Ow.

My back/shoulders hurt a little from sitting at my computer all day and night. I mentioned it yesterday to my supervisor and I am expecting an ergonomic consultant to come by my desk later today. And there are free bagels and donuts in the cafeteria on Fridays.

We signed up for the second half of a CSA season and tomorrow is our second pickup. Last week we were out of town, so we didn't get the full pick up experience, but we still got the food! (we are splitting the share with our friends). I expect some onions, kale, cabbage, sage, basil and some squash. The pickup happens at the neighborhood farmer's market, so we can get anything else we want while we are there. It is nice one-stop shopping.

We got our homeowners insurance yesterday. It's crazy that in one month we will be in our house!

Books and benefits

I finally got my public library card! I was in a rush, so I only got some music and a book on tape for our trip, which we completely didn't listen to. Next visit will be for books, although I currently have 2 books in line, one borrowed and one that was thoughtfully sent to me by an old coworker. I love getting mail.

There is a library of books and DVDs here. When the vendor sends things to be cataloged, we end up keeping them and they are on loan right from the department! There are lots of kids movies and romance novels, neither of which are things I frequently enjoy, but it is nice to know they are there. There is a corporate library in another building, but I haven't been there yet.

I also setup my access to the gym. I just have to wait for my ID to be activated before I can start going. There is a sauna and a steam room (I just found out the difference ) and a variety of shampoos and soaps to enjoy, in case you forget yours. Oh, and Johnny can also come for free.

The news said it is very hot in Philly. I'm sorry, in an empathetic way.

ihavebeeendyingtotellyouthis

For about 3 months we have been secretly planning a surprise camping trip for Erica's birthday with The Agent. We left Thursday morning and met them at the GCoPA later that afternoon. We got there before they did and set up, so when we saw them driving in, we hid behind the tent and ran out. Erica had no idea that it was happening and it really made for a great surprise--so much that she fell on the ground. Yay for Surprises!


The park was beautiful, had hiking and not too many bugs (but lots of cute little toads). Our campsite was surrounded by very tall pine trees which created an incredible circular skyscape.

It didn't have any showers or flushing toilets, so it was nice that they hugged us goodbye when we left earlier today.

Speaking of circles, on the way home, Johnny was talking with Goddess Alicia (hereafter known as The Goddess) and she asked me for long hair product information which I learned about by getting a wonderful Aveda-related birthday present from her two years ago, and this year, also from El Mr. Furniture! See? Full circle.

I also completely understood why Johnny has the 900 minute plan while I have the 400 minute plan.

Last, but definitely not least, Johnny got the job she wanted! She completely gets to make art for money. Jealous people can raise their hands.

Sun in my eyes

I got the window! Behind me, glaring against my computer screen, is the reflection of the sun across a pond with 2 fountains flowing freely from 8-6. I am guessing about the 6 part, I usually leave at 4.

The job is going pretty great, i have to say. I like it so far, lots of independence, unlimited Connexion time (without worry about charges), high performance expectations, a variety of materials, cataloging jokes, and all the music i can listen to in 8 hours. Woo-hoo. I am going to bring in some of my personal items to sit around my lil' workspace and maybe I'll post a photo if I can get it to look presentable.

Speaking of music, one of the (very few) good things about leaving my last job is that i got a going-away gift certificate. I have spent this almost exclusively on albums that were on our networked itunes, but I didn't own, so I couldn't listen to them. They have begun arriving and I sometimes feel like I am back there, except my work area isn't hot.

Awww. I miss you guys.

Displaced

I don't yet have my own workstation, so I have been sitting in someone else's while she is on maternity leave. She has such items as:
Pictures of teddy bears torn from a calendar
A heart-shaped wooden plaque (hanging by a pink ribbon) with the words "One caring heart warms many lives"
Silk flowers adorned with fake dew
A pink crocheted computer cozy, with matching doilies under the paper trays
Footprints!

So, you might get a sense of what I am up against here.

They are putting in the new cubes today (I think), so once the computers arrive, I will be able to move (and customize!)

Also, if anyone knows of interesting internet radio stations, news shows or whatever, can you tell me? I only have 2000 or so songs on my ipod, and I don't want to get tired of listening to them. Unfortunately, there is not networked itunes here to break things up.

New blog name: Exciting things happen every day

The exciting things that happened today are as follows:

1. Started first day of work at the giant library company in Dublin.

2. Met nice people and got taken to lunch.

3. Johnny received student loan check so we went for sushi.

4. Ate peach ice cream with friends and sat outside talking for 3 hours.

5. Grey cat caught mouse in kitchen.

6. Got confirmation that house sellers will fix requested items!

I am pretty sure it is all downhill from here. (Whatever that means.)

art skool

Johnny had her portfolio presentation and was accepted into art school! I posted a photo of one of her lamps on my (very limited) photo site. She will begin taking orders immediately.

and then, and then..

I start my new job on Monday. I am excited, but I am afraid I will miss my old job. I also re-realize that it is easy to feel busy no matter what I am doing, especially when I am not working!

We may have found a house to buy. Our bid was accepted and we had the inspection yesterday. We are meeting with our realtor later today so keep your fingers crossed for us. And yes, all of that foliage would be in our backyard!

My sister's baby shower is Sunday, and so I will get to see the whole family at once. I went to visit my grandma on Monday and my mom is staying with her for a while, so i got to see them both. Having the family nearby is quite a convenience.

The Internet!!!

I have fully realized my dependence on internet access. I am now at the public library using the internet for the first time in 3 days. Whew.

Obviously, we made it here safely. The drive was actually very nice and after about 100 miles the cats stopped crying except when i went over a bump in the road. We stopped at this place called Maggie's and had a wonderful organic vegetarian lunch around two before we re-boarded the turnpike and finally approached Columbus at 4:50, just in time for another bout of traffic. Pretty much simultaneously from when we crossed into the city limits, this incredible storm set in, with crazy wind, rain, and lightning (Welcome home!). We got to our apartment around 5 (obviously the traffic wasn't that bad) where we were supposed to meet my brother to get the keys. He came about a half hour late and once we got in, we found that we had no electricity because the storm had knocked down some lines or some crap.

We went to get some dinner, came back, set up the bed, and took showers in the dark. The lights came on around 2 am, when Johnny got up and turned on the air conditioning.

We have been shuffling boxes to and fro, because we moved out of a fairly huge apartment into a fairly tiny one. It would probably be fine for one person, but for two people and three cats, plus an amazing amount of furniture and shoes, it is a little cramped.