(no subject)
I appreciate Marcy Playground's song The Shadow of Seattle a lot more these days. Perhaps because I actually live here now.
Moved into my apartment last Thursday! The ride I was counting on to move my stuff (though nothing had been finalized, because I'm brilliant at planning in advance) was ill so there was no car to cram full of my stuff and drive the couple blocks with. That meant that myself, two friends and my sister got to carry my luggage and cardboard boxes through the rain in the dark to my new place. I'm just glad they were all game to help, otherwise it would have taken forever.
I have absolutely no furnishings in my room aside from the (blissfully comfortable) bed Jenny left me, but I almost prefer it this way. The only thing I really need is a couple of drawers to put my randomosities in, and a little night stand/bookshelf combination so I can put a plant on there. I desperately need growing things, particularly after being in the dorms for 6 months or so.
Also on the topic of housing, I have a house lined up for the summer! It's so exciting - I'll be rooming with 8 other people and the rent is definitely on the high end of my price range, but it will be beyond worth it. Just a couple blocks from campus and it's the cutest house ever with a commune and a family for neighbors. (I'm thinking vegan dinner party&cupcake delivery.) The white paint with greed shutters is a bit typical but it's the only thing I don't like about it; there's a little room for an herb garden, the kitchen is gorgeous complete with crystal cabinets and breakfast nook. The bathrooms are clean and mold-free, there's a double-tiered balcony, a fireplace and hardwood floors for blues parties. (Oh yes.) The best part? The room I'll be staying in is off the main house, a little one-room cottage/studio type deal with a loft. There's a koi pond right next to it! With a small patio on which I can paint when the weather is nice. Lauren called it the love shack. Heheh... this is where I grin devilishly. We go to sign the lease on Monday.
Now to recount the past few days of my life, because they are indeed worthy of recounting:
Wednesday evening my father called to notify me that my sister would be arriving in SeaTac airport at 7 on Thursday. That following evening I took the bus there and I was reunited with my dear sibling.
The first people she got to meet were Stephen and Markus, the two friends of mine who helped me move soon after she arrived. While this meant I didn't get to go dancing, there was much banter and rough-housing amongst us once we'd finished dumping all of my belongings in my room (and closing the door for me to deal with later). Stephen refused to leave until I went to bed and I refused to go to bed until he left... and so we were at a stalemate ( whichincluded tackling, tickling and wedgie-ing) until he finally felt he'd won (he managed to drag me onto my bed) and I booted him and the ever-entertaining Markus out my door. Emily (my sister) got a kick out of them.
Unfortunately since her visit was at such short notice I had to work all day Friday, leaving her locked up in my apartment with nothing to do but sleep, read and watch my scant collection of DVDs. But Friday night we wemt to Blues Underground... and she was a hit, as I knew she would be. I had to beat them off with sticks. That's barely a metaphor. And good Lord, what fun I had. We managed to get back home sometime in between 1 and 2 and I passed out from exhaustion until after 12 Saturday. (seeing as I'd had a grand total of 3 hours of sleep in the past 2 days). The rest of the day was effectively wasted by my incapability to get us to the Cheesecake Factory, but it all worked out in the end because we ran into Nathan and Micki, who were on their way to get a ride from Rob to Jenny and Chris' wedding. (Jenny, for those that don't know, is the friend whose place I am taking at the apartment; she moved out because she is living with her new husband, then-fiancee, Chris.)
The wedding reception was simple, beautiful. Jenny looked vibrant and lovely, the food was good, there was dancing and many friends. Near the end there was the tossing of the bouquet and garter, a blowing of bubbles as they exited the building and a mass exodus to the parking lot, where their getaway car had been effectively trapped and graffitied, complete with balloons in the seats and condoms hanging from the rearview mirror. It was a beautiful thing, and I'm so happy I got to take part in it. I adore weddings.
That night there were a couple of different party options, but Brian had earlier invited Emily and I to dinner and a small blues party and it ended up being a very, very good choice. We were thoroughly spoiled and we thoroughly enjoyed it. It was almost ridiculous in its indulgence. Dinner was delicious and the blues party, though a little bit of an odd fit at first since we didn't know anyone but Brian, ended up being fun. Once again, we ended up going to sleep only around 3 AM, but we still got up at a decent hour on Easter.
