My Life, As Told Between (Baby Cakes') Naps

Remember several months ago when things were going so perfectly well in every aspect of my life that I was nervously waiting for the other shoe to drop? Well, the shoe hasn’t necessarily dropped, but I have found myself being majorly annoyed by several things lately. I’m trying to keep it in perspective – none of these things are at all major so I just need to let them go. In an effort to let them go however, I thought I’d indulge myself in a bit of an internet whine.

• My car has been in the shop for almost 6 weeks and no amount of bullying or cajoling seems to be working on the bodyshop. Or the insurance company, which will only pay for 4 weeks of car rental. I’m gearing up for that battle when (if?) I finally get my car back.
• My first rental car had to be towed because the battery was corroded. My second rental car needs an oil change or something. The brakes, while fully functional, occasionally make a screeching noise. I’m hoping if I can hang on another week, I’ll get my car back…
• Time Warner was supposed to install cable, internet and phone between 9am and noon a couple of weeks ago. The technician’s car broke down so he ended up arriving at 3:30pm…and unable to install the phone line because it wasn’t “activated” yet. We made an appointment for the following day, again between 9am to noon. When no one showed up at noon, we called only to be told no appointment had been scheduled and one couldn’t be schedule for another several weeks.
• The alarm technician was supposed to activate my alarm today. I drove home to meet him, only to find out that the builder hadn’t done something they were supposed to so the alarm couldn’t be activated. I then waited several hours for the builder to fix what needed to be fixed and have to schedule another visit with the alarm technician.
• I’m working on some really hard projects at work. Also, I’m starting to worry about how much time I’ve had to take off for various condo-related stuff, root canals, car stuff, and miscellaneous doctor’s appointments.

There, I feel better already. I think it helps just to vent a bit. =)

We had the best experience with 3-Day blinds. We scheduled a home appointment, they took measurements and brought over samples, we ordered (paying for express 3-day shipping) and they had someone over 3 days later to drop off and install the blinds. It was super quick and painless (other than the paying part).

Lulled into a false sense of confidence about how easy installing window treatments were, we decided to buy and install curtains ourselves for one of the remaining window.

*Big. Mistake.*

After several hours and at least one misplaced hole, we finally got the curtain rod up on the wall. We’d skipped putting the plastic wall anchor in and opted to drill the screw directly into the wall because we didn’t have a drill bit large enough for the anchor. After we got the rod reasonably straight and seemingly secure, we put up the curtains we had bought only to find that curtains which had looked a beautiful, subtle shade of green in the showroom transformed into bird-poop green on our walls. We ended up ordering new ones online, figuring that at least the hard part (mounting the curtain rod) was done.

The next day, I obsess over the fact that we hadn’t put the wall anchors in. After some quick googling, I figure I could easily do it myself and surprise T when he got home with a completed project.

*Bad idea.*

recariously balanced on several stools, I managed to get one wall anchor in, but broke the other hammering it in because the hole wasn’t big enough to fit it (I’d conveniently forgotten that was the reason we didn’t do it in the first place). So, I panic and figure enough of it is in that it’s doing whatever it is that it’s supposed to do and cut off the excess plastic broken bit.

*F*ck*

I couldn’t cut enough of the plastic to make the anchor flush against the wall so when I put the screw in, there was gap between the mount and the wall. It still seems pretty secure but I can only hope it’ll withstand the curtain we eventually put up. =(

I waited in anxiety for T to come home, convinced he’s going to be supremely angry with me. Fortunately for me, T is the best fiance ever and shows no anger at the fact that I’ve destroyed a bit of our brand new condo. Instead, he’s super supportive that I tried to do something nice and super reassuring that we’d be able to fix with it or deal with it.

Remind me never to try home improvement projects on my own. Ever.

(Although, I’m thinking if I can just get a bigger drill bit and drill a bigger hole, I won’t have to hammer the wall anchor so hard and it won’t break…)

Can’t believe the end of summer is coming up so quickly! I remember when I was little, summers used to last forever. Even when I was in law school, summers had substance to them. They stood apart from the rest of the year, which was marked by studying and classes and winter dreariness. Nowadays, summer’s just another season (especially in LA, when it’s pretty much summer year round), marked only by more kids crowding the beaches than usual and my increasing resentment at the interlopers on “my” beaches. (When did I turn into such a Scrooge?)

