Life 2.1

Tonight is Halloween, which (naturally) means that last night was spent looking for costume parts. I began my mission around 6:30, already feeling dejected and not at all enthused at the thought of having to take on the swarms of last-minute costume-shoppers like myself.

I didn’t have anyone to shop with and that bummed me out more. If there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s don’t go shopping for ridiculous costumes by yourself. You don’t have anyone to laugh at your ridiculosity yep, I just made up a word so you wind up just feeling dumb in a dressing room, instead of cracking up with someone at how hilarious it will be.

It’s the same feeling one might get when they decide to go to the movies alone but as you sit in the un-filled theater, you think to yourself self, the guy in that little room up there is having to play this movie JUST because of me. Then it’s not as fun as the $10.75 you just forked over would warrant.

It was especially sad when I couldn’t find a black pinstriped skirt to save my life. The kicker being that I just gave mine to the salvation army before I moved. I picked a fine time to be generous.

I had gone into every Charlotte-21 store imaginable and nothing. It sucked the wind right out of my sails.

Luckily for me, it was at this point in the evening that MTG decided to call and check in.

She stayed on the phone with me and it was just like having a shopping buddy! Suddenly, on the verylaststore in the stupid mall, I ventured in, whilst having girl talk with MTG. Then I saw it. Hanging on a rack. Not a pinstriped skirt but a bodice dress that I could either cut into a skirt or wear a blouse over. But let me re-state my find. A bodice dress. Like something that mimics lingerie. Yikes.

Now, if I were by myself, I would haven’t even entertained such a dress if you want to call it that. But I was “with” MTG so she told me to try it on. So I did. And I took pics of myself in the dressing room and texted them to her.

Then she gave me the thumbs up actually the words of approval were: booyah, which I appreciated so I proceeded to the counter to purchase the dress-turned-car-wash-rag-post-Halloween.

$15 later, I have the base of my costume and I’m no longer bummed about H’ween. I do, however, still miss my girls.

I heard a friend re-tell this story and I thought this was an interesting tale so I’m passing it on. Consider it food for thought and not an endorsement.

Yesterday on my way to lunch, I passed one of the homeless guys in that area, with a sign that read “Vote Obama, I need the money.”

I guess this redistribution of wealth is going to take a while to catch on, with those doing the work.

KA hit the nail on the head. This is why I heart her: she and I agree on this sorta thing and feel the need to blog about it. And because she scrapbooks. Yes, I verb-ed my hobby: to scrapbook.

Halloween Costumes 101

For the record, I’m dressing up as a gangster. Because they wear clothes and I won’t freeze in my costume. And I think it’s been established that a cold Colleen isn’t good for anyone.

I think it’s safe to say that I have a very strong aversion to my new place. I haven’t really unpacked a lot of things in hopes that I will magically wake up and love my new apartment and want to enjoy the newness that comes with the unpacking. So far, no luck.

We all know about the Great Cable/Internet debacle of 2008, in which I have a (that’s a singular ‘a’) cable jack. Therefore, unless I run wires all through my house, I only can watch TV in my living room and don’t have a jack in which to access the internet.

Then when I finally contacted another cable guy, he talked a good game, saying how he would come by and rout splitters and put wires under the carpet so I wouldn’t have to see them…it all sounded great. I told him to make it happen and I would pay his $55 installation fee. Well, he stood me up, costing me four hours of my life that I can’t get back. Thanks a lot jerkface cable guy.

My archenemy

Of course, there was also a major disappointment in cabinet space and now all of my dishes and glassware are in cabinets too high for me to reach without a stool, furthering my frustration that they are not readily available. And I like food. I am also in favor of eating it on plates and not out of pots, pans and cartons. Thus the dishware distance becomes a problem. I tried cooking last night…I was practically running into myself in the kitchen. Sigh.

Then tonight. I bring myself to do the dishes in my dishwasher; the dishwasher that is part of my apartment’s “full appliance package.” And it won’t latch. This dishwasher in my new archenemy.

I have tried to make it latch, but it won’t reach. It’s like my dishwasher door needs stilts. The latch sweeps closed too low to catch the latch. Ironically, the door still closes all the way and it will turn on.

Here I sit. Beaten and watching for any signs of stray dishwasher water.

So now, I sit in my kitchen, on my step stool (yes, the one that I use to reach my dishes), watching the dishwasher to see if it will still work and not leak water while not latched. I doubt this is going to work because there is no seal on the door but I give in apartment. You win. Have it your way. I will not be comfortable in my own home. I give in.

My mom sometimes sends me email forwards and I thought this one was exceptionally insightful so I feel it is my duty as a licensed driver to share my new knowledge. Also, this has happened to me on multiple occassions and I also have friends who rent cars on a frequent basis. You can all thank me later. Actually, you can thank my mom.

Begin email:
Have you ever rented or borrowed a car and when arriving at the gas station wondered…hmm, which side is the gas tank on?

My normal solution was to stick my head out the window, strain my neck and look, try to see in the side mirrors or even get out of the car!

Well ladies and gentlemen, I’m going to share with you my little secret so you will no longer look like Ace Ventura on your way to the gas station or put your neck at risk of discomfort or injury.

If you look at your gas gauge, you will see a small icon of a gas pump.
The handle of the gas pump will extend out on either the left or right side of the gas pump.

If your tank is on the left, the handle will be on the left. If your tank is on the right, the handle will be on the right (see photo). It is that simple!

End of PSA.
Thank you and good day.