11/16

The question with which I left you, dear blog, on Friday, was whether I would end up getting skate or classic style skis.

My xc ski equipment is on the left; Jeff's is on the right

As you can see above, I now have a new (or new-to-me) set of classic skis! I found a pair of used Madshus skis at the swap for $40. The name “Bernadette” is still inked on one side with a Sharpie. We ended up replacing the bindings and buying new Swix comp poles and Fischer boots. Everything ended up being under $350. (Thanks Dad for the early xmas present!)

Look at the brightly colored skis, not at the goofy people in the photograph (my father and me)

I can’t wait to go skiing this winter. I hope that the weather isn’t as mild as people are predicting.

Until then, however, I need to be running. I ran about 7 miles this morning, from my apartment down to the loop. After eating at Hannah’s Bretzel (serrano ham and fig jam on a pretzel roll!) I walked back to Water Tower Place to do a little shopping.

I just can’t quit you, Forever 21 — even despite my frequent realization that many of the other shoppers around me are at least five years younger than my students (who, in turn, are almost ten years younger than I am).

Clockwise, from top left: belted black dress, ruffled navy skirt, coral and red nail polishes, gold necklace. Grand total, with Chicago city tax: $71.00

Tonight, I am going to be working on finalizing some forms for my Teach for America application. I made a decision on where I would like to be placed, if offered a position. In order:

1. Chicago
2. Milwaukee
3. Los Angeles

As a side note, I told myself after high school that I would never live again in the midwest (oops). I told myself after college that I would never live again in southern California (potential oops).

And I finally got my transcripts from CMC in the mail. How bad is it that I forgot entirely the fact that I took an intro philosophy course? Or that I had to take Ws in classes like “Personal Fitness” and “Softball Team” after I quit softball right after spring break? I have a mind like a steel sieve.

P.S. Boston officially closed. The field of 25,000 runners was filled by November 13. I received my official acceptance card this morning.

11/13 (2)

Dan Savage, on relationships:

11/13

I looked out the back door of my apartment this morning to see the following:

I live on the third floor of a walk-up building, by the way.

There normally is a railing here as well

At least my landlord barricaded my back door, presumably to prevent me from falling to my death. Thanks. But some advance warning of these repairs would have been nice.

Tomorrow, Jeff and I are driving up to Wisconsin to meet my father at the Bicycle Doctor’s pre-season Nordic Ski sale. I am looking to get some cross-country skis this year. (Merry Christmas to me!) The question is whether I want to buy classic or skate skis.

11/12

One thing that felt good today: throwing away my irritating contact lenses, the second after I parked my car near my apartment.

One thing that felt not-so-good today: running on the treadmill, especially after a week of slacking off

This week, I have been busy trying to figure out The Future (and teaching first-years how to write papers that include minor things like claims and evidence). I have a meeting today about working for Teach for America, a meeting next Thursday about applying for jobs in private high schools, and a meeting next Friday about teaching in community colleges. I am excited about all of these possibilities.

My upcoming TFA interview requires that I dress “professionally.” The one suit that I own is far too big, so I am taking the opportunity to shop online at Banana Republic and JCrew.

Can I pull this off, with a white button-down and black cardigan?

Thank goodness for 30% off at the Banana Republic/Gap/Old Navy family.

11/8

I’m trying to stay balanced between optimism and cynicism (and sometimes between optimism and realism, and other times between optimism and idealism).

Pop music has been helping, contrary to Rob Gordon’s famous speech in High Fidelity (“Do I listen to pop music because I was miserable? Or was I miserable because I listened to pop music?”).

So here are some good pop songs that have been making the day better:

Now I am onto Sub Pop, with Sebadoh’s “License to Confuse” (from Bakesale, which was one of my favorite albums in middle school).

P.S. Another song that never fails to cheer me up — or get stuck in my head for hours and hours:

This is the best kind of literal music video. No offense to you, Taylor Swift.

11/6

Wednesday was a great day. In no particular order of significance:

• I bought some really cool things online. More importantly, I bought everything at 20% off of wholesale prices.

Smartwool NTS Midweight Tights

Smartwool ski socks (with skulls!)