T proposed this past weekend! It was totally unexpected and sweet. We went to pick up keys to our new condo together and when I opened the door, it was evident that T had been by earlier in the day. There were rose petals scattered on the floor and tea light candles leading up to the dining room. More flowers and candles filled the dining room, framing the lovely dinner T had set up. I, still unsuspecting, assumed it was in celebration of our new place.

After dinner, T brought out an ice-cream cake he’d purchased. I started cutting into it when T said, “Can you hold on a sec, I have something more important.” I replied, “What could be more important than ice-cream cake?,” not realizing what was going on until he reached into his pocket and got on one knee. Apparently, the little hampster wasn’t running too quickly that day. =)

It is the perfect ring – a simple blue sapphire set with two small Canadian diamonds. We’d done some ring shopping a couple of months earlier (you know, in case he ever decided to propose in the distant future) but I couldn’t find anything I wanted. I didn’t want a diamond engagement ring, not only because of the problem with blood diamonds, but because of the artificial value placed on diamonds as a result of the manipulative practices of the diamond industry. I wanted something understated, preferably with a sapphire, but didn’t like the sapphire solitaires. In the end, I gave up and told T I was going to leave it entirely up to him to find me the perfect ring. He completely succeeded and I love it. I just can’t stop staring at it! =) It looks kind of like the one pictured below, but with a darker sapphire and a thinner band.

In any case, I’m very excited, but wedding plans are for the far distant future. Right now I’m plenty overwhelmed. The move took much longer than expected and was draining. We still have to unpack and get window treatments. I feel like I’m living in a fish bowl at the moment. I had to get my rental towed because it wouldn’t start yesterday. My car is STILL in the shop after a month and despite having been referred there by a friend of a friend, the body shop I took it to is unresponsive and rude.

Oh well, guess life isn’t always roses and candle-lit dinners. It sure is nice when it is though!

We’re closing escrow next Friday and moving in Saturday! We’re only now starting to realize how much more we have to do though. Unfortunately, we only have one weekend left in which to do it and T’s working Sunday…so really, we have one day to do it.

Instead of getting ready for the move, we’ve been dilly-dallying in looking at furniture. We started at polar opposite ends, but our tastes are starting to converge (which scares me because it’s universally acknowledged that T has pretty bad taste – except when it comes to picking girlfriends of course) so it looks like we may finally be ready to actually buy something. We almost decided on the bed we want and are leaning towards a tempur-pedic mattress. We’ve decided on a color scheme for the master bedroom but have to look for linens. We have to decide on and make arrangements for window treatments for the entire place or we’ll wind up living in a fish bowl indefinitely. We haven’t found the couch we want yet, but we’ve decided what it will look like. We have to pack and clean up our apartment. We have to donate stuff to Goodwill. Etc. . .

Minor fender-bender Tuesday on the way home from work. I was on a relatively busy street in Venice. Traffic was stop and go. I was stopped. The driver who ran into me was apparently looking for his friend’s shop and didn’t notice that I’d stopped so he plowed right into me. Fortunately he wasn’t going very fast – just fast enough to damage poor Toby Too’s back bumper. It’s barely hanging on so he’s off to the shop as soon as I hear from my claims adjuster.

In the meanwhile, I’m stuck driving a rental PT Cruiser. Everyone I’ve talked to has a story about how they were forced to rent a Cruiser because it was the only car left on the lot (as was the case with me this morning). Does anyone actually buy this car?

I was pretty irritated yesterday and this morning (when Enterprise was half an hour late picking me up to get my car) but now I’m focusing on the fact that I was very, very lucky not to be hurt and not to have hurt anyone.

Buying a condo is making me feel all adult and stuff. I don’t like it. I prefer living in denial, but that’s hard to do when one has to calculate how much one can afford in mortgage payments and how much insurance one needs on one’s new place. Boo on adultness.