Which is when Paul picked us up and we went swimming before going downtown for lunch. In the very beginning of my stay in Seattle I found a delicious little shop that sells piroshkies in Pike's Place, and since then I've made it my mission in life to bring everyone possible to eat that heartwarming, stomach-filling food. We wandered around the stores for a little while before I tried to take us to the chocolate shop that was next in my plan, but it was closed! A chocolate shop, closed for Easter. Atrocious. Instead we went and got (admittedly worthwhile) milkshakes and smoothies, and from there headed back to the UDistrict.
Nothing very festive happened... but when Andy arrived to bring Emily to the airport and me to work, he gave us both chocolate eggs filled with caramel. So in a way, he really made our Easter.
[A character listing, for those that are unfamiliar with my Seattle associates:
Stephen(/Damien): A rougish jester of a young man, he is charismatic, perceptive, entertaining and frustrating in equal parts. He has near-infinite energy and intends to spend his life doing research and going on adventures. Somewhat stocky in build with longish brown hair and a devilish grin.
Markus: A young German fellow I met through Stephen with the ambition to become a nuclear physicist. Seeing as he is a highly intelligent, efficient and pragmatic individual, I have no doubt he will succeed. Tall and blonde with a stiff back and somewhat refined air about him - except for when he's being mischevious, which is often.
Jenny: A wonderful, responsible lady who recently graduated UW and now has a job at Google, the very first night I met her at the local ice cream hangout The Mix she offered me her spot in the apartment she shared with other Swing Kids girls. Dark blonde curly hair, a dancer's grace and body with a nerd's mind, totally awesome.
Brian: Brother of the esteemed Gentleman Johnny, a full-blooded Scottsman with a taste for violence, be it hand-to-hand, blades or guns. Also dances and enjoys wining and dining the ladies. Red hair, a smile that can be somewhat intimidating and can be a spiffy dresser.
Andy: Does not attend the UW and was originally just a dancing buddy until I got a job at UPS, where he works. Now he gives me rides to work every morning in return for some gas money. He seems like an utterly normal person... until you get to know him and realize how quirky he really is. Reliable to his friends, he has promised to thoroughly pulverize anyone who messes with me. Blone, blue eyes, athletic build and a very, very good lead.
Paul: One of the drivers at UPS, I load his truck. (Those of you with minds in the gutter may smirk.) Our relationship began with mutual taunting (and praise) and graduated to hanging out outside of work. A pretty cool guy, glasses with whispy brown hair and enough strength to toss irregs around like they're smalls.]
I've been kicking ass at work lately, bringing in child-saving sponsors and getting my trucks done early. I attribute it to spring break, because I sleep more and so am more aware of what is going on, instead of constantly being one the brink of incoherent stupor. (So long as I was moving I was fine, but as soon as I was still - such as riding on a bus or standing in line - I would either doze off immediately or my entire thought process would become a pleasant buzzing.) Yesterday whilst dialouging I had a conversation with a captivating young man named Alex. He was visiting Seattle from Ukraine (his accent was gorgeous) and didn't have a bank account in the US, so he couldn't sponsor a child but then we ended up talking about everything from Seattle's weather to Ukrainian poverty to our two countries differing perspectives on having children. I very, very nearly gave him my number and told him to call me while he was in Seattle. There was a long lingering moment where we stood, not wanting to end the conversation but both having to go our seperate ways... and then we said goodbye. Afterwards, I kicked myself.
I also now have time to write the letters I was meant to have sent weeks ago and catch up on all the reading I've wanted to do. Markus leant me Black Sun Rising, which I am now almost done with, a Campus Girl Scouts friend leant me the first 8 books in the Godchild manga series and I have a book I took out from the library called No Longer Human by Dazai Osamu. This was inspired by reading his work The Setting Sun for a paper last quarter. It has definitely become one of my favorite literary works of all time, for a variety of reasons. Go read it, you know I have good taste.
