Perhaps I ought to update about my real life at this point. Hopefully all of the important people in my life know all of this already. If you are an important person and I have not communicated any of the following, my apologies.
Anyhow, after an enjoyable year in Maryland, I've moved back to Massachusetts. (These "M" states are fabulous. Have never been to Montana, but I'm sure it's fabulous as well.) I'm housesitting on the North Shore for the summer and working many the random job. I'm attempting to move out of randomness, and am currently searching for a real job. With benefits and all that. Sounds like some utopian ideal. The economy sure didn't decide to coordinate with my schedule. Ah well. At least I've got a good education and an American passport. In the words of Ella Fitzgerald, "No, they can't take that away from me." I'm not sure who "they" are in this situation. Perhaps they're disembodied Wall Street ghosts.
Once I get past the ghosts, hopefully I'll land a job in the city. Did I mention that I love the city? (I also love Ben Folds. Haven't listened to him in months. Currently am. Always forget what a great pianist he is.) Must move into the city posthaste once it is post-summer. Won't have a car as of September. The car is going to the Happy Hunting Land. No, I am not referring to death, I am referring to the Great Plains, e.g. Nebraska. Road trip! Though it won't be that oft dreamed-of, never executed college trip. It will be a lone venture across many corn-infested states. Corn-infestation bears the same symptoms everywhere - it leaves a state flat, featureless, roads snake along like cracked, fake leather belts that look like they're swimming when it's really hot. It won't be that hot when I'm driving out, so no swimming roads.
For the summer I am living with the ever fabulous Meredith Whitnah. She has extraordinarily good taste in cheese. She loves blue cheese, and I don't, but I'm probably in the red when it comes to the blue. I respect blue cheese. What I don't respect is American cheese. It doesn't deserve to be called a cheese. It should be kept in the plastic aisle, alongside the Gladlock and tupperware.
To summarize: Meredith is wonderful, I actually have friends coming to my birthday party next week, and the weather has not surpassed 90 degrees on more than three days. It's a pretty good summer.
Yet another engagement. Two of my housemates - Amy and Zac - surprised us all today. If only it had happened sooner, we could have planned the wedding to coincide with the end of our program! But they were more worried about the health of their relationship than the fact that I will have to make an extra trip for their wedding.
Amy and Zac are wonderful for each other. Also, they are moving to Chicago next year. If you live in Chicago, be kind to them. They are accustomed to warm places and warm people and at least one of those things will be different.
Unlike Mark, they are old enough to provide some champagne.
My brother Mark just got engaged to his girlfriend, Michaela.
They are extraordinarily cute. They are also four years younger than me. This does not make me feel old. I just think they're young. I mean, sometimes I forget that Mark knows how to tie his shoes and has memorized the alphabet.
Just waiting for the wedding date. I hope he waits until I've been employed for a few months so that I can afford a dress, a present and a plane ticket. I realize that the world does not completely revolve around me, but I don't fully realize it. Probably because I'm not engaged.
