What's the Vig on this Action?

Bad news. Susanna Sue (my Volvo) has issues. For you smarty pants, it isn't because she's a Volvo but more due to the fact that she's old and I think this is her way of getting back at me for bringing her to MN. My mechanic (who is anti foreign cars) just went through a whole list of why I need to get rid of her. I about cried. She's mine and it's the only thing that I actually own with worth of over $1,000. (Not gonna lie - I'm really not into the idea of owning a house.)

So that's it. I guess I'll start looking while she's still healthy enough get me to dealerships. Just not the situation I want to be in - I like her way too much to let go. Who wouldn't love a cute, spacious car that has seat-warmers?!

As for the update on the neighbor - no go. I haven't seen him in over a week. Though, the other neighbor apparently was coming home at the same time that my cousin and I were arriving back after a social night at The Independent. I guess (according to my cousin) that you shouldn't go and knock on someone's door after 3 am. I personally just wanted to make friends and he was nice (also asking us if we were okay due to my key issues - we were but weren't, if that makes any sense). But, of course, this idea didn't come to mind until 30 mins after talking to him in the hall. While I was determined to make a new friend I found my cousin bracing herself against the door, forbidding me of making a house call.

Current # of friends in apt building: 0
# of times I've padded down to the foyer in slippers to get my mail: 12

I hope those statistics aren't related.

Down the Hall

I have a neighbor just down the hall who I am quite curious about. The first time I met him I was struggling to get up the stairs at 2 am, not because I had consumed too much, but because I was carrying life-sized posters of Chad Greenway from the MN Vikings. He was with another buddy and a girl and I felt quite dorky cause this is what I was doing on a Saturday night - clad in a t-shirt, jeans and sneakers, carrying milk mustache poster boards. He asked if I needed help (it was very apparent with my grunting and climbing the steps at the speed of a snail) but I refused. Finally, as they waited for eternity to get to the 2nd flight of stairs he upped and grabbed the end and walked me to my door. I was embarrassed to say the least and mumbled a weak "Thank you."

The next time I saw him, I was rushing into our building all sweaty due to being at the gym earlier. He was out having a smoke and tried to make small-talk with me while I attempted to open the door with my poorly cut key. I was feeling kinda dumb, so I kept my eyes on my keys and just mumbled a "hi". Weak, I know.

The last time I saw him I was making a bit of noise at my door (stupid keys) and felt someone staring at me from down the hall. Of course it was him. I smiled and finally made my way into my apartment and slammed the door shut. Even weaker, got it.

I don't know what his deal is. Perhaps I'm a bit amusing to have around seeing I have issues with carrying stuff, opening doors and seem to always be at my worst. I don't know if he's fascinated or or what but it's apparent that he finds some form of fascination with me. I am half tempted to bake some cookies and leave them at his door (of course I'll knock and run away) but I'm afraid that it might give the wrong impression

(Not gonna lie, for years I always wanted to be that neighbor who brought over the "housewarming" casserole....but it just never felt right.)

I think I should attempt to get to know him seeing I am dying for new friends in my new location, but how should I go at it without seeming creepy? (I swear, everything is considered "creepy" or "stalking" these day...)

I guess I'll just have to let it play out; it's bound that we'll run into each other again.

Happy Earth Day and No, I will not give you a dollar.

I would like to consider myself a caring person - one who will donate their time and money for a good cause. I am bothered by homelessness and the increase in it due to our current economic times. But there is just something about a certain person who I saw on the street the other day that made me lose all sympathy.

As I was walking downtown Minneapolis with my friend we walked past numerous beggers. Some tried to talk to you, others just sat there and held a sign. With each one we passed I felt awful and secretly hoped that they weren't actually in such a dire situation. I also made a mental note to sign-up to help out at a shelter soon. As we were about to cross to another street a cigarette box was tossed across our path. We turned to see who had done this, surprisingly enough it was an older gentleman clad in dirty clothes and sitting against the building holding a sign asking for money. (And let me note: there was a trash can 10 ft from the man)

The guilt left me immediately and fury set in. My friend just smiled and kept walking as if she hadn't seen a thing I, on the other hand, went into a rage of why I wouldn't give him a dollar because I just paid that to him with my tax dollars paying to pick-up his trash. I didn't say it directly to him but made sure to say it loud enough while standing at the corner waiting for the light. Call me heartless but if you don't take the time to respect your surroundings, like heck I'm gonna help you out.

Though after my little stumpfest, two blocks later I tripped and pulled a muscle in my foot.

I got the message.

The Post Office

I love the post office - so much to the point that I convinced myself that I needed to get my own P.O. Box (and yes, there's a purpose for it....work). Anyhow, I took a good amount of time picking out my 'local' Post Office based on hours, location, type of building and parking. I found one down on 1st St. in Mpls and with each visit fall a bit more in love with it. That is....until today.

I got cat-called. Twice.

Now I have been cat-called before, by construction workers, on the streets of SanFran and by GW undergrads but never would think that I would be cat-called while walking to Window 7 to send some 1st Class mail and buy some stamps and to top it off, I had just come from the gym. What is so sexy about a girl with sweaty hair, workout pants (loose) and scuffed sneakers and, AND no make-up? I'll tell you. Nothing! I know it's Monday and you're probably still asleep seeing it's 8 in the morning but good gracious, don't cat-call a girl at the Post Office.

I wonder what I would've gotten if I had actually looked nice?

April Fools - Not Engaged

Today is April 1st. I am not participating in anything. Why? Let's see, the last two years I was engaged and the year before ('06) with child. Those are the big cards and well, they've been used and now it's just considered "cryin' wolf" as far as I see it. The sad thing is, so many people believed it for the last three years. I don't know what that says about me.....loose and don't care about future? I'd hope friends/family know me better than that!

Granted, after this past weekend I think I may need to step-up the game of maturing. As in, never agree to a date after midnight and then enhale too much wine.

What I can't wait for today is the announcing of the "Rock the Garden" line-up!!!


And word came out that Ms. Lancaster is doing an '80's theme for her book tour of Pretty in Plaid - how awesome is that? I have a feeling that '09 is all things '80s (re: Rosslyn film line-up). I think I'll have to participate in all that I can.