london calling

It's funny how traveling makes you do things you normally wouldn't consider doing. Maybe it's the "hey, I'll never see these people again" idea, or maybe just that you're so jet lagged that these things just make sense.

For example. Today I went shopping, and noticed myself doing the following:

- Upon remembering which side of the road people walk/drive on here, I felt an overwhelming urge to correct people that were walking on the wrong side of the path. "Oh, excuse me sir, I don't know if you're aware, but people walk on the LEFT side of the path here. Just wanted to make sure you knew that."

- Purchasing a sandwich, and despite having enough coins to pay for it, instead handed the woman a 10 pound note for fear that I would be struggling too much in my wallet, and God forbid the woman think I'm a tourist or something.

- Considering buying a jumpsuit. Apparently they're all the rage here, and I saw one in a store that had a lace back and actually went back to the store to look at it again. "This would be a great idea."

where is my mind?

Tragedy has struck...I have started attempting...online dating.

Yes, it's true. But mostly out of boredom. And I'm contemplating quitting any day now. Of the 2 dates I have been on, both have been sufficiently awkward, and even more so than anticipated.

Contestant #1: Knew too much about pigeons, wanted to discuss most recent relationship failures within the first hour of date, shared a one bedroom apartment with 2 (yes, TWO) other people, had a roommate that was a self-proclaimed Fascist, and started a sentence with "I probably shouldn't tell you this but...". After the "but" came "I was committed when I was 16." FAIL.

Contestant #2: Friendly enough, but would look at me like a deer in headlights every time he finished answering whatever question I had just asked. So I would ask another. And another. And eventually I just ran out of ammunition, and had to resort to random statements like how much I dislike shellfish. Not a complete fail, but enough to make me wonder what the hell we would talk about if we ever hung out again.

So...I'll give it one more try. Then I'm throwing in the towel.

such great heights

i wish that i could take the same approach to life that i take to running up a hill: keep your eyes right in front of you, and don't look at how much farther you have to go.

Some loves.

She would have done anything for him. Some women are like that. Some loves are like that. Most loves are like that, from what I can see. Your heart starts to feel like an over-crowded lifeboat. You throw your pride out to keep it afloat, and your self-respect and your independence. After a while you start throwing people out- your friends, everyone you used to know. And it's still not enough. The lifeboat is sinking, and you know it's going to take you down with it.

It was the most difficult goodbye I have ever had to say.

about today.

everything looks perfect from far away.

paint your face red.

i've been reading my friend Shawn's blog on a rather regular basis, and while i'm super stoked that he and his gf are having such an amazing adventure, it also makes my heart hurt a little. i want to have adventures! adventures that don't involve my passive-aggressive boss, my greedy landlord, my smoking car, my dirty apartment, fights on the bus, and that scary crazy man on the corner by my dirty apartment. yes, i'm aware that i just had adventures not so long ago...but they're like Pringles. you can't have just one. or a tube. i need more tubes of Pringles.

i should probably just stop reading his blog. that might make me feel better.

i've been feeling quotey lately. here's one from Joey from A Softer World (totally unrelated to the contect of this entry, but who cares):
"Man, I was thinking about unrequited love. I figure it's best to just walk that shit off. Find someone else to be excited about. It's like if you love ice cream but your ice cream man friend won't give you any. Maybe he's got a good reason. It cuts into profits. Who knows? But he likes you as a friend and wants to hang out anyway. It just drives you crazy to hang out with that dude, even if he's being reasonable from his point of view. So don't hang out with him. What, you ONLY like ice cream? It's ice cream or nothing? Don't be an asshole. Learn to love donuts."

she is in everything

we don't.

but we say

we can walk away

if we want.

hang your holiday rainbow lights in the garden.

Tomorrow I am moving to the city. It's funny, I'm only moving across a bay, but I'm still anxious. I don't even remember how I managed to move across an entire ocean. But it's a good feeling....like breathing new life into something stale. That's how I've been feeling...stale.

Today I signed up for two classes at City College of San Francisco, neither of which are nursing related. But I'm excited, because they are two things I have always wanted to be better at. Beginning Conversational Spanish, and Elementary Guitar. Now I can use the beautiful Taylor guitar that I got for Christmas 7 years ago. And now I can pretend even better to speak Spanish when I drink.

It's going to be a busy Spring, I don't think I could've handled Microbiology. I signed up for a full marathon, and submitted my portfolio for review to take the national license for massage exam. I'm going to 2 weddings, and Salt Lake City, and my cousins from Australia are coming. And I'll be acclimating to a new life. Micro can wait.

And Erin Conger is moving here.

Things are looking up...so don't look down.