January 2010

So, let’s face it. 2009 sucked. Hard.

It actually started way back in November of 2008. I was involved in a hit and run accident that left me unharmed, but totaled my car. My car. That I’d had for 10 years and loved. That was completely paid off. Three days after I bought new tires and renewed the registration.

I started 2009 with a new-to-me-car and car payment. Sucked. The first quarter was fairly insignificant. I now had a car payment, which put a little strain on my budget, and then in April I got the news from my landlord that they would be raising my rent, again, at the end of my lease term. So, I decided to move somewhere less expensive, save some money and use it to go back to school. The hunt was on.

The complex I decided on was brand new, with a glorious layout. Bottom floor, no stairs, nice and shiny brand new. The downside (during the initial decision making process) was that it was waaaaaay out west, in the boondocks. I figured from my time as a home owner in the boondocks that I would readjust and everything would be fine.

It wasn’t. I hated the location from day one. Then the neighbors started in with the wall-shaking bass pounding from their stereo and video games. I complained. Politely. They responded. The way you expect white trash to respond. The police became involved, as did the management. Finally, after needing a police escort to go home, management decided to evict them. And then, they didn’t. Sucked.

After weeks of half-truths and full on lies from them, I reminded management that a contract went both ways, and they had legal obligations to me as well. They let me out of my lease and I moved. Again. It would have been cheaper to stay downtown and suck up the new rent increase.

The new place is adequate. It’s fine. It’s the same management company (it was the trade-off to breaking my lease) and I hate them. I decided I wouldn’t stay after my lease was up this summer.

My job was growing increasingly frustrating, leaving me unhappy and work and unhappy at home.

I had been saying for a couple of years that if my brother went someplace cool for grad school I would move too. He went someplace cool to grad school, and the more dissatisfaction I felt the more it seemed viable to actual pick up and move cross country. The call of easy, convenient travel, a big city, and family nearby to help me get settled and ease homesickness became stronger and stronger.

The decision to just go for it was made in late December/early January. I had several phone interviews with a group in Philadelphia. The last weekend of January they flew me out for a final interview. It went fine, but I was underwhelmed, and I think they were as well. Don’t get me wrong. This job....I could rock it, but the people didn’t jive. They were perfectly lovely, but I found myself thinking that I didn’t have anything in common with them, and if I took this (mostly fluff-filled) job I would have neither the satisfaction of challenging work, nor the fulfillment from a great connection with co-workers. I flew home less than sure of my decision to pursue the opportunity to move.

Despite all of that, January was good. A successful month. A month where I feel as though I’m making decisions and moving toward something.

The few days I spent with T3 were fun, and the kids were about the cutest things ever. I will always remember a certain someone in a little pink coat dancing through the parking lot, tugging on her dad's hand, and so excited to have me eat dinner that my plate was set rightnext to her's. And the baby laughing uproariously and adorably for no reason other than to make me laugh back. I loved spending time with them, and getting a feel for what living there would really be like. Of seeing how it has worked for them, and how much they enjoy it there. Of being able to babysit in exchange for a Sunday dinner and stuffing everyone in the car to drive to New Jersey to touch jellyfish and sharks.

Bring on February...I’m ready, and more positive about my future than I’ve been in a long time.

Congratulations T4

Zombie Mistress?

Seriously, Wade Robson

More SYTYCD

I know, I haven't posted anything "real" in a long time, but for those who don't know I moved a couple weeks ago, and that consumed everything for a very long time and I promise there is a post coming about it. I've also been battling a wicked flare up of carpal tunnel, which has *mostly* kept me off the computer at home. But really, if you're not watching So You Think You Can Dance then you are totally missing out of the best part of the summer television season. Here are my 2 favorite dances so far this season...both from last week.

Wade Robson is a genius!!


Mia Michaels is a raving lunatic and I probably couldn't stand to be in the same room with her, but this is just fabulous. The backstory...he is the addiction and she is trying to break free, but can't quite get away.

Yes, Exactly!

SYTYCD


Remember Bleeding Love:


or

The Garden:


or...old school with Sweet Dreams


And so many others...the bench dance, the one with the door. The one to Daisy in December...that is now a regular song on my iPod, and already tonight, some amazing performances! So You Think You Can Dance (dance) (dance)

Slap Chop Rap