I’m still flipping through my Martha Stewart book. In fact, I came across some instructions on how to fold a fitted sheet one morning before work that I immediately had to try out. Sadly, Roomie caught me trying to fold a fitted sheet in the living room, reading the book instructions, while I was in my bathroom with my wet hair up in a towel, eating cereal. Even more sadly, I never did figure out how to do it. Sadliest of all, the highlight of last weekend was finally getting the tiles in my bathroom as white as they were when we first moved in.

Speaking of sad, sad things, boo on the recent opinions coming down from the Supreme Court.

My Martha Stewart’s Homekeeping Guide arrived in the mail last week. Remember, I’d ordered it in a fit of delusional thinking? New condo, new leaf and all that? Well, that lasted until I got through the first 20 pages of the tome…and realized I’ve been living in filth my entire life. Apparently everything has to be cleaned all the time and some things have to be additionally, super, thoroughly cleaned every week/month/year. If I followed her suggestions, I’d be doing nothing else. In fact, I’d be so busy cleaning I don’t know when I’d have time to make the mess to begin with! So I’ve opted to continue living in ignorant filth. I’m just glad I bought the book used so I don’t feel quite so guilty about spending money on it.

Speaking of which, I’ve been really good about not shopping lately and trying to save money for the condo. The only real frivolous purchase I’ve made this month was this dress, although it was incredibly cheap to start with and then went on sale so it doesn’t really count. I think I’ll wear it to one of my weddings in August. It’s from the Junior’s section though so I had to take a shot in the dark regarding the size. Hope I guessed right because if I didn’t, this dress will be falling off me (doubtful) or there will be some very unflattering bulging, if I manage to zip it up at all (sadly, much more likely)!

Also, for no particular reason, here are some random cute shoes I like at the moment.

Have a great weekend all! I’ll be heading to Fresno. Hope I manage to get in a good run this weekend!

Unfortunately, I never made it to Portland. I arrived at the airport at 5:15am Saturday morning only to find out that the flight was cancelled at some time between Friday night (when it was still showing an on time departure) and that morning. Waited paitently in the customer service line for an hour and a half to figure out an alternative. (Actually, after 45 minutes, I finally made it to the front of the customer service line. At that point however, they informed everyone that they were opening a “special” line for the passengers going to Portland. I, foolishly, move over to the special line, which although smaller,was also located in a special time warp. Although still third in line, I waited another 45 minutes for the people in front of me to be helped.) I eventually found out that the earliest I could get into Portland was 3:30pm, including a four hour layover in Seattle.

Once I got to Portland, I’d have to scramble to find a rental car (since I was originally supposed to drive with a friend) and then drive for two hours by myself to the beachhouse where we were spending the weekend, so the delay meant I would have a sum total of 22 hours with my friends — for which I was paying approximately $400 dollars. So I bailed, turned tails and ran. Sorry girls, I really, really tried!

The upside of the weekend was that since I’d planned to be out of town all weekend, I didn’t have any plans and was able to have a nice relaxing weekend at home. Didn’t get up early enough Sunday to go running, but did bike for about an hour on Saturday. Saw Ocean’s Thirteen (it was okay) and stopped by Pinkberry!

So I turned 29 on Tuesday. All in all, it wasn’t nearly as traumatic as I had feared. Being a workday, I didn’t have any special plans, but T surprised me by taking the night off work and having a lovely bath drawn and dinner planned when I got home.

Our condo purchase is moving along, and while it’s all gone fairly smoothly, I find the entire process nervewracking. So much money! And what if something happens and escrow doesn’t close as planned? Ack! We’ve already submitted our intent to vacate our apartment! We could be homeless!!

Poor T is discovering the hard way that I don’t deal well with uncertainties. I had a slight meltdown this past weekend when our mortgage broker called and asked us to submit additional documents, which I couldn’t do right away because we were out and about. Fortunately, T talked me down from the ledge and made me realize I was being anxious just for the sake of being anxious. (Personally, I think it’s the job. I remember once being a rather cool and collected individual. Although my closest family and friends tell me that perception was more self-delusional than accurate and that I’ve always been somewhat spastic.)

Heading to Portland this weekend for a get together with some of my girl friends from law school and to celebrate another one of us (this time Roomie) turning 30. We had our first reunion a couple of years ago when C. turned 30 and we all realized our 30th birthdays were spread far enough apart that we could get together every few years to celebrate and support each other as we entered our thirties.

