Confession # 38

Black Friday. The day of all days to avoid shopping. Shopping itself is not all bad - if the stars align, and there's no urgent feeling of "I-need-the-perfect-dress-by-next-weekend", it can be lots of fun! The crowds of people are what make shopping torture to be borne stoically (or not so stoically) rather than the pleasant outing it should be.

This year, for the first time ever, I went shopping on Black Friday. I didn't get trampled, I witnessed no crazed tug-of-wars between customers who eyed the last toy (or slippers, or cardigan, or iPod Touch) at the same time. There were no lines, no parking debacles (you know, the ones where you drive around the whole parking lot three times before finding some poor pedestrian to stalk back to his or her parking space). You might doubt my words. You really went shopping on Black Friday, in America? You might say. That can't be possible! Indeed, if I weren't the one telling the story, I might doubt them, too.

The story begins with a fit of cabin fever. I'd slept in that morning, after an intense food coma following Thanksgiving dinner. Having no plans until that evening, I watched some t.v., made some scones, and read a bit before becoming so bored I just had to leave the apartment. So I went for a walk. Didn't get very far before it started raining, so I ducked into the consignment shop down the next block for a bit of a reprieve. For half the time I spent browsing the few colorful racks, I was the only customer in the shop. I only saw three other customers the whole time I was there. Most importantly, I bought two items at a discount! (A discount completely unrelated to Black Friday, but it amounts to the same thing.)

And that's how I went shopping on Black Friday without losing my sanity. Not to mention, I helped the world by re-using unwanted (and lovely) clothes.

Advent: Day 1(ish)

I am aware that December has not yet arrived. However, my countdown must start early as I have a Christmas event scheduled for Black Friday. No, it is not shopping. I vow never to be in any location that might be termed a "mall", whether strip or the regular kind, nor shall I ever be found in any kind of store, on Black Friday. I have a large, fiercely defended personal space sphere, and crowds make me irritable. As in, step-on-toes and elbow-nudge irritable.

No, on Friday evening, I have plans to go to the ballet! The second ballet I've been to as an adult, and specifically, this time I have tickets to see the Nutcracker at the Kennedy Center (playing Nov 24-29). Though not the first time I'll have seen the Nutcracker, it will be the first in so many years I can't remember much about the last time, except that my father started snoring halfway through.

I look forward to it with a great deal of anticipation - I love Tchaikovsky, he was brilliant, and the Nutcraker is one of my favorite suites. Not to mention the costumes, and the story, and getting to sit in good seats, to dress up in fancy evening clothes, and to down a small, overpriced glass of wine at the intermission... I can't wait!

Happy (Almost) Advent!

I love advent calendars. Always have. The pretty pictures, the Scrooge stories (a really excellent one year I'll never forget told a very abridged version)... the more glitter, snow, trees, historical buildings and people, the better. My favorite was one I bought in a very out-of the way little shop in Verona, run by a little old friendly lady, who probably saw three people a day walk through her shop doors. It was glittery, and had snowy trees, and such pretty little pictures! I was so enamored I brought it home with me in my luggage just to open the last few days. Probably had glitter in my suitcase for weeks afterward...

Well, as most people know (or should know), paper advent calendars equal not so good for the environment. And those cloth ones you can put chocolate in, I've never really gotten into. So I've decided this year to do something hopefully a little more "green" (and no, the fact that I haven't had the time, energy or ability to find the perfect advent calendar this year (nobody makes them anymore!) had nothing to do with my decision..). Anyway, the plan is to do something Christmas-y every day from the first to the 24th. That's the plan. We'll see how well it works. Oh, and did I mention I also plan to document this attempt here? Well, that's part B of the plan. Some events I may have a chance to write about before they actually happen, so if anybody lives in or near DC, it might be helpful. I make no guarantees, however.

Thanksgiving Anticipation

I think it's funny that after Thanksgiving, everyone generally feels as stuffed as the turkey that got roasted full of good things like bread and apples or rice and raisins. Turkey's revenge, perhaps?

