And one more thing

I'm more than my credit score. Or my bank account balance.

Why can't we find people who happen to be renting a place we want to live in who agree? Is that really too much to ask?

Happy, um, mid-January?

We threw a party Thursday night because, well, we live in a dance studio. It was surprisingly good times, though not everyone came that said they would we had some new guests and a whole lot of yum chili and snacks. Mike, Sally, and I also rigged up the projector to hit the disco ball and then thought one better - put movies on it! So the original Batman with Adam West provided ceiling entertainment. It was a good party and I'm glad my strategy in Belgrade - invite everyone you know and then see what fun ensues - carried across the ocean.

Housing hunt is demoralizing. But we've found another roommate that allows us to look for bigger places, which has been a success so far. He's a graphic designer, been in the city awhile, and appears to be entertained by our antics. Whew.

I've now gone to a coffee training for work - we tasted SO many and talked about body, if it was dry and lingering or a clean finish, origins and why they make a difference. After that I BARTed over to Berkeley and met Sally and Sarah, ran off to help Cole move a couch. And yes, that's more excellent news - Cole, my old college roommate, has moved to the Bay! His partner, Al, will be going to law school at Berkeley come the fall and currently is working for a non-profit that assists those on death row. Cole's way into bikes and we have plans for riding, gallivanting and general chilling.

Which will be infinitely easier once we have a new house. Lease ends 31st so time is counting down... Unfortunately I've become a bit one track about it. So hopefully this week we'll get things wrapped up.

Craigslist

I have a problem when people don't use apostrophes for things like "I'm" - im is not a word. (You can read it out loud as "em" which is amusing when entertaining the lovely Sarah though).

And yet there are those that post ads like this on Craigslist trying to find housing. Incredible. Here's the title, just to get an idea. It's good for a laugh I suppose.

$800 im funny AND good looking. also im really modest.

Uh-huh.

The hunt for apartments is on.... Happy New Year to all!

Oh Christmas Tree...

Fun image from yesterday: I ran into Cheryl, another newish Peet's person (who also works at a fabulous sushi restaurant that we're starting to frequent), on my way biking home from work yesterday on the street. We talked about Christmas presents and plans and I was inspired to go look at Christmas trees that I pass daily on the way to work (though they're not open at 5 or 6 a.m.).

It was quite the Charlie Brown moment. I looked at the little trees (affordable and easier to get home) and picked out the cutest one. It was also not fire-proofed (no need) and the cheapest; the guy told me to go pay and then we'd figure out how to rig it to my new back rack. By the time I got back two fellas had already rigged it with a bungee cord so that it was sitting up right there over my back tire. Totally fun to bike down the street snuggled up to a tree complete with red bow on top; I even swung by Cheryl's other job to show her. Holiday cheer all around.

I was almost home when I saw a protest in support of the Greeks coming down the other side of the street, police escort, banners, chanting and all. It was a juxtaposition of seasons and purpose - I got some stares as I cycled past. Decorations have started and I'm feeling festive. Sarah made chocolate salted caramels yesterday too for her secret santa at work - delicious. Here comes the holiday spirit with full force.

I even found the Muppet Family Christmas on youtube, probably my favorite Christmas special. Pete's party on Friday looped Charlie Brown (silently, but since we all have the dialogue memorized it doesn't matter so much). Now to just figure out presents and solidify plans for the day itself!