Tuesday June 1, 2010
Seriously Slacking
Ok, my posting for the last month was dismal. Granted, it’s usually dismal and I have to go back and fill in the gaps and then when I’ve done a few posts, I’m still a bit behind. This time, however, a month has gone by and that means it’s even harder to reconstruct all the things I’ve done to write about them. Not that my posts are the most interesting ever—in truth I mainly keep this up just so I have a record of what’s been going on.
So, I will offer up a recap.
The new job has been going great—I really love it and the people are really nice and cool. Last week we had an employee meetup in which all the remote employees came out to the office and we had 3 days of festivities and meetings. Some of the highlights included getting lunch and dinner provided by them for the entire time, including open bar. There were also cool activities to choose from on one of the days—I chose to do standup paddling, which was cool. I decided to pick something I might not otherwise do. It was a bit outside my comfort zone, but I did it and I survived, and it was actually kind of fun. That said though, I’m not sure I feel the need to do it again.
A couple weeks ago we went to Vegas for Kristen’s birthday. We kept it fairly low key (no wild late nights at the clubs or anything)—saw the Lion King, I won some money playing blackjack, and it was fun. Dave was disappointed we didn’t go to the clubs because that was apparently the main thing he has ever wanted to do there. Which brings me to the topic of him.
For a few reasons, things just haven’t really been working. Although we coexist well together, there have been some long-standing things that bothered us about each other. These are points that were brought up on multiple occasions, and some attempts were made at compromise, but in the end, I think they are too much of a part of who we are to fully be able to make it work. We decided we’d be better off as friends, and in a very non-dramatic way, ended the relationship. As timing would have it, Kristen needed a new roommate, and another friend needed a place to live, so I’m going to move in with her, and the other friend is moving in with Dave. I am sad to have to move, and it will be weird having an honest-to-goodness roommate again, but hopefully it will all work out. Making the transition easier is the fact that I met someone else. It’s still early, so time will tell where it goes, but I do really like him.
Also, Memorial Day weekend brought my sister graduating from college with her Chemistry degree, and also the announcement that she and her husband are expecting their first baby at the end of this year. So now I get to start knitting all kinds of cute baby stuff—I just hope it’s a girl so I can make cute bonnets and dresses! :)
So those are all the main events that have occurred in the last 4 weeks. Some good, some not so good, but that, I suppose, is life. Hopefully I will be better about updating again.
(40)Tuesday May 4, 2010
David Sedaris at the Arlington
Last night Dave and I attended an Arts and Lectures event with David Sedaris. Although he’s been to Santa Barbara many times, I had never actually gone to see him, so when I heard tickets were on sale for this year, I decided to finally buy some and go. I have “read” several of his books (I use the word in quotes because I actually listened to the audio version read by Sedaris, which I personally think is better, because it really adds something hearing his words in his voice).
Although I kinda hoped that he would read some stories about his family, he read some stories from his new book of fables (of sorts) and a couple other stories that he’s been working on. It was an enjoyable experience, and it’s no wonder that he’s popular enough to warrant being asked to come back every year and selling out each time. I’ll have to remember to get his new stuff when it comes out.
Sunday May 2, 2010
Shopping Day
Yesterday Kristen and I went shopping—in part just because, but also because her birthday trip to Vegas is coming up! We hit up Forever 21, where I tried on a TON of stuff, but only walked away with a cotton floral summer dress, which should come in handy in the warmer months.
As we were walking back, I suggested we stop in Old Navy, since I wanted a new pair of shorts. Well, it turned out that they actually had quite a selection of cute stuff, and best of all, everything was 30% off! So, I bought the shorts I wanted, in addition to a few other things. I’d feel a little guilty, but I did just get that new job, and I rarely buy clothes, so it’s all good.
Regardless, it was a fun outing, and it’s more fun to go shopping with someone else than by yourself.
Saturday May 1, 2010
Opal and Marquee
Last night Dave and I decided to go out to dinner. We weren’t entirely sure where we were going to eat when we left, but narrowed it down between Jane and Opal. We chose Opal because there were fewer people waiting.
Since we went to a somewhat earlier dinner, we decided to go get a drink afterward. We intended to go to the Hungry Cat, since they have some good cocktails, but they didn’t have any space for us, so it was then that I remembered that a new martini bar opened up next to the Granada.
Marquee is the name of the new bar, and they do indeed have a bunch of fancy martinis on their menu—although you can of course order whatever you want. The martini I selected was quite tasty, and perhaps the best part of hanging out there—besides the atmosphere created by the lighting, couches, and other furnishings—is that they give you a glass full of jelly beans to enjoy. The jelly beans are Jelly Bellys, to be more exact—but lest you fret that you’ll accidentally eat a gross flavor in the dark, it seems they already went through the trouble of picking out the ones that would go weird with drinks. They left in the fruity flavors and took out ones like popcorn, coconut, or anything that you’d worry about.
I think it’s definitely some place I’d go hang out again—nice, not too crowded, etc. So, hopefully it will stick around awhile—the signage is minimal so it wasn’t super obvious that it was there—I think we only found it because I knew it was next to the theater and it was the only place that had people in it.
Friday April 30, 2010
Ending in a Tie
Well, yesterday we played out last game of the season, against one of the highest ranking teams (our last 3 games were the hardest of the season). So, in addition to playing a great team, we also had to worry about it being SUUUUPER windy—like ridiculous amounts of wind.
Our team was sorta lucky in that we had to ref an earlier game, so the refs gained valuable knowledge as to where the balls seemed to be going. Basically, most balls were going out into right field, so the key was to group our outfield over there, and then whenever the ball was in the air, wait a bit to see where the wind would take it before running up to it.
The other team liked to complain a lot and claim that they didn’t know some of the rules or something, but despite all that, they couldn’t crush us. I think it helped that we played decently and had refs who knew what they were doing. All told, we ended in a tie, which is about as good as we could hope for given the conditions. Hopefully we’ll do decently in the upcoming playoffs! I have yet to get very close to winning it all!
