Romeo y Julieta
OK folks, it's time for The Epic PJ's Visit Post. The Cliff's Notes version: I feel revitalized, I've been traveling, and I am over-the-moon in love. My life was a puke-bag of cuteness (thanks Pen) for three weeks.
[Cliff's Notes with a picture]
Laura Eppinger enthusiasts may prefer
Saturday, Dec. 19 was spent cleaning, packing, and generally trying to stay sane. Went to farmer’s market and got a loaf of bread called, and I am serious, Saint Lucia’s Eyes. The bread was in two spirals, and I personally love this image:
By 7:20 a.m. on Sunday, Dec. 20 I couldn’t sleep anymore. I got to the Union at 9 and checked the status of Peej’s flight, as I’d been doing for the last 24 hours. He was delayed three hours, so I cozied up with a book. Two lovely Maxwell sisters appeared with bagels and coffee, and we chatted until it was time for me to board the Van Gelder bus.
On the way to O’Hare, a priest and four young students boarded the bus. Huh, never knew about an English-language immersion boarding school for Spanish-speaking middle schoolers. Southern Sconnie surprises! Anywho, a 13-year-old from Chile sat down next to me, and I chatted him up for an hour or two. I learned about his three months at the Catholic academy (Demerits for speaking English! Lots of new friends from Mexico!) Mostly I appreciated his observations of the U.S.-apparently leaves don’t change in the South American fall, though he does go skiing often in Chile. And in the weeks since, I’ve stolen his phrase: “This is a yiant airport.”
That conversation took the edge off, but I got jittery again when I was in Terminal 5, frantically checking the arrivals board. For one hour I stood at Gate B, waiting for PJ to walk through. He didn’t. I checked the board again-his flight from Manchester was due in at Gate B! Just when I was despairing that he’d gotten lost in Abu Dhabi, or the Brits had questioned his passport and thrown him in prison, I looked behind me. It was Peej!
He went through Gate A. BAH!
Got him on the El, and I’m sure he was thrilled about more public transit. Uhh, have I told you all to look into the “Give A Day, Get a Night” deal? If not, do it. We stayed on Michigan Ave. in Chicago, right across from Grant Park, for half off. Woot.
It was a decent night to be walking around, and I felt like I was in a dream. It had been 11 months since I’d last been with him.
We woke up early Monday, Dec. 21 and took a stroll around the neighborhood. Found a deli/diner to haunt, then packed up our gear and marched across the park. It was stressful, to say the least, to have all of our stuff on us for the day. We learned our lesson during the last Chicago layover: museums have bag/coat check. I don’t remember paying $2 per item at the Art Institute, but…
We decided to spend the day in the Field Museum, or for you Coasties, the Mid-Best version of the Museum of Natural History in NYC.
Every time I take PJ to an American museum, I end up apologizing. This time, the Field Museum’s Africa section only recognized that people live in the north and maybe central parts of the continent. Farther south, all the displays were on animals. SORRY PEEJ. (Sorry in advance for Avatar, while I’m at it.)
You know, I survived several cold smoke breaks that afternoon (our coats were checked!) but lugging our stuff back on the El and back to O’Hare made me grumpy. Oi. But we caught a free shuttle to our motel from the airport, and we could let our legs lie for a bit. Ordered pizza, which felt like it would never come…
Peej had a serious case of The Africa Time on Tuesday, Dec. 22. We held up our shuttle to the airport by at least 10 minutes. OOPS.
While we waited for our plane to Jerz, we talked about how intense sleep is for me. Dreams are emotional, and the sentiments last all day long. I move/talk a lot in sleep, as well.
Chi-Town sent us off with a few inches of snow, and quite a delay on the runway. AWW THANKS.
PJ’s heart had been palpitating all day in anticipation of meeting my parents. But the whole gang of cool kids came to Newark for us-Rachel drove, Timmy navigated, and George, Andrew and Brendan took up the back seat.
Entered NJ and went to a diner, while making fun of Jersey Shore. This became the theme of our trip.
And for the record, PJ survived meeting the rents. I guess the chocolate cake that Rachel+Timmy baked, and a huge game a Scategories, helped.
Wednesday, Dec. 23 Mama treated us to a day at the Zimmerli Art Museum on the Rutgers campus. Wandered through a contemporary art section, and became absorbed in an exhibit on nonconformist art in the USSR. Had to take a break in the children’s book art for a bit, because the Stalin/Lenin propaganda got heavy.
