High Brow, Low Brow

Interesting tidbit of the day: found this journal entry in Slate today about meeting the King of Jordan and the situation with Middle Eastern students in the United States. I always like watching interviews with the King of Jordan--I get the sense that he knows us (Americans) better than we know ourselves--in a good way. I don't often get political here, but I wish I got that sense from our own government. In terms of the student population, I say the more diverse the better in terms of learning about the world.

On a more obnoxious note: one thing I like about moving back to Sac is that I get to listen to the Eagle, one of the best classic rock stations ever. This week, I have been able to commute home to Bowie's Suffragette City, belt out karaoke style Elton John's Rocket Man, and hear about the results of the 2004 SuperBrawl. I have a feeling that the Beatles will squash Aerosmith in the final matchup. Sure, Aerosmith has Dream On and Walk This Way, and even did a decent cover of the Beatles Come Together, but can all that match up against the entire Beatles catalog? Is this a great country or what?

Falling into Place...maybe

The job scene for D may be shaping up... prospects look more alive than in earlier weeks. I say the work that he's done is starting to pay off perhaps in offers, or at least possibilities. It seems like the economy is in no shape where one could turn down work that is in the ballpark, though the ideal job might not present itself. Always better to look for a job while one has a job, as my grandfather always said.

So, my energy is now going into scanning for possible places to live. It seems that just in the month or so since arriving that rents seem to be falling. Maybe just a little. Some listings that I found from Seattle are still vacant with lowered rents. I was dismayed to see the higher rents here because of Bay Area folks coming to Sacramento and driving things up. We really see no savings from Seattle's picture. I hope that's changing a bit, and maybe more before we sign a lease somewhere. I'm hoping for a little cottage-y 2 bedroom with a washer/dryer hookup and yard space for the little one.

Waning Honeymoon

It's week 3 of the new job. I'm very positive about being able to enjoy this job, moreso than my previous one. Still, I have to acknowledge everything that my previous boss and big-boss taught me about acquisitions. It sometimes makes me feel like a bit of a fraud, because some of my perspective is borrowed and influenced from my earlier job. I hope it's genuine expertise, at least fledgling expertise. I'm still in a honeymoon period here, and don't know how long I can ride it.

This weekend was quite varied: Michael and I spent time with my mother while David was in San Francisco with a friend. Some of the weekend was devoted to supporting D's job search and wavering emotional state. I'm very anxious for him to get on his feet so that we can move along on setting our lives up down here. We're not in Seattle anymore, and it will be a while before we leave where we are now.

[Religion alert]: With all of these trials, I'm also seeing the ways in which Satan works his way in to one's heart, poking the weaknesses. I very palpably felt this weekend's feelings of resentment, depletion, even hatred, as coming from him. My Bible is packed away in storage, in a box that's difficult to get to, and we haven't gone to church since we've been down here. A perfect opportunity for backsliding, corruption, etc. Somewhere in the New Testament, Paul talks about the armor of God. We've temporarily taken it off, but it should go back on again and quick. Too much destruction is the alternative.

Izzardized, etc.

After watching Eddie Izzard's Dress to Kill Sunday and last night (yes, it takes many days for me to get through these types of things--we took several days to watch LOTR), I have his voice in my head. He's not telling me things or anything, I'm just running my own thoughts in his voice. Let's see how quickly this becomes annoying. The man is incredibly funny and I look forward to seeing more of his stuff. Belately, I am slowly entering the inside joke shared between Holly and Shef.

Recommendation for the new year: Joss Stone's Soul Sessions. She's a 16-year old Brit, but she sounds like a mature soul singer. Have a listen.

Week 2 of the new job after a 3-day weekend (it pays to work for the govt). Digging in more, setting up calendars, organizing systems, learning the new ILS.

Friends/readers, feeling out of touch from Seattle, so feel free to comment here, email or call me!

New Job Update

Day 3 of the job is wrapping up. My head is being filled by my retiring predecessor. I'm also starting to strategize about how I want to change things, what I need to learn--info gathering, and other things. Today was the first comfortable day after two days of newbie awkwardness. I'm sure that awkward feeling will return.

Hoping to snatch posting time with more sustained internet access. So many subjects to cover.

David and I have noticed a high frequency of roadkill incidents in Davis/Sacramento. Possums, squirrels, cats. It's pretty sad.

Happy, Limbo-y

Happy new year to all! With our establishing new lives in Sacramento, it certainly feels like a new beginning, even with all of the familiarity of my hometown. Since I haven't posted in a while, here's the quick and dirty update: ran into an ex-boyfriend at David's friend's annual holiday party (he was the date of someone who just started working for the hostess, so totally random). It was weird but friendly. What the heck--might as well get that one out of the way early on. Holidays quickly came and went, and went well. No ugly over-imbibing, no ugly gifts that couldn't be returned for credit (GIFT CARDS NEXT YEAR PLEASE!), no ugly family scenes (we usually don't have those anyway). The boy got lots of love and cool toys that he digs. Next week brings a quasi-work week: transitioning the boy into his daycare, maneuvering the husband into some hopefully satisfying and interesting employment, making the final preparations for starting work on the 12th. There has been much musing on the transition, the new job, living with my mother-in-law, returning to my hometown, leaving Seattle, etc., but that will have to wait until the next connection....