I had a tawdry ear fling with The Smiths, post-college, when I was dating my drummer and for a while, after we broke up.

One of my roommates was a big fan of The Queen Is Dead when it came out. I rather liked it but wasn't overwhelmed.

Then came Morrissey's latest solo album. The song "First of the Gang to Die" grabbed me and hasn't let go yet.

That sucks about the bus. One of the things I love love love about Chicago is the public transit. Better than anywhere I've ever lived.

Yeah, transit is good here. I have my choice of two completely different train lines to take to work.

The song "First of the Gang to Die" grabbed me and hasn't let go yet.

You and Greek radio both. Between that and "somebody told me/that you had a boyfriend/who looked like a girlfriend/that I had in February of last year" in heavy rotation for the last year, there's not much time for anything else.

I just got back from a walk with Mal, as the temp is cooler today. There are several bulldozers working one street over, and he was fascinated. He also really got a kick out of watching the guy shave the Urn o' Meat at the souvlaki stand.

Yeah, transit it fabulous here. I have no excuse (but laziness) to not use it. I barely drive...pretty much just to my parents' place or Target (which I can get to in 10 minutes if I drive, but more like 45 if I take the bus). I spent $60 on gas to get to the retreat this weekend and back home. *That* was not a budgeted expense!

Poptarts:

Question for the Hivemind: Next Tuesday and Wednesday there is a job fair on campus. I figured I'd head over and check it out, take a bunch of resumes with me, etc. Should I write a general "To whom it may concern" cover letter with my strengths and whatnot to attatch to the resume? Has anyone ever done anything like this? What should I wear? Thoughts?

I spent $60 on gas to get to the retreat this weekend and back home. *That* was not a budgeted expense!

Gah. The gas increases were an unexpected benefit to our moving, as Tom's commute would have added lots of money to the monthly budget. Now we have higher fixed expenses, but much lower gasoline expediture.

We are also relieved that we can both get to work by train, very easily, if the shit hits the fan (i.e., even Tom's every-other-week fill up becomes too prohibitive). We are trying to develop a backup grocery plan, but that hopefully won't be an issue. Probably involve Tom shopping every day at the Stop & Shop across from where he works, no more than a backpack's full o' stuff.

It was kind of funny. I had to ask my dad for money yesterday to get me through till I get my loan check, because I HAVE to get my new registration tags and car inspection today, as it's the last day of the month. He's like, "I thought you budgeted for that money." I was all, "Oh, yeah...what I didn't budget for was the $60 for gas to New Hampshire and back."

"Oh. Yeah. I'll leave the money on the kitchen island for you."

I've worked my company's booth at a couple job fairs, although not at schools. We don't expect cover letters, but accept general ones if the applicant has them attached to the resume. We expect people to dress as they would for an interview, because often we interview on the spot (depending on the resume and any referrals).

Bring a swag bag, as companies often give out direct marketing junk, and bring someplace to store business cards.

Heh. I'm in the middle of a bout of Smiths obsession right now, AIFG. On Saturday, driving to and from Gilroy, I blew out my voice singing along with "How Soon Is Now" (that guitar. that guitar! GUH.) and "The Boy With The Thorn In His Side" (so exquisitely pretty, so swoopy and swoony, so deliriously and gleefully woeful). I am at present large with the Morrissey love.

Awww. I also love vw's dad, though not the way I love Morrissey.

Goodness, there's a lot of joy in Bitches this morning (not to discount the worries or anything). Congratulations to Emily and Stephanie on test-passing! Congrats to Fay on the teaching job and to P-C on the good interview! Yay libkitty on motivational discoveries!

I have some good news, too. After four weeks in the hospital it looks like my mom will be moving to a rehab. clinic by Friday. And her CT (or is it CA?) 125 counts are below 30, which means they may have chemo'ed her cancer into remission.

Well, Calli said it better than I could. I 'm glad to hear the world is backing off somewhat for some of our Bitches.

Man, I missed a Depeche conversation. This saddens me. Depeche Mode will always have a special place in my heart, because my first love (the trombone player) introduced me to them. I've never gotten to see them live (I never get to see anyone live), but I adore them so.

(Bands/singers I have seen live: Warrant, Styx, Robert Cray, Gear Daddies, Barenaked Ladies, John Mellencamp, Pearl Jam, Semisonic, India.Arie, Lyle Lovett. Okay, that's not too bad of a list. Still, that's the grand total of concerts I've been to.)

Anyhoo.