Mama also treated us to Evelyn’s, which was, as always, a delight. I try hard not to play the “What If…” game, because I love my life exactly as it is. But I suspect I would have been happy as a Rutgers student. That is all.
Rachel baked cookies, and shook/measured/looked at her presents.
We had a mellow Christmas Eve. I don’t think I left the house until 5:00 mass. The Kids, delinquents all, got there last minute and sat separately from the parents. (At least Mom was able to text us all “Peace!” The world we live in.) PJ stayed awake-three claps for PJ.
Visited with fam. Rach brought Timmy, and I brought Peej-I’m glad the boyfriends had each other. Had the joy of screening Santa… With Muscles starring Hulk Hogan. Cinematic genius!
When the kids left Peej and I stayed behind with the parents. Welcome to Big Peoplehood.
Home for PRESENTS. Exchanged Kris Kringle gifts, prezzies from grandparents, and those from the boyfriends. Tim got the parents pudding and pudding cups, and I wish you could understand how hilarious that is. Oh yeah, gifts from the parents (but not SANTA) were given out that night.
The Kids got Nerf guns. You’d better believe a war started then and there. I think I heard PJ tell Timmy to “die like a man” while George and I sipped green tea in the kitchen. The world we live in!
On Friday, Dec. 25 Rachel woke us all up for PRESENTS. Santa had come-yes, THE Santa.
At noon Bianowcizmas began, and you’d better believe there were scalloped potatoes. Changed into pajamas at 5 p.m., and it stayed that way for the next 16 hours. I did regain consciousness for knitting while playing Johnny Clegg & Juluka. Also, Mom un-raveled and re-raveled a skein for me, which was sweet. We watched the new Star Trek movie on Blu-Ray, in surround sound, and it was almost a religious experience for this group of NERDS.
On Saturday, Dec. 26 there was some serious Drew-Peej-Lola bonding. Gleefully used up my Barnes & Noble gift card, then went to see Avatarin IMAX 3D. Ugh. The movie was explained to me like this: “It’s about blue alien cat-people.” So imagine my surprise when I witnessed three hours of sloppy, heavy-handed metaphors for colonialism, imperialism, and indigenous life in this world!
Dear James Cameron, you have a long-overdue date with NUANCE. I know you’re going steady with CGI and all, but fo’serious. Give DEPTH a call. Thanks. (P.S. I may or may not have snuck my brother into your movie. TAKE THAT, SUCKAAA.)
I actually drove an actual car to Red Bank on Sunday, Dec. 27. Actually!
Took PJ to Jay and Silent Bob’s Secret Stash, which is the closest thing I think I’ve ever made to a pilgrimage. Melanie met up with us and we had café hangs, hangs at the water, and hangs inside a head shop. (Urine Luck was our favorite product at that last joint.)
Back in Central Jerz, Peej and I got Chipotle and Starbucks (or, at least, we entered the builings) with Marissa, Caitlin and Steve. I’m sure those fine businesses appreciated our conversations about abortion, birth control and donkey punching. Mmm.
Wow, that Sunday really WAS friend fest, because that evening Megs came over and brought her friend Robby. All the kids in the house played Balderdash and Man Bites Dog. WOOF.
Finally saw Taking Woodstock, which grows on me the more I look back on it.
PJ went to New York City for the first time on Monday, Dec. 28. Our goal was to be out of the house at noon. We started heading to the Amboy train station at 2 p.m. WHOOPS! (Also, Africa Time works well for my bros.)
Guggen. Heim. I loved that Frank Lloyd Wright corkscrew of a building, but then again, the walk across Central Park didn’t seem bad to me (apparently Drew, George and Peej were dying from cold). Last hour of the museum, then got some food at a diner on Madison Ave with slow, and very Russian, service.
Got home by 9, and we all passed out, overwhelmed by the dense mass of people, the tall buildings, and the hours on the subway/train.
Tuesday, Dec. 29 was mostly reading, napping and smoking. UNTIL half-price sushi at U-Yee in Woodbridge with Cait and Abby. But after two glasses of cab, two veggie rolls, and a cigarette I was ready for bed once again.
Wednesday, Dec. 30 was a sleepy day. When Peej actually did wake up, he started planning a debaucherous evening. Organized a Sci-Fi movie fest, with some greasy greasy pizza. The party moved downstairs, into the man cave, and there I stayed the night…
Thursday was New Year’s Eve. Slept in, ate Wawa, then Rachel and Timmy got us to Metropark for a trip to Washington, D.C.
