More Seattle Stuff

-2 Hours away from Vancouver
-No state income tax
-Sales tax is anywhere from 6.5-9% depending on what you buy (higher in restaurants I think?) And MD-ers are complaining about 6%? Whew!

No big change in the averages (contrary to EVERYONE telling me how much it rains there) between here and there....

DC:
Population: 582,049
Elevation: 25-420 feet
Average Annual Rainfall: 39.3 inches
Average Annual Snowfall: 15 inches
Average January Temperature: 36 degrees F
Average July Temperature: 79 degrees F

Seattle:
Population: 563,374
Elevation: 20 feet
Average Annual Rainfall: 34 inches
Average Annual Snowfall: 7.1 inches
Average January Temperature: 41 degrees F
Average July Temperature: 65 degrees F

I can move now....

There's an Ikea in Seattle.

************Update 1/24, 1am************

There are also 11 Trader Joes in the Seattle/Tacoma metro area.

Unfortunately, there are no Filene's Basements, no 5 Guys, and no Chevy Chase Banks in Washington State. I'm also pretty sure that Old Bay won't be in every grocery store.

However, I have heard that it's the best place for Asian food of all sorts. And there's fresh fish... supposedly... there's a place where fish are thrown daily. Weird, huh? ;)

**************Update 2/8, 11:24pm***********
And a Nordstrom Rack. I'm set.

300

This is my 300th blog posting. I feel like it should be BIG and LIFE CHANGING and say something of DEPTH about my life and blogging. I don't think it will. Sorry! I guess I'm still writing for myself (and my loved ones), although I do enjoy it when new people arrive.

I'm figuring out the When of my move. I'll be leaving at the end of March, right after my 30th birthday, or mid May. I have a lot of shit. Scratch that- I have a lot of shit that I need to get rid of: clothes, books, furniture, papers, junk in general. I am contemplating a big yard sale in the next couple weeks. Anyone need skis? Or a drum set? Or (about) 300 copies of men's magazines?

I would love to leave the state with just my car and my clothes and my computer. What more do I need, really? But I do love my $20 dresser (I got from my hometown used furniture store) and I have a strong need to keep Dixie's bamboo furniture. So, I guess I will spend $800 on a moving truck and tow Pimpy behind me. I think I may be able to convince my Dad or Nat to ride with me across country if I fly them back to the east coast.

I'm so excited to move, and so anxious to leave my family, my friends, my kiddies all behind. I spent all day with Em on Friday thinking about how much he'll grow and change if I don't see him weekly. Same with Eddie, Teddy, the girls.

I guess if it doesn't work out, I can always come back. I'm hoping it does work out. And I have the strength and drive to leave again to live somewhere else.

When I Grow Up

I got goosebumps while watching this trailer.

I have a good feeling about how this movie will help my intended career path.

Seattle

SO
To move to Seattle or not.

I know that this might be something coming out of left field... But it's actually been sitting on my mind for several months.

I'm worried about how much I will miss my friends and family, but I know I thrive on change and novelty.

So my decision is made. I am moving to Seattle. The questions are now when. And how. And where exactly (Seattle's kinda big, right? hehe).

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Texas was actually a really good change of pace. I loved being around Dixie and Betsy and the big ass state of Texas with it's big ass attitude. Could I live there? Um, no way jose.

It did however give me bonding time with my very special "other" mother; my spiritual guide in this life.

Staving off the masses

Tay-has was grand. Go see pics.

I have lots of things on my mind and only a little bit of time.

Updates soon, promise. :)

Yee Haw!

I'm off to Texas on Friday to see a very dear friend.

Here is the weather forecast in Laredo:

Fri Jan 11		Sunny	80°/51°	10 %
Sat Jan 12		Sunny	81°/47°	10 %
Sun Jan 13		Sunny	74°/47°	10 %

And for my home in Silver Sprung?

Fri Jan 11		AM Showers	60°/39°	50 %
Sat Jan 12		Partly Cloudy	51°/34°	10 %
Sun Jan 13		Mostly Cloudy	50°/33°	20 %

Wee! See y'all later!

