Dude, my blog is worth $1,110!!!

According to this site, my blog is worth actual monies. Enough monies to buy two pairs of Manolos (or one month’s rent). That’s crazy. I never realized that a blog could be an asset. How cool.

I’m thinking about the merits of buying a condo vs. renting. I can’t afford to buy in just yet (gotta get a few more paychecks under my belt first), but I think it would be really cool to take advantage of how well the real estate market is doing, and these days you don’t even need much of a down payment to get a mortgage. Friends, weigh in. Let me know what you think about debt (I’ve never been in it before) and real estate.

Jobs? Mortgages? Holy shit, I’m a grownup.

El Update Grande

So I guess this blog is sorely in need of an update. I can’t believe how busy I’ve been. I’m still looking for an apartment. I think I’m going to stay at my Mom’s house for now to save money. We get in each other’s faces a fair amount, but it’s not so bad - and she’s a lot of fun when she’s not stressing. It’s not even crazy having Andy here. The house is a little crowded, but he’s trying really hard to pay attention to her rules and it’s working out.

Last night we went to a great party at my friend Mike’s. He just bought this gorgeous house in Leschi with a view of Lake Washington. We stayed out until after midnight (which is late for me anymore, since I still wake up at 8am most weekends) singing around his grand piano and schmoozing. I met some really interesting people. There was this one woman who I just found totally inspiring. She, my mom and I were standing around talking politics and the stock market and I was thinking, “Look at us! Gorgeous, smart, independent women taking the world by storm. Maybe this world does have a shot in hell after all.”

Having Andy with me is so nice. My mom captured it perfectly when he came over, “Andy, my daughter has been a major stressed-out bitch. Will you go have sex with her already?” It was hilarious. I just love watching him figure out his life and put pieces together. I’m so proud of him for getting this wonderful job, even if it is 3000 miles away from me. He’s going to have such a brilliant career. I just want him to be happy - and to do that, he’s got to have a good work life. I also love curling up with him and watching Star Trek which he isn’t as opposed to as he used to be. I think he finds my nerdiness more entertaining than anything else.

So yeah. Life is good. I wish I had a few more girlfriends - but I know from experience that it takes a while to develop deep, sustaining friendships with people. I’m always a little lonely when I make big transitions in life, but I always find my way.

Kate Mulgrew!!!!

Please forgive me if I act a little strange.
For I know not what I do.
Feels like lightening running through my veins
Every time I look at you.”
~ David Gray

As you know, my father and I are on a road trip from LA to Seattle. We spent Monday night in San Luis Obispo and we were planning to spend Tuesday night in San Francisco and then head out Wednesday morning to explore the Napa Valley. Then I opened the Arts page of the San Francisco Chronicle and saw that my all-time favorite actress, Kate Mulgrew was performing her award-winning one woman show Tea at Five about Katherine Hepburn at the Marines Memorial Theater Wednesday night.

After talking it over with Dad, we decided to stay the extra night in San Francisco and then haul ass Thursday morning to get to Portland (a 9+ hour drive). Having just arrived in Portland after a very long day of driving on little to no sleep, I can safely say that the whole experience was 110% worth it.

The play itself was fantastic! As expected, Kate was brilliant. I felt as though I were actually in Katharine Hepburn’s presence. I was so utterly moved by her performance that I didn’t once think of her as Kate Mulgrew during the entire show. That’s saying a lot, considering that I’ve been lusting after her since I was 12 years old.

After the play, dad and I waited for her in the lobby of the theater. When she came out, I had to hold back my excitement. I wanted to say, “God. You’re even more beautiful in real life than you are on television! Is there any chance I could buy you a drink at Girl Bar?” I figured that would scare her though, so I kept it short, didn’t mention Star Trek, and didn’t hit on her.

SO glad I didn’t make an ass of myself. I gave myself exactly enough time to shake her hand, tell her that her work meant a great deal to me, and to thank her for her dedication to her craft. She smiled warmly, told me I was very sweet, and thanked me for my support.

It was awfully hard not to hit on her though. You’d feel the same way if you were looking into this face:

Ok, I’m going to stop now because I’m so exhausted from all that driving and I have to get up early again tomorrow to shop for work clothes at the Nordstrom’s here in Portland. No sales tax in Oregon = more bang for the buck.

Cruz

“See I’m leaving today
I’m living it, oh I’m leaving it to change
See I’m leaving today
Oh yes, I’m living it, I’m leaving it to change
But somehow I’ll miss it
I think I’ll really miss it, one day” ~ Christina Aguilera

I leave Claremont for good tomorrow. My room is packed up into cardboard boxes, my car has been serviced, the movers come tomorrow morning and then my dad and I are headed out in the car tomorrow night. It was kind of heart breaking at Hangar 18 earlier today when I said goodbye to everyone. I’ve been climbing with these people for most of the semester and it feels like I’ve known them for longer than that. It’s been such a revelation to fall into climbing. For most of my life, I’ve been an athlete without a sport. It feels amazing to finally find something that I’m good at and really like doing that doesn’t hurt my back. I feel like I’ve finally come home, and I did it at Hangar 18. I’m sure as hell going to miss that place!

In other news, I’m working hard on my first set of book reviews for Elle. The books I’m supposed to review are Wickett’s Remedy by Myla Goldberg, The Woodsman’s Daughter by Gywn Human Rubio, and The Last Days of Dogtown by Anita Diamant. Seeing as I Loved The Red Tent, I’m most excited to read that one, so I’m saving it for last. I’m about halfway through Wickett’s Remedy and I’m not sure what I think about it yet. Be sure to keep your eye out for Elle to hear my official opinion.

I’m still hunting for an apartment in Seattle, since Karlie decided that she can afford to live without a roomate. I’m looking on Capitol Hill and in Downtown. I’ve got all these appointments to look at places and it’s kind of overwhelming. Still, living with my mom for a while will give me a chance to save some monies, which I totally need to do.

I should head out soon. A bunch of us are going down to the wash in a few to build a big bonfire, toast marshmallows and drink tequila straight from the bottle.