Kerplump

Well, it is now official. I'm a resident of the district. You know - that place where people have license plates with "taxation without representation". But, if Eleanor Holmes has anything more to say about it, that could change within my lifetime. We shall see. I do miss Virginia -more than just the enfranchisement. Actually, I headed back to my old environs to hit the gym and drop some garbage (we haven't quite figured out which days to put out different types of refuse).

I realized I felt at home driving down Calvert. Although I love my newfound space, it is not yet home. I still feel like a visitor. I'm sure it has something to do with living in one place for 3 years and the familiarity and sense of home that naturally develops. I mean who in their 20s or 30s does that any more in the mid-Atlantic corridor. Okay I know a few people who are the exception, but for the most part, we are hoppers. We hop around.

As I was driving down the George Washington Parkway, relishing the view of Georgetown and the monuments, I also realized I have simply been through a tremendous amount of change the last half-year. Coming back from Prague, hopping from one assignment to the next, and now a new apartment. On top of that friendships have also changed a bit. Some friends are dating and others are getting married. And, then there are still others who are across the world or simply a challenge to get a hold of. C'est la vie - n'est pas?

Given the hour I should really get to bed. Tomorrow evening I'm catching a flight after work to Chicago to attend my brother's MA graduation from Notre Dame. Hmmm, South Bend. I wonder what treasures it beholds -- that is, besides the famed Notre Dame Fighting Irish and basillica.

But, before I sign off, here's a little remnant of our move. Jordana had a file cabinet that pretty much nobody wanted, including herself.

Oh, before I forget, my good news is that I found a wonderful new home for my trusted companion the black table! Two young gentlemen showed up on Sunday around 10pm to strap it on top of their sedan. Although I waited a while for them to get there, I knew in an instant they were the right pair for my table. I'm sure Mr. Sturdy Black Table has a fine new home.

Faithful Companion

Okay. I have my issues - we all do, right? So, I'm experiencing a bit of anxiety about my old kitchen/dining table that I'm giving away to some woman off of Craigslist that wants to use it for her Memorial Day celebration. You might find this table ugly, but there's more to it than its outside appearance. I mean - it is a solid table. It is sturdy. Most of all, it has weathered graduate school and 3 years of dinner parties and the like in our present apartment. It has been by my side for some time - ah, literally at times! Haha.

You know - I paid absolutely nothing for this little big guy. My old roommate Leah Ford (now Groveman) happened to snag it in our old building, The Statesman. Why is it so hard to say goodbye? Maybe it has something to do with the fact my mom said it was a keeper based on how solid it was -- "You can do so many things with this table, Christine. Hold on to it."

Alas, I think our time has come. With the help of my handy dandy friend Susanna that drives a mean church van (with blinking lights and back up lights to boot), I secured a $40 new, old drop -leaf table that sits 8-10 max from a young couple in Adams Morgan. When the leaves are down, it takes up so much less space and it is also sturdy. Despite all of this, my heart still pangs knowing that our little big guy will be holding refreshments on some patio on Memorial Day and its ultimate fate is unknown. For all I know she'll take it to a dumpster! Now, that would be sad.

Anyhow, I have worked and unworked Craigslist this last week, in search of a cheaply prized treasure trove. You might say I'm an addict. You know -- the quest for the ultimate bargain. Its seductive hook is a killer!

Sleep is in order. I'm growing more and more delirious. Before you know it I'll be writing an ode.

The Big Move

Wendy and Jordana share a hug in front of one of my favorite all-time birthday gifts: Leah's Cow

Chris modeling a filipino straw hat. Yes, we know how to have fun!

OKAY - I'm officially an idiot. Why? I'll tell you later, but for now, suffice it to say it is nearly midnight and I need to be up by 4:30am. Enough.

Anyhow, we had part 1 of the big move this past Saturday. I gotta tell you we have some of the very very very very best friends around. We got 10-12 people together and boy did they do a great job. No, we're not done yet, but we're on our way.

Favorite tidbit from last weekend: Jordana (my roommate) calls me on my cell while I'm directing traffic at the new place. Turns out the guys back in Virginia decided to take matters into their own hands and pack our couch for us. I didn't quite believe Jordana at first as we had told everyone no massive furniture just yet. I guess they we're bored and not feeling like their skills were being fully utilized. I can relate. Well, I'm mighty happy they did what they did. It has been nice to have the couch in the new place. Yes, unfortunately, I live a dual existence; hence, one of the reasons I must get up at 4:30.