We were in D.C. by 7:30 p.m., where a gushy reunion with Sam and Nick went down in Union Station. Popped into a liquor store for Stella, then onto a very cool party. The night was all about drinking, dancing, chatting up strangers, smoking on the balcony, and snacking on delicious cheese and hummus. There were transplants from all over the world in that room, and were in D.C. to work for senators, nonprofits, banks, you name it. I had someone to kiss at midnight, and Sarah to kiss at basically any time that night :P
Went to a bar while it was closing, and spent time at a packed/humid dance floor. Stay classy, 2k10.
Crashed at a friend’s place. Coffee and bagels (got Peej hooked!) and then back to Union Station. It was a whirlwind, but it was exactly where I wanted to ring a new decade in.
Mom picked us up in Iselin and took us to Wegman’s for lunch. Huzzah for egg rolls, sushi and lentil soup. Also picked up ingredients for dinner than night, and Peej and I agreed to help cook.
After some deep naps, Mama prepped steak, shrimp and potatoes. Peej chopped up a spinach-red pepper-sesame-mozza salad, and made a dressing from scratch. My mission was artichoke bruschetta, and I sautéed some mushrooms accordingly.
The New Years Day meal was all kids-including Timmy, Brendan and Peej, of course. Even busted out some table wine. Swanky.
That night we marveled at Bowie’s codpiece in Labyrinth and watched the Riff Tracks for The Phantom Menace. As Timmy so eloquently put it: "The Bog of Internal Stench became the Bog of External Stench." Or, in other words, "I'm Farticus!"
Saturday, Jan. 2 the rents treated to breakfast at another diner, and then Peej and I were on our way back to the Midwest. Flight was painless, even early. Caught an earlier Van Gelder to Mad-Town, and got my keys back from Sarah’s dad.
Sam, Nick, Col and Lizzie snuck into my apartment while I was in NJ and left gifties for Peej and me: wine, beer, cookies, pasta, chocolates, pesto. It was fab! Also, two Team Cake secret santa packages arrived, containing Nutella and hazelnut coffee. So far, 2010 = YUM.
It was zero degrees that weekend, and since we had some food in the apt, we were able to cocoon.
I had no work due to a furlough day on Monday, Jan. 4. GEEK OUT! Between the public lib discard sale and Bookworks used bookshop, PJ and I got eight books for $20. We spent a long time browsing the Sci-Fi/Fantasy stacks at the library, but at the end of the day, a certain someone likes to own books. Hmm.
To Sunroom Café for lunch, and then roosted for two hours afterward. Nursed the free coffee refills, read our new finds. It was a cute, bright day.
Room of One’s own for “book club.” No one showed up, and I hadn’t finished the book. Betsy arrived 15 minutes before the store closed, so we had a brief discussion, picked the next read, and promptly headed for The Old Fashioned. Two pitchers of Spotted Cow and a basket of curds later, I was feeling quite good. Best book club ever!
I worked a half day, only the afternoon, on Tuesday, Jan. 5. It was a huge shock to my system. Time spent with PJ, even that morning, felt like a dream. Work had piled up during my time away, and I felt overwhelmed…
But 4:30 came soon enough, and I had a date with PJ at The Great Dane. Beer, food, and pool, baby! Pool, like Sci-Fi, is something I suspect I like but I’d rather die than admit.
Bothered Pen so I could place my Kringle order (Mad Kings fund-raiser).
Then Peej and I, er, went to the psychedelic club. I hated it, but Peej got into it.
Wednesday, Jan. 6 I worked in the morning. Peej dropped me off at work, met some coworkers, and spent the morning wandering State Street. My understanding is coffee and used book stores were involved…
We caught a bus to Monroe Street after work, and got our nerdy on. (Oh, first we went to Browzers Books and I got ANOTHER book to add to my stack. I swear I have 30 books in my apt to read…)
Found a proper comic shop. I spent a lot of time in graphic novels, and I couldn’t believe how strongly some things were appealing to me. I really, really dig femmy folks who write illustrated memoirs. Like, really.
Hit up an indie/hipster record shop, and popped into the little one-room public lib branch. Found the last disc of True Blood, which I got Peej hooked on. I also checked out two graphic novels… for myself.
