The property manager decided that she had better take action. However, the long delay means mildew and mold have more than taken root. Lucky girl that I am, I'm deathly allergic to said growths, so I'm scratchy and itchy and generally unpleasant. I took benadryl last night and slept like the dead for the first time since I've been home. Joys of all joys. I can almost not wait to leave just so I don't have to deal with this anymore.

General Conference

As always, you can play along at home! Conference can be streamed from this website.

First Presidency Reorganization

In this morning's session of General Conference a new member of the First Presidency was called. Elder Eyring is now President Eyring, second counselor in the First Presidency. Honestly, I'm surprised because he's so young, but then, most of the Twelve Apostles are getting up there in age, and I imagine if they went with someone else they'd be repeating this process again in April.

I know he'll do a great job, I really like him. Though, I can't imagine how much more work this new calling will be!

Symphony Recap

The symphony last night was great! I ended up going with my (less active) LDS coworker. We had a good time. It was kind of weird to think about being on a date with him, but since we didn't dine together on either side of the entertainment it was notably less weird. I've decided that between Stravinsky, Bartók, and Schumann I like Schumann then Stravinsky. Bartók is good, but he wasn't my favorite.

I love that I'm becoming a classical music snob! But, not really.

Wedding Registry

InternetCompany has (I'm sure you're shocked) a wedding registry. In the course of my work I had to utilize it. As a diligent peon I registered myself and 'nobody' for our impending nuptials sometime in the distant future. I figured someone I know might google me and stumble upon my fondest desires for 3 sets of golf clubs, so I clearly labeled it as a test account.

This morning I received an email from GayPat inquiring about "this wedding thing," then laughing at himself, as he quickly determined it was for work. The ironic bit is why he was googling me: he was curious if I keep a blog and who I use. I told him that I do, and that I use blogger. What I didn't tell him, however, is my address. Nope, not getting this one. It's my little secret. So there.

Warranty

I took my car in for an oil change, and a check up. The stupid check engine light was on, and the cruise control light was flashing. What does all this mean?

In the end, apparently, on my little Subaru Forrester these symptoms pointed to a bad catalytic converter. Blissfully, it was covered by some Emissions Act of 1903 or something like that. The diagnosis and repair were, therefore, free. Whew.

Bad news though, my front breaks are getting a bit worn and the cost is going to be around $300. Tragically, here in the soggy Pacific Northwest, I gotta take that caution seriously.

More Symphony

I don't know exactly when I became so cultured, but I sneaked up on me when I least expected it. I have two tickets to the symphony this weekend, so I decided to ask my coworker that I was slightly crushing on late last year/early this year. He's quite brilliant, and quite fun to be with. However, earlier this year he and I were out to dinner with Lurch and LittleBrother when he decided that any interest in me was overwhelmed by the silliest hangup. We were chatting about things when the subject of age came up. Once he learned how much older than he I am (3 or 4 years) he was suddenly visibly no longer interested in me. It was interesting to see, actually. Frankly I'm surprised that I can't find it. We were discussing a cartoon he watched as a child and I was surprised, as Midge used to watch it. "How old are you?" I asked. "We covered this already," he replied, giving me his age. "Why, how old are you?" I told him mine, and his face fell, immediate disinterest was seen as well as voiced when he said, "Oh. No, we haven't. I would have remembered!" Quite disappointing, actually. Anyway, we've continued talking on occasion, but not all that much.

With that in mind, I don't know why I decided to ask him to join me; but, well, I suppose I am still a bit interested in seeing if it could go anywhere.

I shot off a fairly benign, mostly safe, email asking if he was busy this weekend, and if not, I've got symphony tickets if he was interested in joining me. He replied very quickly (4 minutes later, actually, which is nigh on miraculous for him) that started, "Oh man! Great tickets!" He went on to say that he wouldn't be able to come because he was leaving early on Friday to take a long weekend in San Fransisco. No mention of a girlfriend, though. Honestly, that would have been the perfect time to say, "Thanks, but I'm leaving early to so spend a long weekend in The City with my girlfriend." That wasn't forthcoming, so I'm not certain where he stands girlfriend-wise, but at least he knows I could be asked out. I doubt he'll reciprocate, though. Oh well.

Force Feeding Vegan Goodness

It turns out I'm a great cook!

Sunday I looked in my cupboards and had little to cook save pureed pumpkin. I decided to make pumpkin pie, but looking over the label on the can I decided to go with a pumpkin roll (the recipe is here). Having never made it before the only modifications I made were the essential veganization changes.

It was delicious, but much to sweet to eat all myself. Out of self-preservation I decided to bring it to Family Home Evening to share around.

As I was offering pumpkin roll to my friends there were quite a number of questions as to the origin of the dessert. Once it became clear that I brought it Sine asked "Is this vegan?" I was certain he was going to turn down my offer of food. Instead, he asked for a slice, and complained, "I don't know what you're doing to me, Granola! I never cared before, and now I'm worried about my gas mileage and eating vegan food!"

All in all, everyone liked it and they were all perfectly floored that it was simultaneously vegan and delicious. I'm positively tickled that I can expand their horizons. It worked out that everyone who wanted a piece got one with no leftovers.