Note to self

Go ahead. Put on the rubber gloves. I know you are using natural bathroom cleaner and an old loofah sponge because you think it will help soften your hands. Your hands are soft enough. Put on the gloves. You'll thank me later.

All the little bits

Today we dedicated to cleaning up the bits of stuff that are now strewn all over nearly every square foot of our apartment. We will make a run of donations over to Hope on 7th today and tomorrow, and that should take care of it.

We found out that the movers are delivering our stuff tomorrow, before we actually leave, but after a series of heart-stopping mishaps, it seems that everything will work out fine and that The Sister-In-Law will be there for the delivery. Whew.

Johnny and I decided that while we will stock up on some healthy snacks before the drive out Wednesday morning, we will probably stop for fast food at some crappy place on the turnpike. I am looking at it like an experiment--i will let you know if i get sick.

Harrassment sucks: Festivals are fun

After a sad day at work, we went for sushi and then to Aimy's house for card games. I was so sleepy, and around midnight we headed home. We found a parking spot a few blocks away and when we turned the corner, we encounted Drunk Frat Guy and Friend about half a block behind us. He yelled "hey ladies" and we ignored him, which made him mad (apparently) so he started talking about my ass and calling Johnny names, including "lesbian", "dyke", "sir", and (my personal favorites) "second-class citizen" and "L-E-S-B-I-N-A". After a few full minutes of this, Johnny finally started yelling back. Then came the physical threats.

We got in the building and locked the door. When we were going up the stairs, we heard him yelling through the door.

What the effing eff? I have never been harassed so many times as i have since we lived here. It is one thing i will definitely not miss about Philadelphia.

One thing i will miss, however, are the neighborhood arts festivals. Johnny, Aimy, Jessity and I went to the West Oak Lane Arts and Jazz festival today. We saw some great artwork, Aimy was the test subject for some wonderfully scented body butter, and we ate yummy food and water ice. I will go to festivals in Ohio, but they surely won't have water ice.

Yesterday!

Yesterday was a great day full of firsts.
First first: When preparing for the the Packing Squad i actually picked up Toolie The Skittish Cat and carried her to the bathroom without getting scratched.
Second first: The Squad came at 9 and while they packed up, i read a magazine on the chaise. They were done at 1 and i was not fully prepared for how easy it was going to be for me to sit around and watch other people work.
Third first: Neighbors stop by to say hi.
Fourth first: After the Squad left, Johnny, me and Goddess Alicia went to the Famous 4th St. Deli (newly owned and maybe slightly less famous?) and i had BLINTZES. I am disappointed to admit that I have never eaten a blintz in my life, until the yesterday of firsts. Why isn't this food introduced in third grade, or maybe even college? 30 years without a blintz is far too long.
Fifth first: Had to reprimand my class about potential misuse of electronic resources.
Sixth first: Went to Eulogy and drank Belgian beer from the 8 million beer menu. I have wanted to do this since i became aware of this place, like 2 years ago.
Seventh first: Slept on the couch on purpose.

This morning the Loading Squad came while i was at my last day of work and took away the SIXTY-SEVEN boxes plus furniture that make up our belongings. All that is left might fit in my trunk. Plus the cats.

I almost forgot the photo of Johnny's new tattoo:

Movers schmoovers

Three weeks ago we made the appointments with the moving people. I was hoping they would be able to do the packing and the moving all in one day, but they scheduled it for two separate days, tomorrow and Friday. We planned accordingly, including a delivery of a bed from Johnny's work just in time for the move on Friday.

The movers just called and asked if we could do it all in one day. Arg. I told them no.
Despite this (very) minor annoyance, things are still coming along quite smoothly. Tonight we have dinner with J. Gordan and the 'rents, then a drink with Johnny's boss.

And the yard sale will probably be on Saturday.

and a photo, too!

Here's a photo from the fun-ness in Ft. Collins, Colorado.

Until today...

I didn't really know the difference between streusel and strudel until today.

Tonight is the big push for rearranging the Do-Not-Pack items into a corner. The cat crates/carriers are all spruced up and ready to roll. Puck the Cat is already playing in the larger one, his toys are in there, his little bed. It is pretty cute.