Trader Joe’s. Between food stamps and a $15 gift card, we could get anything in the store! Let’s just say those two bottles of wine didn’t last too long…
We got tipsy while watching True Blood. At 6 p.m. Don’t judge!
Reality hit PJ on Thursday, Jan. 7. He opened and closed College Library, then worked offline at my apartment, then moved to a café with the Webz. That kid put in like 12 hours o’labor! I worked a half day, then bugged him at the lib while I read my new comix.
To celebrate the end of Peej’s work day, Kerida was in town!! Got some beerz and greasy pizza, then snuggled at The Mansion. More O’Reillys arrived, and we offended everyone. Ever. Love that family!
On Friday, Jan. 8 I worked my last half day. PJ joked that when we’re together we live like Parisian artists-our lives are about wine, cigarettes, Nutella, and being in love. Well, that night turned into sake + apple cider (TRY IT), a KIMONO, and seasons of Brit comedies. Still love The IT Crowd. Perplexed by The Mighty Boosh.
We struggled to find the farmers market on Saturday, Jan. 9--it had moved from the Terrace to the Senior Center while I was out of town! But when we did find it, we picked up pears, mushrooms and cheese. Got brunchy at the Sunroom Café, our unofficial HQ. Snuck Peej into a lib on campus-SHH!-to print out our bus tix. Peej Skyped home at the Union Terrace, which is where I always go to Skype him. It felt impossible in that moment that soon he would be far away. I banished the thought from my mind. I just soaked in the pretty blue light reflecting off the lake…
More Brit nonsense, and also, Away We Go. Dug it, and the irony of Maggie Gyllenhaal’s evil-hippie-feminist-prof character in Madison was not lost on Peej.
Sunday, Jan. 10 began like any other day for me and Peej. We made some epic omelets with shrooms, peppers and cheese. Returned books and DVDs, swept the used bookstores for a new favorite author. Got delicious drinks from Espresso Royale. Smoked schoolboy style.
And then, and then… We were on the way to O’Hare. And we finished a pack of American Spirits. And Peej checked his bag, and we wolfed down bagels. And then PJ was walking though security, and I wasn't allowed back there without a ticket. At a snail’s pace, he left my sight. And then I was on the bus back to Mad-Town, alone. He wasn’t there when I got back to my apartment, like the days he napped while I went to work.
And here I am.
[Cliff's Notes with a picture]
Laura Eppinger enthusiasts may prefer
Saturday, Dec. 19 was spent cleaning, packing, and generally trying to stay sane. Went to farmer’s market and got a loaf of bread called, and I am serious, Saint Lucia’s Eyes. The bread was in two spirals, and I personally love this image:
By 7:20 a.m. on Sunday, Dec. 20 I couldn’t sleep anymore. I got to the Union at 9 and checked the status of Peej’s flight, as I’d been doing for the last 24 hours. He was delayed three hours, so I cozied up with a book. Two lovely Maxwell sisters appeared with bagels and coffee, and we chatted until it was time for me to board the Van Gelder bus.
On the way to O’Hare, a priest and four young students boarded the bus. Huh, never knew about an English-language immersion boarding school for Spanish-speaking middle schoolers. Southern Sconnie surprises! Anywho, a 13-year-old from Chile sat down next to me, and I chatted him up for an hour or two. I learned about his three months at the Catholic academy (Demerits for speaking English! Lots of new friends from Mexico!) Mostly I appreciated his observations of the U.S.-apparently leaves don’t change in the South American fall, though he does go skiing often in Chile. And in the weeks since, I’ve stolen his phrase: “This is a yiant airport.”
That conversation took the edge off, but I got jittery again when I was in Terminal 5, frantically checking the arrivals board. For one hour I stood at Gate B, waiting for PJ to walk through. He didn’t. I checked the board again-his flight from Manchester was due in at Gate B! Just when I was despairing that he’d gotten lost in Abu Dhabi, or the Brits had questioned his passport and thrown him in prison, I looked behind me. It was Peej!
He went through Gate A. BAH!
Got him on the El, and I’m sure he was thrilled about more public transit. Uhh, have I told you all to look into the “Give A Day, Get a Night” deal? If not, do it. We stayed on Michigan Ave. in Chicago, right across from Grant Park, for half off. Woot.
It was a decent night to be walking around, and I felt like I was in a dream. It had been 11 months since I’d last been with him.
