A not-so-long absence

I know, I know. I have been dearly missed. As I said in my previous entry, we only have dial-up at home. I am currently writing at the library. Plenty has happened since I last wrote, so I will do my best to catch up.

I have now been an assistant manager at Mariposa for almost four weeks. I'm enjoying it immensely, and the other girls are a lot of fun. I'm getting less hours than would be ideal, so I'm considering applying for a morning job elsewhere. While we don't have uniforms or any specific sort of outfit we're supposed to wear, we need to look professional and stylish. We all tend to wear a lot of black.

Yesterday during my break, I went to the Greek Kitchen for dinner. After ordering my gyro, soda, and baklava, the man ringing me up asked me where I was from. I told him that I was from here, and did I look like I was from somewhere else? He told me that I did, to which I replied that my grandfather was from Thessaloniki. He told me that must be it. I sat down, finished off my delicious lamb gyro, and was biting into my baklava when a little plate with some sort of rolled-up dessert with chocolate stripes was placed next to me. I thanked the man, then asked what exactly it was. He told me that it was a form of baklava, but more Americanized. He wanted me to try it in comparison to the traditional baklava that I was currently enjoying. I bit into it, and it was delightful. Free dessert = good day.

In other news, the interesting situation that I was in back in January has found its way back into my life. When I realized that it was making a reappearance, I was greatly amused and a wee bit shocked. Things have changed in the past 5 months, so what was somewhat unpleasant has become enjoyable. I went from never wanting to see a person again to being friends with this person. That sort of thing is rare, but I'm glad that it has transpired.

My black hair is growing out, rather than washing out. This presents the problem of roots. Dagnabbit, this is exactly why I never dye my hair. I don't like the idea of maintaining something like this. I can't exactly dye brown over black, so I either need to dye my roots to keep the black or have them grow out. Yay.

A Restful Day

Today I slept in. It felt so good. It would have been better if my mom hadn't come in to check if I was awake and alive by talking to me and poking me. She wanted me to okay her outfit. I told her it was just that; okay. Yes, I am in Washington. I've been here since last Sunday. I made it across the country in a mere 4 days! In case you can't tell, I am extremely proud of myself.

This morning I watched TV for a couple hours, then got dressed and went into Duvall. I'd wanted to use the wireless at the library, but they were closed until 1pm. GRRR. I got a drink at Starbucks, came home, and surrendered to dial-up.

In other news, I will be starting my new job tomorrow! I'm thrilled to have gotten it, and I can't wait to learn the ropes. Yay!!

Mr. Cyclist and the move

I had a crush. I thought it was over. Unfortunately, I've come to realize that I still really like Mr. Cyclist. He is pretty much the opposite of anything I would want in a guy (except for very basic things like male, straight, and taller than me). Well, after having him blow me off three times, I should be over him, right? Not quite. Perhaps moving across the country might help a bit.  

I started driving yesterday morning from Lynchburg. I stopped for the night at a La Quinta in Merrillville, Indiana. Tonight I stopped at the AmericInn in Fergus Falls, Minnesota. I haven't done any site-seeing, but I didn't really plan on it anyway. The highlight of the evening will probably be swimming in the hotel pool in a little bit. I'm excited.

UPDATE: I was ogled by a busload of highschool boys while both doing laps in the pool (they watched me through the window), and when I left to go back to my room (they were coming toward me in the hallway). Can't they at least pretend that their hormones aren't getting the better of them? I mean, I know that I was wearing a bikini, but is it really the first time that they've seen a girl in a bikini?

Small Town Party People, Part 2

Last night I had the opportunity to further explore the culture of the Small Town Party People. I went to a party/rap concert. There certainly weren't as many people as the last one I attended, but it made me notice something very interesting. While it was a bit awkward for me due to my introverted personality and the fact that I was somewhat out of my element, those around me were making a conscious effort to make me feel more included. Random people would come up and start talking to me, introduce themselves to me, or start dancing with me (one of these occurrences was most unwelcome). I have decided that despite it being a subculture that I do not particularly like, the world of the Small Town Party People is incredibly welcoming. I now understand at least a bit of why many people enter into this. Again, I do not wish to become one of them, but I definitely appreciate their kindness toward me.

On another note, while getting ready to leave the above-mentioned party, I got to hear my very first drive-by shooting. Rivermont is not the nicest neighborhood at 1:30am.

Currently Reading Eats, Shoots & Leaves: The Zero Tolerance Approach to Punctuation By Lynne Truss see related

Small Town Party People

One of the reasons that I am so looking forward to leaving Lynchburg is the people. I just don't understand them. One the one hand, you have the pious must-be-in-church-every-time-the-door-is-open group, who make you want to vomit.

Then you have the polar opposite who have become that way mostly due to disgust with the above-mentioned group. These are the Small Town Party People. Unless you've experienced the "real" Lynchburg outside of the Liberty bubble, you won't have any idea what I'm talking about. Let me elaborate. These are the people that come from a small town (or grew up here in Lynchburg), and like to get a bit wild. Their idea of a good time is going to a local band concert, drinking as much as possible, and getting high whenever pot becomes available. They are often, as my friend Glory said, "scene." They dress a certain way, absolutely refuse to listen to any mainstream music, and are typically very liberal politically. Okay, there are some who aren't as fussy about the music as the majority, but it's still frustrating.

There are some great people in both groups, but I know that I don't truly fit in with either. Here I come, Seattle!