So, Wish Me Luck...

This is my final, pre-move post. Tomorrow at 9 a.m. the games begin. I'm trying to arrange and organize the furniture and boxes so that the movers can move everything out with efficiency and swiftness. Then I go to this new place--this blank slate--this new chapter.

Here's what's left:

break down and box the desktop computer

remove legs from IKEA desk

break down bed frame

take down shower curtains

put last minute toiletries in luggage or boxes

light cleaning

turn in the keys

Postal Amnesty?

I forgot about the 1 cent increase for regular mail. Earlier this week I posted four bills, all with 41 cent stamps on them. I wonder if they'll all be sent back to me, which will doubly compound the situation, since those items will then have to be forwarded to my new address (I have an order to forward in place as of Tuesday). I figure it like this, if the money is still in my bank account a week from now, I'll just resend or pay online.

I am working for half a day today and save for a late-morning work meeting tomorrow (it couldn't be avoided), am off. The situation here at Chez Krupnik is that 96.8% of our stuff is packed and ready to go. I've arranged the boxes in two strategic locations so the movers can get them out of here with relative ease.

After I go to check out the apartment this afternoon, I'll come back here and deal with awkward items and maybe do some cleaning. My leasing agent has already completed her walkthrough. I'm clear for a full return of my security deposit, but still I want to do due dilligence.

I'm a bit tired this morning (C and I went out for Midnight Maki), but ready to get on with it, as well.

Catchka contemplates how to pack my crap

perspective

two in the hand

Heading into a long weekend [of packing]

i'm trying to position myself, where food consumption and preparation are concerned, so that i can pack up the kitchen by Sunday night. C and I have already transitioned to paper cups, but we're still using flatware, dishes, and the full suite of pots and pans. by monday night--cold foods, easy microwave (pre-fab) options, and eating out will be the order of things. I think I'll do the prep for my Memorial Day Potato Salad on Sunday afternoon. After that, no more cooking!

Here's what's left: 3/4 of the kitchen has to be wrapped and boxed, our clothes and shoes and my desk stuff all need to be packed, lamps need to be broken down, my bed has to be dissembled for easy transport, and I need to finish/tape up some boxes that are mostly filled.

I'll pack up the computer the night before...

Catchka comes over tomorrow night to help--we'll get started on the kitchen :).

Exit Strategy

I'm constantly on the edge of my seat--hawking CNN and Salon.com--watching every banal pundit analysis and reading every Op Ed piece for some clues about the psycho-political scenario that set the stage for the current democratic nomination drama.

I've said it before. I'll say it again. This is not a political blog. Now then, with that truth firmly reiterated, I have to say that I have never. ever. been so caught up in any election before. This isn't even the election. It's the lead-up.

Anyway, it's all got me thinking about stuff like "exit strategies" (my move is on my brain constantly) and "weakening positions."

My sister's voice from Italy reaches me as I begin my work day

she landed safely. it's raining here. again. listening to Mary J. Blige. Wondering what's next. It was 2 in the afternoon there.

Anatomy of An Apartment

Here Comes The Sun

This is my recent grad school investment. my current desktop will soon belong to my sister (we'll get the hard drive scrubbed and amped a bit so it's actually uselful to her), so should I forget to transfer any files to my new system, it won't be too devastating. I went ahead and sprung for some software that will help me transfer my iTunes Library (a big concern of mine, since with few exceptions, I don't have the cds I ripped to my computer anymore).

Anyway, for the last year, I've seen myself with a yellow dell laptop. This colour is so optimistic--it's a real departure for me--and one I have warmed up to, only incrementally, somewhat reluctantly. In fact, when I went online to check out the specs I wanted, I nearly got caught up in the espresso brown model... I didn't know they had espresso brown and I suddenly didn't know what to do. In the end, I went for the bright and shiny factor. I mean, just looking at this colour makes me smile--I can't help it.

Flight of the Conchords

May I heartily recommend this?

Completion

My youngest sister graduated from my undergrad alma mater on Saturday. Days in early May in Southern Maryland are typically balmy, mild, and sunny. This, much like my middle sister's graduation from a school in Vermont, was a cold, rainy, soggy debacle. These small schools really need a rain contingency plan.

Yesterday, Mother's Day, wasn't much different weather-wise, but we managed to have a good time with our mother. We had thought we would take her mini golfing, but our parade was rained on. Instead, we managed to get into a restaurant (no reservations) with only a 45-minute wait. Afterward, we went back to my mom's place with a rented copy of the The Bee Movie, which I thoroughly enjoyed.

C and I made the tough decision to make our way back to baltimore last night in the driving rain. Not getting to sleep till past midnight meant that a 6:30 alarm felt unfair, to say the least, but awake we did. While she showered, I made myself busy in the kitchen with coffee and breakfast prep. And then a lovely thing happened. My boss called. No power in our building. Report once you've been contacted that things are back up and running. C still had to report to her place of business, but I've been watching Alias Season 1 on DVD, writing out checks for bills, washing up dishes, and just taking care of things you don't usually get to attend to on a Monday morning. I'll have to make up the hours at some point (there's no work I can do from home), but for now I'm glad I didn't have brace myself to enter yet another torrential downpour.

Possibility

These mild, even-handed days make so much seem possible. also, i'm bored with myself. everything seems like retread. i'm so cynical... that's the worst. i wish i could work up some more excitement!

better than my iTunes library

open it up, go ahead.