We woke up early Monday, Dec. 21 and took a stroll around the neighborhood. Found a deli/diner to haunt, then packed up our gear and marched across the park. It was stressful, to say the least, to have all of our stuff on us for the day. We learned our lesson during the last Chicago layover: museums have bag/coat check. I don’t remember paying $2 per item at the Art Institute, but…
We decided to spend the day in the Field Museum, or for you Coasties, the Mid-Best version of the Museum of Natural History in NYC.
Every time I take PJ to an American museum, I end up apologizing. This time, the Field Museum’s Africa section only recognized that people live in the north and maybe central parts of the continent. Farther south, all the displays were on animals. SORRY PEEJ. (Sorry in advance for Avatar, while I’m at it.)
You know, I survived several cold smoke breaks that afternoon (our coats were checked!) but lugging our stuff back on the El and back to O’Hare made me grumpy. Oi. But we caught a free shuttle to our motel from the airport, and we could let our legs lie for a bit. Ordered pizza, which felt like it would never come…
Peej had a serious case of The Africa Time on Tuesday, Dec. 22. We held up our shuttle to the airport by at least 10 minutes. OOPS.
While we waited for our plane to Jerz, we talked about how intense sleep is for me. Dreams are emotional, and the sentiments last all day long. I move/talk a lot in sleep, as well.
Chi-Town sent us off with a few inches of snow, and quite a delay on the runway. AWW THANKS.
PJ’s heart had been palpitating all day in anticipation of meeting my parents. But the whole gang of cool kids came to Newark for us-Rachel drove, Timmy navigated, and George, Andrew and Brendan took up the back seat.
Entered NJ and went to a diner, while making fun of Jersey Shore. This became the theme of our trip.
And for the record, PJ survived meeting the rents. I guess the chocolate cake that Rachel+Timmy baked, and a huge game a Scategories, helped.
Wednesday, Dec. 23 Mama treated us to a day at the Zimmerli Art Museum on the Rutgers campus. Wandered through a contemporary art section, and became absorbed in an exhibit on nonconformist art in the USSR. Had to take a break in the children’s book art for a bit, because the Stalin/Lenin propaganda got heavy.
Mama also treated us to Evelyn’s, which was, as always, a delight. I try hard not to play the “What If…” game, because I love my life exactly as it is. But I suspect I would have been happy as a Rutgers student. That is all.
Rachel baked cookies, and shook/measured/looked at her presents.
We had a mellow Christmas Eve. I don’t think I left the house until 5:00 mass. The Kids, delinquents all, got there last minute and sat separately from the parents. (At least Mom was able to text us all “Peace!” The world we live in.) PJ stayed awake-three claps for PJ.
Visited with fam. Rach brought Timmy, and I brought Peej-I’m glad the boyfriends had each other. Had the joy of screening Santa… With Muscles starring Hulk Hogan. Cinematic genius!
When the kids left Peej and I stayed behind with the parents. Welcome to Big Peoplehood.
Home for PRESENTS. Exchanged Kris Kringle gifts, prezzies from grandparents, and those from the boyfriends. Tim got the parents pudding and pudding cups, and I wish you could understand how hilarious that is. Oh yeah, gifts from the parents (but not SANTA) were given out that night.
The Kids got Nerf guns. You’d better believe a war started then and there. I think I heard PJ tell Timmy to “die like a man” while George and I sipped green tea in the kitchen. The world we live in!
On Friday, Dec. 25 Rachel woke us all up for PRESENTS. Santa had come-yes, THE Santa.
At noon Bianowcizmas began, and you’d better believe there were scalloped potatoes. Changed into pajamas at 5 p.m., and it stayed that way for the next 16 hours. I did regain consciousness for knitting while playing Johnny Clegg & Juluka. Also, Mom un-raveled and re-raveled a skein for me, which was sweet. We watched the new Star Trek movie on Blu-Ray, in surround sound, and it was almost a religious experience for this group of NERDS.
On Saturday, Dec. 26 there was some serious Drew-Peej-Lola bonding. Gleefully used up my Barnes & Noble gift card, then went to see Avatarin IMAX 3D. Ugh. The movie was explained to me like this: “It’s about blue alien cat-people.” So imagine my surprise when I witnessed three hours of sloppy, heavy-handed metaphors for colonialism, imperialism, and indigenous life in this world!