The Packing Squad arrives in 2 days, as in, the day after tomorrow. I have 2 days of work left.

Last night there was someone on the roof. Johnny was on the computer and the person was creepily saying "Hey Girly" to her through the skylight. It was truly freaky. We thought of calling the cops, but instead called the landlord who shared her myriad experiences with scary people in apartments. That woman has a way with words.

Yard sale back on

I just found out that we might be having a yard sale after all. Maybe this Saturday, after all of our stuff is gone. This way, we won't have the option of saying, "Oh, I guess we could use that for storing pencils" or some such thing.

Last night I made a big list of anything that we don't want the movers to take with them. I have it sitting on the countertop so I can add to it whenever I think of something. Last night also started our first big effort to go ahead and eat up whatever is in the freezer. Johnny made sloppy joes out of veggie crumble and we ate it open-faced style on multigrain bread. Amont the items remaining in the freezer are some chik patties, Grandma's homemade peanut butter fudge, soy ice cream and a loaf of bread. I could make a sandwich with that stuff.

The funnest

Last night had to be the funnest 30th birthday party i have ever attended. we went to a great sushi restaurant (with about 20 people) and then headed over to the show. It was fabulous, and we got to see some great bands including The Last (!) and the ever-amazing Hagfish. then there was this really great DJ, dressed in a Kill the DJ ripped t-shirt and a Hulk Hogan bandanna playing 80s until the bar closed and we all got kicked out. This morning, we woke up at a good and early 8:15 (which is actually 10 to my body).

Today some people are getting tattoos today and then we are going to another show, to see Drag the River. If you are looking for a vacation spot and you like music, you should consider coming here. I have so much fun every time.

After all this, do you know what the most exciting thing was? Johnny started drinking beer.

Slowly

Yesterday we succesfully gave away our first two items: a tall silver lamp and a small framed french-style alcohol picture. We have some more (not this exact one, obviously) but related-style ones if anyone is interested. The Great Belonging Giveaway will last until we leave IN LESS THAN TWO WEEKS.

Tonight i will run errands and do some cleanup before i pack for our trip to the great mountain state of Colorado. It is Johnny's cousin's 30th birthday and she has a whole itinerary of fun planned, including two shows, shopping, events with kids, tattoos and family-style photos at WalMart. All in three short days.

Where's my freakin' keys already?

I completely locked myself out again last night, just 3 short days after the first lock-out when i said (with confidence) "I have never locked myself out of this place." In case you are wondering, no, i didn't knock on wood. Because i was stuck in the hallway eating ice cream that i feared would melt, i didn't do any moving preparations at all. In fact, by the time Johnny got home (at 9:30) i was really grumpy and just went to bed.

So there is nothing new on that front.

I did see this crazy story on boingboing. You should read it. What a mess we're in here.

Utilities Be Gone

I just called to disconnect the phone and DSL. I am currently on hold with the dish people and they have a hard sell program in place, obviously. They have asked me about forty-two times whether I want to put my account on “hold for five dollars a month. No, ten dollars a month.” Um, no thanks.

We got invited to our first social engagement in Ohio yesterday. Our friends recently bought a house and they invited us to their housewarming party. Whee! My sister is also having a baby shower on July 10, so I guess that is actually two things to look forward to. Aside from not working for two weeks.

I went through some things we were going to sell at the (now defunct) yard sale and here are today’s offerings: a variety of handbags and shoulder bags -- a crazy candle lamp made of black metal and chain mail, inset with [glass] jewels! You want that.

And We're Back!

At Shasta's suggestion, i decided to go ahead and get the ol' blog going here, to let people know how The Big Move is going. Maybe we will even stay in touch after i leave.

I talked to the moving company today and they are going to actually need two days, one for packing and one for loading. I called the streets department and they are going to have the police put up signs so the truck will have a place to park.

Tonight, i have to work on materials for class (which starts on Monday, already!) and then hopefully sort out some things that we can try to sell or give away. I have a stainless steel breadbox that could use a good home...