Thanks for birthday wishes, guys! I just got back from a casual dinner. We had lots of naan and yummy saffron rice, and assorted spicy goodnesses. Mmmm.

I am home to take a long, possibly ass-buffing shower, and cuddle up with the Obama autobio I borrowed, and go to sleep early.

(-ish)

I'm just gaping at the choreography and wondering how long that had to practice that until they weren't tripping over each other. Wow.

They rehearsed for about eight days and did fifteen takes, using the fourteenth. They only made it all the way through three times, I think.

happy birthday Erin

Happy birthday Erin!

Since I did this for bon, it's only fair to note some of my favorite Erin memories:

Watching you stand on a bed in your room at Chicago and bounce up and down with a cigarette in one hand and a martini glass in the other being the coolest entertainment director ever.

Hearing your voice for the first time.

That look on your face after we walked Miriam to her car.

Those pictures of you after you got that bob. (Which was totally hot on you, incidentally.)

Reconnecting with you again after you'd gone down a dark rabbit hole for a while. Meara checking up on you and reporting back.

Seeing you again in LA, with your hair done in an loose updo, so pretty.

Watching you fight your way out of the hole and get your life together and really find your vocation.

Hearing how much you loved teaching this last year and how excited you are for the coming year.

Imaging you as an odalisque whenever your schedule affords.

Hearing about your river trips.

Happy Birthday, Erin!

Your book idea is a great one! My step-mother just retired from teaching this year, but for the last many years taught Latino high school kids who were not huge into reading. I will ask her for suggestions.

I ran out of my normal coffee and tried a different roast this morning. It tastes different. I'm not sure I like it.

t /diamond shoes are too tight

cracks knuckles

So, 36 posts to go. Let's KILL this sucker!

edited to wave at VW

New digs treating you OK? Is Toto any better?

waves to Frankenbudda

New digs treating you OK? Is Toto any better?

Digs are treating me wonderfully. Gonna try to finish up some stuff here today and take some pictures. YAY!

Toto seems a little better today. He was just playing pretty wildly, which he hasn't done in a few days. Of course, I'm sure the neighbor downstairs LOVES hearing him chase and slide across the floors at 7:30am.

Digs are treating me wonderfully.

This is good to hear.

Toto seems a little better today.

As is this.

I'm glad you and Toto are settling nicely into your new place, vw.

Well, I had the interview yesterday. If they're looking for someone to alternately babble and go into long, panicked silences as she mentally scrounges for words, they'll have to pick me. Seriously, I have no idea how I did, but I did get a feel for the place (a small NGO working to cut down on the rate of HIV infection in third world countries, especially Africa). If they make me any kind of decent offer, I'll take it.