past year, in sum:
-got a job in the city with a publisher.
-moved to a cute, ramshackle 1-bedroom in west philly.
-adopted a calico cat with big green eyes and an insatiable need to cuddle. named her Matilda.
-received my very first gas bill; subsequently shivered through the winter of 2005.
-lost illusions of being the next Nigella or Martha; rediscovered my childhood culinary joys - frozen pizza, frozen burritos, and cold cereal. maybe when i have a real kitchen....
-unwittingly answered an internet personal ad
-met The Russian
-realized that working in publishing does not require writing or thinking. it involves sending files to India and retrieving the files India sends back
-gave up Jesus for Lent
-missed school terribly
-did not read any good books.
-saw Star Wars episode 3.
-started working out with unnatural regularity. i now run 4 miles a day, 5 days a week, over my lunch hour.
-developed abs and a clear complexion
-had my car broken into. a few clothes and my gym bag stolen. i was so naive and suburban then...now i don't leave anything in the back seat of my car except a sign that says "Steal this, fucker." kidding! i don't want to incite anything. the sign says "Please don't steal this, fucker."
-rode the razor's edge of broke with panache.
-said NO to drugs
-stopped wearing underwear
-caught up on the rated R movies from the early nineties that my parent's wouldn't let me watch back then
-went to my 5-year class reunion; drank too much, danced a little, passed up an opportunity for a 3way.
-got sick with respiratory infections. again and again.
-mastered parallel parking
-enjoyed lazy summer Sundays in Manhattan with the Russian Lover. discovered that i really like new york.
-turned 24.
-came no closer to discovering my calling in life. resolved that money is not a terrible thing to strive for; resolved to strive for a lot of money.
-avoided writing for fear of failure. thought a lot about the things i would write if i was writing.
-decided not to renew lease in cute, ramshackle one bedroom; weathered the crazy ranting of lazy slumlord; fled to the Russian lover with Matilda and a suitcase.
I am presently waiting for the results of my annual review at the publisher; a promotion and attendant raise are in order. After the results I will consider my prospects for the coming year. In other words, "Should I stay or should I go?" It is probably high time for a career change...already. So...that's the story. Want the juicy details? Get in touch.