Dear James Cameron, you have a long-overdue date with NUANCE. I know you’re going steady with CGI and all, but fo’serious. Give DEPTH a call. Thanks. (P.S. I may or may not have snuck my brother into your movie. TAKE THAT, SUCKAAA.)
I actually drove an actual car to Red Bank on Sunday, Dec. 27. Actually!
Took PJ to Jay and Silent Bob’s Secret Stash, which is the closest thing I think I’ve ever made to a pilgrimage. Melanie met up with us and we had café hangs, hangs at the water, and hangs inside a head shop. (Urine Luck was our favorite product at that last joint.)
Back in Central Jerz, Peej and I got Chipotle and Starbucks (or, at least, we entered the builings) with Marissa, Caitlin and Steve. I’m sure those fine businesses appreciated our conversations about abortion, birth control and donkey punching. Mmm.
Wow, that Sunday really WAS friend fest, because that evening Megs came over and brought her friend Robby. All the kids in the house played Balderdash and Man Bites Dog. WOOF.
Finally saw Taking Woodstock, which grows on me the more I look back on it.
PJ went to New York City for the first time on Monday, Dec. 28. Our goal was to be out of the house at noon. We started heading to the Amboy train station at 2 p.m. WHOOPS! (Also, Africa Time works well for my bros.)
Guggen. Heim. I loved that Frank Lloyd Wright corkscrew of a building, but then again, the walk across Central Park didn’t seem bad to me (apparently Drew, George and Peej were dying from cold). Last hour of the museum, then got some food at a diner on Madison Ave with slow, and very Russian, service.
Got home by 9, and we all passed out, overwhelmed by the dense mass of people, the tall buildings, and the hours on the subway/train.
Tuesday, Dec. 29 was mostly reading, napping and smoking. UNTIL half-price sushi at U-Yee in Woodbridge with Cait and Abby. But after two glasses of cab, two veggie rolls, and a cigarette I was ready for bed once again.
Wednesday, Dec. 30 was a sleepy day. When Peej actually did wake up, he started planning a debaucherous evening. Organized a Sci-Fi movie fest, with some greasy greasy pizza. The party moved downstairs, into the man cave, and there I stayed the night…
Thursday was New Year’s Eve. Slept in, ate Wawa, then Rachel and Timmy got us to Metropark for a trip to Washington, D.C.
We were in D.C. by 7:30 p.m., where a gushy reunion with Sam and Nick went down in Union Station. Popped into a liquor store for Stella, then onto a very cool party. The night was all about drinking, dancing, chatting up strangers, smoking on the balcony, and snacking on delicious cheese and hummus. There were transplants from all over the world in that room, and were in D.C. to work for senators, nonprofits, banks, you name it. I had someone to kiss at midnight, and Sarah to kiss at basically any time that night :P
Went to a bar while it was closing, and spent time at a packed/humid dance floor. Stay classy, 2k10.
Crashed at a friend’s place. Coffee and bagels (got Peej hooked!) and then back to Union Station. It was a whirlwind, but it was exactly where I wanted to ring a new decade in.
Mom picked us up in Iselin and took us to Wegman’s for lunch. Huzzah for egg rolls, sushi and lentil soup. Also picked up ingredients for dinner than night, and Peej and I agreed to help cook.
After some deep naps, Mama prepped steak, shrimp and potatoes. Peej chopped up a spinach-red pepper-sesame-mozza salad, and made a dressing from scratch. My mission was artichoke bruschetta, and I sautéed some mushrooms accordingly.
The New Years Day meal was all kids-including Timmy, Brendan and Peej, of course. Even busted out some table wine. Swanky.
That night we marveled at Bowie’s codpiece in Labyrinth and watched the Riff Tracks for The Phantom Menace. As Timmy so eloquently put it: "The Bog of Internal Stench became the Bog of External Stench." Or, in other words, "I'm Farticus!"
Saturday, Jan. 2 the rents treated to breakfast at another diner, and then Peej and I were on our way back to the Midwest. Flight was painless, even early. Caught an earlier Van Gelder to Mad-Town, and got my keys back from Sarah’s dad.
Sam, Nick, Col and Lizzie snuck into my apartment while I was in NJ and left gifties for Peej and me: wine, beer, cookies, pasta, chocolates, pesto. It was fab! Also, two Team Cake secret santa packages arrived, containing Nutella and hazelnut coffee. So far, 2010 = YUM.
It was zero degrees that weekend, and since we had some food in the apt, we were able to cocoon.
