Casa Miliaresis...

...for lasagna with that distinctive Italian taste, surrounded by familiar people who speak the same language as me - they understand alot without me having to explain.

Unexpected, and delightful, letter from Thailand - but the check's not made out to me. Hm. That Kevin! He's tricky. Now I gotta build my calluses back up and make a phone call...

Heathcliff Andrew Ledger (1979 - 2008). All I can think about is what could have been with his life.

Out with the old...

Morning email from Christie gives my day some direction.

Errand rounds: vet clinic for kitty food, Greenberry's for a mocha and reading, browsing Barnes and Noble, Harris Teeter, Ragged Mtn Running Shop for new shoes and warmer running tights (good for nights like tonight).

All Things Considered in the afternoon.

Thanks to Garrett, who frantically and consistently runs to the basement before he barfs.

Currently reading (again): Mountains Beyond Mountains: The Quest of Dr. Paul Farmer, a man who would cure the world.

Mid-weekend

Short night's sleep means napping later.

Proud owner of two new fire extinguishers, and a new bed-side table lamp.

Ordering a DTV Converter Box Coupon online, because there's no way I'm sending a perfectly good TV to the landfill in February of next year if I don't have to.

Missing memory stick for my camera.

Craving either a burger and fries, or a Mona Lisa cheese-less pizza.

Browning's Birthday

Feeling weird about feeling restless about the long weekend.

Sushi with the gang to celebrate Browning's Birthday.

Joe's looping catches me by suprise and is cool.

A rare nap before going out.

Chat with Mom, helping her send out Christmas pictures.

Late morning 4+ Miles, and yummy everything bagel to start the day.

It's a Snow Day!

 

Here's my cute little snow covered house. The scenery changed dramatically between 7:30 and 9:00 this morning - at 7:30, there was nothing, by the time I was finished showering and dressing at 8:45, this was the scene - and the office is closed! They're calling for up to 8 inches in Cville today. RC said, "This might turn out to be a 5 day long weekend!" Ah, there's always hope, isn't there?

Assessment of the pantry and fridge: pasta, marinara sauce, rice, tuna, lentils and other beans of various sorts, potato, rice crackers, Ritz, 3 bananas, plenty of coffee and cream, yoghert, OJ, 1/2 a loaf of bread, peanut butter, fig spread, brie, chocolate chip cookie mix, frozen waffles, Momma's pound cake...ah...I'll be alright.

Also, the entire 4th season of Six Feet Under on DVD and an engaging book to finish.

Off to have another cup of Joe!

Wednesday

6 of 11 items from yesterday's to-do list done!

Feeling "highly encouraged"!

Christie and I beat the snow (maybe?) by running early this week - and today's run was butt-bumping good.

I hate American Idol (why do they have to be so mean to people?), but I'm captivated like I'm watching a train wreck.

Kallie and RC share a birthday today! Kallie turns 2, and RC, 60.

To do list

1. Fax request to helpful Felicia, who's helping me get my nearly-too-old GRE scores sent out.

2. Call UVA Finance office to have them release the ridiculous hold on my account, which shouldn't even be there because I'm not actually a current student anymore - grrr.

3. Request transcripts from UVA (also see item #2), GCSU and U of AZ.

4. Pick up final paper for last semester from Ruffner.

5. Make 2 copies each of brief and paper for packets.

6. Track 2 reference letters.

7. Write cover letter for Dept. packet.

8. Prepare packets for mailing no later than 1/25.

Brian's Birthday

Brian turns 30 and wakes up to find more wrinkles.

Conducting thorough search of 3 computers to find the most recent version of my resume and striking out each time. Then I remember - ding, ding, ding! - the memory stick! Home run!

Deciding to not take a class this semester means I have lots of time to read more Eggers and McCarthy.

Watching the guy who looks familiar enter Whole Foods at the same time I do - he makes his rounds, sampling everything, then leaves at the same time I do, me with a cart-full, and him empty-handed and full-bellied.

Proud of my punctual aunting and hoping that the package arrives in time.

Winter weekend

Gorgeous weather, filling my days with all that makes me happy, and noticing that perhaps I'm enjoying my routine a little too much.

Birthday for Christie.

Enjoying watching Pearl Harbor on my perfect-reception-for-rabbit-ear'ed ABC, but hating the cost of that enjoyment, which is being exposed to enough marketing for a lifetime during one movie's worth of commercials. Yuck.

Planning upcoming trips to see family. And wondering how I'd really like to spend my vacation this summer.

Really devouring this book and soaking up more information from Valentino's Foundation's web site and from NPR here and here.

Love and good wishes for Jeff and Naomi.

Thursday game night

Missing Supper Club to spare the friends from my germs.

Making good progress on _What is the What_.

Maybe... actually... finally... being "caught up" at work for the first time in four years? Impossible.

Gifted Apples-to-Apples to Birthday girl Christie, and it turns out to be a party hit.

Who's the cool sounding guy on Track 1 of "Are you going to Paul Curreri?"