No matter, I'm still looking forward to the cooking and the wine and the feasting and the wine, and of course the good company and the wine... Seriously though, sometimes Thanksgiving is even better than Christmas. I say sometimes because I have had one perfect Christmas, and it didn't occur the same year I went to the perfect Thanksgiving.

This time of year always brings back good memories of hosting my own feast, sometimes with a chicken (oven too small), sometimes at a friend's apartment (kitchen too small) while in Scotland. For three years I organized Thanksgiving dinners, because I couldn't bear to be away from home and not celebrate one of my favorite holidays. This year I'll be making biscuits, squash and a pumpkin tart I can't wait to try, because I've never made a tart before. If any of the recipes are successful, I may just share them here, if anyone is interested.

What could be more enjoyable than good food, good company and good wine? Not much, in my humble opinion. Though maybe in three months it is possible that I'll rate a beach, a cocktail, and and an umbrella higher on my list of "best things ever".

World Car Free Day - It Does Exist!

So here's an article I meant to post ages ago (and if I have, and I've forgotten, I apologize for the repeat but really I'm too lazy to go back through all my other posts to check).

Written by a columnist at the Washington Post, who comes to some interesting and sometimes obvious conclusions. Well, obvious to someone who doesn't own a car, at least... Anyway, here it is.

The only thing I'm not sure about, at least in Washington, DC, is whether or not it's cheaper to commute via public transportation, or via personal vehicle. I know Boston's T costs less for commuters than our Metro, and that sort of variation can make an enormous difference in how affordable public transportation is. Furthermore, I suppose it would depend on what kind of car one drove, and whether it qualifies as "green machine" or alternatively as "gas-guzzling monster".

Maths

Today I discovered, yet again, while working on scrap paper that I keep around to re-purpose before throwing it in the recycling bin, that I still can't do math. I forget that I'm supposed to multiply and add instead. The simplest addition problems slip quickly into mire, and don't add up. Proportions don't even out. And let's not even discuss geometry.

That's okay, you might say. In life, math equals not such a hugely important skill. Plus, if it's wrong once, you can always redo it, or have someone check it.

I take the GRE tomorrow morning. Gulp.

if I Only Had a Bicycle... A Tale of Tweed

Good day to you!

An event occurred last weekend in DC that I wish I'd joined. They call it a "tweed ride", a phenomenon that began in London and has since been seen in cities across the US, including San Francisco, Boston, Chicago and even Washington (DC, that is). Notably, excluded is the fashion capital, New York City. The essence of the "tweed ride"? Dandies (often) in tweed, cycling through city streets. The fashion evokes a jumble of eras, with riding boots, suspenders, tweed skirts, bowties and tie clips, and hats of all styles.

Read all about it! In Monday's WaPo article.

For those of you, like me, who missed the inaugural ride, and would love the opportunity to join in, there may be a next time! Look for news on the blogosphere before next spring and you may catch it. If I'm lucky, and remember, I'll put something up here before it happens.

Excuses, Excuses

Okay, a short confession. I haven't been writing recently because I've been unmotivated (surprise), but also because I've been trying desperately to focus on studying for that evil test, the GRE. So far, have had mixed results.

I have plans, but this is not the venue to mention them -except maybe the one where I win the lottery at 100+ million dollars...

To briefly update: The ghost ship was fun. One of my friends, very easily scared, had an excellent time, and made it more fun for me, going through with her. Everyone Metroed, so I guess that's green. Halloween night itself was one of the biggest nights I've had in a long time... there's something about having a DD (thanks J) that provides an excuse for drinking too much. Next time I think I'll offer to drive! The best highlights: "bloody" stumps of finger cookies with almonds for fingernails, flipping every cup on the first try, and the awesome deejaying of my friend.

Since then, my life has consisted of Emergency Margaritas, too much math, and getting beat up and returning the favor in my self-defense class. The first and last of which help keep me sane.