I just finished cleaning the tub this afternoon, and I just want to say how awful it was. I don’t think I’ve seen M. clean it in the 4-ish months I’ve been living here, so it was quite a task. Its exciting, however, to hear M. say “wow, I don’t think I’ve ever seen the tub actually shine. I’ve cleaned it, but its never shone before.”
Oh yea, thats how its done. I shine tubs.
Today has been totally awful, weird, and fun at the same time.
The awful part: I woke up at about 4am today with INTENSE abdominal pain and cramps, and later threw up a few times before 5am. The best part about that was: for the past 24 hours our toilet had been sluggish to non functioning, so I was flushing it on a wing and a prayer each time. I woke up again around 7:30ish and was sick, but this time it didn’t flush. So M. and I had to run out to Target as soon as it opened at 8 to look for a better plunger, but there was none to be had. Who knew? I would have bet money that Target had plungers. It just seems like it would make sense. So we came back to the apartment, and proceeded to scoop the water out of the toilet bowl with a plastic cup and rubber gloves, into a bucket. More plunging with our ineffective little plunger, to no result. So M. ran out to Home Depot, got some supplies (and McDonalds breakfast for himself…tsk tsk) and went to work again. Small progress. We worked on this for all afternoon, and I was feeling crappy the whole time. It was a really miserable afteroon. Finally got the toilet into semi-working order however, after a trip to ACE hardwear. M bought some crazy plunger on steroids thing that shoots high pressure something or other down the toilet and unblocks it, apparently. It worked alright, and it flushes at least. Hopefully this continues, as we really don’t want to have to call a plumber.
The fun part: we went for a drive tonight (after abandoning our idea of seeing a movie, since the line for tickets was a mile long) around the city, continuing our quest for knowledge of the Philadelphia neighborhood layouts. We explored the Museum District, Spring Garden, Franklintown, Penn Center, Calowhill, and a little into Olde City. We’ve been systematically driving down every street in every neighborhood, and its been a lot of fun. We’ve found tons of weird little things, places to eat, and thought up questions to look up when we get home. Learning the history of each area and how they interconnect and overlap is amazing. I love learning about my city.
The weird part: M. almost killed us twice tonight. Yes, twice. Once he turned right, not only cutting across an off-ramp where cars zoom out, but turning down a one way street–the wrong way. Thankfully, he realized his mistake early and there weren’t many cars on the road. The second time, he turned left, and instead of going on the right side of the divider, went on the left side. Now, this is just plain not paying attention. He blames it on the police van that was driving down the road with its lights on (on the side we SHOULD have been on) and how it distracted him, but I’m skeptical.
Also, M. decided to lift the sofa up tonight to look for an M&M I threw and he failed to catch, and we discovered Tyler’s hidden stash of our things! Seriously, that cat has pawed a million things under the couch. A brief sampling: three pens (which previously M. had accused me of losing), my claddagh ring from Ireland (which I had a feeling was under there), two jingle balls, a catnip mouse (which Tyler has lost again, after having it back for fifteen minutes. M is currently searching the apartment with a flashlight looking for it, with no sucess. The verdict is that Tyler ate it.), two bottle caps, a razor of mine (Tyler likes to sneak into the bathroom, paw through my makeup bag, carry my razors out, and leave them around the apartment. I don’t understand it.), random trash, and an origami crane. This cat is crazy.
I think I’m going to try to update this thing a little more often than I have in the past, and not just with 101/1001 updates like I originally thought. It is TIME to move ON from LiveJournal. Is this a sign of maturity? I could use a few more of those, so I hope so.
As much as I really hate getting up early, I do feel better throughout the day if I do so. I also get more done, which is nice. Like today, I got up at 7:30, which normally makes my brain scream “NOWHATAREYOUDOING”, but two hours later I’ve gotten the dishes done, made the bed, showered, and I’m dressed for the day. Normally, I’d still be asleep and not fully dressed until about 3pm. This is an excellent development, hopefully it continues.
Last night M. and I went for a walk around the apartments (side note: M. has read this, and upon further thought, requests that I make note that I had to be threatened, coerced, and forcibly dragged out of the apartment to go for this walk. In my defense, it was very cold and windy), and as soon as we walk outside, there is a huge deer just standing in the parking lot. M didn’t see it at first, and I was so speechless all I could say was “OH MY GOD” and then managed to get out “M., there’s a deer!” It was so close, and it just kept staring at us. It was really amazing, I wish I had gotten a picture of it. I worried about it most of the night, since there are so many cars around. Where did it come from? We’re in the city, for crying out loud.
I’ve been feeling so crafty and creative latey, its almost frustrating. I have so much I want to do, like knit projects and crochet projects and bake and learn to embroider and a million other things. But I either don’t have the materials, or the skills. Being poor is rough. I need to find a job very quickly. Also blocking my ability to be creative, is the fact that I have been crocheting a Blanket of Extreme Arduousness. I began this blanket back in June 2008 after finding out the gender of my Aunt’s baby, thinking I’d give it to her at the baby shower. A. is now about three months old, and I’m not even close to being finished. I’m hoping it will either still be appreciated when A. turns one, or someone else in my family gets pregnant and has a girl. Here’s hoping.