This past weekend really felt like summer to me, probably because we spent Sunday at Hermosa Beach playing volleyball with some of T’s friends (well, T played, I watched and socialized and ate), followed by a barbeque at my friend’s place in Marina Del Rey. Poor T got a sunburn on his back, specifically in the area I was responsible for – high on his back, between his shoulder blades. I feel especially bad because I’m very paranoid about sunblock generally, but am apparently not particularly careful in its application when its on someone besides myself!

This week has gone by fairly quickly. Work’s been busy, but not brutal and I’m trying to wade through the homebuying process. I’ve also been gathering decorating ideas, buying books on housekeeping, and contemplating cooking regularly. We’ll see if I actually execute any of these things. I don’t know why I think I’m going to turn into some kind of domestic goddess with this purchase, but I’m living in the realm of delusions and possibilities at the moment.

Oh, and I read Blink, which was a fun, interesting read.

I was telling Roomie this morning that I didn’t understand what T ate before we moved in together. His old fridge was always empty when I visited and he makes no effort to stock our fridge now. He just assumes there will be something to eat around the apartment. Considering my (non) culinary skills, this usually consists of sandwiches, cereal, and pasta. . .but at least there’s something. It reminded me of a story one of T’s friends had told me about a skiing trip the guys all went on in college. They’d neglected to adequately stock up on food and woke up one morning after a night of drinking to realize all they had on hand was beer and Cheerios. Hence, the advent of Beerios. Ewwww.

And on a random note:

This is a neat article Roomie pointed out to me. Mostly because the slideshow pictures are just so cool.

Bought and read this book recently at the airport. It’s meant for children and young adults, as evidenced by the sketches scattered throughout the book, but it’s clever and funny and insightful. If you liked The Eyre Affair, one of my favorite books, you should check it out. Just be prepared to get some odd looks if you’re over twelve and reading it in public.

Whew, back from northern California. Had a terrific time catching up with my friends and family this weekend. I didn’t find out until Thursday whether I would make it this weekend and had to scrambled to finish some things on Friday before rushing to meet with the agent to sign our purchase agreement (!). We then speed over to the airport to catch our flight and rushed to our hotel to change and make it to dinner. Was nearly brought to tears by the lack of available taxi cabs in SF on a Friday evening and ended up being an hour late to dinner at Ti Couz — the dinner I had planned. Fortuntely, once I arrived and had some food, and drinks, in me the night started picking up. After dinner we went to one of my best friend’s 30th birthday party, which was a terrific chance to see friends I haven’t seen in too long and catch up with friends of friends I hadn’t seen in even longer.

T and I spent Saturday morning exploring the streets and hills in SF. We walked through Chinatown (somehow accidently having lunch at the one restaurant in Chinatown that didn’t appear to have any Chinese diners) to Coit Tower and finished at Fisherman’s Wharf before heading back to meet up with some friends for dinner and a movie (Shrek, it was cute).

Rented a car Sunday and drove home to spend the day with my family, who appeared more excited to have T there than me. My mom prepared an elaborate Vietnamese meal so we all gorged ourselves, then spent the rest of the day sitting around, talking and reliving the wonders of the meal.

Been super busy at work lately. I think the previous six months of relatively decent hours (out by 6:30 or 7:00pm) has spoiled me. I’ve been here until 9 or 10 all week and I’m exhausted. Can’t seem to get started today and there’s so much more to do! Fortunately, the firm realizes we’re all working a little too hard and they’re trying to hire another associate, so hopefully this is temporary.

In other news, T and I are close to buying a condo in Playa Vista! There’s tons of controversy and problems surrounding the development at Playa Vista and the purchase is forcing me to face many of my hypocrisies (i.e., I’d like to think of myself as someone who cares about the environment but am balking at the fact that I have to pay extra taxes to preserve the nearby marshes as part of living in the area). On the other hand, T and I love the condo and the neighborhood. We’re going in tomorrow to sign the Purchase Agreement – wish us luck!

Saturday morning, I slept through my alarm and woke up too late to meet up with friends for our 13 mile run. Although I debated staying in bed, I eventually forced myself out of it, haunted by visions of the cheeesecake I had consumed the night before. The solitary run turned out to be exactly what I needed. I haven’t gone on a long run outdoors by myself in months. It was nice to be out early in the morning with nothing to do but focus on my music and the pavement beneath my feet.