This entry is long enough... and so, fare well.
Moved into my apartment last Thursday! The ride I was counting on to move my stuff (though nothing had been finalized, because I'm brilliant at planning in advance) was ill so there was no car to cram full of my stuff and drive the couple blocks with. That meant that myself, two friends and my sister got to carry my luggage and cardboard boxes through the rain in the dark to my new place. I'm just glad they were all game to help, otherwise it would have taken forever.
I have absolutely no furnishings in my room aside from the (blissfully comfortable) bed Jenny left me, but I almost prefer it this way. The only thing I really need is a couple of drawers to put my randomosities in, and a little night stand/bookshelf combination so I can put a plant on there. I desperately need growing things, particularly after being in the dorms for 6 months or so.
Also on the topic of housing, I have a house lined up for the summer! It's so exciting - I'll be rooming with 8 other people and the rent is definitely on the high end of my price range, but it will be beyond worth it. Just a couple blocks from campus and it's the cutest house ever with a commune and a family for neighbors. (I'm thinking vegan dinner party&cupcake delivery.) The white paint with greed shutters is a bit typical but it's the only thing I don't like about it; there's a little room for an herb garden, the kitchen is gorgeous complete with crystal cabinets and breakfast nook. The bathrooms are clean and mold-free, there's a double-tiered balcony, a fireplace and hardwood floors for blues parties. (Oh yes.) The best part? The room I'll be staying in is off the main house, a little one-room cottage/studio type deal with a loft. There's a koi pond right next to it! With a small patio on which I can paint when the weather is nice. Lauren called it the love shack. Heheh... this is where I grin devilishly. We go to sign the lease on Monday.
Now to recount the past few days of my life, because they are indeed worthy of recounting:
Wednesday evening my father called to notify me that my sister would be arriving in SeaTac airport at 7 on Thursday. That following evening I took the bus there and I was reunited with my dear sibling.
The first people she got to meet were Stephen and Markus, the two friends of mine who helped me move soon after she arrived. While this meant I didn't get to go dancing, there was much banter and rough-housing amongst us once we'd finished dumping all of my belongings in my room (and closing the door for me to deal with later). Stephen refused to leave until I went to bed and I refused to go to bed until he left... and so we were at a stalemate ( whichincluded tackling, tickling and wedgie-ing) until he finally felt he'd won (he managed to drag me onto my bed) and I booted him and the ever-entertaining Markus out my door. Emily (my sister) got a kick out of them.
Unfortunately since her visit was at such short notice I had to work all day Friday, leaving her locked up in my apartment with nothing to do but sleep, read and watch my scant collection of DVDs. But Friday night we wemt to Blues Underground... and she was a hit, as I knew she would be. I had to beat them off with sticks. That's barely a metaphor. And good Lord, what fun I had. We managed to get back home sometime in between 1 and 2 and I passed out from exhaustion until after 12 Saturday. (seeing as I'd had a grand total of 3 hours of sleep in the past 2 days). The rest of the day was effectively wasted by my incapability to get us to the Cheesecake Factory, but it all worked out in the end because we ran into Nathan and Micki, who were on their way to get a ride from Rob to Jenny and Chris' wedding. (Jenny, for those that don't know, is the friend whose place I am taking at the apartment; she moved out because she is living with her new husband, then-fiancee, Chris.)
The wedding reception was simple, beautiful. Jenny looked vibrant and lovely, the food was good, there was dancing and many friends. Near the end there was the tossing of the bouquet and garter, a blowing of bubbles as they exited the building and a mass exodus to the parking lot, where their getaway car had been effectively trapped and graffitied, complete with balloons in the seats and condoms hanging from the rearview mirror. It was a beautiful thing, and I'm so happy I got to take part in it. I adore weddings.
That night there were a couple of different party options, but Brian had earlier invited Emily and I to dinner and a small blues party and it ended up being a very, very good choice. We were thoroughly spoiled and we thoroughly enjoyed it. It was almost ridiculous in its indulgence. Dinner was delicious and the blues party, though a little bit of an odd fit at first since we didn't know anyone but Brian, ended up being fun. Once again, we ended up going to sleep only around 3 AM, but we still got up at a decent hour on Easter.