I had no work due to a furlough day on Monday, Jan. 4. GEEK OUT! Between the public lib discard sale and Bookworks used bookshop, PJ and I got eight books for $20. We spent a long time browsing the Sci-Fi/Fantasy stacks at the library, but at the end of the day, a certain someone likes to own books. Hmm.
To Sunroom Café for lunch, and then roosted for two hours afterward. Nursed the free coffee refills, read our new finds. It was a cute, bright day.
Room of One’s own for “book club.” No one showed up, and I hadn’t finished the book. Betsy arrived 15 minutes before the store closed, so we had a brief discussion, picked the next read, and promptly headed for The Old Fashioned. Two pitchers of Spotted Cow and a basket of curds later, I was feeling quite good. Best book club ever!
I worked a half day, only the afternoon, on Tuesday, Jan. 5. It was a huge shock to my system. Time spent with PJ, even that morning, felt like a dream. Work had piled up during my time away, and I felt overwhelmed…
But 4:30 came soon enough, and I had a date with PJ at The Great Dane. Beer, food, and pool, baby! Pool, like Sci-Fi, is something I suspect I like but I’d rather die than admit.
Bothered Pen so I could place my Kringle order (Mad Kings fund-raiser).
Then Peej and I, er, went to the psychedelic club. I hated it, but Peej got into it.
Wednesday, Jan. 6 I worked in the morning. Peej dropped me off at work, met some coworkers, and spent the morning wandering State Street. My understanding is coffee and used book stores were involved…
We caught a bus to Monroe Street after work, and got our nerdy on. (Oh, first we went to Browzers Books and I got ANOTHER book to add to my stack. I swear I have 30 books in my apt to read…)
Found a proper comic shop. I spent a lot of time in graphic novels, and I couldn’t believe how strongly some things were appealing to me. I really, really dig femmy folks who write illustrated memoirs. Like, really.
Hit up an indie/hipster record shop, and popped into the little one-room public lib branch. Found the last disc of True Blood, which I got Peej hooked on. I also checked out two graphic novels… for myself.
Trader Joe’s. Between food stamps and a $15 gift card, we could get anything in the store! Let’s just say those two bottles of wine didn’t last too long…
We got tipsy while watching True Blood. At 6 p.m. Don’t judge!
Reality hit PJ on Thursday, Jan. 7. He opened and closed College Library, then worked offline at my apartment, then moved to a café with the Webz. That kid put in like 12 hours o’labor! I worked a half day, then bugged him at the lib while I read my new comix.
To celebrate the end of Peej’s work day, Kerida was in town!! Got some beerz and greasy pizza, then snuggled at The Mansion. More O’Reillys arrived, and we offended everyone. Ever. Love that family!
On Friday, Jan. 8 I worked my last half day. PJ joked that when we’re together we live like Parisian artists-our lives are about wine, cigarettes, Nutella, and being in love. Well, that night turned into sake + apple cider (TRY IT), a KIMONO, and seasons of Brit comedies. Still love The IT Crowd. Perplexed by The Mighty Boosh.
We struggled to find the farmers market on Saturday, Jan. 9--it had moved from the Terrace to the Senior Center while I was out of town! But when we did find it, we picked up pears, mushrooms and cheese. Got brunchy at the Sunroom Café, our unofficial HQ. Snuck Peej into a lib on campus-SHH!-to print out our bus tix. Peej Skyped home at the Union Terrace, which is where I always go to Skype him. It felt impossible in that moment that soon he would be far away. I banished the thought from my mind. I just soaked in the pretty blue light reflecting off the lake…
More Brit nonsense, and also, Away We Go. Dug it, and the irony of Maggie Gyllenhaal’s evil-hippie-feminist-prof character in Madison was not lost on Peej.
Sunday, Jan. 10 began like any other day for me and Peej. We made some epic omelets with shrooms, peppers and cheese. Returned books and DVDs, swept the used bookstores for a new favorite author. Got delicious drinks from Espresso Royale. Smoked schoolboy style.
And then, and then… We were on the way to O’Hare. And we finished a pack of American Spirits. And Peej checked his bag, and we wolfed down bagels. And then PJ was walking though security, and I wasn't allowed back there without a ticket. At a snail’s pace, he left my sight. And then I was on the bus back to Mad-Town, alone. He wasn’t there when I got back to my apartment, like the days he napped while I went to work.
And here I am.