Toodles. CXF

The New Adventures of Old Christine

So, this week has been eventful to say the least. For starters, it is 2:45 am. Yeah, typical for college and life in NYC, but not the older and (well, hopefully) wiser Christine. Hmmm, I guess you might say this week has been a new adventure of old Christine.

As you might recall, I am in the midst of packing and preparing for a move. For the first time I'm moving out of an apartment complex and into a town house. Not buying mind you, but taking on a 2-level row house, where the landlord lives 30 miles away. Normally he wont be around much, but he's been spending quite a few days at our place overseeing the painting and repairs needed. Let's see... where to begin. The afternoon we met our landlord we discovered the washer hookup didn't quite work and the stove gas burners would not light. In comparison to today's shocker those hassles were just that -a big frustration not having everything ready and just so. You know me, I'm a perfectionist and I want things done ASAP. I can't rest until I know things are in place. Hence, it is going on 3 am and I'm not fast asleep although I'm teetering on delirium. Back to my story.

Jordana and I came home from work to change quickly and pack some cleaning supplies. We then rushed out to Wendy's, blasting the radio, and proceeded on to Jordana's work building to pick up scissors (in my haste I forget them on the kitchen table) and more boxes. Well, we drove done 21st street, relived our grad school days passing through GWU campus, then near State (haven't been there in a while!), and on eventually to our new place. Just as we pulled in our dear Mr. Ware was pulling out, but he stopped because he wanted to show us what he'd accomplished that day. Thank you Lord for this crossing of our paths! After about 20 minutes and multiple tries between the three of us, no one (NO ONE) could open the door. The top lock was off. When it became evident that we did not possess the magic powers to make this door swing open, we obtained a DC phonebook from our friendly Romanian neighbors and found an emergency locksmith. Let me tell you... I was no happy camper, but Jordana in her wisdom knew she had to remain calm and in good spirits to balance me. Talk about a good roommate. She got us our locksmith to the rescue, George, who we think was Greek. George pulled up in a chevy malibu with what looked like GPS and was wearing a huge smile across his face, trying to convey the message: ladies, relax, George has arrived. I noticed this as he parked his car, and suddenly, I felt like this nightmare was coming to an end.

I'd like to tell you there is a happy ending. But, as of 11:15pm when Jordana and I decided to leave, George was still trying to put in a new lock. After a good amount of effort he managed to open the door and bust the old lock (which was really a new lock a different locksmith put in a week ago), but he had not yet managed by 11pm to get a new lock working. He still seemed calm, cool, very cool, and collected as we were leaving and so I just had to throw my hands up and take a deep breath. And, I also allowed Jordana to drive home although I somehow felt like driving would be the perfect stress reliever. It was still a good ride home in the passenger seat. I mean, how many people joy ride around the country's national monuments on a Friday night.

So, it's now after 3 and our living room is completely filled with boxes. I'm actually sitting next to a couple myself. But my bed is free so I think that is where I'm heading. Please pray for a safe and sound beginning at our new place!

So I'm moving

It's been another one of those weeks, or couple of weeks. I mean to write, but then I don't. Just too much stuff going on. Big Band jazz concerts, DC jazz clubs, Mets-Nats baseball, work ... And, what's my excuse this time: I'm moving out of Virginia, away from the cozy North Arlington apartment that has been home for the past 3 years and into SW DC. Packing, moving, setting up a new place is not fun! In fact it's horrible! I detest it! Okay, I'm sure you get the point. I, hopefully we, will survive. This Saturday we move the smaller stuff and the following Saturday a reasonably-priced mover is taking care of the big stuff. Oh how I wish my name were Dorothy and I lived in the land of Oz and owned a pair of red ruby slippers. I guess a white witch is also part of the recipe. Not that I'd want to have my house picked up in a tornado, but I would certainly love to click my ruby slippers together, fall asleeep, and wake up the next morning and have everything taken care of. Unfortunately, life isn't like the movies although if you play the radio while you drive or groove to your tunes at home, at least you can create a soundtrack. That is a saving grace :)Yes, I will survive!