Book Trouble

Wow, this is the company I used to work for...looks like I got out just in time.

Pregnant

Last night I had a dream I was pregnant...I suppose it's a side effect of working at a pregnancy magazine, but it was bizarre nonetheless. I wasn't just pregnant though, I was really pregnant, like way into the third trimester. I was also sitting on the edge of a banister over a long drop. I could really feel how huge my belly was and I remember thinking I'd better be careful not to fall over. Who the hell dreams of shit like this?! It reminds me of my old baby dreams. I used to dream every so often about babies, not just me having them, but people giving them to me, and once I was one myself. I mean, I really want to have babies, but that's so not going to happen for another ten years or so, as long as I have my way.

On a completely different note: I'm going to Costa Rica!!! Heather and I just booked the flight tonight (finally, after months of deliberation) for August. Can't wait to dust off my old backpacking gear and get out into the wilderness again! Whoopeeeeeeeeeeee!

I am now halfway through my week of living my sister's life (minus her job and the British boyfriend), which is turning out quite nice. In a span of 10 minutes yesterday, I bumped into one of her friends at the gym and another on the train...weird. I love the 30 minute commute to work (as opposed to one hour 20). I like not worrying about catching the train back to the Island. I enjoy the coziness of the apartment in all but one respect: the kitchen. But despite the tinyness of the area, I still managed to cook twice this week. It's definitely giving me ideas about what I'd like for my own apartment: a larger kitchen for one (at least more counter space). I find that I don't mind living in a small space. But a small space with a roommate is another story.

I'm getting antsy about moving to the city. Yes, I know I should enjoy the central air, the proximity to the beach, the amount of space, the money saved on rent, and that's fine. I'm cool with staying through the summer. What gets me is the obsession to check on Craig's List for apartments all the time when I know I'm not ready to sign a lease until August/September. I know it doesn't hurt to look, especially since it'll give me an idea of what's out there, but I still can't resist the urge to email myself listings...

Monday Monday

Yesterday was one of those days that turned out to be surprisingly pleasant, despite it being a rainy Monday. All went right in the world as, in a span of mere minutes, Heather graduated from Brooklyn Law, Josh got into the improv company he auditioned for the day before and thought he'd bombed, and a fantabulous job opportunity for Alanna presented itself. These days I'm really excited when great things happen to my friends, especially with so many of them starting out with careers, apartments, relationships, etc. Hey, when my friends are happy, they're less moody and that's always good for me!

Other things that added color to my day: a lunchtime walk (rain-free!) during which I discovered Stuyvesant Square, a pretty little park near Gramercy (I am always struck by how much beauty exists in NYC, amidst all the grime, of course); and a book reading and signing by Sherman Alexie, who was reading from his new book, Flight. I haven't read the book yet, but the chapter he read was very good. I actually saw him last year at the Sydney Writers' Festival, and he is such a comedian. He was really funny at last night's reading too. If you ever have a chance to hear him read, go because it's like seeing a stand-up act. It's funny, because I don't go to readings thinking I'll definitely buy the book, but I almost always inevitably do. I guess that's the nature of readings. Plus, it's cool to meet authors.

Finished the evening by watching the rest of Happy Feet. Very adorable penguin movie. I was a little less into it than I thought I'd be, and I think it has to do with the fact that almost all the characters look alike (as penguins generally resemble one another). I can't get invested if I can't tell the characters apart, as shallow as that sounds. Regardless, it was a very cute film.

Chicago

Yay, the weekend in Chicago was a resounding success! It's very reassuring to know that Josh and I are good travel-mates, but that's not really surprising. His friends, Scott and Ray, were extremely hospitable, generous, and freaking hilarious! It was a laugh riot most of the time. Except for the theatre, everything about Chicago exceeded my expectations. We saw a Second City show and it was just okay...a bit disappointing. It wasn't the Mainstage show, but the Etc. show, which is still supposed to be hilarious. However, the show we saw on Sunday night sucked so bad, it made the SC seem like the funniest show on earth. If you are in Chicago, DO NOT go see Dr. Amazing, America Needs You at Annoyance...so bad it hurt.

What wasn't bad: the Bean, reflecting the entire skyline; the 96th floor Hancock building bar at sunset; North Beach right in the city, not like in Sydney where you have to travel half hour to get there and you're way outside the city center--you can literally see the city skyline from the lake (Michigan); Lincoln Park Zoo, where the monkeys eat their own poo; Pizzeria Uno, although it's not really pizza, more like a quiche, but delicious nonetheless; waiting over an hour for Sunday brunch, apparently the most popular meal in Chicago; jazz at the Green Mill to wash out the bad taste of Annoyance; renting a quad bike at Navy Pier, biking over a heavily trafficked bridge, and stopping for a drive-thru hot dog.

Ah, good times. Oh yeah, why are the trains in Chicago so slow!

It seems I've reverted back to my original travelogue-style blog. Let's hope there are even more trips to write about...

Wow, work is getting so crazy! How did I go from being an intern to having half of the Managing Editor's responsibilities in two months?! I really need better time-management skills because the day starts and, before I know it, it's over. Meh, I suppose it's better than being bored out of my mind at work, which is something I was experiencing not too long ago. Ah, those were the days...but who am I kidding? I like being busy. I just wish I could snap my fingers sometimes and get it all done. I often leave work feeling like so much is left unfinished and that I have such a short amount of time to get it done, which really isn't true at all. I definitely feel pressured, though, but I attribute that to the fact that I haven't really felt true stress at a job before...at least not like this. So this is what being an adult is like, eh?

Fun side note: Chicago this weekend (4-day weekend thankyouverymuch)! Anybody got some good tips for my trip? Already going to see Second City and perhaps The Neo-Futurists (yay for TMLMTBGB). To be honest, I have no concept of what Chicago even looks like. It's not like one of those cities one sees images of regularly. Well, can't wait to find out!

Plum

Plum is finally here! Get your copy today! In bookstores May 22. See the fruits (pun intended) of our labor (another pun intended)...haha, I'm full of 'em today.