I Promise

From Feministing:

“Oh, the remnants of sexism are alive and well,” Mrs. Clinton said.
“As I think has just been abundantly demonstrated, I am also running to break through the highest and hardest glass ceiling.”

I honestly don't know who I will vote for in the primaries on the 12th. I have, however, enormous respect for Senator Clinton and her aspirations.

I am so sick of the misogyny that seems to follow her around. She gets choked up when talking about the future of her country- she is weak. She doesn't look feminine enough or her cleavage is showing- how can she run the country??

I promise to vote for the issues I believe in most and not for the person in the most flattering suit. I will not vote for gender, race, color, religion (or lack thereof), origin, or physical ability. I love my country and that love encourages me to make it better through my voice and my vote.

Life Carries On

Today was a good day. I spent it with my mom and sister doing yoga, I ate oysters, and I saw my maternal grandfather (first time in about 10 years?). My mom brought me peas and dumplings- one of my favorite foods. I spent the rest of the evening watching teen flicks (A Walk to Remembr and Raise Your Voice).

But ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I've been really down all week. I've been kind of bummed out the past couple weeks- being sick, dealing with pms and hormones for the first time in a couple years. But since New Years Day, I feel like I keep fucking up. It's a vicious cycle: I'm miserable, I snap, I end up feeling more miserable.

I had a customer come in at 1030am this past week and order a shot of gin. He pays with a $100 bill. 1030am drinker + $100 bill = shifty in my mind. I check the bill with a pen in the office while I get change- it's fine.

He orders another shot of gin. He tips ok, asks where a bank is and before he leaves, tells me that his mom just died and his family is fighting with each other over what to do with the remains.

I felt like an ass, but still in a pissy mood. In the meanwhile, I yell at a coworker who was trying to help me (I felt patronized- he's really just a nice latino male who thinks women can't/shouldn't exert themselves). My grieving gin drinker comes back around 1pm for a double. And to tell me I was an angel. And proceeded to give me an entirely too generous tip.

Needless to say, after wanting to cry all day because of my miserably frustrating mood, I Wanted to cry for the rest of the night after work for being such a bitch.

And so goes the rest of my week. I can't remove myself from the big fat cloud over my head. The irony is that I was JUST telling someone about how divinely content I have been since I left the office. And I do think that made a big difference in the way I view things. Not only because the mindless work and lack of encouragement sucked 5 years of my life away, but because I am just happier with my kids and my bar customers. Much less drama!

I guess I just need a couple more weeks to get used to being Sans-Depo. And next week is supposed to be warmer; so more outside time with the kiddies will be wonderful.

It'll be nice to stop crying over everything.

Goodbye 2007

My resolutions for last year:

• Increase activity (non-work related)!
• Travel once a month!
• At least 3 debts paid off!
• More time with family!
• More contact with friends I miss!
• Volunteer!
• Save, save, save!

Well folks, how did I do?

I lost 10+ lbs in my increased activity, although I don't think my tummy will be washboard by 30. I went to Greece. Hardly once a month traveling, but once a year out of the country is good enough for me right now. I paid two of my credit cards off. I'm somewhat close to a third. I spent more time with the family this year, mostly because the addition of my lovely nephew, Edward. I'm still working on the friends... I am heading to Texas in 2 weeks to hang out with my other mother, Dixie. I volunteered for a couple months before the holiday. I am planning to get back to it in the next two weeks. I am getting better about saving. I've always had an ING account (4.10% on a no minimum saving account!) and I've started an account with their partner, Sharebuilder. I should really get paid for this advertising.

So how about 2008? I've been making fun of people who make resolutions. Especially those involving weight or outward appearance. So I guess I don't have any resolutions for 2008. Except maybe to try to stop making the same mistakes over and over again. Too general? How about...

I resolve in 2008:

• Keep my heart away from men and women who are taken
• Earn the A's I need to be accepted into school
• Work on decreasing my fondness of procrastination

Happy New Year!!!!!!!!