After the run, T and I finally got to go for a somewhat extended bike ride. We biked down LA’s southern bike path, which stretches along the Ocean all the way to Redondo Beach. It was exhilarating. The sourthern path is much more desolate than the northern route, which takes you through tourist laden Venice and Santa Monica.

Ever since I’ve moved to the west side, I’ve increasing felt the need to be one of those outdoorsy people I use to semi-loathe. It’s hard not to when the weather’s so nice and the Ocean’s so accessible. Plus, everyone else is doing it. There are people biking, running, surfing, sailing, swimming, etc. everywhere you look around here! Unfortunately, between my fear of water and my poor hand-eye coordination, I think running and biking pretty much exhaust my options. . .

Nifty! Or maybe a little scary? Possibly inconsequential.

I’m going with nifty for now.

I just discovered Jamba Juice apparently has a “secret menu.” I feel like I’ve stumbled across the Loch Ness Monster or discovered what happened to Amelia Earhart! (Yes, my life is just that boring.) =)

Who knew? And why didn’t anyone tell me?

T and I have been watching Battlestar Galactica in spurts, whenever we find time, usually late at night. There’s a pattern to our BSG viewing. We watch an episode. I fight the urge to fall asleep, riveted by the show. We finish the episode. T insists I go to sleep since I either have to get up early for a run the next morning or for work. I beg and plead and whine that I really can watch just one more episode and be fine. T caves.  We watch another episode. The urge to sleep increases exponentially and I barely manage to keep my eyes open through the second episode. I fall asleep the second it finishes and wake up the next morning exhausted and bemoaning that lost hour, wishing T was stronger in the face of my whining (because, yes, nothing is ever my fault).

Last night we watched the last two episodes and the new season doesn’t start until January 2008 (I know, WTF right?).  I’ll probably be getting more sleep as a result, but I already miss our BSG banter. 

I live in a huge apartment complex with five buildings. Ordinarily this doesn’t bother me greatly. Sometimes, it drives me batty. Today was one of those days.

The elevator closest to our apartment is being renovated and has been out of commission for a week. I’ve been taking a set of nearby stairs. I figure the added five flights a day would be good exercise. (Plus, I have no idea where the other elevator banks are.) This morning, while heading to the building’s gym, I discovered to my dismay that the lights in the stairway were mysteriously out and the entire stairway was pitch black. That fact, plus the fact that I didn’t have my glasses or contacts, forced me to look for the elusive second set of elevators in my building. Through some stumbling and much blind luck, I finally found it.

Unfortunately, the elevator must have disappeared during the time I was working out because when I finished, it was nowhere to be found. I wandered, dazed and confused (and yes, perhaps crying a little bit), for a full twenty minutes, peering intently at doors that looked like they could be elevators and riding elevators in buildings that weren’t mine (and weren’t connected to mine) before eventually stumbling across the second set of elevators I had taken that morning. Or perhaps yet another set of mysterious elevators.

Score? Elevators 1, Me 0.

Back from visiting T’s mom in Fresno. Got to spend tons of time with their adorable family dog, Buddy Lee, also known as Best Dog Ever.

T managed to wake up early enough on Saturday that we were able to get in a nice relaxing run around his neighborhood before the Fresno heat set in. Afterwards, we did some chores for T’s mom – fixing her trellis, cleaning patio furniture, and taking things out of winter storage. It was a little tiring, but fun to spend time together, doing something productive, and enjoying what turned out to be surprisingly nice weather. We topped off the day of chores by seeing Blades of Glory, which was dumb but funny.

I slept in Sunday and had a horribly lazy morning while T and his mom went to church for Easter service. Got up in time for a lovely Easter buffet brunch with them and his extended family. Stuffed myself silly. Spent the rest of Sunday lounging around, napping, eating some more, and getting to know T’s extended family.

Off to San Jose next weekend for a haircut! =)

(Hm, sorry for the extremely boring post. It was a very pleasant weekend. But pleasant weekends tend to be boring to write about, which explains all of my posts for the last year…)