Saving Dumbo?
Hello my darlings,
I've had an absolutely fabulous week! I officially hosted my first party, a happy hour with some good friends from IHS, in my cute little apartment. As usual I made too much food, but it was delicious. The logistics of hauling raw meat down three flights of stairs to the community grill and cooking it to a state of rare enough that it could rest for upwards of an hour, but done enough that it could quickly be finished on the stovetop as necessary, made preparing this meat exceptionally interesting. (Sidebar: I HATE cooking on an electric range. Cooking with gas is, and always will be, far superior!) In spite of the challenge, I am proud to say that I nailed it! There was no "finishing" required. Both the beef and pork cooked perfectly. The other logistical challenge was running down the hall to open the garage door and escort people through the hallway maze as my guest arrived. Huge thanks to Alex for allowing me to kick him off the elevator at my floor and bark orders for him to taste and season my food while I go collect additional guests from the parking garage. Luckily after years of working together he knows what a bossy bitch I am. He might even appreciate....OK that's probably a stretch. It was a great evening! I love hosting parties and it was absolutely fabulous to be able to share good food and great beer with amazing friends in my new little home.
I do have one minor concern, aside from the overly entitled shitbag children that live all around me that I've ranted about previously, with my apartment building. The first couple of weeks I didn't hear anything from the apartment above me, but in the last couple of weeks I've grown concerned that they may have kidnapped and be holding a baby elephant captive above me. Seriously, I am startled sometimes about how heavy the footsteps above me are. I have no idea who lives in that apartment, but they walk very quickly, with the loudest footsteps that I've ever heard. Yeah, yeah, I know I've bitched numerous times about the little punk ass kids that shuffle along and they need to pick up their damn feet, well, this is the opposite problem. Since I'm still gainfully unemployed I have ample time to ponder my Operation Saving Dumbo strategy. I've considered befriending the person that lives in apartment 507 and suggesting that we launch a self-taught STOMP group in his/her apartment, but I'm concerned that the residents of 407 would want to join in thus making life for me in 307 even more hellish. Another option, I could employ the whole broom handle on my ceiling strategy, but I think that would just make me look and sound like the proverbial asshat old lady shouting at children to "get off my lawn!" Even though I'm not planning to become super besties with the hipsters around me, I am trying to avoid the curmudgeonly, crazy old lady vibe. I supposed there is a less passive-aggressive option that involves actually knocking on the door of 407 and having a conversation, but seriously passive-aggressively strategizing nonsensical solutions or making up stories about captive baby elephants is way more fun. Frankly, I've come to accept that stompy neighbors are part of the reality of apartment life and at least I'm not listening to screaming, moaning or squeaky beds, so it could be worse!
My last bit of exciting news is that yesterday I booked a trip to Barcelona! I'm leaving on Tuesday and will be home the following Tuesday. This will be my first major international trip to a non-english speaking country by myself. In fact, this is my first major, non-work related, trip by myself. I'd love to say that I exude confidence about my ability to navigate my way around, but that would be a lie. Frankly, I'm scared shitless! You might be asking why Barcelona? Honestly, I don't know. Shortly after Ray's memorial service the idea of going to Barcelona popped into my head and I haven't been able to shake the idea. With no job I have plenty of time and I can afford to go, so yesterday I decided to act!
I've also booked a trip to Vegas (YES, I still HATE Vegas) shortly after I get back. I'm going with Joie to chaperon her, while she chaperons her son and his girlfriend as they celebrate his 21st birthday. I am planning to chronicle both trips via coffee, so you should have numerous updates in the coming weeks. BTW - For the Barcelona trip I upgraded myself to Business Class as to not endure 10-hours of the horrors of the recent NOLA flight, but I'm sure there will be plenty of other entertainment for me to share.
Until next time....
XOXO
PS - If any of you have suggestions of things I should see or do in Barcelona please let me. Thus far my agenda involves Tapas, Wine and walking, oh and possibly a Ryanair flight to Fes, Morocco because seriously, why not!