Time to update again. One would think that I would have quite a bit to say, since I haven’t posted anything in some time. If only. I have completed some of my 101/1001 things though! Lets see:
#6- I have learned to knit again. Its quite exciting, and I picked it up faster than I thought. So far I’ve completed an awesome neck warmer, and I have a lot of projects in my queue, but sadly not the skills to finish them yet.
#9- M. took me to see the Decemberists in November, and once again they delivered. The show was great, although I’m really starting to not like the Electric Factory as much as I used to. Maybe its because I’ve had experience at different venues now, or something. But either way its just not as magical as it used to be. I’ll probably only go if there’s a show I absolutely must see. Like The National that is playing in May. I will definitely endure the Factory for them.
#34- New Years 2009 was great, by far one of the best New Years Eves ever. Rivaled only by the time L, A, and F slept over and we crammed into the sofa bed. M, B, K, and I went to dinner at California Pizza Kitchen, then to Franklin Fountain for ice cream, and then walked to Penns Landing for the fireworks. It was so freezing cold, I got some weird frostbiteish thing on my legs when we got home. Worth it though.
#35- I don’t know if I can call it learning, but I’ve had a basic introduction to driving stick. Which is good, if I ever want to drive the MINI.
#51- M. and I were in Ocean City for the day, and the car next to us had an expired meter. I happened to have a few quarters, so in they went.
#61- M. pulled me outside one night when it was raining, just to accomplish this one :) I was barefoot and in shorts, but it was worth the cold.
#62 Updated- My original copy of the American Astronaut has been replaced by a much better one, quality wise and memory wise. While I loved the movie enough to watch my burned version (given by T.), my new version is leagues better. An actual copy, with an actual case, and no skipping problems. M. truly came through for Christmas!
#67- M. and I decided to systematically explore all of the various neighborhoods in Philly, figure out the boundaries, and find the good places to eat and explore in them. We started with Chinatown. I had no idea it was so close to us the whole time, we’ve driven by it hundreds of times, and were even in the park nearly next door to it several times. Its a lot of fun to walk around there, and check out the atmosphere and the people. We’ve yet to eat anywhere in Chinatown yet, but the list is made, so we are prepared.
And thats it, so far.
In other news, I now officially live in Philly (well, officially as of November. Its been some months) with M. We have a cat named Tyler Durden, and weird neighbors. Its a lot of fun, but since I’m unemployed at the moment (like seemingly everyone else) its a little slow when M. is at work. I’d really like to find a job, but thats a bit tough currently. We’ll see.
In my continued documentation of weirdly awesome websites, I give you:
The Abandoned Mike Tyson Mansion
and
Well, after much planning, stressing, and elapsed time, I’ve finally made it to Ireland! And it was GLOOOORIOUS. So beautiful, and really laid-back. And the weather was wonderful for the trip too. I really don’t know what to say about the trip, except that it was fantastic. So I guess I’ll let my flickr speak for me.
I don’t know what it is, but I’ve been finding some really awesome links online today. So, I will share. Not that anyone really reads this besides me I think…
I haven’t been here in FOREVER. Like, since elementary school, easily. So I made a plan to go on Sunday, and it was so great! There was this excellent Pop Art exhibit going on, and since I’ve recently gotten very into modern art, this was my favorite part. I wish I had remembered my camera, since actually having photographic evidence would be lovely. But alas, I am a dunce.
…basically sucks. Especially since I’ve got a hojillion boxes sitting in my room from when I’ve moved home. Couldn’t really find the motivation or energy to unpack them when I had mono, so there they sat. I’ve gotten most of my crap unpacked and (mostly) put away, but I never realized how much STUFF I have. Sweet baby Jesus on a bicycle! There’s no where to put it all! YARD SALE. As proof of the absolute chaos: my flickr
On a positive note, though, I’ve found some really random old mixed CDs I must have made. ZOMG The Chemical Brothers featuring The Flaming Lips! And Common Rider! On the same CD! What was I doing??
This loverly weather has got me feeling crafty! I can’t stop crocheting, its so strange. I feel like an old lady, mumbling “OK, single crochet, increase one, half double crochet here, FUCK I MESSED UP. Gotta unravel all this shizz now.” OK, so maybe a slightly more foul-mouthed old lady than you’re used to (or are you?).
BUT ANYWAY.
I made a cupcake! And I’m in the process of whipping up some awesome cephalopods.
I’m also in the process of fully converting to a nocturnal being. I cannot seem to get to sleep before 4am anymore. Which makes getting up for classes in the afternoon nigh impossible. Its to the point where I have to lure myself out of bed with the promise of a shower, or food, or something worth rolling out of my blanket-nest. Such are the times and trials of a college student. Alas and alack.
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