Moving Comfort Cameo Racerback Bra (x2)

• I finished all of my Christmas shopping for my immediate family (no pictures or descriptions, just in case my mom becomes internet savvy enough to find — or refind — my blog).
• I only had to work at Fleet Feet until 3pm, thanks to the new scheduling system for part-time employees.
• I ate Thai food and watched The Office with Jeff and Lucas.
• I found out that I am a finalist for Teach for America. I will have an interview in early December. I am so very excited about this opportunity! I am keeping my fingers crossed.

On Thursday, I Officially Registered for the Boston Marathon. I have heard that there are fewer than 1000 spots left — so registration most likely will close before Thanksgiving. It’s hard to imagine that the race will fill that quickly. I registered in the nick of time last year, but I didn’t sign up until the last week in January.

I need to get my ass (and legs) back in gear now. I ran a little over 6 miles today. It felt a little difficult at the time, especially due to the wind, but I feel great now.

Oh and I have a bike — or, more correctly, the major parts of a bike. Jeff is going to put it together for me! More on this later.

11/2 (2)

Instead of grading, I have been watching YouTube videos. It is a productive night.

Oh hello celebrity boyfriend:

And a different kind of slow-dancing:

11/2

It’s funny how I can go from feeling financially destitute to fabulously wealthy (well, at least according to a grad student’s perspective) over the course of one morning. A glitch in the computer systems at the UofC meant that my monthly paycheck was not deposited to my bank account directly. That meant that I got to race down to the college to pick it up, hoping the entire way that today was not the day that my credit card bill, my rent check, etc were cashed.

(This might be the plot for the most boring suspense movie ever. The highlights would be me driving 55 down LSD or skipping up the steps in Harper.)

Anyway, now that I have deposited my paycheck — and the $11 that I won in a New Balance sales contest! — I feel like Scrooge McDuck. PBRs for everyone!

This is a picture of what my kitchen now looks like. On a side note, I don't think I realized until I was in college that a person (or a duck, for that matter) couldn't swan dive into a pool of coins without serious injury. "Oh....Florida."

Clearly I need to get a real job.

On Halloween, I went to go watch Jeff race cyclocross in Washington Park in Milwaukee. It was freezing outside. I am glad that my homemade cowgirl costume included tights and boots.

Jeff, looking quite dapper (and vaguely Amish) in his costume

His third hat is attached with a shoelace

I could see him coming from across the course

While I was watching the race, I ran into Michelle, a girl I knew in middle and high school. We swam together on the Express swim team, and we reconnected recently on Facebook. But I had no idea that she was going to be there that day! Her boyfriend also races in the Men’s 4s. Anyway, while the bikes were going by, we talked about running. Michelle and I are both going to be doing the Boston Marathon in 2010. It is nice to know someone else who is running it — and roughly at the same pace.

This was another spectator with whom I interacted

Jeff and I stuck around the park for a bit, to watch some of the other races and to consume some hot dogs and hot apple cider. Then, once we were back in Chicago, we both took a two-hour nap. I really had no excuse.

That night, we drove down to Hyde Park to go to a Halloween party thrown by Kathryn and Chris.

The beautiful party hosts

Two very different costumes (Steve, Lyubomir)

Kathryn and me, a few drinks into the evening

After a few hours, Jeff and I left to go to Melissa’s birthday party in Wicker Park. I had 4-5 drinks by then, which is an amount typical for my consumption over the course of an entire month. Woo. The following is Jeff’s summary of the second party: we arrived; I handed over a bottle of red wine; I took a cupcake in exchange; we left. In my defense, we stayed later than all of the other UofCers. Party people!

Speaking of fun times, I need to get back to grading first year papers on The Odyssey and Gilgamesh.

11/1

Happy November! I had a great weekend, which included a cross race in Wisconsin, a couple of Halloween parties, a viewing of Paranormal Activity, and lots of sleep. First things first, however: on Friday, I got a new haircut!

This is the best picture that I have of my hair, so far

I go see Steph (ineedsteph at gmail dot com), who works out of her apartment in Wicker Park. She is absolutely amazing. I recommend her highly.

10/29

There have been so many meetings, classes, and appointments in the last week.

What I would rather be doing...

This weekend is Halloween! I am looking forward to a crossrace and a couple of parties — and some time off of work.