Which is when Paul picked us up and we went swimming before going downtown for lunch. In the very beginning of my stay in Seattle I found a delicious little shop that sells piroshkies in Pike's Place, and since then I've made it my mission in life to bring everyone possible to eat that heartwarming, stomach-filling food. We wandered around the stores for a little while before I tried to take us to the chocolate shop that was next in my plan, but it was closed! A chocolate shop, closed for Easter. Atrocious. Instead we went and got (admittedly worthwhile) milkshakes and smoothies, and from there headed back to the UDistrict.
Nothing very festive happened... but when Andy arrived to bring Emily to the airport and me to work, he gave us both chocolate eggs filled with caramel. So in a way, he really made our Easter.
[A character listing, for those that are unfamiliar with my Seattle associates:
Stephen(/Damien): A rougish jester of a young man, he is charismatic, perceptive, entertaining and frustrating in equal parts. He has near-infinite energy and intends to spend his life doing research and going on adventures. Somewhat stocky in build with longish brown hair and a devilish grin.
Markus: A young German fellow I met through Stephen with the ambition to become a nuclear physicist. Seeing as he is a highly intelligent, efficient and pragmatic individual, I have no doubt he will succeed. Tall and blonde with a stiff back and somewhat refined air about him - except for when he's being mischevious, which is often.
Jenny: A wonderful, responsible lady who recently graduated UW and now has a job at Google, the very first night I met her at the local ice cream hangout The Mix she offered me her spot in the apartment she shared with other Swing Kids girls. Dark blonde curly hair, a dancer's grace and body with a nerd's mind, totally awesome.
Brian: Brother of the esteemed Gentleman Johnny, a full-blooded Scottsman with a taste for violence, be it hand-to-hand, blades or guns. Also dances and enjoys wining and dining the ladies. Red hair, a smile that can be somewhat intimidating and can be a spiffy dresser.
Andy: Does not attend the UW and was originally just a dancing buddy until I got a job at UPS, where he works. Now he gives me rides to work every morning in return for some gas money. He seems like an utterly normal person... until you get to know him and realize how quirky he really is. Reliable to his friends, he has promised to thoroughly pulverize anyone who messes with me. Blone, blue eyes, athletic build and a very, very good lead.
Paul: One of the drivers at UPS, I load his truck. (Those of you with minds in the gutter may smirk.) Our relationship began with mutual taunting (and praise) and graduated to hanging out outside of work. A pretty cool guy, glasses with whispy brown hair and enough strength to toss irregs around like they're smalls.]
I've been kicking ass at work lately, bringing in child-saving sponsors and getting my trucks done early. I attribute it to spring break, because I sleep more and so am more aware of what is going on, instead of constantly being one the brink of incoherent stupor. (So long as I was moving I was fine, but as soon as I was still - such as riding on a bus or standing in line - I would either doze off immediately or my entire thought process would become a pleasant buzzing.) Yesterday whilst dialouging I had a conversation with a captivating young man named Alex. He was visiting Seattle from Ukraine (his accent was gorgeous) and didn't have a bank account in the US, so he couldn't sponsor a child but then we ended up talking about everything from Seattle's weather to Ukrainian poverty to our two countries differing perspectives on having children. I very, very nearly gave him my number and told him to call me while he was in Seattle. There was a long lingering moment where we stood, not wanting to end the conversation but both having to go our seperate ways... and then we said goodbye. Afterwards, I kicked myself.
I also now have time to write the letters I was meant to have sent weeks ago and catch up on all the reading I've wanted to do. Markus leant me Black Sun Rising, which I am now almost done with, a Campus Girl Scouts friend leant me the first 8 books in the Godchild manga series and I have a book I took out from the library called No Longer Human by Dazai Osamu. This was inspired by reading his work The Setting Sun for a paper last quarter. It has definitely become one of my favorite literary works of all time, for a variety of reasons. Go read it, you know I have good taste.
This entry is long enough... and so, fare well.